NorthStar Portable Electric Wet Steam and Hot Water Pressure Washer Add-On Unit, 4000 PSI, 4 GPM, 115 Volts

Grease removal is why I want hot water. I think if you only use cold you will need way more psi. To minimize potential damage to expensive construction equipment I think 200 degrees of water at a lower psi is the safest option. If you only do driveway cleanup it probably makes no difference which method you pick. Having two separate machines will make your business more versatile and profitable.

The biggest reason for hot water is grease removal at a lower pressure setting. For detailing an automobile engine you want about 1200 psi @205 degrees. With strictly a cold water unit, you need much higher psi. Nothing good comes from using high psi under the hood. Paint can flake and hoses can blow off. Also there's a higher chance of damaged electronic equipment due to water contamination.

Only for heavy duty washing of grease and oil on equipment like farm machinery, semi trucks, contruction machinery.
I use mine to melt off the baked on oil and grease my semi makes a mess of.

Grease removal

Hot water can do the job faster and is the best for cleaning grease off of engines.

About 200lbs I can barely roll on a slight incline ramp onto the back of a trailer.

It isn't heavy just bulky. I find that two people are neede to lift it. I use a ramp and easily roll it into my truck.

This heater/steamer add-on unit weighs 286 lbs. empty and 334 lbs. fueled. Northern tool recommends more than one person transport this unit up or down a ramp. A winch is not recommended as the heater/steamer only rests on its wheels when the unit is tipped forward by lifting the handles. Since the unit doesn't rest flush on four wheels when stationary, a winch isn't an applicable way to move it.

I would say covered ok but will not protect it from moisture or rodents.

This unit can be stored outside and keeping it covered will help keep it cleaner and protect it from the elements. Follow the instructions in the owners manual to prevent freezing during cold weather.

Item number 750143, Powerhorse Gas Cold Water Pressure Washer, is compatible with this NorthStar Electric Wet Steam & Hot Water Pressure Washer Add-on Unit. It is recommended to use a hot water hose, gun and lance to accommodate the increase in water temperature. Please see my recommendations below.

The NorthStar Pressure Washer Add-On unit can not be changed to work with vegetable oil.

A description of how to winterize this product is shown in the PDF of the manual under this product on our website. This will show step by step instructions for winterizing.

This NorthStar Pressure Washer Heater/Steamer Add-on Unit will work great on on grease. You can use your existing nozzle(s). Or a great addition is Quick connect nozzles that allows you to choose the right nozzle for the right job. Quick connect nozzles do require quick connect couplers.

The add-on unit can be left connected to the pressure washer for cold water use. The switch on the add-on unit would be shut off for this. The chemicals will still be dispensed as they are routed on the out put side of the unit.

While running, the NorthStar Pressure Washer Heater/Steamer Add-on Unit will draw approximately 5 amps, but can have surges requiring 15 amps. 15 amp x 120 volts = 1800 watts. Northern Tool would recommend a minimum 1800 watt inverter. See link below.

Currently, there is no additional hood for directing exhaust, this unit is to only be used outdoors.