Okay, let me tell you about this small pressure washer with a water tank I’ve been messing around with. It’s been quite the little adventure, actually.

Why I Even Bothered

So, here’s the deal. My car, it’s always filthy. And my little patio out back? Don’t even get me started. The biggest pain was, I don’t have a handy outdoor tap. Dragging a hose through the house? My wife would have my head. I looked at those big, beefy pressure washers and just sighed. No way. Then I started seeing these smaller ones, the kind with their own little water tank. And I thought, huh, maybe that’s the ticket.

Taking the Plunge and First Look

I did a bit of looking around, you know, read some stuff, watched a couple of videos. Decided to just go for one. Didn't break the bank, which was good. When it arrived, I pulled it out of the box. It was, well, small. Compact. Didn't look like much, to be honest. But the idea was simple: fill up the tank, point, and shoot. Most of these run on batteries, so I made sure to charge that sucker up first thing.

Putting It to the Test - The Car Wash Saga

First job: the car. It was looking proper sad, covered in dust and a few bird surprises. I filled up the tank – it’s not massive, mind you. I knew I wasn't going to wash a fleet of trucks with one fill. Got the nozzle sorted and gave it a go.

The good bits:

• It actually worked! The spray was decent enough to blast off the surface dirt and grime. Not like those super-powered ones at the car wash, but way better than just a bucket and sponge.
• Being able to just carry it around the car, no hose tangling around my feet, was brilliant. Freedom!

The, uh, learning curve:

• That water tank empties faster than you’d think. I had to refill it, let’s see, three times for the whole car? But then again, my car was pretty mucky.
• You gotta be a bit patient. It’s not a speed demon.

But hey, at the end of it, the car looked a whole lot better. I was pretty chuffed, actually.

Tackling Other Grimy Culprits

Next, I thought I’d try it on the patio tiles. They get that green, slippery gunk on them. Filled her up again and went at it. It definitely made a difference. Lifted a lot of the surface muck. Some really stubborn spots needed a bit more persuasion, maybe a scrub, but overall, it freshened the place up. I also used it to clean off some muddy garden tools and even my wellies. Super handy for those quick, annoying cleaning jobs.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Look, this small pressure washer with a water tank isn't going to strip paint or deep clean an ancient driveway in five minutes. That’s not what it’s for. But if you’re like me, stuck without an easy water source, or you just need something light and portable for smaller jobs, it’s a bit of a game changer.

Things I properly liked:

• Portability: This is the big one. I can take it anywhere.
• No Hoses to a Tap: Seriously, a blessing.
• Ease of Use: Fill, point, spray. Simple.

Things to keep in mind:

• Water Capacity: It’s small. Be prepared for refills on bigger jobs.
• Power: It’s good for what it is, but manage your expectations. It's not for heavy-duty stripping.
• Battery Life (if applicable): Mine lasts okay, but for a big session, you might need a spare or a break to recharge.

Overall, I’m glad I got it. It’s made those annoying cleaning tasks a lot less of a chore. It’s not perfect, nothing ever is, but it does what I need it to do, and it does it without a fuss. If you've got similar problems to mine, it’s definitely worth a look. Just a handy little tool to have in your arsenal.