Which iron with a steam generator is better to buy: household or professional?

So, you decided to replace the good old iron with such an advanced household appliance as a steam generator. And puzzled by the question: "Which iron with a steam generator is better to buy?" The era of free market relations makes it very difficult: the choice is huge, brands ripple in the eyes, and price forks lead to despair.

In this article we will tell you what to follow in order to choose the best iron with a steam generator that optimally combines cost, quality and functionality. Let's determine what are the advantages of a steam generator over ordinary irons. And also we will analyze in detail how household models differ from professional ones for home.

Motives for the transition from a simple iron to a steam generator with an iron

• They cope with difficult, difficult to iron things. For example, clothes made of thin natural or acetate fabrics, with starched things, natural linen and cotton products.
• They are an order of magnitude more productive and can save up to 200% of your time spent on ironing.
• They are indispensable if you have a large family where regular washing and ironing are required. And about all the "charms" of this fascinating lesson, any housewife who brings an iron over a mountain of bed linen and towels will tell you in color

• Even the most expensive iron will envy the effect of the steam generator. The high breakdown ability of steam is a great addition to the mechanical and thermal effects of the iron. Steam penetrates deeply through the fibers of the fabric, steaming and softening them. As a result, the thing is smoothed more thoroughly and faster.
• Steam generators can be used for steaming in an upright position - from dresses and suits on a hanger to curtains, curtains and curtains.
• The steam generator iron does not need to be rubbed with fury against intolerable folds in hard-to-reach places. In this he is helped by steam. Accordingly, glossy spots do not appear on clothes, and the sole of the iron does not suffer from metal fittings.

Deal with the merits. Now let's take a closer look at the steam generators

They are divided into two groups: household and professional (professional steam generators for the home are often called semi-professional).

Regardless of type, they consist of three parts:

- the steam generator itself;

- connecting hose;

- iron.

The main difference between professional steam generators for the home (and their indisputable advantage) from household ones is the availability of a capacious metal boiler (steam boiler). It is there that water is directly poured and heated to a state of steam, which then flows through the hose to the iron. In domestic steam generators, water is poured into a plastic tank, from which it enters the boiler as it evaporates. Accordingly, the boilers of household steam generators are significantly inferior in volume to professional ones.

The smaller the boiler, the less steam is generated in it. Household steam generators give out a powerful stream of steam - the so-called “steam boost” function. But it is short-lived, and there is a pause until the next "portion" is ready. Professional steam generators, thanks to a capacious boiler, are able to soar without interruptions for a long enough time.

Household Steam Generators

The advantages of household steam generators include small dimensions, mass, quick availability for use (they heat up in one to two minutes, versus seven to ten for professional ones).

This type of steam generator is perfect for those users who do not often and often iron.

Professional steam generators

First, we note that by “professional” we do not mean a powerful industrial steam generator, which is used in places with really intense load (ironing shop, sewing workshop, hotel, laundry and dry cleaning, etc.)

We are talking about professional steam generators, so to speak, home use. In other words, compact and convenient versions of industrial steam generators.

What you should pay attention to when choosing a professional iron with a steam generator:

Boiler volume

The more capacious it is, the longer it will work without refueling. But this characteristic has a downside - in a large boiler, the water will warm longer. Therefore, an optimal one and a half liter boiler is for home use. It is enough for continuous work (not requiring topping up water) for about an hour. And during this time you will have time to steam a very impressive amount of things.

Material

For the most part, professional steam generators are made of steel, and the soles of irons are made of aluminum alloys. Which favorably affects the strength and proper readiness for the vicissitudes of the household service.

Additional functions

Steam can not only smooth things. Also clean and disinfect. Therefore, among professional steam generators, there are many models to which, through the universal plug, you can alternately connect both the iron and another useful device - a mobile steamer.

In addition to a professional steam generator, we also recommend purchasing a special ironing board with a stand. A steam generator, as a somewhat cumbersome apparatus, requires a more stable and adapted work surface. And manufacturers often give additional discounts when buying such sets at a time.

The visual difference between domestic and professional steam generators in action is demonstrated in this video using steam generators as an example. MIE Stiro PRO 100 and BoschSensixxTDS4581:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRuqNdQ-0Xg

Directly about manufacturers

Household steam generators produce almost all well-known brands of "home" appliances: Philips, Tefal, Bosch. The choice is extensive and in terms of feature set, and design, and price.

Steam generators are professional, as a highly specialized area, the lot of companies, maybe not so well-known to the mass buyer, but well-respected by specialists. For example, the Italian Lelit and MIE, each of which has a fairly diverse lineup.

In the table below, we made a small rating of steam generators with iron, presented on the domestic market.

* Ability to connect a steamer. More details on this function can be found in the product card.

To summarize our little study

As you can see, the cost of some models of household steam generators is quite comparable to the cost of professional ones. That is, the choice of "price" is not the main criterion. Imagine the scales.

On one side are the arguments:

- lightness;

- mobility;

- high functionality;

- futuristic design, hi-tech, advanced technology.

On the other :

- performance;

- reliability;

-max smoothing speed;

- vintage style, condo, natural materials.

And most importantly and invaluable - your personal time spent on housework

As the classic said, "everything should be perfect in a person." And if the technique helps to look elegant, with a needle and without unnecessary effort - is it not worth it?