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Hannah is our senior homes writer, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment.
LARGER THAN LIGHT STEAM GENERATOR
Taking all this into account, these are the steam generator irons we think are worthy of your investment. Throughout the test, they track what the iron is like to use too, including how heavy it is to hold and whether its handle is comfortable. And they look at whether the iron drips during use. They assess its steam output, both in continuous mode and via its steam burst, monitoring how long its tank lasts. To do this, they use each iron on a nylon slip dress, linen trousers and cotton and polycotton shirts, scoring how smooth it leaves each item. Then they look at its all-important crease-removal abilities. To find the trustiest steam generator irons, our experts at the GHI start by measuring how quickly each iron heats up to its different temperatures, and how consistently they maintain them. The quickest steam generator irons can be ready in just over a minute.Īuto switch-off: Does the thought of accidentally leaving your iron on send shivers down your spine? Look for this safety feature that automatically turns the appliance off after a set period of inactivity. Wattage: If you’re after an iron that will get the job done on the double, look for a higher wattage, as this usually equates to a faster heat-up time. These are particularly important if you live in a hard water area.
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There’s no ideal capacity, though – your choice will largely depend on the size of your ironing pile.Īnti-scale: Most modern steam and steam generator irons come with both anti-scale and anti-calcium functions, helping to limit the formation of limescale over time, which can clog the steam vents. Our recommended steam generator irons have tank capacities varying from 1.2 to 2.2 litres. Tank capacity: The bigger the tank, the fewer times you’ll have to refill your iron mid-use. The models in our roundup boast steam shot outputs ranging from 210g to 750g per minute. Steam shot: Sometimes you need an extra burst of steam to tackle those creases that just won’t budge or ones in hard-to-reach areas. The more powerful steam generator models in our top recommendations push out 100g to 180g of continuous steam per minute, making them experts at removing creases. Here are the main ones to consider.Ĭontinuous steam pressure: Measured in grams, anything over 50g per minute would be considered a high steam output on a standard steam iron. Knowing what features are available will help make shopping for a steam generator iron easier. What should I look for in a steam generator iron? They also cost more, with the models on our list ranging from a reasonable £69 to a super-charged £599. In order to expel more steam, steam generator irons have a separate water tank, which can make them bulky and harder to store compared to traditional steam irons. The pressure level is measured in bars and generally ranges from 5 to 8. Pressurised models are ideal for the most stubborn of creases, as they have boilers that force steam out more powerfully and can penetrate fabric more deeply. Non-pressurised models work in a similar way to regular steam irons, but their steam output is much higher. There are two types of steam generator iron: non-pressurised and pressurised. They expel steam at a higher pressure in order to remove deep creases from both sides of a garment at the same time, helping to speed things up. If you iron your bed sheets or larger items of clothing regularly then a steam generator iron may suit your needs better than a traditional steam iron. Are steam generator irons better than standard irons?
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