How to choose an iron for home use - what to look for before buying

For ironing not to become a routine and tedious task, it is important to choose a convenient iron that can easily cope with any type of fabric. Modern manufacturers of ironing machines continue to improve their products, adding new and useful functions, such as self-cleaning, vertical steaming, anti-scale and many others. There were even wireless models and "smart" irons, independently disconnected from the network, if you forget them on the board. To understand the features of such devices and choose the best one will help our instructions.

The best irons manufacturers - which firm to choose

The Russian market presents irons of many popular brands, each of which trieslure customers the quality of their products and innovations introduced. Among them there are world leaders, covering all price categories, and Asian novices offering high-tech, but affordable devices.

Excellent models for home use you can easily find in the company lines:

• Philips
• Tefal
• Braun
• Vitek
• Polaris

Here you will get acquainted with the best irons of these brands. But in order to make the right choice, you need to know what characteristics should be looked at first.

Principle of operation and device

Traditional iron consists of several basic elements:

• body;
• outsole with heating element inside;
• thermostat;
• electrical cord( or charging station);
• system for spraying and / or supplying steam.

When the device is switched on, the nichrome coil is heated by the current due to its own high resistance. It, in turn, glows the sole. The thermostat( usually a swivel wheel on the body) allows you to change the resistance of the heating element, thereby setting the desired temperature.

Once the required heating has been achieved, the internal bimetallic plate deforms and disconnects the chain, preventing the iron from overheating. But its thick sole still retains heat for a long time, which makes it easy to continue ironing. And as soon as its temperature drops, and the plate closes the circuit again, the device will again quickly begin to heat up.

The sprinkler or steamer is used to irrigate heavily crumpled clothing. In the case of iron for this, manufacturers provide a special tank in which purified water is poured. When you press the button under the pressure of the piston, it is sprayed from the holes in the sole or fed through the heating element, immediately turning into steam.

This simple principle of operation is typical for most household irons. More advanced models are supplemented by a dozen sensors, indicators and various electronic components that expand the functionality of technology.

Types of irons

Depending on the main characteristics( power, weight, connection method), irons can be divided into several types. In order to understand exactly which unit is right for you, let's consider in detail all the pros and cons of each type.

Normal iron

This kind of device is designed for ironing synthetic and mixed loose fabrics. Now such units are not too popular, but are cheap and therefore still produced by some factories. They can have a pump water sprinkler or go even without this simple function.

In addition to affordable prices and more or less tolerable ironing of most things, they have no other advantages. The only thing that can somehow improve the quality of their work - it's a big weight. And if you only have enough money for such a model, choose the one that is heavier.

With

stripping system

This is already a more common technique, presented in all price categories. It is on steam irons that all manufacturers stake, trying to offer the buyer the most "advanced" model. The principle of operation here does not differ from conventional devices, but due to the steaming functions the efficiency significantly increases.

The steam supply can be carried out by gravity, with the vertical position of the sole( if you need to gently smooth the thing hanging on the hangers) or under pressure - this is the so-called steam stroke.

Pros:

• Good functionality;
• Relatively light weight;
• Excellent cope with the ironing of any type of fabric;
• You can iron delicate and richly decorated things right on the hanger;
• Vertical steam is easy to refresh and disinfect soft toys, curtains.

Cons:

• Steam channels on the sole can be clogged with scum, if you fill in uncleaned water;
• At the end of ironing, the remaining liquid from the reservoir must be poured out.

Road iron

A special case is compact and lightweight devices that you can take with you on a trip. Such models functionally do not differ from conventional irons, although there are often instances of them with the possibility of stripping.

Another feature of road irons( except modest dimensions) is the availability of a removable handle and a special cover for easy transportation and storage.

Pros:

• Small size and weight up to 1 kg;
• The entire standard set of required functions;
• Easy ironing of small garments and complex areas.

Cons:

• Small power, not exceeding 1500 W;
• A reduced set of temperature modes( up to 4).

Wireless

Externally, these irons are no different from wired, but they have a different heat. The device is installed on the docking station with contacts, but accumulates not the charge of electricity, but heat.

After the sound notification of the readiness for operation or the operation of the light indicator, the iron can be removed from the stand and ironed until the sole is cooled. Depending on the model, this lasts for 25-50 seconds, after which the device is recharged again - another 4-5 seconds, and it is ready to work again.

An additional battery is installed inside these units, but its task is only to maintain the electronics in working condition at the time of disconnection from the power supply.

Pros:

• The absence of a cord gives you complete freedom of movement;
• Light;
• Good heating rate;
• There are all useful functions( steam, self-cleaning, drop-stop, etc.);
• Some models can work with or without a cord.

Cons:

• It's unusual to put the iron on the stand horizontally;
• A short battery life - you need to iron quickly;
• Average intensity of steam supply( usually up to 35 g / min).

Steam station

Light and powerful iron, connected via a hose to an external unit with a steam generator. Its reservoir usually holds at least a liter of water, which allows you to continuously iron the clothes for up to 2 hours. External box is also a stand for the iron itself - as in wireless models.

This technique belongs to the category of professional and is used in sewing shops, ateliers and laundries, that is, where you need a lot and long stroking things from different materials. Steam power and temperature can be adjusted, which allows you to equally effectively iron as drape coats, and delicate dresses with rich decor.

Pros:

• Very powerful unit, which allows quickly to smooth the mountain of things;
• Large water tank;
• The temperature of the sole is lower than that of a conventional iron, which makes it possible to work with delicate fabrics;
• Rich functionality, multiplied by the capabilities of the steam generator;
• ECO-modes, reducing the power consumption of the device.

Cons:

• High cost;
• Thick connecting hose limits freedom of maneuvering;
• Rigid water quality requirements.

Selection parameters

To make the right choice, you must first estimate the frequency of use and the amount of laundry that you have to iron. You also need to decide on additional features that are useful in your case.

Power

From this indicator depends not only the speed of heating the iron, but also its power consumption. The higher the power, the faster it will heat up to the highest temperature, and then even a very crumpled and dense fabric will easily be smoothed out.

Devices with a consumption of 1000-1500 W( classic and compact types) will iron almost any mixture material, but it will take a couple of minutes to wait for the sole to "accelerate" to the desired temperature. Waiting time is immaterial, if you have to iron infrequently and a small amount of things. And even such an iron can be bought at the dacha or for their frequent business trips.

Steam units with a consumption of 1500-2000 W are easy to iron out even very dense and "complex" fabrics like flax. These devices completely cover the needs of any family, reducing the hostess the time and effort required for ironing.

More than 2500 watts are consumed by steam stations and professional equipment. Such devices can easily cope with a large volume of laundry from fabrics of different types. Today, many people use their houses, but this is a technique - for ateliers and laundries. However, so limited scope of application of steam stations dictates only their high price.

outsole The ease of the ironing process itself, the weight of the appliance, and its cost depend on the material, thickness and coating of the sole.

Aluminum outsole is the cheapest and most common. This metal - a good conductor of heat( quickly heats up and cools).Such devices weigh relatively little and at first glide along the fabric well. However, aluminum is easily scratched and can stick to synthetics when heated.

Steel sole is stronger than aluminum, not damaged by iron buttons and locks, it has good sliding properties. But such an iron will be much heavier and more expensive.

The safest surfaces for ironing delicate things have metal-ceramic, teflon and chrome-plated soles. But they need to be treated with more care than with aluminum, as they can be chipped and damaged.

The optimal solution will be to use a variety of removable covers, which, if necessary, will protect the delicate tissues and provide them with the most gentle ironing.

Modes

Standard irons support at least 3-4 thermal modes, indicated on the thermoregulator with a different number of points or more understandable inscriptions: delicate fabrics( silk), cotton, wool and linen.

Separately it is necessary to consider the realized system of steam supply - here too variants are possible:

• constant steam( 20-80 g / min);
• steam impact( over 150 g / min);
• vertical steaming.

Also pay attention to the number of steam holes on the sole: the more of them - the more effective ironing will be. It is especially good when there are a lot of such channels on the nozzle and they are very close to each other. In this case, it will be easier to iron the crepe, pleated and fine details of clothing.

Additional functions of the

This is mainly about the options that simplify the care of the most ironing equipment. Especially they are important for models with steaming mode, since poorly purified or too hard water in the reservoir creates serious problems and can even disable the equipment.

In the steam iron the following options will be superfluous:

• anti-scale;
• self-cleaning;
• anti-drip system.

Auto power off is another useful function for those who often suffer the question of whether the iron is turned off. The built-in electronics will itself de-energize the device, left motionless in the vertical position for more than 10 minutes, and after 1 minute, if it stands horizontally.

Ease of operation

Ironing of a large number of things can last for hours, so the iron should not create additional complications. It is important not only the weight, but also the ergonomic handle, as well as the length and mobility of the cord.

The first two parameters can be estimated by holding the device in your hands. As for the electrical wire, it should not be shorter than 1.5-2.5 m. Hinged landing of the cord at the entrance and reinforced braid are welcome - this will save it from twisting and creases.

Which iron to choose

1. Lonely people and students whose ironing is limited to a skirt / trousers and shirt in the mornings will suffice a small steam iron on an aluminum or steel sole with a power of up to 1.5 kW.

2. A family of 3-4 people and everyone who strokes the piles of bed linen every week after a large wash, will need a powerful steam unit from 2 kW with ceramic or titanium soles, as well as a good set of modes and a self-cleaning function.

3. Costumes, seamstresses, laundry workers - all those for whom ironing is a day-to-day job, a steam station of good power will be needed. Ideally, if in addition to the main functions, it will still have a steam-strike mode.

4. For trips and vacations it is worth to purchase a compact road iron with a power of up to 1000 W.The steaming system in it will not be superfluous, especially if you have a lot of summer linen things.

How much does the iron

1. The simplest iron with sprinkler function can be purchased for 350-1500 rubles.

2. Steam models are a little more expensive: the budget segment is represented by irons of 500-1500 rubles, branded equipment will pull in the amount of 2 to 5 thousand.

3. Good wireless irons can be found at a price of 3000 to 8000 rubles.

4. Compact road ironing, despite its size, will cost 850-2000 rubles.

5. For a powerful steam station of the Russian assembly will have to give no less than 2-6 thousand, eminent brands are already at a price of 6500 rubles and above.