Best pressure washer for cleaning a large deck?

Hey folks, my deck is about 600 sq ft and has years of grime and some peeling stain. I'm looking to buy a pressure washer to clean it off before restaining. Should I get an electric or gas model? Any specific brands or features I should look for? Budget around $400.

I've got a gas one from Home Depot, the 3100 PSI one. Works great for decks but it's loud and heavy. For your size deck, electric might be enough if you get one with at least 2000 PSI and a decent flow rate. But gas gives you more power and you don't have to deal with a cord.

Go gas, Steve. Electric is fine for small patios but your deck is big and dirty. Look for a Honda engine model, they last forever. Also get a surface cleaner attachment, it'll cut your time in half. Check out the Simpson Megashot if you can stretch your budget a bit. Also, don't forget to use a deck cleaner solution before pressure washing, not just water.

Thanks Hank and Wendy. I was leaning gas anyway. Wendy, that Simpson looks good but it's $500. Any other recommendations around $400? Also, what about the pressure? Too high can damage the wood right?

True, too much pressure can gouge the wood. Stick with a model that has adjustable pressure or a variable pressure trigger. The Ryobi 3100 PSI gas model is often on sale for around $350, and it has a good reputation. Just use a wide spray tip (like 40°) and keep the nozzle moving. And yes, use a deck cleaner first! You got this.