Steam irons: features, subtleties of choice and repair

Steam iron - not a luxury, but a means of operational control with a mountain of ironed linen. In terms of its power, it is much more efficient than the traditional "fellow", and is also optimal for delicate fabrics.

Smoothing wrinkles and folds on the fabric when using a steam iron is not carried out by contacting the sole of the device with matter, but by a hot pair. Such an iron-steamer necessarily has heating heaters and assumes the presence of a reservoir with water. The water in the latter is heated by the heaters (and those - due to electricity) and turns into steam. It is released from the hole in the sole and acts on the textile fibers, straightening them.

Due to this feature, the device with stripping does not require a horizontal surface for work and great physical activity. Steaming can be done by weight, and the result of the process does not depend on the weight of the iron. The lack of contact between the sole of the iron and the surface of the fabric allows you to use the device for the most delicate products - minimal risk of stains, new creases, burns. In addition, the steam iron is optimally used for smoothing products with a complex decor, a large number of buttons. It is convenient to use such a device for steaming curtains and tulle.

Based on the design features and functions performed, the following types of steam irons can be distinguished.

• Iron for horizontal ironing with vertical steam function. Today, most irons have a similar function, but their main purpose is the traditional ironing, which implies the contact of the sole of the device with a thing. In principle, vertically using steam you can smooth slightly creased fabric.

• Iron with steam generator. The device has another name - the steam station, and consists of three parts. This is a boiler in which there is a heating heater and in which water is poured, in other words, steam is formed in this tank. The next part is an iron, in appearance not different from the usual. These elements are connected by means of a hose through which steam is supplied to the iron from the boiler. Such a device is suitable for both vertical and horizontal ironing.

• Steam generator It has the same components as the steam station. However, the boiler is usually characterized by a large volume and can remain on for a long time. Instead of the usual iron - various nozzles, brushes. The hose is usually longer because the device uses a floor boiler.

Due to the high power and variety of nozzles, the device is convenient to use for smoothing curtains, textiles, a large number of things, as well as cleaning furniture and carpets. The disadvantages of the steam generator are their higher cost and the inability to use on a horizontal surface. It should be noted that today there are also manual steam generators, which are characterized primarily by compactness. Their special kind is a road wireless steam generator, powered by batteries.However, there is also an electric analog with steam humidification.

According to customer reviews and demand in appliance stores, the best can be called steam irons of brands such as Philips, Vitek and Tefal. Consider the most popular steam models of each of the firms.

For domestic use, you can choose a model Philips GC 1029. Stylish design, ceramic sole and long cord are the obvious advantages of the device. The iron is equipped with an automatic shut-off and self-cleaning system, as well as a steam striking function. Power - 2000 W, large enough that it will not be too economical, if you produce ironing rarely and in small quantities. The average cost is from 2500 to 3500 rubles.

A more powerful model (2400 W) is a model of the same brand. Philips GC 3569. Not only power, but also a larger water tank (400 ml) will allow using the iron longer and making ironing faster. The speed and volume of steam supply and steam impact in this model exceeds the same parameters compared to the previous one. The sole is ceramic, the cord is long. The cost of such a model reaches 5000-6000 rubles.

Model Philips GC 4521 has more weight, but copes better with strong wrinkles, thick fabric. This is due to the titanium coating of the soleplate and a more powerful steam blow. The power of the device is 2600 W, while it has a fairly thin nose, making it easy to smooth children's clothes, clothes with a lot of decor, buttons. Automatic shutdown and self-cleaning systems make using the unit even more convenient. The average cost is 5500-9500 rubles.

The product line of the Vitek brand is quite diverse, but the model deserves attention. VT-1234. For a very modest amount (the cost of the device is about 2,000 rubles), the user receives a functional unit with a ceramic sole, powerful steam and steam impact function, as well as equipped with auto shut-off and self-cleaning systems from scale. The Tefal GV5246 device has a greater opportunity, which is not surprising since it is a steam station. Power design - 2135 W, there is a steam power control. Metal-ceramic sole is optimally suited for dense fabrics. The cost is quite affordable for these devices - 8 000 rubles.

When choosing, you should evaluate the model you want to buy by several criteria.

The heating rate of the heating elements, the amount and volume of the generated steam, as well as the power consumption depend on the power. The stronger the heater heats the water, the more powerful the steam will be. For home use, a device with a power of 1800-2000 watts is considered optimal. More powerful will form an excessively strong steam flow, which is irrational. Less powerful - not cope with smoothing thick or coarse matters.

This indicator determines the duration of steam generation. The smaller it is, the smaller the time interval the device can function. As a rule, devices with a steam function are equipped with a 200-250 ml reservoir, so they can continuously steam things for 10-15 minutes. Steam generators have a larger tank with a capacity of 1.5-2 liters. This allows them to work without interruption for 1-2 hours.

In simpler models, steam is produced with the same force, while in more expensive devices you can adjust the force of steam. This is a very useful feature because it allows you to smooth creases of varying intensity. For dense and crumpled matter properly use the function of thermal shock.It implies the output of a powerful steam flow in large quantities in a short period of time. For comparison, if an average of 70-80 g of steam is released per minute, then during a heat stroke, up to 130-150 g of steam is generated and produced during the same time.

These parameters are basic, but you should pay attention to other possibilities of steam iron. Useful can be called antidroplet system. If the device is equipped with such, then things will be protected from the risk of being wetted by condensate collected in the device. If there is an indicator of the amount of liquid in the boiler, as well as the device auto-shutdown function when idle for 20-60 seconds, you can reduce the risk of overheating of the heaters and their decommissioning.

In some devices it is allowed to pour only a special liquid, while in others - and ordinary water. However, it should be remembered that the latter can cause the formation of scale in the device. Partly to prevent this allows a special function - descaling system.

If the sole of the iron is supposed to come into contact with the cloth, you should pay attention to the features of the first one. Ceramic and teflon soles are common among household appliances. The advantage is ease of gliding, no marks on the fabric. For personal use, irons with a ceramic or Teflon coating are quite effective - they cope with wrinkles. If a sole-ceramic is installed in the device, the device should be prevented from dropping - a piece of ceramic may break off.

If a more intensive operation of the iron or steam station is supposed (for example, in the conditions of a sewing studio), then an iron with a chrome sole should be preferred. It will also cope with heavy dense fabric and strong creases, but it should be understood that such a device will be heavier than the analogues described above. Be sure to flip the iron and appreciate the location of the holes for steam. Their maximum concentration should be in the area of ​​the nose of the sole, so that you can easily smooth the creases in hard-to-reach places.

They have a lot of nozzles. At a minimum, you will need 2 - wider for smoothing large things and narrower. It is convenient to work in small squares, to steam things that are complex in shape with an abundance of decor. For fleecy fabrics, for example, a coat, it is useful to get a brush attachment. It will help eliminate dirt, straighten and give the right direction to the pile, remove the thread.

Different clips allow you to quickly make perfect arrows. There are special types of them - clips, brushes. Another recommended accessory to the steam generator is a rack for clothes. It resembles a hanger. For heavier things, it is desirable to use double racks, they are more durable. Well, if the device has a protective mitten. The steam release rate, like its temperature, is high, so the risk of getting burned is high. When stripping, a need may arise for horizontal working surfaces (for example, when stripping collars, cuffs), therefore it is advisable to purchase a special plank.

Before using the device, pour special liquid or water into the iron tank, only after that it should be plugged into the outlet. Do not immediately direct the steam to the linen, it is better to first release the steam (the first portion) and only then proceed to ironing.After the process is completed, you should drain the liquid from the tank, switch the position to “no steam” mode and store the device vertically. This will prevent liquid from being poured onto the soleplate.

Like any device, the steam iron is prone to breakage. Among the most common are the following problems.

As a rule, it cracks or breaks in places of torsion - near the plug or at the entrance to the device connector. Usually, such a malfunction is manifested by the periodic flashing of the light bulb and may not always appear. This “wink” means that the terminals are oxidized due to the lack of regular contact.

A more serious problem with power wires is a short circuit. It is provoked by the wear of the insulating layer due to friction of the wires. You can guess the short circuit by a sudden short pop and the appearance of a peculiar smell of burning wiring. Due to overvoltage in the network during a short circuit, as a rule, other electrical appliances included in the network are disconnected. In most cases, repair involves opening the back cover of the iron. After that you will find that the power cord is spread over 3 wires. Wear insulation to restore it. If the problem is caused by oxidation of the terminals, they must be cleaned.

In modern devices, such a nuisance rarely happens, since Teng is a fairly reliable and durable element. If it breaks, then it is more rational to change the iron than the heating element. It is possible to check whether the failure is connected with the failure of the heating element as follows - turn on the iron and look at the "behavior" of the light bulb. If it burns, but the sole of the device remains cold, and the Teng really broke. Such a diagnosis is possible due to the fact that the indicator light is connected to the heating element.

The thermostat in most cases is a small wheel, the rotation of which allows you to increase or decrease the heating of the iron to completely turn off the heaters. The device is attached to them with a sleeve or a steel corner, to the body with latches. The wheel is made of two welded metal plates with different linear expansion coefficients. When heated, the common plate bends, which provokes the opening of the network and the disconnection of the heaters. If you suspect a malfunction of the thermostat, the device will have to be completely disassembled. Opening the case, examine the condition of the wires. In the off state in the cold position, they are closed. After assessing the condition of the wire, you can try to strip, and then re-check the iron.

According to statistics, the breakdown of the fuse accounts for 40-50% of all irregularities of the iron. Thermal safety devices can be 2 types - disposable (they do not withstand single heat up to 240 degrees, if they exceed this indicator, they burn out and the iron needs repair) and reusable (more modern and safer devices with bimetallic parts, thanks to which the iron automatically shuts off during extreme heating).

This concept is a whole group of faults. Often, with low steam supply, users mistakenly believe that a problem with the steam generator, but in fact the cause of this condition is the pollution of the iron sole or nozzle. This usually occurs when using tap water. If the iron is flowing, stopped steaming and even began to stain with rust, it is time to clean it from scale.

If steam supply is impossible due to a button gone down (inside the iron), then you will have to open the back cover of the device. Under the hood there is a pair of pumps. The first of them supplies water to the sprinkler, in this case the master is not interested in it. The second is responsible for delivering steam to the sole of the iron. It also needs to be removed, in the lower part of the pump you will see a ball stuck to the bottom of the pump chamber. He is there under the influence of scale. This ball should be pushed inside, then assemble the iron.

Good reviews are received by the Philips GC 1029 device. Users note the ease of use, good quality steam. Due to this, the iron is best suited for thick fabrics or over-dried clothes. There are reviews on the Internet, where buyers talk about the presence of burrs on the sole. However, such an iron can be replaced in the manufacturer’s service center. The Philips GC 3569 model also receives good reviews. It is called more powerful than the previous one, but the device does not have an auto-off system, which most users see as a significant minus.

A lot of positive reviews collected model Philips GC 4521. It should be borne in mind that the cost of the device is quite high. However, most buyers say that the iron is worth the money. The titanium coating heats up quickly, slides well and copes with strong creases, overdried things. Those who are looking for an inexpensive but functional iron should pay attention to the Vitek VT-1234. According to user feedback, it includes all the necessary functions, and also has a long wire and a stylish design.

How to choose a steam iron, see the following video.