Buyer's guide - Irons and steam generators

Overview ...

By Alexandra Aussenac Your guide to irons and steam generators

Irons, steam generators … everything you need to breeze through your ironing!
Say goodbye to creases!
Keep it smooth - keep it effortless
Focus on... Easy ironing
Get to know your iron or steam generator inside out
Conclusion

Irons, steam generators … everything you need to breeze through your ironing!

Ironing doesn't have to be a chore; with the right iron or steam generator, you can save time, money and energy! With their ever-increasing steam flow rates and steam-generating capabilities, irons and steam generators can effortlessly remove creases from all types of fabrics in a matter of seconds.
So how are they different? In a nutshell, steam generators offer a powerful and hard-wearing solution for impeccable results, while regular irons are more compact and quicker to use. Read on to find out which one is best for you!

Say goodbye to creases!

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Torn between a regular iron and a steam generator? Read on for more information to help you make the right decision.

Irons: simple, compact and effective

Most of us shrink back in horror at the idea of ironing, but an iron is a must-have if you want your clothes to look immaculate! Nowadays, irons have become more efficient and easier to use.
The quality of the soleplate is an all-important factor to take into consideration: the easier the iron glides over your clothes, the easier ironing becomes. Entry-level irons generally have soleplates made out of aluminium or stainless steel, which, although robust, can be prone to scratching, which in turn reduces glide.
For a soleplate that stays in top condition, you should look for a Durilium or chrome-plated model, or even one made from sapphire or Anodilium. These top-of-the-range materials are much harder and are less likely to get scratched. This should keep your iron gliding smoothly for years to come.
Another key feature of any iron is the steam flow rate. This also helps to determine how easy ironing is.
Irons come in all shapes and forms, from dry irons, which are handy for holidays but not so good on stubborn creases, to those with full-on steam pressing functions. So before buying, take a look at the steam-flow rate, expressed in grams per minute. The higher this value is, the easier it will be to iron all kinds of fabrics quickly and easily - even thick weaves.
An average steam iron with a 400 ml tank can generally be used for around 30 minutes before having to be refilled with water. Most also now offer reduced heating times, which make them perfect for giving your shirt a quick iron before you head off to work - great for anyone in a hurry! Plus, with a vertical steaming function, you won't even need to get out the ironing board either; you can blast the creases out of your jacket or shirt in seconds without even taking it off the hanger!

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Steam generators - rivalling the dry cleaner's!

Steam generators offer professional-quality results and are great for larger households. They have a high-capacity water tank built into the base and offer continuous steam generation for non-stop steam ironing.
With a more powerful steam flow rate than regular irons, steam generators make light work of thick curtains, jeans or even coats. They are also ideal for vertical steaming. Look for a minimum pressure of 3.5 bars to make sure the steam effectively penetrates the fabric without leaving it damp.
You should also pay attention to the soleplate: brushed aluminium is particularly efficient on all types of fabric.
You can iron away for hours on end with an "unlimited steam" generator. Unlike regular models, which have to be left to cool before being refilled and then heated back up to temperature, continuous steam generators can be refilled while in use!
They generally have two tanks - one 500 ml and one 1.8 litre tank. These tanks alternate between each other so that one increases in pressure while you fill the other one up. This will help you plough through the pile in no time!
Steam generators are, however, larger than regular irons and can be more difficult to store and transport. This is notably due to their large base unit, which, with the iron resting on top, can weigh as much as two regular irons put together.

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Keep it smooth - keep it effortless

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Because they use water, irons and steam generators are particularly prone to limescale. Here are a few handy tips to help keep it at bay!

Limescale - your steam generator's number one enemy!

More and more irons and steam generators come with anti-limescale systems as standard.
Most self-cleaning systems work using a strong burst of heat. This process requires the soleplate to be at its highest possible temperature and the water tank to be full. When you press the "self-clean" or "de-scale" button, a burst of heat is released into the steam chamber, which blasts any dirt and limescale into dust particles.
You shouldn't start ironing just yet though, as your iron or steam generator has still got to get rid of this debris through the holes in the soleplate, which could dirty your clothes.
Some models have a built-in anti-limescale cartridge or stick. The cartridge is made from a resin that retains limescale and stops it getting lodged in your iron. These cartridges should be changed every 3 to 6 months, depending on how frequently you iron and how hard your water is.
For continuous maintenance, you should remember to change the cartridge and use a descaling product regularly. You should also note that even if your iron or steam generator can be used with water straight from the tap, it's better to dilute it with some demineralised water or with a specially designed descaling solution. This will help prolong your appliance's lifespan.

All you need for crease-free clothes

Whether you're using an iron or a steam generator, an ironing board is an essential accessory. Most boards are height-adjustable, and should provide a large ironing surface without being too heavy or bulky. Some are even fitted with wheels or a small removable extension to help with tricky bits such as sleeves.
The ironing board cover is also important for effortless glide. Models made from padded material, elasticated cotton or aluminium-backed sponge conduct heat and steam while also ensuring fabrics don't slip off the board while you're ironing. However, very few ironing board covers are fireproof - so don't forget to get an iron stand to hold your appliance when you're not using it!
So as not to spoil all your hard work, why not fold your clothes using a special folding board? These have cleverly placed perforations to help you fold to perfection, and can really take the effort out of tidying away clothes.

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Bestsellers

Philips GC7420 Steam Generator Iron - Blue and White: £ 142.99 Inc. VAT; IN STOCK

TEFAL GV7095 Express Compact Steam Generator Iron - Blue and White: £ 132.99 Inc. VAT; IN STOCK

BOSCH Power II TDA5620GB Steam Iron - grey & black: ~~£ 59~~; £ 42.99 Inc. VAT -27%; IN STOCK

BOSCH TDS25 Professional Steam Generator Iron: £ 119.99 Inc. VAT; IN STOCK

RUSSELL HOBBS Steamglide 15207 Steam Iron: £ 10.90 Inc. VAT; IN STOCK

RUSSELL HOBBS Slipstream 14863 Steam Generator Iron - purple and white: £ 43.99 Inc. VAT; IN STOCK

Focus on...

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Easy ironing

If the thought of ironing still fills you with dread in spite of all these innovations, then why not blast out the creases with a professional-style ironing press?
Ironing presses or workstations use a revolutionary system to iron your clothes on a cushion of air. This doesn't mark your clothes and, thanks to a handy fabric suction function, will also stop you from ironing-in creases.
For anyone who particularly hates ironing shirts, there are even "ironing robots". The robot will wear your damp shirt and dry and iron it all at once - so you don't have to! These robots are also great for giving jackets a good airing.

Get to know your iron or steam generator inside out.

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Take a closer look at your iron and steam generator!

No crease too deep!

The steam flow rate and pressure tell you how well the steam will penetrate fibres. The higher these values are, the more the fibres will relax and the easier they will be to iron.
Irons generally have a steam flow rate of 15 to 150 grams per minute, whereas for steam generators, it can range from 70 g/min to 200 g/min (in pressing mode), for a pressure of 3.5 to 5 bars. Look for a steam flow rate of over 80 g/min to iron like a pro!
You should always remember to look at the instructions on your clothing labels and adjust the temperature of your iron accordingly. The more dots you see on the iron symbol, the higher temperature you'll need to get rid of creases.
One dot corresponds to a soleplate temperature of 110° for dry ironing silk or acrylic. From two dots upwards, steam ironing is recommended. Polyester and wool should be ironed at 150°. Thicker and more stubborn fabrics, such as cotton and linen, generally have 3 dots, which means they should be ironed at 200°.

Ironing you might just enjoy

An iron or steam generator that gets up to temperature quickly saves you loads of time and means you don't have to wait around before being able to iron clothes. Some models can now heat up in just 30 seconds!
To save even more time - and energy - you should take a look a the appliance's power value. This number indicates how quickly an iron will get up to temperature. Plus, the faster the soleplate heats up, the less power the appliance will consume.
Irons generally have a power of somewhere between 800 and 2,600 Watts, whereas steam generators have power values nearer 2,200 Watts.
Whether you're ironing for minutes or hours at a time, your iron should be as comfortable and light as possible to keep it easy to handle.
Contrary to what you might think, a heavy iron won't iron clothes more effectively - it will just tire your arm out more quickly. Look for a weight of around 1kg for first-rate handling.
You should also think about your iron's design: a cork handle will keep your hand dry even after hours of use. As for the flex, you should be able to tidy it away easily for compact storage.
When it comes to safety, irons and steam generators have several handy features. In fact, thanks to an electronic system built into many new models, most irons will switch off automatically after thirty seconds when left horizontal, or after around eight minutes when left upright. This should help reduce the risk of you burning your clothes while you run off to answer the phone!

Conclusion

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Rather than being rivals, irons and steam generators are complementary appliances. Irons are lighter and more practical for day-to-day use or quick jobs, whereas steam generators offer a comfortable and user-friendly way to iron for hours.
The latest irons and steam generators are powerful, self-cleaning and fast, which certainly helps to take the chore out of ironing. And until ironing presses and other automatic devices become more widely available, they're definitely the next best thing to your own personal butler.