Newbie Question? Best Hood Vent cleaning pressure washer?

[Andrew Bandarovich]

Hello.
My name is Andrew and i am starting out in KEC and pressurewashing. Full time.
I would like to do it right from the first time so i'd like to ask you what is the best, reliable hot water unit? Honda? Landa? Delco? Price does not matter. I am planning to have it installed in the van. As far as i know the ballpark is 3500-4000 psi and about 4-5.5 gpm. What make/model?
Please advice me what i need to purchase to start.
Thank you.

[Andrew Bandarovich]

8) 28 views - 0 replies.
Nobody uses hot water pressure washers that any good?

[HotShot]

The thing about it is, it's a personal preference. Some like high gpms with heat, others prefer the more mobile units that can be hooked up to hot water.

There is no definite "This is the best unit". If you use 3000 psi under a hood, you are going to have one heck of a mess to clean up from all the overspray.

[Andrew Bandarovich]

By best i mean reliable - something that doesn't break down every day.
Anthony, what do you use? Help me set up a proper KEC van please.

[Andrew Bandarovich]

My friend told me that in winter they had to put antifreeze in the lines in their pressure washer mounted inside the van because the lines were freezing. Is this normal practice?

[statewidehoodcleaning]

yes they will freez if you want a good machine get this one...Landa Hot Water Pressure Washers - PGDC Series

not cheap, think it comes close to 8 g's
you will need much more than a PW, check this site Team IKECA Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning Manual Index - IKECA Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning Manual

[Andrew Bandarovich]

Thank you statewidehoodcleaning. Thats exactly what i am looking for - help in looking at particular units and stuff like that. Thank you.
I think that line of Landa is up to 4.7 GPM which is still fine for KEC. I plan to have separate truck with separate unit for flatwork with like 10 GPM.
So far, best things on forums are said about Landa, Pressure Tek and Hydro Tek.

[Skyler]

I have a HydroTek Ultimate ss34005v that I use for KEC.

It's a high-quality machine that's never let me down. It'll cost you between $6-$7k, but it's worth it. Check the specs, then get the HydroTek that suits your needs.

[RMedbery]

Im usually in the minority when it comes to equipment. But look at all the high end units what do they usually have? A Honda engine, a cat or general pump, a Becket burner and schedule 80 coil. I built my first hot water setup myself for just over 2K, so what are you getting for the extra 6K? A nice frame that everything is mounted in.

I still have that setup but what Ive been using lately is even cheaper. I got a 13HP Honda clone from Harbor Freight for 299, a gear drive Cat pump on ebay for 310. Everything is in the back of a Ford Ranger that gets 27.6 mpg. I hook up thier hot water and go to town, great for maintained accounts...........not for chinaman.

[gman2022]

As Anthony stated, it's a matter of preference. We primarily use Karcher 1400 psi, 2.4 gpm, hot water machines. There are many variations out there. We have found that using better soap and less water is easier to clean up and quicker. Make sure you buy it from a dealer with a good rep for servicing what he sells. You don't want your machine down for two weeks in a shop somewhere.

[Alexy]

I would suggest you start working for a KEC service to see how they do it and start hitting all the boards, this one , www.thegreasepolice.com or others to see what is involved.
KEC is a very specific trade and has some very special skill sets and liabilities and I would encourage you to check them out and ask questions.

[PRZRAT]

Andrew,
Any customers yet? What did you decide on? For me, the type of machine is determined by the type of customers you are focusing on. Greasy burger joints, chinese or corporations? I use portable cold water electric machines. I run restaurant hot water thru them. Of course I watch the temp.Those truck mounted machines freeze up one way or another here in MA. I bring my machines indoors on really cold nights and sometimes antifreeze them when the weather dictates. I use windshield wash as an antifreeze. When one of these small machines breaks down I get it fixed and keep a spare on hand. You can forget about using it for Asian or high volume frypolator places. But basic restaurants, nursing homes, corporate cafeterias, schools, Country clubs, Hospitals, Clubs, you are in. Bring the machine right into the kitchen, lock your van and go to work.

[centexpw]

Andrew, We use anything from 2.2gpm portable units we hook up to the restaurant hot water system to our skid mount 5.5gpg 3000psi hot water unit. All our skids are delco units. They have been bullet proof and dependable. As for freezing weather, storage and transportation to jobs is something to be concerned about. A frozen pump or coil is costly. I live in central Texas so we keep out equipment in an un heated warehouse. During our winter I will throw a heavy tarp over the unit and put a 100w bulb under it. This keeps it above freezing. I havent had to do this in 3 -4 yrs.
If you are buying a skid, get one with a 2021 general pump. They are the industry standard and easy to fix. Get an assortment of tips. You can change the psi output by changing the tips. We rarely use the 5.5 tip unless we are doing some back docks or dumpster areas. Most of our hoods are cleaned with #8 or #10 tips 1500 - 1800 psi. A skid will give you more versatility as you begin. But it also depends on your budget.

The worst thing you can do is go into a business without a plan and under capitalized.

[cleanhoods]

[quote=Andrew Bandarovich;137141]Hello.
My name is Andrew and i am starting out in KEC and pressurewashing. Full time.
I would like to do it right from the first time so i'd like to ask you what is the best, reliable hot water unit? Honda? Landa? Delco? Price does not matter. I am planning to have it installed in the van. As far as i know the ballpark is 3500-4000 psi and about 4-5.5 gpm. What make/model?
Please advice me what i need to purchase to start.
Thank you.[/quote Use low pressure high volume and get a belt drive.Also make sure the pump can run hot water in it to boost heat for some jobs.My unit is a 1250psi at 3.5 gallons and have used it for 10 years no problems with it at all.Runs every night and sometimes days.thanks you

[cleanhoods]

Also what is your nationality the last name sounds yugoslavian.Mine is Pantovich