Irons with a steam generator: perfect ironing or a marketing ploy?

A special advantage of an iron with a steam generator is the large capacity of the water tank — from 300 mL to 5 liters. This allows you to use the iron for a long time without pouring water into it.

An iron with a steam generator makes it easy to smooth poorly ironed fabrics

In addition, an important advantage of the steam generator is the speed of steam supply and the strength of the steam shock. It is on these indicators that the quality and speed of ironing depends. In a conventional iron, the steam supply, usually, does not exceed 25 g / min, and steam shock — up to 90 g / min. In the steam generator, the steam supply ranges from 25 to 160 g/min, and the steam stroke rate is 100-340 g/min. This makes it easy to smooth out poorly ironed fabrics made of cotton, linen, dense suit, coat, felt fabrics, fabrics folded several times. You can use steam shock in irons with a steam generator all the time, and not at intervals, as in conventional irons, and the force of the impact is enough to smooth out the folds on any fabric.

In some models of steam generators, there is no adjustment of the sole temperature, only the steam strength changes. And the temperature of the sole itself is quite low. This allows you to iron things from different fabrics without changing the settings.

There are also disadvantages

Iron with steam generator it is impossible to dry things if necessary, because the temperature of the sole is low. In order to start ironing, it is necessary that the water boils and a sufficient amount of steam is formed. For example, in devices with a large capacity, it will take about seven to ten minutes. Manufacturers promise that water from the iron will not drip on clothes. But note that if you do not iron with steam for some time, steam will still condense in the hose and water will form, which can flow out of the holes of the sole. To store an iron with a steam generator, you will have to look for a place, because it is significantly larger than an ordinary iron. In addition, you need to wind two wires — an electric cord and a steam hose. And an iron with a steam generator requires special care — the boiler often needs to be descaled. Although in this case, a lot depends on the quality of the water. And finally, the price of an iron with a steam generator is much higher than usual.

Why do I need an iron with a steam generator?

Basically, irons with a steam generator belong to the class of professional and semi-professional equipment, but if there is more than enough washing and ironing in the family, an iron with a steam generator is really able to make life easier. Especially if you have to iron a lot of bed linen made of cotton, linen, things made of dense fabrics. It can also be effective for families with young children, where they have to wash and iron a lot every day. And it can also be useful for those who love impeccable ironing and who are reluctant to constantly add water to the tank.

Help in choosing

The larger the volume of the boiler, the longer it can be ironed

If, after all, you have chosen an iron with a steam generator, you should pay attention to such nuances before buying.

• The volume of the boiler and the power of the heating element. The larger the volume, the longer you can iron without adding water. The higher the power, the faster the vaporization occurs.
• Steam supply. For ordinary fabrics, 25-30 g/min is enough. And for very dense, poorly ironed, folded several times — from 100 g /min.
• Steam stroke. A good indicator for irons with a steam generator is from 120 g/min.
• Sole coating. The smoothness of sliding, the ability to clean, as well as wear resistance depend on it.
• The length of the hose. If it is shorter than 1.5 m, it will be inconvenient to use an iron, and if it is too long, it can get confused.
• Automatic shutdown function. This important function does not need comments.

And the last. The higher the power, the volume of the tank, the steam supply force, the more expensive the iron. But do not buy a model with maximum performance, if you really do not need it.