You can use regular gas in your pressure washer.
However, those that use two-stroke engines require a mixture of 2-cycle oil and gasoline.
It’s important to note that pressure washers designed to run on regular gasoline should not be given fuel mixed with 2-cycle oil, and neither type of pressure washer should be fueled with gasoline containing more than 10% alcohol.
We all own or want power washers for one reason: the satisfaction we get from seeing them clean.
It’s a known fact that they clean more thoroughly, deeply, and quickly than we do, especially for things like patios and sidewalks.
However, it’s important to fill your pressure washer with the right fuel, or it might not even power on at all.
Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy that sweet satisfaction.
How can I determine the type of fuel that washers require and can you put regular gas in your pressure washer?
This article aims to address the question of whether pressure washers utilize regular gas and whether it’s permissible to use mixed gas in them.
To make things simpler, we’ll also list some washers that specify the use of regular gas for their operation.
Related Reading: Why Your Pressure Washer Has Low Pressure
Table of Contents
Should You Put Regular Gas in Your Pressure Washer?
There are two types of pressure washers available in the market; electric and gas-powered.
Depending on the type you choose, you may need to put regular gas in your pressure washer.
However, it’s important to note that gas-powered pressure washers have subcategories based on the type of gas they require.
So, before buying a gas-powered pressure washer, make sure you know what type of gas it needs.
These subcategories are:
- Regular gasoline-fueled
- Two-cycle mixed gasoline-fueled
Pressure Washers Using Mixed Gas
Gasoline-powered pressure washers have a subcategory that requires mixed gas, which is a combination of gas and oil specifically made for two-stroke engines.
If you’re wondering what fuels you might be able to use, here is a short list of brands that carry 2-cycle gas:
- Husqvarna
- Redmax OEM Maxlife
- STIHL
- Super Tech
- Trufuel
- And VP Small Engine Fuels
These mixed gas cans are usually labeled with the words “fuel + oil” or “2-cycle.”
If you accidentally use mixed gas in a pressure washer that only takes regular, don’t worry as it won’t cause permanent damage to your machine.
However, it will start smoking and you won’t be able to use your washer properly.
To fix it, all you have to do is drain the engine of the fuel you were using, remove the spark plug, clean it and the carburetor, and then replace the spark plug.
You may also have to clean the fuel tank if the oil gets into the primer pump.
To effectively drain the old oil from your washer, you can simply use it as usual and let the oil inside drain out.
After cleaning it properly and refilling it with the right fuel, it should work perfectly fine.
Don’t be alarmed if your washer still smokes after fixing it, as it’s just the residual bad oil burning off.
It’s important to note that washers designed for regular gas won’t work with mixed gas, so make sure to use the correct type of fuel.
Fortunately, I was aware of the oil-gas mixture growing up using a lawn mower and later the chainsaw.
It is easy to forget, so keep two distinctly labeled gas cans.
I had one with a white spout and the other with a black spout with a label taped on each.
Pressure Washers That Use Regular Gas
Shopping for a gas-powered pressure washer can be much easier if you know which washers use gas.
Fortunately, it is quite simple for online shoppers to discover this information, as home improvement stores generally organize their websites to have gas-powered and electric-powered washers listed on two separate pages.
For your convenience, here is a shortlist of the top-rated pressure washers that run on regular gas, as the information available online may not be thorough.
These are Amazon affiliate links.
1. SIMPSON Cleaning MS60763-S MegaShot 3100 PSI Gas Pressure Washer
2. Champion Power Equipment 3200-PSI 2.5 GPM Low Profile Gas Pressure Washer
If you’re shopping for a pressure washer, research the type of engine it uses to avoid any fueling issues.
What Fuel to Never Use With Pressure Washers
Regardless of whether you choose a gas-powered or 2-cycle pressure washer, it will not function effectively or last long if you use fuel containing over 10% ethanol.
Ethanol and other alcohols have a tendency to absorb moisture.
In a typical engine, oil sticks to the moving metal parts and lubricates them to ensure they work smoothly.
However, if there’s too much ethanol in the fuel, it can absorb water and prevent the oil from sticking to the metal parts.
This problem is especially prevalent in 2-cycle fuel.
When buying fuel online, manufacturers often warn against using fuel with more than 10% alcohol content in your washer.
It is recommended to avoid using fuel that contains more than 10% ethanol.
However, finding fuel with 10% or less ethanol is becoming increasingly difficult.
We can only hope that manufacturers will develop new gas washers that can run on fuel with 15%-20% ethanol, besides electric pressure washers.
Hopefully, this will happen soon!
Related Reading: Gas or Electric Log Splitters Showdown: Making the Choice Easy
Final Thoughts
When you’re in the market for a new pressure washer, you don’t need to struggle with the confusion of guessing which fuel your washer requires.
If you’re shopping online, you have the advantage of having the washer’s description right in front of you, with most, if not all, of the necessary specifications listed.
Most manufacturers will specify if you can put regular gas in your pressure washer.
If you are searching for a pressure washer on Lowe’s website, such as the “CRAFTSMAN 3000 PSI 2.3-Gallon Cold Water Gas Pressure Washer Briggs & Stratton Engine,” you will find that SAE30 engine oil is recommended as the fuel.
It is important to note that this type of oil is non-detergent.
My pressure washer has a Briggs and Stratton engine that has run well for several years.
If you read about the types of pressure washers you want before buying, that will put you ahead of the game.
Keep the regular and gas-mixed fuels separately with identifying labels and you won’t go wrong.
Enjoy living the outdoor life!!!