It is that time of the year once again when you need to have the snow out of your driveway. Getting rid of snow is imperative at this time, and now is the best time to get the best tools that will help you get through the winter. Snowblowers Trusted Source Snow blower - Wikipedia A snow blower or snow thrower is a machine for removing snow from an area where it is problematic, such as a driveway, sidewalk, roadway, railroad track, ice rink, or runway. en.wikipedia.org are one of such tools. They are important for getting rid of snow in regions that experience a lot of snowfall. There are different models of snow blowers on the market, with one main difference being the source of power. In this electric vs gas snow blower comparison, we will consider some of the differences between the two, to help you decide which of the two Trusted Source Best Snow Blower Buying Guide - Consumer Reports Shopping for a snow blower? Read about features, types, and other must-know details in our snow blower buying guide to make an informed choice. www.consumerreports.org is best for you.
Chances are pretty high that you never knew that there are electric snowblowers. If so, then you are not alone. Not many people know about their existence. Nevertheless, these models are available for purchase on the market.
These snowblowers come with unique requirements before you can use them, and before you make a purchase, it is important to ensure that these models can help you with clearing snow from your yard.
These snow blowers, as the name implies, are snowblowers that are powered by electricity. To use them, you need to plug them into a power outlet.
Electric snow blowers are popular options for areas that do not experience a lot of snowfall. This is because they do not have plenty of power. You are also advised to use them in areas that have small surfaces and where you have electricity available.
Electric snow blowers work similarly to how other electronics work. To use it, you need to plug it into an electric outlet and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
As with your regular snow blowers, these models have an auger for moving the snow up and away from where you are clearing.
There are slight differences in the design of these models. For example, some come with a shovel design, while others can handle more snow at a time. Whether you choose the shovel or the conventional design, you can rest assured that the appliance will help you with light amounts of snowfall and reduce the amount of physical labor required to clear snow.
Although electric snow blowers are available in different models, there are two main types – corded and cordless models.
These function exactly as their name imply.
The corded electric blowers are blowers that come with a power cord. There are several advantages to this type of electric snow blower. For one, it is very friendly to the environment, especially when compared with gas-powered options.
It is relatively portable and will help with clearing snow. You can find models that can handle snow of 12″ depth. In terms of overall usability and handling, you will find this type of snow blower an excellent option.
On the other hand, there is the cordless snow blower which is one that does not need to be plugged in before you can use it. These snow blowers are often powered by a lithium-ion battery. The major benefit of this type of snow blower is the portability that it offers. You don’t have to worry about untangling a power cord when using it.
It can help with clearing snow of up to 13″ deep. These models are great for small spaces and the small motor is often quiet enough not to disturb those around you while you remove snow from your yard. The SJ627E from Snow Joe is regarded as one of the best snow blowers that run on electricity.
As you can see, there are several advantages to using electric snow blowers. Let’s see some of the benefits that they offer.
First of all, since these do not have to combust fuel to run the engine, they are the quieter option out of the two (electric and gas-powered).
Since these run on electricity and do not use gas or oil, there are no emissions that can pollute the environment.
Since they have fewer parts, you will discover the electric snow blower to be a lightweight and portable option. You can use them easily in small spaces since there are very easy to maneuver. They also offer you better and easier storage options. Combines with this is the ease of use. You don’t have to use a recoil to start the machine. Instead, the push button is all you need to get it working.
Because of the specs, these appliances are great for shorter drives and smaller places. They are also affordable.
Another thing that makes this an excellent choice is the simple maintenance. Unlike gas-powered options, you don’t have to change any liquids, clean small parts, and all of that. With frequent dusting and cleaning, you can get away with using this machine for many years.
If you have a corded model, the extra maintenance would be to keep the cord free from tangles and you should check the electrical outlets to ensure that they are not faulty.
As with most machines, there are drawbacks to using electric snow blowers.
The major con of using these machines is that the smaller and lighter design doesn’t offer you plenty of power. You will therefore find it nearly impossible to use for moving heavy snow or large amounts of snow at a go.
Additionally, you might have restrictions on working in different areas.
If you are using a corded version, you also need to be careful that there is no tangling. The cord needs to be maintained often to reduce the chances of electrocution.
With gas snow blowers, you might be in a more relatable territory. These machines are widely available and more popular than their electric counterparts. While they are more numerous and popular than electric snow blowers, they come with more care and maintenance requirements.
Nevertheless, they are pretty useful tools that will come in especially handy in regions that have plenty of snowfall every year.
As the name implies, these machines are made to work on gas or propane. They come with an auger as well which will propel the snow to the thrown out of the machine and away from where you are clearing. Gas powers the machine, and it needs to be maintained and all the parts lubricated for the best performance.
Although there are different models of gas-powered snow blowers, there are just three main types. These are the single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage snowblower.
This type of gas-powered snow blower comes in a small, portable design, and is made for domestic use. The unit is driven by one auger, which is why it is called a single-stage snowblower. The auger is what will draw in the snow and throw it away.
They are the most portable and compact out of the different types of gas-powered snow blowers. Therefore, you will find them useful for small areas, driveways, and walkways.
This next type is a snowblower that comes in different sizes. You can find it in a compact size to larger models that offer more power. These machines are driven by an auger and an impeller. One takes up the snow while another throws the snow.
These machines also often have a drive system that delivers a greater level of power and control. The clearing width is bigger than that of the single-stage blower.
As they offer more power, they can work for large clumps of drifted snow. Compared to the three-stage blowers, though, these are often compact and can also be used in homes. When used, they might leave a layer of snow behind, especially if used on level surfaces. If you have uneven ground, though, you will find these to be excellent machines.
If you want a high-quality two-stage blower, then many users agree that the S1024 from Briggs & Stratton is one of the best in its class.
These are newer types of blowers. As three-stage models, they offer so much more power than the other types of blowers. If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowstorms frequently, then the power of this model will be great for you.
It comes with two augers, with one auger to pull in the snow while the other auger breaks up the snow for you. This three-pronged attack on the snow will make the unit work faster and more effectively than other types of blowers in heavy snowfall.
As you might have surmised from the section above, these snow blowers offer you plenty of advantages.
These machines are very durable, and they need to be! Since they are majorly used to handle tough snow weather, they must be made of pretty durable parts. This build is one of the reasons why they will efficiently and easily take care of your heavy snowfall.
This is an advantage over the corded electric snow blowers. Since these machines do not have any electric cords, there is little chance of anything coming in the way or restricting your movements as you remove snow. It also means that you can use the machines anywhere you want.
As these machines are self-propelled, you will find them even easier to use.
Another thing that makes the gas-powered unit exceptional is the power. It is best for regions that suffer from heavy snowfall. Therefore, you can get rid of heavy snow with a pass. It also offers versatility as you can decide the direction and height of snow to be blown out of the machine.
There are also some drawbacks. We’ll list them below.
One of the main reasons why someone might opt for the electric models over the gas-powered options is that you need to do a fair bit of maintenance with these gas-powered options. You have to change the fuel often, as well as oil, spark plugs, and so on.
You also need to check out other parts of the machine like the tightness of the bolts, the purity of the air filter, the pins, and so on.
Although these are easy to move during operation, they are heavy and hard to store. If you are leaving it in storage for a long time, you will likely need to change the oil and fuel when next you want to use it.
Apart from maintenance, these machines are also loud and heavy to use. It might also be a hassle getting them to start since many models come with a pull-start system.
Now, let’s compare electric and gas snow blowers in terms of their primary characteristics.
When it comes to stages, electric snow blowers come in just one design. On the other hand, gas-powered models are available as single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage options.
Electric options will help you move a fair bit of snow. However, the manageable load is nothing compared with what the gas-powered snow blower can handle. If you stay somewhere that has a lot of snowfall, then you should opt for the gas-powered models.
Gas blowers are more impressive in this category as you will find models that have a width of up to 45 inches. The electric snow blowers on the other hand might reach just 21 inches of width.
In keeping with the ability of gas-powered options, these can handle snow of up to 2 feet depth or height. The highest you might find on an electric snow blower is 12″ of intake height.
Electric snow blowers win in this regard. They are very easy to start and use. Gas-powered models are often started with a pull-start system.
This depends on the type of electric blower. If it is a corded option, then you will have limits to the ability to maneuver the units. On the other hand, gas-powered options are easier to maneuver.
It is less stressful maintaining the electric snow blower than the gas-powered option.
Gas-powered snow blowers are usually costlier than electric models.
Choosing which is better between the electric vs gas snow blower is largely down to what you want to do and your preferences. We hope that this post has shown you some of the main differences between the two types of blowers. And this should help you decide which of them suits your needs the most.
