Which iron is better to buy: advice to the buyer

An iron, just like shoes, cannot be bought “by description”. Be sure to hold it in your hands, evaluate the thoughtfulness of the design. The device should be comfortable, “sit” in the palm of your hand. Although the strength of habit also plays an important role – many housewives will never exchange a heavy old-fashioned iron for a modern light one.

Irons are different

Household ironing devices can be divided into several types.

Regular irons. Modern models are distinguished by impressive power (1500-2400 W) and low weight (1-2 kg), their sole quickly warms up to operating temperature (150-200 ° C). Almost all such devices allow for steam processing of fabric – both in the mode of continuous steam production (20–50 g / min), and for a short time, in the so-called steam shock mode (up to 100–120 g of steam per minute). All models are equipped with a residual current circuit breaker, which makes their operation practically safe. There are such irons, depending on the “steepness” and the complexity of the design, from 400-500 to 2-3 thousand rubles.

Travel irons. In terms of the number of functions, they are not too far behind “simple” irons, but they are compact, lightweight, and small in power. Travel appliances are usually not designed for intensive daily use. They cost, as a rule, within a thousand rubles.

Ironing systems with a remote steam generator. By design, these devices are close to similar professional units, and they cost not much less – from 3-5 thousand to 8-12 thousand rubles. But the costs justify themselves, especially if the hostess really has to iron a lot. The portable steam generator provides continuous production of steam in much more than the most powerful iron. A capacious water tank (1–1,5 liters and more) allows you to work for a long time without “refueling”. The temperature, pressure and humidity of the steam can be adjusted, and the steam generator strictly adheres to the specified parameters (as a rule, irons are not capable of this). Finally, it is easier to operate with such a device than with a conventional iron, since the “ironing” part of the system with a steam generator weighs less.

Many companies are engaged in the production of irons and ironing systems, including the German BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte (trademarks Bosch, Siemens) and Braun, the French Groupe Seb (the brands Tefal, Rowenta, Moulinex), the Dutch Philips, the Italian De’Longhi (trade De’Longhi, Ariete, Kenwood brands), Japanese Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic trademark), etc.

What kind of water can be poured into the iron

Only boiled (or better distilled) water can be poured into irons with steam humidification function. Otherwise, with intensive steam generation, an equally intense formation of scale occurs. And this leads to a decrease in heating efficiency, clogging of holes in the sole. Ultimately, the iron may fail. Some models provide protection against scale formation – ordinary water from the mains can also be poured into such irons.

What is the sole made of

All materials used to make the work surface of modern irons can be divided into three large groups. This is a metal, a coating of extra strong enamel (ceramics), as well as a polymer coating. Each option has its own characteristics, strengths and weaknesses.

Metal. Most often, stainless steel is used in irons. This material is renowned for its strength and durability (even if the surface is scratched, it can be re-sanded). In addition, the massive steel plate warms up evenly and keeps the set temperature well. It is no coincidence that steel soles are used in most professional models of irons and ironing systems, for example, Ariete, De’Longhi; Elna (Switzerland), Kärcher (Germany). In household models, there are both pure steel soles – a number of models from Scarlett (Great Britain), Vitek (Austria), Rolsen (Korea), and nickel-plated (NI-U755 iron from Panasonic), chrome-plated, etc. high pressure processing (Inox Glissee sole, sensixx spotlight TDA 8391 from Bosch, TB 11319 from Siemens). Often stainless steel is combined with aluminum (budget option) or titanium (more expensive).

Cermets. However, in terms of ease of sliding, a pure metal sole is inferior to a cermet (or metal with an enamel coating). “Slippery” is the main advantage of ceramic-coated outsoles (eg Palladium-glissee, Granit glissee from Bosch; Ultragliss from Tefal; Platinum from Braun). In addition, the ceramic coating is generally highly wear-resistant. And its only drawback is relative fragility (ceramics can crack from impact). To avoid accidental damage to the sole, its lateral edges in many models are protected by an additional edge (bump).

Polymer coating. Teflon or similar materials are used for them. Such a coating does not differ in high wear resistance or strength, but it has non-stick properties. This, as well as the low weight and ease of sliding, determine the main scope of application of polymer-coated soles – most often they are equipped with travel irons (for example, GC651 from Philips, 1616 from VES, Spain, RN1367 from Rolsen).

It is advisable that the sole material is suitable for the tasks that you are going to solve with the iron. You intend to iron mostly coarse fabric – pay attention to appliances with a metal work surface. For delicate fabrics and synthetics, an iron with a ceramic surface will be optimal. And for small volumes of work in an emergency mode, products with a non-stick sole are the best fit.

Vertical steam

Not every steam humidifier is capable of producing steam when placed vertically. Meanwhile, it is often an iron with such a capability that is required (for example, to “refresh” a dress or suit hanging on a hanger). Be sure to check if the selected model has a “vertical steaming” function. Since during such a procedure, the iron will have to be held on weight, it is desirable that its weight be minimal.

• Sleeves of shirts and jackets, trouser legs easier to iron with an iron with a long and narrow sole.
• Bed linen, curtains it is more convenient to iron with an iron with a wide sole. For “in-line” processing of bed linen, the Elnapress Opal ironing press (Elna) or the B 895 D steam ironing machine (Miele) will come in handy. It is bulky and expensive compared to a conventional iron, but the speed advantage is fantastic.
• For universal use in everyday life, irons with a relatively wide sole and a narrow elongated nose are being developed. This combined option allows you to successfully solve the widest range of tasks.
• Little baby things (caps, vests) are easier to iron with a compact travel iron.
• Clothing with buttons will be safe during ironing if the sole edge is equipped with a special groove – a groove for buttons.
• For delicate fabrics the iron is equipped with special attachments. They allow you to reduce the temperature of the working surface, but at the same time the device does not lose the ability to produce the required amount of steam. For the same purpose, the iron is equipped with an anti-drip system.

Unlike ironing systems, irons do not always have an adjustable steam intensity. It is provided, for example, in models GC 4440 (Philips), FV5177 Aquaspeed (Tefal), DZ 9030 Advancer (Rowenta).

For the most effective application of the “steam boost” the sole of the iron in the area of ​​the spout can be equipped with additional holes. In the ProStyle (Braun) model, this spout allows you to effectively “steam” even thick denim.

The location of the holes in the sole

The more of them and the more evenly they are distributed over the surface, the better the fabric will be moistened. Holes that are too small have a drawback – they get clogged faster with scale. Therefore, it is better if the iron is equipped with a system that prevents the formation of limescale. Otherwise, only boiled or distilled water will have to be poured into the device.

Convenience of the iron design is very important. There are no small details here: a short power cord or a slippery handle can be a huge nuisance. Therefore, when choosing a device, it is necessary to take into account its ergonomics.

Iron handle must be non-slip and do not heat up during operation. Handles with a natural cork coating have proven themselves very well, but they are found only on rather expensive models of ironing systems with a steam generator, for example, 4385, 6292 (Ariete). The coating of soft corrugated plastic, however, is not particularly inferior to the cork.

Rotary knob for heating mode switch should be comfortable enough. But for an iron, this is not as important as, say, for a food processor (when ironing clothes, your hands are usually not stained with flour or oil).

Water tank must have a comfortable wide mouth for filling with water, as, for example, in the Program 8 Power Jeans FV 9350 (Tefal) model. In this case, the lid must close tightly so that nothing spills. In addition, the water tank should be roomy so that you do not have to be distracted from work every five minutes. Usually irons are equipped with a capacity of about 300 ml, only some models (VT-1232 from Vitek, SI 17780 from Braun, DX 9100 from Rowenta) boast a 400 ml tank. The leader in this indicator is the TDA 1510 (Bosch) model with a capacity of 425 ml.

Attachment and length of the cord. Today on sale you can find irons with a very convenient and durable swivel cord, allowing it to rotate freely. A similar mount is used, in particular, in the FC 651 (Philips). It guarantees the durability of the cable even with intensive use of the iron. The length of the cord is also very important. A short cable (1,2–1,5 m) does not always allow working with comfort. Another thing is a 3 m cord (model GC 3388 from Philips) or even 3,5 m (TDA 8366 from Bosch). You don’t have to think about extension cords here!

The power cable can be a hassle even when the iron is not in use. It is best if the device has an automatic cable winding mechanism, as, for example, in the NI-U755, NI-U555 (Panasonic) models. Then the problem of the “extra wire” will be solved simply and elegantly.

Helpful tips from Philips

• If the fabric contains different types of fibers, always set the thermostat to the position that corresponds to the fibers that require the most gentle handling. For example, if the fabric contains 60% polyester and 40% cotton fibers, it should be ironed at the temperature required for polyester.
• If you do not know the material of the product, try ironing the area that you will not see when worn first.
• Items made of silk, wool and synthetic materials should be ironed from the inside out to avoid shiny stains.
• Fabrics where shiny stains are easily formed should be ironed in one direction only (along the pile), applying minimal pressure.
• Start ironing with synthetic fibers that require the lowest ironing temperature.