At first glance, a steam generator iron looks very similar to a conventional steam iron – especially the iron itself. However, it has a significantly different construction and mode of operation. Steam generator irons have a separate base unit which acts as both a water reservoir and boiler. There is no water in the body of the iron itself. The steam is passed from the water reservoir to the iron along a hollow connecting tube.
As a rule, steam generator irons cost a little bit more than conventional steam irons – but they offer the user a number of advantages. It’s worth taking a few moments to review the important points before you decide which iron is right for you. The main items to consider when making a comparison of different steam generator irons are the steam pressure, the water reservoir capacity, the soleplate, ease of cleaning and overall usability.
PRESSURE OF STEAM: The steam drives moisture and heat into the fabric of the garment being ironed. This makes it easier to remove wrinkles and creases as it causes the fabric to become more flexible. The higher the steam pressure is, the deeper it is driven into the fabric and the better the finished results are.
As a rule, steam generator irons will have their output capacity noted in terms of grams of steam per minute (g/min). The higher this number is, the more steam is produced and the easier (and faster) it will be to use the iron. Typical values will range from 70 to 140 grams per minute.
You will also see some irons with their steam pressure quoted in bar. Again, the higher this number is, the more steam that will be produced and the better the finished results will be.
WATER RESERVOIR CAPACITY: Steam generator irons usually have a generously sized water reservoir. This means that you can iron for quite a while before you need to top up the reservoir. The precise time will depend upon the type of fabric that you’re ironing and the temperature you which have your iron set at – but a 1.4 litre reservoir should be good for at least a couple of hours of ironing.
If you do a lot of ironing then you might like to consider getting one of the bigger tanks available. If your ironing board is one of the smaller ones, then you may wish to ensure that the connecting tube between the iron and the reservoir is of a length which allows the base unit to be located on the floor instead of at the end of the ironing board.
It’s also worth considering how easy it is to fill the reservoir. Many of the better steam generator irons have removable reservoirs to make filling easier. It’s a lot better than messing around with jugs of water. Some also have the facility to top up the reservoir even when the iron is in use – which avoids you having to disconnect it and then wait for it to heat up again after filling.
THE SOLEPLATE: The soleplate of the iron should glide smoothly over the surface of a range of different fabrics – whilst still generating enough friction to remove any wrinkles and creases. It should be durable, tough, scratch resistant and easy to clean. Soleplates with ceramic coatings are widely used these days and are a good option.
EASE OF CLEANING: The majority of modern irons, whether steam generator irons or conventional steam irons, use ordinary tap water. Depending upon where you live, this will typically contain a variety of different minerals – including both calcium and magnesium. This can result in scale deposits as the water is heated and evaporates.
If you live in an area with a hard water supply, then you should definitely look for an iron which has some form of anti-scale system. Some irons loosen the scale using water and then flush it out. Others have removable anti-scale cartridges for easy cleaning.
USABILITY: As already discussed, you may find it preferable for your iron to be positioned on the floor rather than on the board – which needs a long enough hose connection.
A removable water reservoir is also something that most people will find convenient.
Other features, which you may or may not find appealing, include automatically rewinding power cords, fast heat up systems, easy clean soleplates etc.
SUMMARY: Be sure to choose a high enough steam pressure for your requirements. Select a water reservoir which is large enough so that you don’t need to keep stopping in order to top it up. Ensure that the soleplate is of a suitable material and design. If you live in a hard water area, make sure that some anti-scaling system is incorporated.
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