Steam generator irons and conventional steam irons look very similar - at least at first glance. However, steam generator irons have a quite different construction and operate in a different manner. They use a separate base unit which contains the water and includes a boiler. The body of the iron itself contains no water. Steam is passed from the base unit to the iron using a hollow connecting tube.
Steam generator irons usually cost a little more than conventional steam irons - but they offer significant advantages to the user. It's worth taking a moment to review the key factors before you make a decision as to which one to buy. The important points to consider when comparing steam generator irons are the capacity of the water tank, the steam pressure, the soleplate, how easy it is to clean and the overall usability.
STEAM PRESSURE:
The steam causes moisture and heat to penetrate into the fabric of the fabric being pressed. This makes it more flexible and facilitates the removal of creases and wrinkles. The more steam pressure that there is, the deeper it will penetrate into the fabric being ironed and the better the finished result will be.
Steam generator irons normally have their output expressed in grams of steam per minute. The higher the number, the more steam is produced and the easier it is to iron. Typical values range from 70 to 140 grams per minute (g/min).
You will sometimes see the steam pressure quoted in bar. Again, the greater the number, the more steam that will be produced and the further it will penetrate into the material.
WATER RESERVOIR CAPACITY:
As a rule, steam generator irons tend to have relatively large water reservoirs. This means that you can keep ironing for longer periods without the need to refill the water reservoir. The exact time will vary depending on the type of material that you're ironing and the temperature you which have your iron set at - but a 1.4 litre reservoir should last for a couple of hours of ironing at least.
If you do a lot of ironing then you might like to consider choosing a model which has a larger water reservoir. If you have a smaller ironing board, then you may want to make sure that the tube which joins the reservoir to the iron is long enough for you to work with the base unit positioned on the floor rather than on the end of the ironing board.
It's worth thinking about how easy it is to fill the water reservoir. A lot of the better steam generator irons have reservoirs which can be removed to make it easier to fill them. It's much better than messing about with water jugs. Many irons have the facility to refill the reservoir even whilst the iron is in use - which means you can avoid having to disconnect it and then wait for it to heat up again after filling.
THE SOLEPLATE:
The iron's soleplate should glide effortlessly across the surface of a range of different fabrics - whilst still producing just enough friction to remove any wrinkles and creases. It should be easy to clean, scratch resistant, durable and tough. Soleplates with ceramic coatings are widely used these days and are a good option.
EASE OF CLEANING:
Most modern irons, whether standard steam irons or steam generator irons, can be filled using plain old tap water. This will often, depending upon where you live, contain a wide range of different minerals - including both magnesium and calcium. As the water is heated and it evaporates, it can leave scale deposits.
If you live in an area with a hard water supply, then you should definitely look for an iron which has some form of anti-scale system. Some irons loosen the scale using water and then flush it out. Others incorporate special removable anti-scale cartridges to facilitate cleaning.
EASE OF USE:
As already mentioned, you might find it useful if your iron has a hose connection which is long enough to allow you to position it on the floor rather than at the end of your ironing board. A removable water container is something which many people would find convenient. Other features, which some people may find desirable, include automatically retracting power cords, easy clean soleplates, fast heat up etc.
SUMMARY:
Make sure that you choose a high enough steam pressure for your needs. Choose a large enough water reservoir so that you don't have to stop to refill it too often. Make sure that the soleplate is of a suitable design and material.
If you live in an area which has a hard water supply, make sure that some form of anti-scaling system is included.
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