review – The title of this review pretty much says it all – how do people live without a pressure washer? I have used various pressure washers over the years. This is because I live in central Florida which is hot and very humid, so the question is raised. If parts of the house — siding, decks, or driveways — aren’t cleaned regularly, severe slippery mildew can develop. ik. A good pressure washer can quickly and effectively solve most outdoor mold and mildew problems. Truth be told, the act of pressure washing can be treated. This summer, my therapist was named RockRocker. He may be soaking wet – but he’s strong.
what is it?
The Electric RockRocker HWY23E is a consumer-grade pressure washer rated for 3000 psi (pounds per square inch) and 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute) of water pressure. It is equipped with 4 nozzles of different colors with different degrees of spray (0°, 15°, 25°, 40°) – precisely directed wide spray. It also has 26 feet of pressure hose and 35 feet of electrical cord.
It can be used for cleaning, concrete, bricks, boats, cars, decks, lawn furniture, tires or just about any outdoor item you can think of. It removes dirt, mold, mildew, oil or grease, and tar.
The RockRocker HWY23E pressure washer is mounted on four locking swivel wheels with luggage-type telescoping handles for easy operation. Both the wires and hoses hang from the hooks attached. There are also places where the four nozzles and gun (gaskets) can be securely attached.
The connector is a generic “quick connect”, which means that other brands of quick connect accessories will work with the RockRocker – more on that in this review.
RockRocker uses a GFCI plug – a safety plug that automatically shuts off current when it gets wet or surges.
Glasses
- 3000 psi
- 2.5 gal/min
- Four 360° swivel wheels
- 26ft high pressure hose
- Four nozzles (0°, 15°, 25°, 40°)
- 24 pounds
- 16.9 oz soap can
Design and Features
The first thing to note is that the RockRocker HWY23E pressure washer is no Commercial grade – that’s okay as it’s made for occasional home use. Equally important is that it is electric. Previously, only air-operated washing machines had the right cleaning pressure. However, electric washing machines have become more powerful. Granted, the gas version could still have more power, but for home use, electric is the way to go. It’s cleaner, better for the environment, and the gas model drinks gasoline like water.
RockRocker is an attractive mint green with black accents. The garden hose screwed into the bottom front of the washer. RockRocker hose screwed into the back. Washing machine hoses can get quite stiff and coiled, which makes uncoiling a pain. Long cords are more flexible and allow the washing machine to be used far from an outlet. If rated for outdoor use, you can also use a heavy gauge extension cord.
The RockRocker HWY23E pressure washer rolls on four locking wheels. Each wheel can be locked independently with one foot. With the handle pulled out, the RockRocker rolls and pulls easily without tipping over – which can happen with the washers on both wheels. Having four wheels is a nice feature, however, one wheel on my unit kept coming loose and falling off.
As I said, the connection is “quick connect”. Not only is the universal connector quick to connect, but it is also easier to connect and disconnect a nozzle or spray gun.My old pressure washer was Karcher K2000.Unfortunately, it has an issue where it shuts down after 10 minutes of use. I can’t figure out why. The good news is that I can still use my Kärcher Surface Cleaner because of its quick connect feature.
The gun is weighted and well balanced for easy grip. Trigger pressure makes it easy to squeeze continuously for hours of washing. I really wish the gun (metal barrel) was a few inches longer. Having to bend a little while working in the driveway is bad for my back – and I’m not that tall. People over 6 feet may have more problems.
The RockRocker HWY23E pressure washer comes with an attachable soap bottle for cleaning cars and boats. While this seems like a great value, I avoid using a pressure washer on my car for several reasons. I don’t like using anything more powerful than normal hoses and nozzles on my car paint, a pressure washer can force water under the seams and seals if not used carefully. Maybe I’m old school, but I don’t use soap bottles.
With a pressure washer, the higher its PSI pressure, the better. The RockRocker’s 3000 PSI isn’t too bad — powerful enough to blow mold off concrete and bricks. Just a few years ago, 3000 psi was unheard of in electric washers. Also, gallons per minute are worth noting.Some say gsm is more more important than the pressure level. The RockRocker’s 2.5 GPM is about the average for a 3000 psi machine.
RockRocker offers a generous four quick connect nozzles. 0° nozzle will explode Enter Concrete – enough to do real damage if you’re not careful. 0° can also penetrate the skin, so proper footwear should always be used when washing. I almost never use the 0% nozzle. My go-to nozzle is 25°. It’s powerful enough to kill stubborn mold up close, and the spray is wide enough for a gentler wash. Depending on your needs, 15-degree and 40-degree nozzles are good choices.
Let’s talk about wood. Pressure washing decks or other wood can be tricky.Accidentally push water Enter If the spray is too close or too strong, the wood. This weakens the wood and eventually destroys it. If it’s not too close, I recommend using a 40° wood nozzle.
The RockRocker HWY23E pressure washer is a bit louder, but not as loud as a gas washer. The noise starts when the trigger is pressed and the water spray starts. Otherwise, it’s absolutely quiet. Occasionally, I noticed strange vibrations from the hose and gun grip. It doesn’t seem to affect pressure or usage, but I’ll keep an eye on it and report back if there are changes. It only happens occasionally.
what do I like
- Easy to install and use
- easy to operate
- Powerful spray
- Good choice for nozzles
what would i change
- Occasional vibration
- Prefer longer wands
- Wheels sometimes come off
final thoughts
The RockRocker HWY23E pressure washer is the ideal size for homeowners who need a powerful yet affordable washer for weekend use. Using my surface cleaner (not included), I was able to pressure clean most of my driveway in under an hour. It made a huge difference to the look and grip of the previously smooth concrete. With 3000 psi of available power, a home air pressure washer is no longer needed.
price: $169.99
where to buy (this: rocker and Amazon
resource: Samples of this product are provided by rocker.
