Help Me Choose a Pressure Cleaner (Karcher vs Gerni Options)

Pbm33 on 26/09/2022 - 23:59
Last edited 26/09/2022 - 23:59

Hi guys,

I need to buy a pressure washer for some spring cleaning i.e. cement/concrete pathways (30-35 sqm), tiled patios (40 sqm), some colorbond roofing (30sqm), and also could use it to give the car a wash down. Will only use it 2-3 times a year for general cleaning. Won't bother with the driveway as that will take forever and need much more serious grunt.

I borrowed the neighbour's (quite old) Karcher K2 last year and it did the job, but it took a long time as it only had the nozzle sprayer. So I think it will be worth investing in a patio/surface/brush cleaner.

I'm tossing up between the various Karcher K2 and K3 models - can't quite figure out whether the deck (which comes with the brush) or the home (which comes with the surface cleaner) version will be more suited for my needs. Also there are multiple surface cleaner versions which makes it more confusing.

Then for Gerni tossing up between the 3300 + Power Patio Cleaner, or 3600 (which has the Classic Patio Cleaner), or the 5000 (comes with the Power Patio Cleaner).

Would really appreciate thoughts on this.

Thanks!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Mr BoMBAStiG on 27/09/2022 - 06:29

    Gerni has a solid rep and is known for quality.

    I'm getting a gerni soon but not sure if I need to get the brushless motor or not. Will be mainly for pavers and brick cleaning.

  • naru6705 on 27/09/2022 - 07:22

    I have the same question only thing is I want to add Ozito as option too

  • skid on 27/09/2022 - 07:33

    The patio cleaner will not make much difference and since you've already found the K2 a bit weak, you should get the K3. Gerni is more value for money so buying the Gerni equivalent of the K3 in terms of specs would be a good choice.

    • apsilon on 27/09/2022 - 08:28

      The patio cleaner makes a massive difference in terms of time. It does a far larger area than just the nozzle can.

      I've currently got a K7. It's fine but IMO they're one of those brands trading off past reputation where the current stuff is just average. Just buy from Bunnings and if you're not happy with it take it back and say it's not fit for the intended purpose.

  • Presence on 27/09/2022 - 08:20

    I don't think Karchers quality is as good as it's reputation. I really dislike the way the hose connects to the unit. Other than being and awkward and bulky design it's very hard to get it to seal reliably, the O rings fall apart in no time, and it's all shitty plastic so you can't use any tools (probably intentionally). The various nozzles always seem to jam and block up for no reason.

    I've never sworn so much at a power tool.

    Make sure you buy from Bunnings for a no-questions-asked refund.

  • Klaus on 27/09/2022 - 08:40
    +3

    Hi OP.

    I was just in this exact position and spent three or four months looking at and researching various pressure cleaners for the exact same things you want to do. I had even convinced myself I needed a petrol powered cleaner to ensure I wasn't wasting my money on something that wouldn't be able to complete the task.

    In the end I took a leap and bout a Gerni 7300. It comes with the biggest surface cleaner (patio cleaner) gerni has and I used it to clean the concrete for the first time two days ago. I will honestly say I have been very impressed. The dirt, moss, and whatever else washed away quite well, leaving everything really clean.

    I looked at Karcher and Stihl also, but the former is really poorly constructed (you just have to go and touch it to see for yourself) and the Stihl was uber expensive and prone to issues.

    I hope this helps. Just remember that pressure and the flow of the pressure Washer is important for cleaning things (pressure lifts the dirt, flow takes the dirt away). I'm not sure about the gerni version you are looking at, but I am so glad I bought the gerni 7300 and not an $1100 petrol pressure washer.

    • MelbEng on 27/09/2022 - 13:10

      I am like you and just bought the Gerni 7300 after using a Gerni 120 for several years. For cleaning large surface areas, the amount of time you save by using the patio cleaner is huge. For example, a job that used to take me over 1 hour is now down in 15 minutes.
      My older Gerni had a smaller patio cleaner, but it was so gutless you had to move it really slowly. The new one is so much better.

    • jasong on 27/09/2022 - 23:04

      Haven't bitten the bullet yet, but I've also decided on the Gerni 7300 after a few weeks of research.
      Price alone when you factor in all the attachments it comes with is great

  • George Washington on 27/09/2022 - 09:53

    Ryobi cheaper too…

    I have one been using it for the past 4-5 years no issues

  • Pbm33 on 27/09/2022 - 20:57

    Ok after doing some additional research, I've landed on the below 6 options. I've set a hard max $350 budget for this.

    (1) Kärcher K2 Plus ($159) + T 5 T-Racer Surface Cleaner ($110) = $269
    (2) Kärcher K2 Power Control Home (includes T 1 surface cleaner) = $219
    (3) Kärcher K3 Power Control Home (includes T 1 surface cleaner) = $319
    (4) Gerni 3300 ($169) + Power Patio Cleaner ($110) = $279
    (5) Gerni 3600 (includes Classic Patio Cleaner) = $219
    (6) Gerni 5000 (includes Mid Patio Cleaner) = = $349

    The K2 appears comparable in power to the Gerni 3300/3600 (which are the same machine with different parts included). The K3 seems comparable to the Gerni 5000.

    All prices from Bunnings website.

    Not sure if anyone has experience using these different surface/patio cleaners?

  • SnoozeAndLose on 27/09/2022 - 23:06

    Why not try Bosch? The water pressure is strong and the hose connection is more universal.

  • Kapitoshka on 27/09/2022 - 23:22

    Here is my 5c worth of opinion. 1. Do not buy cheap Karcher. They have plastic pumps, not really good for more than 10 min work. If pump goes, good luck with warranty. 2. Pay attention to PSI. Not sure what jobs you think of doing with it, but might be tricky to do big ones with underpowered appliance. 3. Pay attention to attachments. Some of them are very useful.
    In my case I got fed up with cheap Karchers and ended up with 2x Ozito. They have no questions asked 3 year warranty. 2050 PSI version have an aluminium pump for less than $100. I'm not good with filming but here are 2 videos. One is unpacking and comparison. https://youtu.be/d4J581pExTw The second one is first use of approx 6 hours non stop driveway clean results. https://youtu.be/oT-KFmlmHqY Hope it will help someone.

  • rogerwilko on 28/09/2022 - 21:09

    ^^nice review.

  • Pbm33 on 28/09/2022 - 21:16

    And here is a comparison of the specs of each of the models listed above:
    https://imgur.com/DgaZLaq

  • Pbm33 on 30/09/2022 - 20:15

    Bit the bullet and got the Kärcher K3 Power Control Home from Bunnings for $319.

    • kebabmelbourne on 12/02/2023 - 11:43

      How are you finding the K3?

      • Pbm33 on 07/03/2023 - 10:51

        Happy with it.

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