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There are a few things to consider when selecting a pressure washer. Let’s look at the most common features to pay attention to when choosing a pressure washer to make snow
The best pressure washers for snowmaking have the highest GPM (gallons per minute) rating. More water equals more snow, so pressure washers that pump more water through the snow gun are best. Don’t worry about the pressure rating when looking at pressure washers for snowmaking! Pressure washers that are rated for high pressure may be suitable for cleaning the car and other things. However, the pressure rating of the pressure washer does not affect snowmaking as long as the pressure washer can output at least 1,000 PSI. It’s okay for the pressure washer to have a high-pressure rating of 2,000+ PSI, but it’s not essential for home snowmaking. Â
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The best pressure washers have the highest GPM rating but don’t need the highest pressure rating. Something in the 1,000-2,000 PSI range will work great.Â
All pressure washers can first be divided by power type. Pressure washers or high-pressure pumps can be powered by either electricity or gas. Electric pressure washers are more user-friendly for home snowmaking since they don’t require monitoring during operation. Alternatively, gas pressure washers will run great until the gas runs out. With gas, you’ll need to re-fill the tank periodically to get the system running again. Â
Gas pressure washers can be helpful since they typically have higher GPM ratings at a lower cost. It could be a good move if you plan to make snow during the daytime when you can monitor the gas tank. With gas, you will also need to run the equipment outside in a well-ventilated area. DO NOT run a gas pressure washer in the garage for safety reasons. Since colder temperatures for most of us happen at night, there are better options than gas.Â
Electric pressure washers come in a range of sizes and different electrical needs. We’ll go into more detail in the following sections, but overall, these pressure washers are much better for home snowmaking. You can easily plug in the pressure washer and let it run with little monitoring. Electric pressure washers can be placed next to the snow gun, in the garage, or an equipment shed. This allows for more options and convenience wherever you plan to make snow.Â
Now that we’ve narrowed our pressure washer selection to electric let’s compare different options.Â
Electric pressure washers come in 2 main categories: residential and commercial grade (quality). Â
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Residential grade washers are standard household pressure washers used to wash your car or patio at home. These pressure washers typically have a universal (brush) motor, making them inexpensive. These pressure washers usually cost anywhere from $100 – $400 and are rated from 1-2 GPM (gallons per minute) of water flow. Since they have a universal motor, they are the cheapest option and run on standard 110v power outlets. The versatile brush motor is cheap but loud, which can be a disadvantage for snowmaking. These more affordable pressure washers are great for washing the car occasionally and making snow a couple of times yearly. Snowmaking for 5-8 hours straight can also put a good amount of wear on these smaller pressure washers. Since these washers are of lower quality, running them non-stop for days in a row is not recommended for longevity. From personal experience, a residential pressure washer will last for 2-4 years if used around 100 hours a year. That’s about 5-7 days of snowmaking (8 hours each time) in the winter and a similar amount of use in the summer. Â
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Commercial-grade pressure washers are built for heavy use and are more durable than residential-grade pressure washers. Commercial grade pressure washers often feature an Induction motor (oil-filled) and triplex pump that is more durable than the universal motor pressure washers. The induction motors are extremely quiet and ideal for snowmaking (especially at night) to reduce noise. Commercial grade pressure washers come at a higher price point and require more power to use, however. These pressure washers range from $600-$5,000, depending on the motor and pump configuration. The typical flow range for these pressure washers ranges from 2-10 GPM (gallons per minute). From personal experience, commercial-grade pressure washers will last years of heavy use. In our 15+ years of snowmaking, we’ve never had a commercial-grade pressure washer die on us! Everything has a lifespan, but these pressure washers are the way to go if you plan to use your system heavily during the season.Â
In conclusion, electric pressure washers are best for making snow in the backyard. Since cold temperatures are more frequent at night, running an electric pressure washer is more convenient than a gas-powered pressure washer. Depending on your budget and interest in home snowmaking, a residential or commercial-grade electric pressure washer could make sense. A residential-grade electric pressure washer will work great for those looking to make snow a few times throughout the season. You can expect these pressure washers to last for 2-4 years if you use the washer around 100 hours a year. Commercial-grade electric pressure washers are much more durable and designed to run continuously. This is the best option if you use your pressure washer heavily during the season. You can expect these pressure washers to last years without any issues.
Our articles are written and reviewed by professional snowmaking engineers who have 20+ years of experience designing Snow Guns.Â
Our Purpose: We want those who are searching to understand Snowmaking to the best of their ability.Â
