Can You Make Snow with a Pressure Washer?

As per geographical statistics, about 46 million sq. km of the land is covered with snow under natural circumstances. The mountain peaks to the small islands close to Canada, which fall within the Arctic belt, will look white from the top, thanks to the snow deposits. 

Moreover, several countries in the North American continent, specifically the US, receive a lot of snowfall during the winter months. However, not all cities and towns can bask in the coldness of the white snow powder, which is where artificial snow comes into play. People usually use several techniques to create snow artificially via different tools. 

But the question is can you make snow with a pressure washer? 

Yes, you can because in this technologically advanced world, nothing is impossible. As the mere thought of using the washer to create snow sounds bewildering, in this below article, we will discuss everything you need to know about how to make snow with a pressure washer and several such relatable facts. 

Must Read: Can You Use Laundry Detergent in a Pressure Washer?

Can You Make Snow with a Pressure Washer?

Usually, pressure washers are used to clean the floor and wall surfaces by sending a water jet under high pressure. Suppose you carefully notice the professionals using the tool. In that case, you will see that water is sprinkled mainly with such a high momentum that accumulated dirt and other things can be cleared easily. 

Now, making snow with a pressure washer might sound absurd to you. But in reality, the tool has proven to be most effective in creating white snow, replicating the natural, fresh, and soft powder you can see on the higher lands during winters. 

Doesn’t it sound amazing to have the home snowmaking pressure washers so that you can create the snow anytime you want without having to wait for the weather? 

It is!

Before we tell you how to make real snow at home, we think you should see a little about what pressure looks like and how it is operated under normal conditions. Usually, the washers have engines, which can be either powered by petrol or diesel. The mixing of liquids with water happens inside the washer container, after which the water pump helps in squirting out the water. 

The nozzle with which water is sprayed is very thin. Due to the small diameter, pressure inside the water increases, and it comes out with huge kinetic energy and velocity that helps clean the surface. 

What Do You Need to Make Snow?

Since you already know the answer to can you make snow with just a pressure washer, it’s time to move forward and learn about the equipment you will need for the activity. This upcoming listicle will help you in arranging everything in one place before you start creating the snow. 

• First, you need a pressure washer with a minimal flow rate between 2.1 and 3.4 Gallons Per Minute. The Generac 6596 2.5 GPM pressure washer or the SIMPSON Cleaning PowerShot pressure shot are the best products you can get from in the market. If you plan for any other washer, make sure they have a temperature regulator with a 0°C option. 
• You will also need a nozzle that can increase the pressure on the fluid flow when the pump will squirt out the substance through the nozzle length. An ideal nozzle for creating artificial snow always has a longer length with a short diameter. This helps create maximum pressure in the fluid, which compresses the molecules and turns them into solid snow. 
• As you need water for making the snow, make sure its temperature is cold. Creating snow with hot water is absolutely out of the picture. So, either you will have to put ice in the water tank or connect the hose of the washer with a tap supplying cold water. 

Many people, including you, are thinking about how cold it has to be to make snow with a pressure washer. Well, the water temperature must be less than room temperature. And if you are concerned with the outdoor temperature, it should range between 10°C to 15°C maximum. 

How to Make Snow with a Pressure Washer?

Are you wondering whether can you make snow with just a pressure washer or not?

Yes, you can! Artificial snow can be easily made with a pressure washer, if chosen perfectly. 

But do you know the process for the same?

If not, then without wasting any time, let’s find out how you can make snow at your home or outside with just the pressure washer. 

1. Preparation and Timing: Your first job is to note down the times of the day where the temperature outside is below 20°C at least and remains consistent or drops further. Once done, prepare the pressure washer by connecting it to the water supply. Also, connect the nozzle and make sure all air is driven out from the insides. 

2. Mixing: When the engine will start working, it will draw in the water inside the pressure washer and mix it with the outside air to lower the water’s temperature. 

3. Pumping: As a hydraulic pump is present in the washer, it will pump out the cold water through the nozzle. As soon as you keep the nozzle at an angle of 45°C, fine jets of frozen mist will be squirted out, which will finally create the snow. 

Must Read: Is it Safe to Pressure Wash a Car?

Tips for Making Snow When It’s Not Freezing

Can you use a pressure washer to make snow when the temperature is not freezing or above 20°C? 

Yes, you can!

Let’s take a sneak peek into the process of snowmaking in dry or non-frigid weather conditions.

• The nozzle should be longer to increase the surface area. This will help in creating fine mist streams in warmer climatic conditions. 
• To make snow at a higher and warmer temperature, you will need a nucleating agent. It’s a chemical compound where the molecules have hygroscopic properties. Hence, the snowflakes will get attached around them for bigger and clustered structures. 
• You need to understand the timing when the air outside is the coldest, no matter what the temperature is. 

Final Thoughts

Even though about 44% of the US was covered with a white sheet of fresh snow, according to 2021 data, nothing can surpass the fun of making artificial snow. However, you need to be proficient in using the pressure washer as the machine is indeed quite complex. Moreover, it would be best if you were careful about the temperature. 

So, can you make snow with a pressure washer? 

Yes, indeed you can, and we have discussed just the fact above, along with giving you all the basic information pieces you need to make snow artificially.