Cut Your Ironing Time In Half With A Steam Generator Iron

Ironing is, for most people, a bit of a chore. It’s something that needs to be done, but very few people enjoy it. You can watch TV or listen to music whilst you’re ironing in order to relieve the boredom a little – but it’s never going to be what anyone would consider fun.

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.

Steam generator irons look very similar to traditional steam irons – but with the inclusion of a large base unit. It’s the base unit that is the difference. Steam generator irons don′t have any water inside the iron itself – that large base unit is actually both a water reservoir and boiler which is used to generate large volumes of high pressure steam. This is fed to the iron by means of a hollow connecting tube.

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 conventional steam irons. However, considering the potential time savings, and the improved finish quality of the garments, you may think it to be a worthwhile investment. You can often find decent discounts online and offline. If you know what you’re looking for then you might just be able to find yourself a bargain.

There are five main criteria that you should review when choosing a steam generator iron:

1. The output 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. The ease of cleaning.

5. The ease of use.

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.

Make sure that the water reservoir is a decent size for you so that you don′t need to keep stopping to refill it. A 1.4 litre tank should provide enough steam for a couple of hour’s worth of ironing. Larger tanks are also available.

The soleplate should be durable and should glide easily across the fabric to be pressed. Materials such as stainless steel and ceramics tend to make good soleplates.

If you live in a hard water area then you need to ensure that you prevent any build up of scale in your iron. This can impact upon the operating efficiency of the device and reduce its lifespan. The Tefal steam generator iron range features a very clever scale trap which can simply be unscrewed, washed under running water and then replaced back into the iron. Other manufacturers use different techniques, including cartridges that trap the scale and can be withdrawn and cleaned. Chemical treatment is also possible, if a little less convenient.

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.

Ironing is a thankless task at best. Cut it down to size with a Tefal steam generator iron – you’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much time you can save.