Steam generator irons and conventional steam irons look quite similar at first glance – especially the iron part itself. However, steam generator irons are constructed quite differently and have a different mode of operation. They employ a separate base unit which acts as both boiler and water tank. The body of the iron contains no water. Steam is passed from the base unit into the iron using a flexible connecting tube.
Steam generator irons do tend to cost a little more than traditional steam irons – but they offer several advantages to the user. It’s worthwhile taking a little time to consider the important points before you decide which one to buy. The key things to look at when comparing steam generator irons are steam pressure, the capacity of the water reservoir, the soleplate, how easy it is to clean and the overall ease of use.
STEAM PRESSURE: The steam causes moisture and heat to penetrate the fabric of the garment being pressed. This makes it flexible and makes it easier to remove wrinkles and creases. The higher the pressure of the steam, the further it penetrates into the garment being ironed and the better the final results will be.
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.
Consider also how easy filling the reservoir is. A lot of the better steam generator irons come with water reservoirs which are detachable, and this makes topping up a lot easier. It’s certainly better than fussing about with jugs of water. Other irons have the option of topping up the reservoir whilst the iron is being used – avoiding the need to disconnect it and then having to wait for it to heat up again after being refilled.
THE SOLEPLATE: The iron’s soleplate should be of a design and material which allows it to pass smoothly and easily over the fabric being pressed. It should be scratch resistant, durable, and easy to clean.
EASE OF CLEANING: The vast majority of modern irons, whether stem generators or conventional steam irons, use normal tap water. This will usually contain a number of different minerals – including both magnesium and calcium. These can cause deposits of scale which will reduce the working efficiency of your iron unless they are cleaned and removed.
If your house is in a hard water area, then you will definitely want to go for an iron which has some type of anti-scale system. Some iron use a special detachable anti-scale cartridge – others use water to loosen the scale and then flush it out.
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 certain to pick an iron with a high enough steam pressure for your needs. Choose a water tank that is big enough for you to complete your ironing without having to stop to top it up. Make sure that the soleplate is well designed and uses a suitable material in its construction. Make sure that some form of anti-scale system is included.
Don’t waste hours on a dull task like ironing. Cut your time in half with a Tefal steam generator iron – you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.