It’s second nature to use hot water to wash something dirty, whether hands, clothes, or dishes. The fast-moving molecules in hot water can loosen up and remove caked-on dirt and grease much better than cold water.  

With that in mind, hot water pressure washers are designed for applications needing extra cleaning power, like commercial kitchens or construction yards. To help you find the right one, I've compiled this list of the best hot water pressure washers. Click on each model below to view the product page filled with more features, specs, reviews, and other great resources.

 

The Best Hot Water Pressure Washers

 

Best Portable Hot Water Pressure Washer	Best Truck-Mount Hot Water Pressure Washer	Best Tow-Behind Trailer Hot Water Pressure Washer	Best Stationary Hot Water Pressure Washer
Hot2Go SH40004HH Hot Water Pressure Washer	Easy-Kleen EZO3508D Hot Water Pressure Washer	Simpson Big Brute 95005 Hot Water Pressure Washer	Easy-Kleen EZN5005-3-440-A Hot Water Pressure Washer

 

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How We Picked the Best Hot Water Pressure Washers

When recommending hot water pressure washers, we take four features into account. 

 

Durability

Hot water pressure washers are typically commercial grade, so they need to effectively handle heavy usage and unforgiving environments. 

One of the first things I look at is the frame. The material, thickness, and number of welding points all play a role in how much abuse the pressure washer can handle. For example, having a powder-coated finish will help the pressure washer resist rusting in corrosive environments. 

Inside, I look at the construction of the pistons, valves, and, most of all, the heat exchanger. Since the whole point of these units is hot water, the heat exchanger should be well-protected and designed for longevity.  

I also look at the engine and pump. Is it a reputable brand? Does it run cool and efficiently? Will it handle years of use? Safety and comfort features, like low oil alerts and a high temperature limit switch, are another consideration. 

Overall, every component should be built to last, including the hose, belt on a belt-drive unit, and wheels/tires if applicable. 

 

Usability

Using your pressure washer should be as simple and frictionless as possible. This is where I look at anything that makes life easier for you, the user.   

Since many hot water pressure washers are very large due to their heavy-duty design and power, you need options to get them to the job site. For example, having forklift holes can make a world of difference when trying to place a 1,600 Ib pressure washer in the back of your truck. 

Other features like electric start, quick-connect fittings, built-in hose reels, and maintenance accessibility help remove roadblocks from operating and maintaining your pressure washer, so you can spend more time being productive.

 

Versatility

It’s important to be able to adapt your pressure washer to the job at hand. That’s where versatility comes into play. 

For me, adjustable pressure reigns supreme when choosing a pressure washer. Your jobs could vary day to day, so you need to be able to adjust the water pressure accordingly. Using too high of a pressure can ruin some surfaces, but using too low of a pressure might not clean well enough on others.  

Since we’re looking at hot water pressure washer specifically, the ability to adjust the temperature is another important consideration. Some units also include a hot water tank, giving you the freedom to work longer without a refill. 

Hose length is another factor because the object you're cleaning may not always be conveniently located next to your pickup truck. Some units even include a water tank, so you can be self-sufficient in the field.

 

Overall Value

You get what you pay for. Sure, there are cases when you can get a great deal on a quality pressure washer, but it usually costs money and resources for manufacturers to make their product “the best.” 

That’s why I don’t exclusively consider price when determining value. It’s a factor, but not the most important one. I'm most interested in whether the pressure washer is worth the price. Do its durability, usability, and versatility features justify the purchase? This is also where I consider the warranty and where the pressure washer is made.

 

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Best Portable Hot Water Pressure Washer: Hot2Go SH40004HH

Take the compact, gas-powered Hot2Go SH4000SHH hot water pressure washer wherever you need to clean tough stains or grease. It provides 4,000 PSI of water pressure at 3.5 GPM of flow with both hot water and wet steam cleaning capability. 

Great for restaurant and food processing applications, the Hot2Go cleans at up to 250° F thanks to an 8-gallon diesel- or kerosene-fueled burner and a durable, stainless-steel-wrapped heating coil made with Schedule 80 steel piping. That is hotter water than what many other power washers can provide. The 12-volt DC igniter includes a charging circuit to maintain steady heat. 

The AR Triplex ceramic plunger pump is designed to run cool and last long. Adjust the water pressure as needed depending on your job. It’s all powered by a reliable Honda GX390cc engine that includes an electric start and low-oil alert feature. 

You’ll get three quick-connect spray tips (the spray gun and hose connections are also quick-connect). Among them is a 25° wide steam nozzle for the saturated steam spray cleaning. The four wheels and lifting point make moving the Hot2Go simple between and around job sites. Plus, integrated storage hooks keep the hose and gun organized. 

Overall, this is a fantastic, compact unit for your hot water pressure washing needs. Enjoy a 5-year warranty on the pump and a 3-year Honda warranty on the engine.

 

Spec	Details	Rating
Durability	Heavy-duty powder-coated 4-wheel frame; Triplex plunger pump runs cool & lasts long; Stainless-steel wrapped heating coil; Honda GX390 engine
Usability	Electric start; Quick-connect fittings; Quick-connect nozzles; 8-gallon burner fuel tank; Hot water up to 250° F; Integrated storage hooks for hose & gun; Lifting point
Versatility	Adjustable pressure; Adjustable temperature; Burner runs on diesel or kerosene; 50-foot, 3/8" high pressure hose; 3 spray tips, including one for wet steam;
Overall Value	Fantastic portable unit for heavy-duty cleaning between and around job sites.

 

Who It's For:

 

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Best Truck-Mount Hot Water Pressure Washer: Easy-Kleen EZO3508D

With the Easy-Kleen EZO3508D hot water pressure washer mounted on your truck, you will have unstoppable cleaning power wherever you can drive. I’m talking about 3,500 PSI of hot water pressure at 8 GPM of flow that will easily conquer a variety of municipal, mining, forestry, and industrial cleaning jobs. A 26-horsepower Kohler engine with electric start powers the unit. 

It durably provides hot water with an elliptically wound and stretched Schedule 80 heating coil and Schedule 160 pipe. Structural bracing and a lack of seam welds in the pipe reduce vibration and boost longevity. The coil sits inside a stainless steel housing and is sealed with a ceramic blanket that conserves heat. You can control and adjust the temperature on the oil-fired burners with an on-off switch and adjustable thermostat. 

The heavy-duty triplex plunger pump allows you to adjust the water pressure as needed and is belt-driven, which lets it handle long-lasting jobs with ease. Adding to durability is an all-welded frame. 

I love how easy this machine is to use and service. Forklift slots allow for simple mounting. All motor and pump components are easily accessible by loosening and pulling forward a shroud, and the fuel tank can slide out of its enclosed compartment. The hose and all fittings are quick-connect for faster setup and switching. It includes five different spray tips and a downstream chemical injection system. Look no further for a truck-mounted hot water power washer.

 

Specs	Details	Rating
Durability	Heavy-duty all-welded frame; Triplex plunger pump runs cool & lasts long; Belt drive reduces wear & boosts power transfer; Elliptically wound heating coil has structural bracing and is protected by stainless-steel housing; Kohler engine
Usability	Electric start; Quick-connect fittings; Quick-connect nozzles; 40-gallon burner fuel tank; Forklift slots; Easy access to components for service
Versatility	Adjustable pressure; Adjustable temperature; 50-foot, 3/8" high pressure hose; 5 spray tips; Downstream chemical injection system
Overall Value	A beast of a unit that will handle the toughest commercial & industrial cleaning jobs

 

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Best Tow-Behind Trailer Hot Water Pressure Washer: Simpson Big Brute 95005

If you need a powerful, self-sufficient hot water pressure washing system on the go, the best-selling Simpson Big Brute 95005 trailer-mounted unit is your ticket. Providing 4,000 PSI of pressure at 4 GPM, the Simpson is perfect for hitching onto your truck for mobile detailing and municipal jobs.  

The source of the Simpson’s power is the Honda GX390 electric-start engine that includes full pressure lubrication and a spin-on oil filter. A low oil shutdown feature adds peace of mind.  

You can adjust the pressure on the triplex pump as your application demands. Stainless steel and ceramic pistons on the pump allow for cooler operation and longer life. Both the engine and pump are protected by a welded steel frame that is powder-coated for corrosion resistance. 

The all-important heat exchanger is wrapped in steel, and the coil comes with a 5-year warranty. The burner can run on either kerosene or #2 diesel for added flexibility, and the water will reach a max average temperature of 170° F -190° F. 

My favorite part of this trailer-mounted unit is the 200-gallon water tank. It frees you from having to find a local water source, making you self-sufficient on any job site.  

The Simpson includes quick connections on the hose and four spray tips for easy setup. A 100-foot, 3/8” hose will reach where needed and can be reeled into the built-in hose reel. Overall, the Simpson is a complete package with everything needed for those heavy-duty mobile jobs. Plus, you’ll be backed up by a 5-year pump, 1-year frame, and 3-year engine warranty.

 

Specs	Details	Rating
Durability	Welded-steel frame w/ powder-coated finish for corrosion resistance; Triplex plunger pump w/ stainless-steel & ceramic pistons runs cool & lasts long; Heavy-duty, steel-wrapped heat exchanger; Honda GX390 engine
Usability	Electric start; Quick-connect nozzles; Quick-connect hose; 5-gallon burner fuel tank; Hot water up to 190° F
Versatility	Adjustable Pressure; 100-foot, 3/8" high pressure hose; 4 spray tips; Siphon tube chemical injection system; Burner runs on diesel or kerosene; 200-gallon water tank
Overall Value	Hitch it up and take this all-in-one pressure washing system wherever you need for fantastic results

 

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Best Stationary Hot Water Pressure Washer: Easy-Kleen EZN5005-3-440-A

When you need a hot water pressure washer you can come back to again and again, I highly recommend the Easy-Kleen EZN5005-3-440-A. This three-phase electric-powered stationary unit is perfect for manufacturing plants, auto repair shops, commercial kitchens, construction equipment yards, docks, and more. 

The Easy-Kleen provides 5,000 PSI of water pressure at 5 GPM of flow, and the adjustable burner heats water up to 220° F to blast away caked-on dirt. Quick-adjust airflow vents allow you to adjust the amount of air that is flowing into the burner chamber and maximize efficiency by fine-tuning the CO levels.  

You’ll be using this machine a lot, so the serviceability and accessibility are a major plus in my book. The burners slide out with ease for regular cleaning, and a removable shroud offers access to all motor and pump components in seconds. Finally, the NEMA 4 water-tight control panel has a hinged cover for easy access. 

Count on durability thanks to the rugged 11-gauge and ¼" steel frame that is fully welded and powder-coated to defend against corrosion. The belt drive uses large-diameter pulleys to reduce belt wear. As for the heating coil, it’s structurally braced to minimize pipe wear and vibration and sealed with a ceramic blanket in a stainless-steel housing. 

Beyond this, the Easy-Kleen includes quick connections on the hose, spray gun, and five nozzles. You also have the option to use chemical injection with hot water to wash away tough grease. If you choose this pressure washer, it will serve you well for years to come.

 

Specs	Details	Rating
Durability	Rugged, fully-welded frame with powder-coated finish; Triplex plunger pump runs cool & lasts long; Belt drive reduces wear & boosts power transfer;
Usability	Quick-connect fittings; Quick-connect nozzles; Hot water up to 220° F; Easy access to components for service; NEMA 4 control panel with hinged cover
Versatility	Adjustable pressure; Adjustable temperature; 50-foot, 3/8" high pressure hose; 5 spray tips; Adjustable airflow vents to burners; Downstream chemical injection system
Overall Value	A dependable pressure washing system that will exceed expectations time and again

 

Who It's For:

 

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Hot Water Pressure Washer FAQs 

When should I use a hot water pressure washer?

Hot water pressure washers are designed to clean greasy or oily surfaces. While cold water is sufficient for breaking up general dirt or grime, it won't be as effective on grease or oil, even if used with detergent.

That's why hot water power washers are most common in the food processing, oil, automotive, and construction industries. For example, a restaurant facility manager might use high-pressure hot water to clean and help disinfect greasy kitchen equipment. Or, an autoshop owner might use hot water with detergent to remove a stubborn oil stain from the garage floor. 

 

Do hot water pressure washers also handle cold water applications?

All hot water pressure washers are also cold water pressure washers. If you leave the burner off, you'll be cleaning with cold water, which is all you might need for common dirt surfaces. Note that the opposite is not true. If you run hot water through a pressure washer designed only for cold water, you could damage or destroy it. 

 

What are steam pressure washer nozzles used for?

Steam can be extremely effective against the toughest grease and oil stains when all other water options have failed. The higher temperature of the steam is perfect for clearing gum from a sidewalk, cleaning grease traps in a restaurant, or gently cleansing delicate surfaces like monuments and historic buildings that might otherwise be damaged by water. Learn more about the benefits of steam pressure washing. 

 

Read More Pressure Washer FAQs

 

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About Jim

Jim has nurtured a professional obsession with pumps for nearly 30 years. After spending well over a decade selling pumps for an HVAC wholesaler, Jim joined the Power Equipment Direct team as a product expert and hasn’t looked back. 

Over the past 13 years, Jim has helped thousands of PED customers find, size, and purchase the perfect sump pump, water pump, or pressure washer for their needs. In doing so, he has accumulated vast knowledge about the different kinds of pumps and their manufacturers. He has also participated in many video productions highlighting pump installations, performance, and applications.

A native Chicagoan, when he’s not pumping out expert advice, Jim enjoys just about every cold-weather activity, especially skiing. Despite being visibly agitated by warmth and sunshine, Jim stays busy during summer by fishing and taking photos. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his family and grandkids as much as he can.