Steam irons: features, subtleties of selection and repair

A steam iron is not a luxury, but a means of promptly dealing with a mountain of ironed linen. In terms of its power, it is much more effective than its traditional “brother”, and is also optimal for delicate fabrics.

Smoothing of creases and folds on the fabric when using a steam iron is carried out not due to the contact of the sole of the device with the fabric, but due to the hot steam. Such an iron-steamer necessarily has heating elements and assumes the presence of a reservoir with water. The water in the latter is heated by heating elements (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.

Thanks to this feature, the steaming device does not require a horizontal surface for work and great physical activity. Steaming can be carried out 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 the device to be used for the most delicate items - the risk of stains, new creases, and burns is minimal. In addition, the steam iron is best used for smoothing products with complex decor and 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 steaming function. Today, most irons have a similar function, but their main purpose is traditional ironing, which implies the contact of the sole of the device with the thing. In principle, lightly wrinkled fabric can be smoothed vertically with steam.

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

• Steam generator. Has the same components as the steam station. However, the boiler is usually large and can remain on for a long time. Instead of the usual iron - various attachments, brushes. The hose is usually longer because the appliance uses a floor-standing boiler.

Thanks to its high power and a variety of attachments, 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 it on a horizontal surface. It should be noted that today there are also hand-held steam generators, characterized primarily by their compactness. A special type of them is a cordless travel steam generator that runs on batteries. However, there is also an electrical analogue with steam humidification.

Steam irons from brands like Philips, Vitek and Tefal are among the best based on customer feedback and demand in home appliance stores. Consider the most popular steam models from each of the firms.

For domestic use, you can choose the 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 shutdown and self-cleaning system, as well as a steam hitting function. Power - 2000 W, large enough that it will not be very economical if you do ironing rarely and in small quantities. The average cost is from 2500 to 3500 rubles.

The more powerful model (2400 W) is the model of the same brand. Philips GC 3569... Not only the power, but also the larger water tank (400 ml) will allow you to use your iron longer and iron faster. The speed and volume of steam and steam boost in this model exceeds the same parameters in comparison with 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 creases, thick fabric. This is due to the titanium coating of the soleplate and the more powerful steam boost. The power of the device is 2600 W, while it has a rather thin nose, thanks to which it easily smoothes children's clothes, clothes with a lot of decor and buttons. Automatic shutdown and self-cleaning systems make the use of 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 a steam boost function, as well as equipped with auto-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. The power of the structure is 2135 W, there is a steam power regulator. The metal-ceramic sole is ideal for heavy fabrics. The cost is quite affordable for these devices - 8,000 rubles.

When choosing, you should evaluate the desired model for purchase according to 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 more the teng 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. A more powerful one will form an excessively strong steam flow, which is irrational. Less powerful - will not cope with smoothing thick or rough fabrics.

This indicator determines the duration of steam generation. The smaller it is, the shorter the time period the device can operate. As a rule, devices with a steaming function are equipped with a 200-250 ml reservoir, so they can steame things continuously 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 released with the same strength, while in more expensive devices, the steam strength can be adjusted. This is a very useful feature as it allows you to smooth out creases of varying intensity. For dense and heavily crumpled fabrics, use the heatstroke function correctly. It implies the release of a powerful steam flow in large quantities in a short time period. For comparison, if an average of 70-80 g of steam is released per minute, then with a thermal shock during the same time, up to 130-150 g of steam is generated and released.

The specified parameters are basic, but you should pay attention to the other possibilities of the steam iron. An anti-drip system can be called useful. If the device is equipped with such, then things will be protected from the risk of being wetted by condensation that collects in the device. If there is an indicator of the amount of liquid in the boiler, as well as the function of auto-shutdown of the device when inactive for 20-60 seconds, it is possible to reduce the risk of overheating of the heating elements and their decommissioning.

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

If contact of the sole of the iron with the fabric is expected, you should pay attention to the features of the first. Among household appliances, ceramic and Teflon soles are common. The advantage is ease of sliding, no marks on the fabric. For personal use, ceramic or Teflon coated irons are quite effective - they deal with creases. If a ceramic sole is installed in the device, you should avoid dropping the device - a piece of ceramic may break off.

If more intensive use of the iron or steam station is expected (for example, in a sewing studio), then preference should be given to an iron with a chrome sole. 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 analogs described above. Be sure to turn the iron over and appreciate the location of the steam vents. Their maximum concentration should be in the area of ​​the toe of the sole, so that you can easily smooth out creases in hard-to-reach places.

They have many attachments. You will need at least 2 - a wider one for ironing large things and a narrower one. It is convenient for her to work in small areas, to steam complex-cut things with an abundance of decor. For fluffy fabrics such as coats, it is helpful to have a brush attachment. It will help remove dirt, straighten and give the desired direction to the pile, remove threads.

Various clips allow you to quickly make perfect arrows. There are also special varieties of them - brush clips. Another recommended steam generator accessory is a clothes rack. It resembles a coat hanger. For heavier things, it is advisable to use double racks, they are more durable. It is good if the device has a protective mitten. The steam release rate, as well as its temperature, is high, so there is a high risk of getting burned. When steaming, there may be a need for horizontal work surfaces (for example, when steaming collars, cuffs), so it is advisable to purchase a special plate.

Before using the device, you need to pour a special liquid or water into the reservoir of the iron, only after that it should be plugged into the outlet. Do not immediately direct a jet of steam onto the laundry; it is better to first let off steam (the first portion) and only then start ironing. After the process is over, drain the remaining liquid from the reservoir, switch the position to "no steam" mode and store the device vertically. This will prevent residual liquid from spilling out onto the soleplate.

Like any appliance, a steam iron is susceptible to breakage. Among the most common problems are the following.

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

A more serious problem with the supply wires is a short circuit. It is provoked by the wear of the insulating layer due to the friction of the wires. A short circuit can be guessed by a sudden short pop and the appearance of a specific smell of burnt wiring. Due to overvoltage in the network during a short circuit, as a rule, the rest of the electrical appliances connected to the network are turned off. In most cases, repairs involve opening the back cover of the iron. After that, you will find that the power cord diverges into 3 wires. When the insulation is worn out, it is restored. If the problem is caused by oxidation of the terminals, then they must be cleaned.

In modern devices, such a nuisance rarely happens, since the heating element is a fairly reliable and durable element. If it breaks down, then it is more rational to change the iron than the heating element. You can check whether the breakdown is related to a malfunction 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 ten is really broken. Such diagnostics are made possible by 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 until the heating elements are completely turned off.The device is attached to them using a sleeve or a steel angle, to the body - using latches. The wheel is made of two welded metal plates with different coefficients of linear expansion. When heated, the common plate bends, which provokes the opening of the network and the disconnection of the heating elements. If you suspect a malfunction of the thermostat, the device will have to be disassembled completely. Having opened 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 check the iron again.

According to statistics, a fuse breakdown accounts for 40-50% of all iron malfunctions. Thermal fuses can be of 2 types - disposable (they do not withstand a single heating up to 240 degrees, if this indicator is exceeded, they burn out and the iron needs repair) and reusable (more modern and safer devices with bimetallic parts, due to which the iron turns off automatically in case of extreme heating).

This concept is a whole group of faults. Often, with a weak steam supply, users mistakenly believe that there is a problem with the steam generator, but in fact, the cause of this condition is contamination of the sole of the iron or the nozzle. This usually happens when using tap water. If the iron is leaking, has stopped steaming and even began to stain with rust, it's time to descale it.

If the steam supply is not possible due to the button that has gone down (inside the iron), then you will have to open the back cover of the device. A pair of pumps will be found under the cover. 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 soleplate of the iron. It is necessary to remove it, at the bottom of the pump you will see a ball stuck to the bottom of the pump chamber. He gets there under the influence of scale. This ball should be pushed inside, and then assemble the iron.

The Philips GC 1029 device gets good reviews. Users note the ease of use, good steam quality. This makes the iron ideal for heavy fabrics or dry clothes. There are reviews on the Internet where buyers talk about the presence of burrs on the sole. However, this iron can be replaced at 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 is seen by most users as a significant disadvantage.

A lot of positive reviews were collected by the Philips GC 4521 model. 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, glides well and copes with strong creases, overdried things. Those looking for an inexpensive yet functional iron should take a look at the Vitek VT-1234. According to user reviews, it includes all the necessary functions, and also has a long wire and a stylish design.

For information on how to choose a steam iron, see the next video.