Build a washer, or buy? Benefits of each?

[MrBJones]

I'm considering a power washer for glass carboys and buckets; will also use it for cornies once I go the kegging route. The pump is the primary component, so that's where my planning has started. They seem to cost $40 to $50. Fittings etc must add another $30 or so. Considering a Mark's or Bucket Blaster can be bought off the shelf and ready to go for $70 to $90, what's benefit of building?

 

[Nagorg]

I built one myself for probably a bit less that the Bucket Blaster. If you are a DIY person, its probably worth it. I think I get much more pressure than what I'd think that Bucket Blaster pump can push.

 

[SonomaBrewer]

I would advocate that the biggest reason to DIY with a washer is that you can build one that's better than what's offered commercially. It's really not too hard with a few buckets ($20), PVC pieces ($20), fittings ($10) and a pump (I spent $110 because I wanted one with very high flow, much more than what's available with those purchased systems. I use the one I built to clean kegs and even my stainless fermenter and kettle. It also doubles as a pump to recirculate cooling water through an ice bath in the summer when groundwater is not cold enough. And uses much less water and PBW than washing everything by hand.

 

[Golddiggie]

IME, biggest issue with building is getting a pump that will work (for the long term) with warm/hot PBW (hot faucet temps). Pumps that will work with 120F+ temperature liquids for more than a very short amount of time are not all that cheap (or easy to locate). I managed to pretty much kill a decent sump pump by using it with hot liquid/water. The pump in the Bucket Blaster is MADE to handle hot water (from your faucet) for the cleaning cycles.

I use a newer pump that I purchased (sump pump) for when I want to run moderate/cool/cold water solutions through items. That way it will last longer.

 

[Alex4mula]

I would use the $90 for a new keg. I have 7 kegs and 4 fermenters and don’t find them hard to clean manually. Maybe I’m too frugal.

 

[day_trippr]

I would not bother trying to use a "Mark 2" on carboys.
Kegs, yes, carboys no...

Cheers!

 

[marc1]

I built one with this pump. It's worked well for over 2.5 years. Water temps start at ~125 but drop once it starts getting used.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017R709UE/