Buyers Guide to Steam Irons and Steam Generators
Let's be honest - ironing can be a real chore and many of us don't like doing it! In fact research has shown that when it comes to doing the ironing, most people will want to get out of the way as quickly as possible.
However, help is at hand with today's modern steam irons and steam generator irons (also known as steam generators or steam generating irons). The range has never been wider and there are many innovations that can help you cut through your ironing quickly and effectively.
There are two main types of iron available:
» Steam Irons
This is the traditional iron that most of us are familiar with. Designed for smaller ironing loads, steam irons have on-board water tanks that generate continuous steam, usually at a rate set by the user (called variable steam). Steam irons can also give short bursts or shots of steam to help with removing those more stubborn creases. Heavier irons can be more cumbersome to use but generally have better pressing capabilities.
» Steam Generators
A steam generator iron has two parts - the steam iron as above but without the integral water tank. Instead, a much larger water tank is fitted into a separate unit. This separate unit allows much more high pressure steam to be generated and is therefore more suitable for larger loads. The continuous steam is delivered to the iron via a steam hose at up to double the rate of a standalone steam iron. They will therefore make ironing much easier and quicker. Steam Generators can be pressurised or non-pressurised.
» Some Features Explained
There's a vast array of steam irons and steam generator irons available today, with an often bewildering range of features and jargon. These small home appliances have come a long way since their humble beginnings, so here is our handy A-Z guide to the main features of importance when choosing the best steam iron for your needs:
Anti Drip
Ensures that if the iron should be used before reaching the desired temperature, water will not leak onto the fabric
Anti Scale
Prevents limescale build up in your steam iron and improves performance and life of your iron. Various methods are employed to achieve this: the most popular being replaceable or lifetime cartridges or tablets or removable and washable filters. Some irons also have an additional "calc-clean" procedure which you need to run every so often
Auto Shut off
This safety feature activates after the iron has been inactive for a certain amount of time, either resting on its soleplate or left idle on its heel
Bar Pressure
The amount of steam pressure generated is measured in bars - with 4.5 and 5 being the highest and most effective.
Cord Length
The longer the power cord the more flexibility you have when ironing larger items. 3 metres is generally the maximum size available on a steam iron
Fabric Pre-Sets
In additon to the normal temperature settings, some of the more expensive irons will automatically adjust temperature and steam output according to fabric type. You just select the fabric type on a dial and the iron will manage the appropriate settings for you
Non-Pressurised Steam Generators
While still delivering much more steam than a traditional iron, a non-presurised steam generator does release the steam more gently than a pressurised version. This does mean that a non-pressurised system tends to be the cheaper of the two.
Pressurised Steam Generators
Pressurised generators essentially 'boost' the steam as it is expelled from the iron - thereby pushing the steam deeper into the fibres of the garment.
Soleplate Material
An iron with a ceramic soleplate will have the smoothest gliding and best stain resistance, with stainless steel also being a good choice. Cheaper irons may have aluminium or other "non-stick" soleplates.
Steam - Continuous Steam Output
This is measured in grams per minute. The constant steam output relaxes your fabric to allow easy pressing and removal of creases. The higher the constant steam capacity, the shorter the ironing time. A steam generator iron is capable of producing much higher continuous steam output than a traditional steam iron
Steam Shot
This is also measured in grams per minute. A short, powerful burst of steam that penetrates deep into the fabric to remove the most difficult creases in the toughest fibres. Higher burst rates will naturally give better performance
Vertical Steam
Allows you to iron hanging items such as suits and jackets as well as steam curtains and blinds without taking them down
Wattage
The higher the number of watts available, the quicker the heat up time of the iron. With a large amount of ironing, the amount of time spent waiting for the iron to reheat is minimised
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Steam Irons
