How to choose a steam generator for home

Not everyone understands why there is a steam generator in the house. The first thing that comes to mind is that with a steam generator you can iron things, even on a hanger. But in fact, this unit can help in many household chores - to clean, treat, disinfect many surfaces.

Why do I need a steam generator for the home

The main features of steam generators can be described as follows:

  • ironing clothes in an upright position;
  • cleaning plumbing, tiles from pollution;
  • getting rid of stains on furniture;
  • removal of pollution from any material;
  • steam cushion treatment;
  • fat removal of kitchen utensils and appliances.

At first glance, it seems to many that the steam generator is an ordinary iron with a steaming function. In fact, a steam generator is an autonomous item of household appliances capable of much more than just ironing clothes. The principle of its operation is the release of very hot steam - the temperature can reach 160 degrees. It is hot steam that helps in breaking down fat in the kitchen, removing complex stains on furniture, and disinfecting pillows.

The complete set of steam generators includes a boiler, a water tank, a thermocouple that heats the water and converts it into steam. Individual models may have a standalone boiler or water tanks. Compact models are suitable for ordinary steaming of clothes, where the water tank is located in the steam generator itself.

Perhaps, additional processing of clothes with steam will seem superfluous, because ironing is quite enough. In fact, steaming clothes can expand the capabilities of conventional ironing in such parameters:

  • smoothing even strong creases and folds;
  • disposal of clothes from unpleasant odors;
  • ridding bedding of possible parasites;
  • cleaning clothes from animal hair or lint.

IMPORTANT! Steaming clothes in an upright position is especially valuable for flowing dresses, thick coats or jackets - it is simply impossible to get to some places with an iron.

Types of steam generators

Gaining increasing popularity, steam generators began to be divided by type. Basically, this technique is divided by type of destination:

  1. Models for steaming clothes. Most often they are combined with an iron, but they can also be autonomous equipment. In addition to the usual ironing, you can use such models for the vertical smoothing of curtains, curtains, as well as for washing windows.
  2. Models for cleaning. Such steam generators are similar in appearance to a conventional vacuum cleaner, but instead of absorbing dust, steam is generated. The model has a high cost and is often used for professional cleaning.

To choose a steam generator for home use, it is worth exploring its varieties by forms, purpose and main characteristics:

  1. Steamer - looks like a vacuum cleaner, has a nozzle in the form of a brush, which allows you to distribute steam not pointwise, but on part of the surface. The temperature of steam in such models will not exceed 99 degrees, which is guaranteed to be safe for any type of fabric. It can be used for any tissue and with severe contamination difficult stains. The unit is quite compact, does not require an ironing board, works with vertical surfaces and is mobile. Steam is supplied continuously, which allows you to work with smooth surfaces without interruption.
  2. Steam generator - also similar to a conventional vacuum cleaner, but has a thin nozzle for spotted steam supply. It features a high temperature of the supplied steam - up to 160 degrees. Such a model will be relevant for domestic needs - cleaning carpets, tiles, upholstery, car interiors. Due to the very high temperature of the steam, a strong disinfection occurs at the same time as cleaning.
  3. Iron-steam generator - outwardly resembles an ordinary iron with a large stand - this is the water tank. The model perfectly combines the functions of the two previous types and is the most popular. There are several nozzles in the kit, and the function of adjusting the mode is vertical or horizontal steam supply. It will allow you to smooth clothes, and clean furniture, and disinfect surfaces.

To find the right model, it’s important to understand that a steam generator is not an iron with a stronger steam supply. Ironing clothes with an iron occurs due to mechanical pressure and high temperature. The steam generator moisturizes the tissue, heats it and smoothes it almost without contact. This property allows you to smooth out very difficult parts - cuffs, shoulders, collars, places near buttons.

IMPORTANT! As a rule, the weight of the iron greatly affects the degree of smoothing, but with a steam generator, the opposite is true - the device itself should be lightweight while there is no water in it.

Passing through the heated surface of the unit, the steam is completely dried and does not leave wet stains on clothes, and by killing microbes and bacteria by high temperatures, the steam generator also eliminates unpleasant odors on the surface.

What characteristics should you pay attention to when choosing a steam generator?

It is worth choosing the right steam generator, taking into account not only the right price or a famous brand. First of all, technology should make life as easy as possible and 100% fulfill its functions. The wrong choice can lead to disappointment due to the lack of the expected result or the user will be sorry for the money spent on models with functions that are not needed.

To select a model suitable for the needs, you need to evaluate the following device characteristics:

  • power;
  • steam pressure;
  • steam supply rate;
  • tank volume;
  • heating time;
  • iron sole material;
  • additional functions.

Power

The power of the steam generator will directly affect its cost, energy consumption and heating time of the device. In total, 3 types of power stand out:

  • 800-1000 W;
  • 1000-2500 W;
  • 2500-3100 watts.

Steam generators with low power heat up quickly, but can not cope with complex tissue areas and will be poor helpers in everyday tasks. However, if you plan to use infrequently and only for clothing, you can stop on such models. If the device is planned to be used for cleaning the entire house, power indicators from 1800 to 2500 W will be optimal. If you need regular use on many surfaces, you need to choose powerful models.

Steam pressure and flow rate

The supply of steam in the device will occur due to pressure. The average pressure ranges from 2 to 6 bar. The higher the pressure, the better the steam generator will cope with its tasks. High pressure indicators will allow you to perfectly cope with the ironing of outerwear, curtains, so it is better to purchase just such models.

Almost all models are equipped with an interesting indicator - steam supply intensity. Its values ​​show how much steam is produced in 1 minute. Average intensity indicators are considered to be 90-140 grams of steam per minute. Preferences should be given to those models that have maximum performance.

In addition to this characteristic, the devices have a function of supplying steam boost - it is used in specially dried clothes, inaccessible folds. The performance of this characteristic can vary between 95-260 grams of steam per minute. Better to choose higher values.

Tank volume

Each steam generator performs its functions using the main resource - water. Accordingly, if there is a lot of water in the tank, more functions can be performed without interruption and waiting for re-heating. However, a large tank will make the device bulky, not mobile and heavy. Volume indicators can be from 400 ml to 2.2 liters. If you plan to use the equipment rarely and for a small amount of clothing, a tank with a volume of 400 ml is also suitable. In the case when steaming is necessary for a family of several people, cleaning the house - of course, large volumes of water are needed.

ATTENTION! Choose a model with a tank of transparent material - this will simplify control over the amount of water.

Heating time

This indicator will provide quick and convenient work with a large amount of material. Different models may take 2 to 10 minutes to heat up. With a rare use of a steam generator, you can not pay attention to these numbers, but it is still more convenient to work with units where this figure is 3-4 minutes.

Iron Nozzle Material

If the choice fell on the model of a steam generator with an iron, it is worth evaluating the material of the sole. Poor soles can ruin clothes, so you should study the types:

  • the aluminum sole is inexpensive, heats up quickly, but can leave white marks on clothes;
  • soles made of titanium are high-quality, expensive and not able to spoil clothes, but heavy;
  • the combined sole includes a base of aluminum and a coating of Teflon or ceramic, which do not leave gloss on the fabric and do not make the sole heavier.

Additional functions

Given that steam generators are universal devices, the presence of additional functions in them is desirable. Of the main ones, one can distinguish the following:

  • protection against a scum;
  • vertical steaming function;
  • dry ironing
  • the possibility of spraying;
  • auto power off mode;
  • anti-drip system.

The indicated functions cannot be called insignificant. It is their presence in combination with relevant characteristics that will allow you to purchase the model that will benefit and facilitate life.

Watch the video: Steam Iron or Steam Generator -- which to choose? (March 2024).

Leave Your Comment