The Kärcher OC3 strain washer is so helpful I now can’t think about life with out it

Because I work in biking media, reasonably than finance, AI, or crime, I reside in a rented flat and roughly at all times have. This means I’m with out entry to an out of doors faucet. Given I spend most of my winter testing time driving outdoor overlaying winter jackets and waterproof jackets I find yourself with completely filthy bikes, and British gravel, even in excessive summer season, generally is a sloppy affair. I’ve muddled by with numerous issues prior to now: a trusty bucket and quite a few journeys to the sink (tedious), a Mobi moveable strain washer (it died in a short time), and simply leaving my bikes filthy (unhealthy for the bikes). 

When contemplating merchandise for our information to the very best strain washers I stumbled upon the fantastic little Kärcher OC3 and, to not exaggerate an excessive amount of, it’s been completely transformative, to the purpose I even put it in my gear of the 12 months. If you reside in a flat too then this may very well be a complete recreation changer for you. 

I’ve used it week in, week out for the final six months or so and it’s been fairly flawless. My solely actual gripe is the capability isn’t adequate for 2 bikes, however then Kärcher additionally makes the OC3 Plus and OC3 Foldable variants, each of which have bigger water tanks. 

Design and aesthetics

I’m not going to dwell on aesthetics right here any greater than I’d over a pair of pliers or a drill. It’s a device, so whether or not it capabilities correctly is principally all I care about. What you get with the Kärcher OC3 is a squat little yellow and translucent plastic dice, the highest half being a water reservoir able to holding 4 litres of water, and the bottom incorporates the pump, and has a recess during which the hose and nozzle gun will be saved. 

The hose is tightly coiled, and the spray gun on the finish is small and simple to manoeuvre in comparison with that of a giant, full energy strain washer. There’s just one nozzle spray setting, which is kind of a good cone. You should buy a bathe head for it individually, although. The prime tank, being translucent, additionally reveals the remaining water stage, and has its personal carry deal with for simple refilling. 

At the entrance of the OC3, there is a single, massive button (on or off, if that wanted clarifying), and beneath it’s a charging port coated by a silicone plug. I’ve had a Mobi moveable washer die on me as a result of its charging port wasn’t coated, and so the contacts rusted away. Luckily that shouldn’t be a difficulty right here, or at the very least it hasn’t been so far. 

There really isn’t far more to it than that; it’s splendidly easy. It weighs 2.2kg/4.8lbs empty, after which one other 4kg/8.8lbs on prime of that when it has a full tank. Just fill the tank, flip the button on, squeeze the set off and away you go. 

Performance

Why do I charge the Kärcher OC3 so extremely? It’s actually not essentially the most highly effective or with the largest tank. It is extraordinarily moveable, nonetheless, which additionally means it’s extraordinarily storeable. Mine lives in a cabinet, tucked away and never taking over a lot room like a full sized strain washer can. This is vital as a flat-dwelling millennial. 

I’ve owned a full-sized jet wash, and whereas they’re higher at eradicating cussed crud, they’re actually extra cumbersome to arrange and use. With the OC3, I have a tendency to go away it by the entrance door, full and absolutely charged. Then, I can rapidly swish the worst of the muck off my bike instantly earlier than permitting it to dry.

The nozzle spray is sufficiently highly effective to dislodge mud and mulch, however crucially, it’s not highly effective sufficient to upset any of your bearings. Obviously, be wise and don’t blast it proper at your headset at level clean, however in actuality, I’ve simply used it with blissful abandon round my headset, hubs, and backside bracket with none stress. It clears out the amassed muck across the backside bracket finish of the chain stays with ease, and when sprayed from a higher distance away, it does job of moistening the entire bike ought to it’s worthwhile to rehydrate dried-on muck by means of a pre-wash. 

I nonetheless want a bucket, however the combo of bucket and sponge and the OC3 is actually wonderful. I really complement it with a backyard sprayer crammed with bike wash, too, with my excellent washing system going as follows.

Step 1) Use the Kärcher OC3 to clear any huge muck clods, leaf mulch, grit, grime, and something that may be simply sloughed off.

Step 2) Spray all the things down with a motorcycle cleaner and provides it a second to get to work.

Step 3) Wash as regular with a bucket and sponge.

Step 4) Rinse all the things down with the OC3.

The 4-litre tank is nearly sufficient to do that for one bike. If it’s significantly filthy, you could want a mid-clean top-up, however that is very easy; the tank simply pops off, and you may fill it up within the sink rapidly. Again, if you happen to’re a mountain biker, you’d most likely be higher off with the OC3 Plus, however for highway and gravel, I’ve by no means actually felt held again by the usual measurement. 

Battery life is first rate too, and solely as soon as has the battery died on me, however if you happen to cost it up each three or so tanks, then try to be completely golden. 

Another profit that’s actually priceless is portability. If you’re racing, or simply driving your bike anyplace, you possibly can chuck it absolutely loaded into your automobile prepared for a trailside dampen instantly. Given the hose shouldn’t be aggressive (you possibly can spray it at your hand level clean and it’s completely secure) you can even swap ‘muddy bike’ with ‘muddy canine’ and hose your filthy pooch down after a mucky winter stroll, saving the automobile inside from the worst of no matter they’ve rolled in. Just be certain they shake earlier than they get in.

This portability additionally means you possibly can maintain it whereas it’s full and stroll round your bike reasonably than continually yanking on the hose to get it round a tough nook. 

Finally, the construct high quality has been wonderful. Washing bikes means the Kärcher OC3 is usually sat in a small pool of standing water, showered with muck and chemical substances, and continually banged about transferring from cabinet to doorstep and again. It’s been flawless so far, and has survived much better than different moveable strain washers I’ve used prior to now. 

Value

You can decide up the Kärcher OC3 for round £130/$170. This isn’t all that less expensive than a full-size Kärcher strain washer, and about the identical worth as a Muc-Off strain washer. Muc-Off does make a transportable possibility that’s almost twice the value, although. 

Comparing this to a full-sized strain washer isn’t actually a good comparability in my thoughts, and for cyclists particularly I feel the OC3 is way extra helpful. I discovered it to be transformative to how straightforward bike cleansing is, and as such my bikes are cleaner, parts last more, and driving is mostly extra fulfilling, so on this respect, I really assume it’s cash properly spent. 

Verdict

The Kärcher OC3 is, for folks with out the posh of an out of doors faucet, doubtlessly transformative for preserving your bikes clear and working easily 12 months spherical. It’s across the similar worth as a full-sized strain washer in some circumstances, however I discover it extra helpful, simpler to retailer, and usually simpler to reside with, and so I nonetheless assume it represents first rate worth too, though it’s so much smaller of a little bit of package.