Comparison Karcher SC 5 Iron Kit vs Becker VAP 3

Steam cleaners include compact models, which include handheld steam cleaners and steam mops, as well as full-fledged household for home and professional steam cleaners for offices and cleaning companies. More about each:

– Household. Devices designed for everyday use: steaming clothes, cleaning curtains, carpets, furniture, etc. It is this type that you should pay attention to if you are looking for a steam cleaner for regular use within the same apartment/house (or other tasks of a similar scale ). Most household models are similar in appearance and dimensions to ordinary vacuum cleaners.

– Professional. The most advanced type of modern steam cleaners. Professional models are distinguished primarily by high power and productivity, as well as a long operating time on a single refill. We emphasize that for domestic use such equipment is unnecessarily expensive and large; but for significant volumes of work – such as professional cleaning of large rooms – professional steam cleaners are simply irreplaceable.

– Handheld steam cleaner. Lightweight and compact steam cleaners that are held entirely in the hands during operation. Outwardly, they resemble electric kettles or manual garden sprayers. The power and productivity of such devices is small, they are intended mainly for small volume and rel...atively simple tasks.

– Steam mop. The basis of the design of the steam mop is a specific bar: a tank and a steam generator are installed on it, a working nozzle is attached to the bottom, and a handle to control the device is attached to the top. In terms of purpose, such models are similar to conventional mops, they are used mainly for cleaning on the floor; one of the key differences is that the steam device can be used not only for smooth surfaces, but also for carpets.

– Steam mop / handheld steam cleaner. Devices that combine the capabilities of a steam mop and a portable steam cleaner. For more information about these varieties, see above, and their combination is as follows: a portable steam cleaner, which has a tank, a steam generator and a handle control in one common housing, is complemented by a bar, when installed, the device turns into a mop. The main advantage of such models is versatility; however, some of them are equipped not only with a bar, but also with a flexible hose, which further expands the possibilities of application.

Devices that combine the capabilities of a traditional steam cleaner and a washing vacuum cleaner. In other words, such a device is capable of not only treating various surfaces with hot steam, but also carry out suction of softened contaminants. This greatly simplifies cleaning: you do not need to separately remove dirt with napkins, the cleaner will also cope with this. In addition, such devices can also be used like conventional vacuum cleaners – for traditional dry cleaning. On the other hand, this versatility has a noticeable effect on weight and cost, despite the fact that in fact it is required relatively rare. Therefore, there are few steam vacuum cleaners nowadays.

Note that any type of devices (see above) can have this feature, except for garment steamers (due to application specifics) and handheld models (due to size/weight restrictions). The format of the steam vacuum cleaner can also be different. Most often, steaming is carried out first, then suction, however, some devices are able to perform two functions at the same time – this can significantly speed up the process.

In addition to the main unit of any steam cleaner, in which the actual conversion of water into steam takes place, steam cleaners are equipped with a different number of nozzles and accessories for various tasks. Among them, there are a floor nozzle, a carpet nozzle, a textile nozzle, a spot nozzle, an angle nozzle, a flat nozzle, a round brush, a brush, a tile grout brush, a fabric nozzle, a a window nozzle, a window squeegee, a flexible hose, an iron, an ironing board. A few words about them:

– Floor nozzle. Nozzle for cleaning floors – mostly smooth, without a special coverage (tiles, stone, etc.). It is used in combination with a bar or hose like a vacuum cleaner; the shape usually also resembles the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. The design usually provides a brush to remove dirt, and the set may include a cloth, when installed, such a device turns into a fabric nozzle (see below).

- Nozzle for...carpets. Wide nozzles for refreshing carpets, textile paths, carpeted floors and other surfaces of similar texture. Their use allows you to restore the elasticity of carpet fibers under the influence of steam. Attachments of this type are in addition to floor nozzles, their frame allows you to effectively glide on carpets.

- Nozzle for textiles. A narrow elongated nozzle with many pinholes in a row for steam to escape. It is used to refresh clothes, smooth out light wrinkles, eliminate odors. Can be used to process clothes on hangers, curtains or curtains. Often, the design of the nozzle for textiles includes a special device for removing lint.

– Spot nozzle. A long and narrow nozzle with a very small outlet that produces a fine, directional steam jet. Designed mainly for work in small areas and in cramped conditions: for example, with a spot nozzle, you can effectively treat individual spots on the surface of a stove or angles between tiled walls. For more convenient and effective removal of dirt, the nozzle can be equipped with its own round brush.

– Angle nozzle. A nozzle used mainly for working in hard-to-reach places. In terms of capabilities, it is similar to the spot nozzle described above, however, the nozzle itself in such devices is bent at an angle relative to the nozzle itself (hence the name). This shape allows to easily reach where more traditional nozzles cannot reach – for example, to clean the space under the rim of the toilet.

- Flat nozzle. Nozzle in the form of a scraper with a narrow elongated nozzle to release steam. Used to remove stubborn dirt from flat surfaces. The power of steam softens them, and dried dirt is easily removed with the tip of a scraper.

– Round brush. A type of brush used in traditional steam cleaners (other than garment steamers) to clean floors and other surfaces. Usually, such a brush has a small size and is intended for cramped conditions and small spaces where a full-sized floor nozzle is not possible or does not make sense to use. In particular, it is convenient to clean the seams between tiles with such a device.

— Brush. A distinctive feature of such nozzles for steam cleaners is the presence of a characteristic bristle. The brushes are supposed to be used for working with floor coverings, plumbing, tiles, etc. First, the dirt on the surfaces is softened with steam, then it is easier to wipe them off with a brush. There are brushes with different lengths and stiffness of the pile. Nozzles with soft bristles are designed for cleaning sensitive surfaces to avoid scratches, with hard bristles for processing unpretentious materials.

- Tile grout brush. Specialized nozzles for effective cleaning of grime between tile joints. As a rule, they are a point nozzle, on both sides of which bristles are located. Due to the combination of high temperature and mechanical friction, even deeply embedded dirt is removed from the tile spaces.

— Window nozzle. Nozzle for washing windows with hot steam. Steam is supplied to the glass directly through such a device – this is how window nozzles differ from the squeegees described below. Otherwise, these two types of accessories are very similar in principle of operation: in both a special scraper is used to remove dirt from the glass. Also note that in some steam cleaners, the feature of a window nozzle is performed by another type of accessory (for example, a nozzle for textiles), on which a squeegee is installed; at the same time, if desired, the squeegee can be used separately.

– Window squeegee. Scraper for cleaning windows, used separately from the appliance: first, the glass is treated with hot steam, and then the moisture, together with the softened dirt, is manually collected with a squeegee. This procedure is somewhat more complicated than using the window nozzle described above, and also somewhat less effective; therefore, this type of accessory is rarely found in modern steam cleaners. And in some models, the window squeegee can be used both as a hand tool and as an adapter that turns another type of nozzle into a glass washer.

- Flexible hose. A flexible extension hose is attached to the outlet nozzle of the steam cleaner to allow operation in hard to reach places that are difficult to reach without the use of accessories. The flexible hose helps to direct the steam in the right direction and reach the most remote areas in any corner of the house. Other suitable specialized nozzles can be installed on the end of the hose. The presence of a flexible hose is indicated for portable models and steam mops, where it is supplied as an option. In household steam cleaners, the hose is an integral part of the standard equipment of the device.

– Iron. A classic iron connected to a steam cleaner with a hose. Such equipment actually turns the device into a steam generator for ironing; and models equipped with an ironing board are often comparable in functionality to full-fledged ironing systems.

– Ironing board. The classic ironing board is a horizontal surface used for ironing fabrics. Allows you to turn the steam cleaner into a system not only for the house cleaning but also for linen ironing.

Modern steam cleaners may come with items and accessories other than those described above. For example, steam vacuum cleaners (see above) can be equipped with "vacuum cleaner" nozzles – dust and crevice nozzles; and in more traditional models, you can find special nozzles for carpets.

Rated power consumed by the steam cleaner during operation. Usually, it is indicated by the maximum power consumption when used in normal mode, without abnormal situations.

In general, this parameter is secondary when choosing: manufacturers select power in such a way as to provide the necessary indicators of productivity, pressure, etc. However, some practical points are also associated with power. So, with the same performance (see "Steam intensity"), a more powerful device will spend less time heating water and generating steam; it can also be provided with a more capacious boiler (see "Water boiler volume"), which is useful for long-term continuous operation. On the other hand, such devices turn out to be more expensive, and often also heavier and larger than relatively “weak” steam cleaners, and besides, they load the mains more.

The second point related to power is the calculations of the load on the wiring and various electrical equipment (protective automation, AVRs, generators, etc.).

The maximum steam pressure at the outlet of the working nozzle that the steam cleaner can create.

High pressure has a positive effect on the intensity of impact and the depth of penetration of steam; this is especially important when removing old dirt, as well as when processing carpets, upholstery and other similar materials. On the other hand, an increase in operating pressure affects the weight, price and power consumption of the device.

As for specific figures, pressure up to 3 bar is considered very low; such indicators are found mainly among steam mops (see "Type"), as well as in the simplest household steam cleaners (including manual varieties). 3.1 - 4 bar – average figure; it, in particular, corresponds to most household devices, as well as the simplest professional models. And more than 4 bar can be found mainly in advanced units, although there are exceptions to this rule.

The steam flow provided by the steam cleaner. For models with power and/or humidity controls, this item indicates the maximum possible value.

When choosing according to this indicator, note that the performance characterizes only the amount of water steam produced by the device per minute. The intensity of the impact of this steam on the treated surface/product can be different, first of all, it depends on the working pressure. Therefore, only devices with similar pressure indicators can be directly compared by this indicator. In such comparisons, it is worth assuming that high performance allows to cope with larger volumes of work faster, but requires more powerful heaters and capacious tanks – which, in turn, affects the dimensions, weight and price of the entire steam cleaner.

The volume of the water boiler used in the steam cleaner.

First of all, we emphasize that you should not confuse the boiler and the water tank (see below). A boiler is a tank in which water is heated to form steam; in some models, such a tank is supplemented by a cold water tank, in others, the entire supply of water is located directly in the boiler. Accordingly, the meaning of this parameter depends on whether the unit has an additional tank or not.

If there is a separate tank in the design, then the volume of the boiler is rather a secondary indicator: it is selected in such a way as to provide the claimed performance characteristics, primarily productivity (and it is worth focus on these characteristics when choosing). If there is no tank, then the volume of the boiler directly depends on how much water will fit in the unit and how long it can work on one such “charge”. At the same time, an increase in volume allows you to work longer without refueling, but it affects the dimensions, weight, price, and often also the power consumption of the device (a more capacious boiler requires a more powerful heater).

The presence of a water tank in the device, which has a removable design.

For more information about the tank itself, see "Additional water tank". And the detachable design makes refueling much easier. In particular, it allows you to fill the tank under the tap, while with a non-detachable tank, this possibility is often not available. And some models with this feature can be refueled during operation, without turning off the heating and without relieving pressure in the boiler (although it still will be useful to clarify this possibility). In addition, a detachable tank is much easier to clean or wash than a non-detachable one.

Heating time until steam is generated. The duration of the heating process directly depends on the power of the device and the volume of the water tank.

Note that the actual heating time may be less than the claimed one. For example, if the main tank is not filled full, and the design does not provide an additional tank for cold water. For a full guarantee, you should still focus on the value directly stated in the characteristics.