Irons with a steamer: types and equipment, features of steam and vertical steaming

About eighty years ago, the use of steam while working with an electric iron was first introduced in the Steemelectric model. The iron with a steamer was like an electric kettle with a sole. Steam was released through the bottom plate, which was formed inside the model due to the boiling of water. Since the iron did not have a thermostat, and there was always steam, it could not be used for dry ironing.

Classification of steamer irons

Today there are three types of steaming irons. Many of them have a vertical steaming function, and some are designed only for this.

1. Steam irons. They are designed for horizontal ironing and have a vertical steaming function. The water tank is built into the body of the device. The liquid enters the heating element and steam comes out of the nozzles of the iron at a high speed.
2. Steam stations
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   . These units consist of an ordinary iron and a water tank, they are connected to each other by a hose. The hose is used to transfer steam. Many models have an ironing function in both horizontal and vertical positions.
3. Steamers. The main elements of these devices are a floor-standing steam generator, a hose and an iron attachment. Additional elements are various accessories that are included in the set of steamers. The device not only smoothes the fabric, but also cleans it. These models do not have a horizontal ironing function. There are also hand-held devices. They consist of a water tank, from the nozzles of which, after the liquid boils, steam appears.

In addition to the design features, all these types of irons have differences in technical parameters.

Steam features

Steam and hot moisture, due to heat exchange in the fibers, help to smooth the fabric. In modern devices, the material can be straightened by "wetting" in the following way:

• steam boost;
• constant steam;
• vertical steaming.

The moisture content of the product during ironing should be up to 15% by weight of the material.

Steam boost

Over the past ten years, a big change has come with the steam boost. This function provides powerful and fast steam penetration into the fibers of the product. It is ideal for ironing tough, dry laundry and especially inaccessible gathers.

At the beginning of the century, steam emission in devices was in the range of 30-85 g / min. Today, the average speed of the force of a steam blow is 100-150 g / min. The maximum steam output is 200 g / min.

Constant steam

This function has undergone a number of significant changes. First, the combination of dry ironing and good steam has become commonplace. Secondly, constant steam became the most intense, from 35 g / min it increased to 50 g / min.

Dry ironing is a condition for comfortable work, when the soleplate of the iron is heated to the minimum allowable temperature. After all, there is material that not only does not need, but moisture is contraindicated.

Vertical steam

The vertical steam function originated in household irons thanks to the engineering thought of Moulinex specialists. Now it is possible to direct steam to vertically arranged things. This can be curtains on the windows, a coat or a jacket on a hanger. This ironing method allows you to take care of complex things without contact with the soleplate of the iron.

Vertical steam has great strength, high density, clear directionality, due to which it reaches its goal and does not dissipate.

Features of the steam outlet

The soleplate of the vertical steaming iron is a special element of the construction part. He is not only responsible for heating the plane, but also for the release of steam through the holes that are on it.

Appliance manufacturers strive to position the vents in such a way as to ensure effective steaming across the entire surface of the sole. The size of the holes, the amount, and the method of steam supply are taken into account. The geometry of the holes is actively used, which determines their location, shape and steam guides.

For example, the three-row system is used in the sole of the Electrolux models. Almost one hundred holes are placed along the perimeter of the plane, their size increases from the center to the edge.

For the manufacture of the sole of the iron is used: teflon, aluminum, stainless steel, ceramics.

1. The Teflon outsole glides easily over the fabric and is coated with a non-stick compound.
2. The aluminum coating is easily damaged or deformed as a result of use.
3. Stainless steel makes the sole durable. It is easy to care for, but weighs more than other materials.
4. Ceramic protects the fabric from sticking, but as a material for the sole, it is fragile and capricious to care for.

So, the sole for the iron should not be too heavy and have enough holes.

Additional equipment

Most steamers have additional accessories that make ironing better and easier.

1. Rack-hanger. It is used to hang things on it while ironing.
2. Brush. It is used to clean products during steaming. It removes dirt, collects fluff from things.
3. Clamp. It is used if in the process of steaming you need to create arrows and folds.
4. Protective mitten. It is made of Teflon or thick fabric and is worn during ironing to protect your hands.
5. Heat resistant plank. It is placed under the fabric when ironing delicate parts of things, such as collars, cuffs, pockets.

If the device does not include accessories, they can be purchased additionally.

Disadvantages and Benefits

The main disadvantage of many steamer irons is their high cost. Multifunctional models are large in size, which creates certain inconveniences during their operation and storage.

The advantages of vertical ironing:

1. There is practically no chance of damaging the product, since the sole does not touch the material.
2. You can process various types of fabrics, the main thing is to choose the right mode.
3. There is no need for an ironing board.
4. It is easy to iron products with decorative elements, even by weight.
5. The use of hot steam during ironing allows you to disinfect, clean products, remove odors.

Some steamers have significant design changes inherent only to him. Additional elements that the models are equipped with do not allow condensation to form automatically turn off devices after inactivity, make it possible to use ordinary water, clean it automatically from scale.

For example, you can select the constant steam temperature for specific fabrics in Panasonic models. Philips models have an ionization function, small steam particles, due to the flow pressure and their size, easily penetrate the fibers of the material.

Manufacturers

Each buyer has his own approach to choosing a product. Some people prefer to buy equipment from well-known manufacturers, others are guided by customer reviews, and still others by cost.

As a rule, manufacturers of well-known brands strictly monitor the quality of their products, which means that expensive raw materials and equipment, and qualified personnel are used in the production. All this affects the increase in the cost of finished products. Therefore, brands such as Bosch, Electrolux, Siemens, Karcher, Bosch and others are more expensive.

Companies have service centers, therefore, during the warranty period, the product can be repaired or replaced free of charge.

There are a lot of good reviews about models from Binatone, Ariete, Gorenje, Zanussi, Zelmer. They are of good quality and average price, have a warranty from manufacturers, have a long service life and are widely represented on the market.

If you choose according to the principle of the cheaper, the better, then you can buy a low-quality product with no warranty for it.

Rating

The best vertical steam irons are the Philips models. This is a decent ratio of quality and price. A steam boost of 85 g / min to 100 g / min guarantees good quality vertical ironing, even on the heaviest fabrics. They are designed for a long service life and have a good network of service centers in any country.

Professional steam systems include the Mie Stiro Pro 100. It is used for any products, as well as curtains. The steam generator body is made of stainless steel. The sole of the iron is metal, heats up quickly, easily glides over the fabric. The plug system of the appliance allows the use of various additional accessories for vertical ironing.

Steam generator technical parameters:

• steam pressure - 3.5 bar;
• power - 1.95 kW;
• steam supply - 200 g / min.

The only drawback of this model is its cost.

The best handheld steamer option is the VLC Sorento 6500 model. Lightweight and compact, it is ready to use in 2 minutes after boiling. Its advantage is in silent work, during which it not only strokes, but also destroys pathogenic microbes, dust mites and odors. The model is supplied with a long power cord. Its disadvantage is the need to keep the device strictly vertical, which is not always convenient.

Kitfort K. T. 910. This 2.2 kW model is suitable for all types of fabrics. She smoothes and disinfects them at the same time. You can start working in 60 seconds. The volume of the water tank is 1.8 liters. The model has additional elements in the configuration, such as a lack of water indicator and an automatic shutdown system.

You can determine for yourself which iron with a steamer is the best by evaluating the purposes for which it is purchased and the available funds for the purchase.