Finding The Right Steam Generator Iron For You
The majority of people will find ironing to be a bit of a thankless task
. It's one of those tasks that simply has to be done, but there can't be many people who enjoy it. You can listen to music or watch TV whilst you're doing your ironing in order to relieve the boredom somewhat - but it's always going to be a dull, dreary chore.
However, over the last few years there have been some changes in iron technology which can help to reduce the amount of time spent ironing for many people. Steam generator irons have now become available to the general public. In the past, they were the preserve of dry cleaners and professionals. According to some users, using a steam generator iron can cut your ironing time in half.
At first glance, steam generator irons look very similar to standard steam irons - albeit with a large base unit included. It's the base unit that is the difference. A steam generator iron has no water in the body of the iron - the large base unit is acts as both a water reservoir and boiler which generates large quantities of high pressure steam. A hollow connecting tube feeds this to the iron.
Using the above technique, these irons produce very much more steam than a traditional iron. It is also at a higher pressure. This high pressure steam penetrates deep into the fabric of whatever you're ironing and makes it much easier - and a lot faster - to get rid of any creases and wrinkles. The finished garments will be of a better quality and, as previously discussed, you can reduce your ironing time by as much as 50%.
Steam generator irons do tend to cost a little more than traditional steam irons. However, considering the time savings, plus the improved quality of the finished garments, you may be quite happy to pay the price. Discounts are often available both online and offline. If you know what you're looking for then you might just be able to snap up a bargain.
There are five main criteria that you should review when choosing a steam generator iron:
1. The quantity and pressure of the steam produced.
2. The amount of water that can be held in the water tank.
3. The soleplate material and design.
4. How easy it is to clean the iron.
5. How user friendly it is.
Steam output is normally measured in grams per minute. Something in the range of 70 - 140 g/min should be sufficient. Steam pressure of something between 4.5 and 5.0 bar is desirable and should see you achieve the time savings already discussed.
Be sure to go for a water reservoir that is of sufficient size for you so that you don't need to keep stopping to top it up. A 1.4 litre tank should give sufficient steam for about two hour's ironing. Bigger water tanks can also be found.
The soleplate design and material should be durable and should glide easily across the fabric to be pressed. Ceramics and stainless steel are usually good choices for the soleplate material.
If your house is supplied with hard water, then you will need to make sure that you avoid any accumulation of scale in your iron. This can reduce the efficiency of the device and also shorten its useful working life. The Tefal steam generator iron range incorporates a very handy scale trap which can simply be unscrewed, cleaned under running water and then replaced back into the iron. Other manufacturers use different techniques, including removable cartridges. Chemical treatment is another possibility, if a somewhat little less convenient one.
In terms of ease of use, this will be very dependent upon the requirements of different users. However, it's a probably not a bad idea to go for a model which has a long enough connection between the base unit and the iron so that you have the option of positioning the base on the floor instead of at the end of the board should you wish. This might be a better arrangement for you if you have a small ironing board.
A detachable reservoir which can be taken to the sink for filling directly under the tap might be useful. Many people will like to have such an option. A fast heat up time after filling is definitely desirable. It shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes for a modern steam generator iron to achieve its operating temperature.
by: Stephen Cromwell
Complete Control: Still The Best Clash Song Ever Finding The Right Sat Tutor In San Diego Louis Antoine D'artois :what Happened During The Empire Basic Rules And Guidelines On Van-leasing Chicken Coop Blueprints For Sale Groundbreaking Strategies For Holistic Pain Management Van Leasing Rentals Advice Breaking Up - How To Break Up The Easy Way Easy Backup Wizard Trial Una Niña De 6 Años Se Recupera Favorablemente De Una Leucemia Infantil Tras Una Terapia Con La Sangre De Su Cordón The Matrix CO2 Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing Produces Powerful Results With Less Downtime Dynamics Gp Technical Support Overview And Faq Art And Culture Of Portland