There is a large number of interesting and high-quality models of irons. Manufacturers are trying to make decent products that will delight their owners for many years. One of the most significant selection criteria are the properties of the sole, since the fabric is smoothed by contact of the hot surface with the fibers. That is why the characteristics of this part of the device directly affect both the process of ironing and its result.
Work surface requirements
Before you buy a decent device, you need to know about all the characteristics of a material from which the sole is made. Some requirements should be considered.
- The surface should slide easily. Need a quiet movement on the fabric. A man should not make great efforts.
- It is necessary to purchase a device that can carefully and gently smooth the fabric, will not melt them, will not leave any creases and other problem areas.
- The sole should heat up evenly, since the same temperature at each point on the surface contributes to the rapid smoothing of the fabric without the possibility of damage.
- The sole should be durable and strong. When the process of ironing occurs, the device comes into contact with snakes, buttons, buttons and other items made of plastic or metal. Also, the device may fall or accidentally hit. If the sole is of high quality, it has good resistance to any damage and can last for a long time.
- The best option is a device that is easy and simple to care for. On the sole there will be no carbon generated by melted fibers. And if it does appear, then a high-quality device will make it easy to get rid of this problem.
Pros and cons of different materials
Today a large range of models from a variety of materials. Choosing the most suitable, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics, as well as the positive and negative qualities of each of them.
- Aluminum
Aluminum is a very practical and most common material that is found among many manufacturers. A worthy change in cast iron irons, which had an incredibly large weight, heated for a rather long time, and their surface was rough. This material has many advantages:
- light enough;
- heats up quickly and cools down;
- has an adequate value.
Like any other material, aluminum has disadvantages:
- not very good resistance to damage: small scratches may appear on the sole, which in the process of ironing will cling to the fibers and damage the fabric;
- if there are slight damages, they will accumulate carbon and dust;
- over time, the slide becomes bad;
- after ironing things sometimes you can see shiny areas.
To avoid a lot of inconvenience, manufacturers offer anodized aluminum. The material is processed, after which an oxide film appears on it. This allows the sole to be stronger.
Aluminum with teflon is a synthetic substance. Non-stick coating does not allow textile fibers to burn and stick, eliminates the possibility of gloss on the fabric after ironing, is quite easy to clean.It is important to remember that Teflon is capable of making the iron slip worse if the temperature is high. It is also not very durable: it can quickly scratch and eventually wipe off.
- Stainless steel
It has excellent resistance to mechanical stress and rust, the material can serve for a long time. Such a sole slips well on the fabric, it heats evenly. The cost is higher than the aluminum options, but despite this, the price is still adequate. Steel sole just to clean, it will not leave creases and marks on the fabric.
Stainless steel soles have a few drawbacks: they weigh quite a lot and warm up for a long time. Many manufacturers have tried to save consumers from such problems and supplement the material with other metals. Such options have striking differences from conventional stainless soles. Chrome is able to protect the device from rust and allows it to serve for many years.
A variety of combinations of aluminum and steel allowed manufacturers to achieve excellent thermal conductivity and high slip soles. This helps smooth even very dented tissues. To improve the durability and non-stick properties of steel, laser processing is used.
- Ceramics and metal ceramics
The device with a ceramic coating is one of the most worthy options. Inorganic materials and mineral additives are used to make the coating. They are applied on an aluminum or steel base. Positive aspects of the coating:
- easily and simply slides on the fabric;
- very careful with textiles;
- just cleaned;
- heats up evenly;
- has an average price.
The main disadvantage is that enamel is a fragile material. If the coating comes into contact with buttons and other metal elements, it can damage it. When spalling appears, spraying can peel off. After some time after the start of operation, the surface of the sole is covered with cracks, which are quite difficult to get rid of.
Due to the fact that the ceramic version has low strength, other materials are often added to it. It can be nickel, chrome and other alloys. Such surfaces are called cermet. With the help of nickel, the sole acquires a golden tone, while chrome provides it with a blue tint. Metal ceramics is extremely durable; it is able to withstand a shock or other mechanical effect.
- Titan
There are options made of titanium. The titanium sole is very durable, it will not scratch, it is protected from chipping and cracking. Incredibly durable, has non-stick properties. It slides well on the fabric, it heats evenly. It weighs quite a lot.
Most often offered at a high price because of its impeccable quality. Heats up for a long time. Titanium coating is a good option for those who need to purchase a quality item that will last a long time.
Rating of the best options
Today there are many different models that amaze with their quality and durability. Consider a few of the most worthy and popular options.
- Eloxal iron sole made of aluminum alloys. They are processed and oxidized with electrolyte solution. This allows the metal to be more durable and serve for many years. The base has good rust protection and glides perfectly on the surface of the fabric. After using such devices on clothes there will be no leads and damage.
- Steamglide - the strong model made of ceramics or glass ceramics. This option is high strength, the sole very easily slides along the fibers of the fabric. The entire area of the sole is covered with small holes, each of which has its own diameter. The process of ironing is as follows: the device does not touch the material, but moves along a pillow created using holes and steam.Thus things are smoothed perfectly.
- Saphir - the sole of the iron incorporates an alloy from zinc, chrome, aluminum and nickel. These metals create an extremely durable and damage-resistant coating, which in its properties resembles sapphire. To make the quality of the sole higher, its surface is treated with sapphire chips.
Tips for choosing
Acquire should only quality products that do not break, after a short period of time. In order for the iron to work well and for a long time, when choosing, it is necessary to pay attention to the following nuances.
- The best option is a product, the back of which is slightly rounded. This iron will not crush things.
- An iron with a sharp spout can iron even the most hard-to-reach places.
- The presence of holes in the sole is extremely important for a quality model. If there are a lot of them, then such an iron can easily steam off fabrics. Such type of a sole is most convenient if it is necessary to stroke strongly creased fabric.
- Manufacturers supply modern models with a thin edge that allows you to easily and easily bring the device under metal or plastic elements (for example, buttons that will not melt from high temperature).
Reviews
To choose a suitable iron, you should learn about all the features, as well as the pros and cons of the material of manufacture. Only in this case it is possible to determine which sole is necessary. With the characteristics of the materials can be found by examining reviews on the Internet. Users recommend titanium or sapphire-coated stainless steel for those who need a durable and most reliable device.
If the priority is good non-stick properties, you should choose a Teflon or ceramic coating on an aluminum base. Each type of coating has its own nuances, so you need to choose based on individual preferences. There are removable nozzles on the sole, which protect the product from damage and plaque. Owners of various models recommend this option to those who want to keep the device safe and sound for many years.
The best of the options is the titanium product, which, although heavy, is of the highest quality and durable. However, most often choose the basis of stainless steel because of good quality and reasonable cost.
On how to choose an iron on the sole, see the following video.