How to choose a steam generator
Steam generators are essentially high-end clothes irons. Thanks to their high steam output, they can reduce the time needed for ironing by one third.
Frequently asked questions when choosing an iron
Why should I buy a steam generator iron?
Steam generator irons provide the highest performance of all types of irons; up to 3 times higher than an average steam iron. The constant steam pressure makes ironing very quick and easy and the iron itself is lighter and easier to handle, thanks to a separate water tank. Steam generators come in handy in households with a large amount of laundry or simply if you want to cut your ironing time by as much as possible.
What is the difference between a steam generator with a boiler and a steam generator with a heating element?
The difference lies in the way the water in the external water tank is heated. In normal steam generators, the water in the tank is heated all at once, which takes up longer. It’s also impossible to refill water while ironing. A steam generator with a heating element, on the other hand, has its external water tank divided into two sections, allowing gradual refilling and heating. It’s up to you to decide what type suits your needs more.
Why should I buy an iron with an anti-calc function?
This feature makes iron maintenance considerably easier. Descaling can be either chemical (water softening) or mechanical (limescale residue removal). After pressing the calc release button, the impurities are then flushed out through the holes in the soleplate.
Steam generators
Important Parameters
Steam output
Steam output indicates how much steam is generated per minute. Usually ranges between 0-120 g. Steam irons can also have a one-time steam output increase, i.e. steam burst.
Soleplate material
The soleplate material affects not only how well the iron glides, but also its scratch resistance. A damaged soleplate surface burns, which reduces its gliding properties and destroys textile fibres.
Aluminium and stainless steel are regarded as low-resistance materials. Conversely, ceramic and sapphire are highly resistant. Some manufacturers give their highly resistant surfaces their own brand names (e.g.: SteamGlide by Philips or Ultragliss Diffusion by Tefal).
Cord length
Although it may seem like a trivial detail, the cord length should not be overlooked. It determines the reach of the iron, so a short cord can seriously hamper your ironing. Most modern irons have a cord length ranging from 2 to 2.5 meters, which is enough for most households.
Glossary - irons
Anti-Drip / Drip Stop
An anti-drip (also called drip stop) feature is designed to prevent leaks when you steam at lower temperatures. It stops steam generation, preventing the iron from leaking water from the soleplate.
Vertical Steam
This feature allows you to iron your clothes in a vertical position. Vertical steam is particularly useful when ironing curtains, drapes, shirts and other clothes made of fine materials that could be damaged by the contact with the ironing surface.
Anti-Calc / Calc Clean
Anti-calc or a descaling system solves the issue of limescale build-up in irons. With this feature, you no longer have to fill the tank with distilled water as recommended by the manufacturers. If your water is particularly hard (has very high mineral content), you should fill the water tank with distilled water and tap water in a 1:1 ratio.
Descaling can be either chemical (water softening) or mechanical (limescale residue removal). After pressing the calc release button, the impurities are then flushed out through the holes in the soleplate.
Glossary
Wattage
Generally speaking, the higher the wattage, the faster the iron heats up and starts generating steam. A steam iron should have a minimum wattage of 1400 W. Ideally, however, its wattage should be between 2000 and 2800 W.