It’s no secret that ironing clothes aren’t everyone’s favourite way to spend their free time. Ironing can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when there is a lot to do. The fabrics can be difficult to iron, and you’ll need to refill the steam iron’s water tank about once an hour – depending on tank size and steam usage.
The noisy hissing also cancels out whatever entertainment you might be listening to while ironing, making the job even more of a drag.
The good news? – a powerful steam generator iron can make life a whole lot easier. In fact, some might say ironing with a steam generator is quite relaxing and a welcomed break from other household chores.
Today, you’ll learn how a steam ironing station may simplify the process of ironing loads of laundry and what separates them from a regular steam iron. By shortlisting and ranking the best effective steam generator irons and answering the most pressing (no pun intended) questions, you’ll be ready to blitz your next pile of creased clothes.
1. Philips PerfectCare Elite Steam generator iron GC9682/86
With the GC9650/80 PerfectCare Elite Silence, you’ll be smoothing out even the most creased fabrics with little effort, and without a lot of noise, because this machine is designed to be powerful and discrete.
The most powerful steam generator in the series is found in Philips’ flagship PerfectCare Elite Silence station. It can reach high pressures of up to 7.2 bar and outstanding vapour volumes of up to 145g every minute. You can iron anything from delicate silk to cotton or rugged denim without having to manually modify the temperature setting thanks to the device’s cutting-edge OptimalTEMP technology. The big station tank holds 1.8 litres of water for uninterrupted ironing for as long as two hours. The tank may be removed and refilled under the tap – no need for any special water.
OptimalTEMP technology
The soleplate’s temperature is controlled by the ground-breaking OptimalTEMP technology to a level that is appropriate for all textiles while preventing burn stains. The device can even be left unattended on the ironing board or the laundry without causing any harm. Because the iron doesn’t need to be repeatedly moved back and forth between the station and the laundry you’re ironing, it’s less work and easier on the wrist.
ECO Setting
The ECO mode makes ironing more productive and economical. Steam is used more sparingly, reducing energy use, but still giving plenty to get the job done.
Easy De-Calc Plus for Descaling
The life of the iron is extended by routine descaling. When it’s time to descale, the Philips GC9682/86 PerfectCare Elite Silence will alert you with both a light and sound indication. Then, simply open the Easy De-Calc lock on the station and gather the limescale in a convenient container to make disposable a breeze.
Auto Power Off
The automatic switch-off feature makes sure that the Philips iron station powers off if it isn’t in use for a few minutes.
2. Tefal GV9230 High-Pressure Steam Generator Iron
Tefal’s new Pro Express Protect Plus is a secret weapon for everyday ironing thanks to its high steam pressure of up to 8 bar and cutting-edge Smart Technology, it effortlessly counters even the most stubborn wrinkles.
You can choose between manual and automatic steam releases. When the iron is moved, a smart sensor recognises it and, if requested, immediately releases steam. This allows for maximum comfort and guarantees that even a massive mountain of ironing is completed quickly.
This powerful Tefal steam generator can easily iron very thick, heavy textiles. And as a consequence of Silence Technology, the operation is surprisingly inconspicuous with a low dB rating.
Five ironing methods for flawless finishes
Who has time to fret about ironing temperature settings? With five pre-programmed ironing modes, the Pro Express Protect accomplishes this and provides the ideal steam and temperature quantity for every fabric type. For ordinary garments, including cotton, polyester, or viscose, the “Normal” option is ideal. It is best to use the “Delicate” option for delicate textiles like silk because it is especially soft. “Max” mode is suited to thick or challenging textiles, like curtains or heavy bedding.
Perfect Gliding
According to the kind of fabric, the “Smart” setting automatically adjusts the temperature and volume of steam output from the soleplate. The Pro Express Ultimate Plus boasts a Durilium AirGlide Autoclean soleplate for less friction and resistance.
This soleplate has a palladium layer that dissolves microfibers that separate from clothing during standard ironing via catalytic combustion, allowing the soleplate base to remain burn-mark-free for the most optimal glide across fabrics. Even difficult-to-reach spots, like shirt collars, sleeves, or spaces between buttons, can be quickly and easily accessed because of the precise temple tip shape.
Read more: 4 Best Irons for Sewing and Quilting
3. Morphy Richards Power Steam Elite
When the ironing pile has grown to the size small mountain, the Morphy Richards Power Steam Elite has the capacity to handle the biggest loads. The AutoClean technology eliminates the need for filter replacements by reducing limescale, and the strong, pressurised steam can simultaneously smooth out numerous layers of clothing.
The useful AutoClean Feature eliminates the need to fiddle with filters or disassembles the steam generator iron to scrape away at the limescale, so your iron is clean, clear, and ready for any crease-busting mission.
The AutoClean Power Steam Elite glides seamlessly over corduroy, tweed, denim, velvet, and other tough fabrics with its amazing 150g of pressurised steam, chuckling in the midst of even the toughest creases.
To keep up with the amount of steam you’ll be producing, you’ll need a sizable water tank. You won’t need to go to the sink as often because of the generous 1.3L water tank – not the largest on the list, but compact and optimal – for uninterrupted ironing.
For that extra push of power, this Morphy Richards steam generator 180g Steam Boost add-on delivers a powerful punch at the touch of a button, providing you with an extra-strong burst of hot pressurised steam.
4. Polti La Vaporella XT100C
The Polti La Vaporella XT10C iron comes with a Turbo function that blasts up to 500g of steam per minute at 7.5 bar pressure. This means that even obstinate creases in dense textiles can be eliminated with confidence.
The water tank carries 1.5 litres and hence allows for extended ironing sessions. If it is insufficient, it can be replaced without requiring the device to cool down.
Six programmes facilitate work, including a turbo mode for smoothing multi-layer textiles. Users and tests routinely give the steam iron high scores.
The Polti Steam Gen iron soleplate in aluminium has cutting-edge 360° Fluid curve technology for flawless performance. Since the edges are rounded, you may iron in any direction without worrying about pressing against rough surfaces like buttons, collars, or pockets. Thanks to the special smooth groove and the two-layer ceramic coating, steam is dispersed evenly and floats across fabric, so you can tackle any washing pile head-on.
How Steam Generators Work
A steam generator is made up of an iron soleplate with a handle that is linked to the station by a steam pipe. The station features a water tank where water is heated and then fed as hot steam to the iron via the hose. As a result, the steam iron generator is a more powerful evolution of the steam iron. The following are the primary distinctions between a steam generator iron and a normal steam iron:
- The water tank of a steam generator is substantially larger than the water tank of a steam iron, with a capacity of up to nearly two litres.
- The steam from the steam generator iron station is usually hotter than the steam from a standard steam iron, at roughly 140° C.
A conventional steam iron produces very little steam. On the other hand, the steam gen iron can produce up to two litres of steam each hour.
The steam in a steam generator ironing station is under pressure and hence more evenly distributed in the fabric.
If you’ve ever ironed without steam using an older iron, you know how tough it can be to iron out wrinkles in the fabric. Moist fabrics, on the other hand, are considerably easier to smooth. Prior to the invention of steam irons and steam ironing stations, a water sprinkler was frequently employed to moisten the materials.
Ironing with hot steam is even easier than ironing with damp fabric. As a result, the water in the steam ironing station is heated to 130° to 140° C. The water changes its aggregation state at this temperature, and the liquid water turns into gaseous water vapour. The pressured water vapour is directed to the handpiece via the steam hose. It then leaves through the soleplate’s steam nozzles.
Because of the pressure, the steam penetrates deep into fibres and loosens the molecular bonds. The soleplate is heated, much like a traditional iron, and the fibres treated by the steam can be smoothed far more readily.
The operation of the steam generator iron system is comparable to yet distinct from that of a traditional steam iron. The key distinction is that the steam station operates with substantially more steam and at high pressure. This allows it to penetrate the fibres more deeply and loosen the structures in the fabric, allowing it to be smoothed out again.
Ironing with steam is far more convenient and time-efficient than ironing with a dry iron. However, some textiles should not be ironed while damp. As a result, many steam generators allow you to turn off the steam function and operate with a dry iron if necessary.
Advantages of Steam Generator Station
A steam generator iron has numerous benefits, particularly in terms of time and labour savings. A steam ironing station is an excellent investment if you frequently have to deal with a significant pile of ironing and folding laundry. However, there are a few aspects to consider while purchasing a steam iron station. We’ve compiled a list of the most important ones for you.
Ironing Performance
The speed with which the soleplate heats up is affected by the performance of the steam generator iron. Ironing stations with a high power output of 2,600 watts are ready for use in 30 to 60 seconds. Even with a power output of 2,200 to 2,400 watts, you shouldn’t have to wait more than 90 seconds. The steam ironing station should have a power output of at least 2,000 watts.
Steam Output and Pressure
At least 3.5 bar of steam pressure is required. The greater the pressure, the better the penetration of steam, even through thick and multi-layered materials. Your steam ironing station is up to the task with a pressure of 6-8 bar.
The emission of steam is measured in grammes per minute. The value must be greater than 100 grammes per minute.
Check to see if the ironing station allows you to control the steam output. Most models provide an additional steam output that is approximately three times that of the constant steam output.
You can use the handle as a steamer with the vertical steam output that is frequently provided. It can be used to swiftly and easily freshen and straighten hanging garments or drapes.
Water Tank Capacity
Take note of a detachable water tank. The higher the capacity, the more ironing you should perform.
Cable Storage
Some types include easy places on the station to store the steam hose and power wire. A cable winder helps you avoid kinks and pack the steam ironing unit to save room.
Iron Soleplate
Soleplates are available in a variety of materials – namely, ceramic, stainless steel, and chrome. It is critical that the sole be very smooth and move smoothly over the fabric. It’s impossible to select a specific material because modern soleplates don’t differ significantly in terms of glide.
Some manufacturers’ hand components have a self-cleaning soleplate. You can avoid manual cleaning with such a sole.
Automatic Descaling
In a modern steam ironing station, a descaling mechanism is now commonplace. Different ways are used by manufacturers to descale the devices. An indicator light is used in some steam ironing facilities to signal when descaling is required.
Descaling, cleaning, and changing the limescale cartridges should be done at the recommended intervals. The ironing result will suffer if the steam iron station is not frequently decalcified and cleaned.
Temperature Settings
A steam gen iron with a universal temperature setting is great if you want to avoid the inconvenient pre-sorting of laundry. You may iron any ironable material with this setting, from silk to heavy cotton – natural to synthetic. You no longer have to worry about accidentally burning the fabric if you set the temperature too high.
