This is my second pressure washer after3 years my first just quit working. Happy enough with the first I bought the exact same model and am just as happy. Great machine.
I am moving over from gas outdoor tools. Withthis in mind I purchased the 2300 for my deck and other small projects. The box was delayed by UPS and then dropped in the driveway. There was damage to one of the soap tanks. After a quick call and a very nice customer service agent I was reassured the parts were on there way. A 2 minute fix and we were good to go.
I previously owned a Karcher gas powered pressure washer which I absolutely loved. However, after moving to a downtown location, I found the noise of the gas engine to be unacceptable. I was concerned that any electric pressure washer would be too weak to perform the job I needed it to perform. I went with the K2300PS based upon my experience with Karcher as a company. I have found the K2300PS to do everything that I need. Plenty of power and a very well built machine.
This review is from the standpoint of a seasoned (30+ years) mechanical engineer who has engineered everything from washing machines to weapons systems. The unit has been used for 20.5 hours of run time. The projects included deck cleaning, wrought iron furniture, drive way, concrete patio, painted brick and house siding. It seems that the ability to clean is dependent on nozzle type, pressure available, water flow and distance from the actual surface. If operated within these parameters the K2300PS does a good job. There was a learning curve to how far away, which nozzle to use and the actual surface that would influence the quality of the clean. I tried to use the general cleaner for the house siding and the driveway but effectiveness was lacking. I think I may have a technique issue with being successful.
The machine it self: it was easy to assemble but the IKEA class instructions are a little wanting. I'm not a "let's look at a bunch of you tube videos" and figure out which are actually useful. Most are yahoos who like to hear themselves talk. Most people can read and follow along with good pictures on how to operate and assemble consumer items. Please improve this.
The quality of manufacture and design. I'm am convinced that the handle assembly will break off at the joint between the main frame and the handle. The ergonomics of moving the machine around will make this happen eventually. The hose reel diameter needs to be larger as the hose takes a set and limits the effective reach of the machine. Same but not as pronounced with the electrical cord. Both hose and cord are loose looped and hung on the hooks on the back of the handle.
Serious limitation: The effective area that can be serviced with the machine is limited by the length of the electrical cord. I have tried to use a 25' 12 gauge extension cord but cannot get the machine to start. This is a heavy duty extension cord is use for an electric tree pruning saw. The machine will start if plugged into the actual socket. That's usually not a problem if the house has a multitude of external sockets but most new construction save money by chintzing out on outside sockets. A longer cord with a longer hose as another model would be great as I would have purchased that model. 10' more feet of each would have been great. Right now I can't finish my driveway and will have to source a gas powered machine. Maybe you can call it the XL model.
All in all the machine performed as advertised, cleaned well if used correctly and with in the length limitations of the cord and hose I am extremely satisfied with the machine and would recommend it to people who have situations where the reach of hose and cord would not limit their use.