How to choose a steam generator for home use?

Progress does not stand still, and now this "technology miracle", like an iron,come more advanced devices - steam generators. Modern housewives are increasingly thinking about the transition to the use of these devices, and they are faced with a natural question - how to choose a steam generator. First of all, it is necessary to determine the purpose for which the device will be used.

If it is designed for home, then take into account some characteristics, if for regular and thorough professional use - already others. In any case, the choice made in favor of the steam generator will significantly save the forces and time spent on ironing things and taking care of some household items.

Household steam generator: purpose, functions, types

Despite the fact that the household steam generator is similar to the most common iron, it differs in design, mechanism of operation and a set of functions to be performed. Before choosing an iron with a steam generator or a steamer for clothes, it is worth considering this universal model. Its undeniable advantage is the fact that it can perform many useful functions for the home:

1. Flawlessly smoothes any type of fabric and at the same time removes stains from their surface.
2. Allows you to eliminate most types of dirt from furniture upholstery, carpeting( including stains of wine, coffee, juice, blood).
3. Cleans even tiles and plumbing.

Advice: When thinking about purchasing a domestic steam generator for a house, it is worth giving preference to models with a separate boiler. Although they need some time to prepare, but the quality of work is at the height due to the maximum high temperature of the steam.

At the same time, the processing of products is very simple and takes a minimum of time. In the process of manipulation, the production of dry steam is produced, which cleans, disinfects and smoothes without causing damage to the surface.

A modern iron with a steam generator

This can be whole steam stations and ironing systems, which consist of an iron and a boiler. They can be used at home, but still they are most suitable for professional seamstresses and ironers, who are constantly forced to deal with a large volume of fabric. The device is able to perform the following functions:

• Smoothes any fabrics( from underwear to outerwear) twice as fast as traditional machines.
• Removes dirt from the upholstery surface of furniture and other textiles. Eliminates not only stains, but also villi, threads, struggles with an unpleasant smell.
• Models are equipped with the function of supplying steam in an upright position, which allows you not even to use the ironing board.
• Often complete with a design there are numerous nozzles and brushes which can be used at house cleaning.

To choose an iron with a steam generator, it is necessary to be guided not only by a set of functions available for it, additional options, but also to take into account technical characteristics. It should be noted that due to the specific operation of the mechanism after filling the tank with water and connecting the device, it is necessary to wait about 5-10 minutes. This is necessary to create pressure in the boiler, which ensures uninterrupted supply of steam.

Features of steamers for clothes

Another type of steam generator, which can significantly ease the domestic chores. The device delivers a powerful jet of steam, under the action of which any irregularities and creases on the fabric are smoothed. Unlike a conventional iron, the steamer does not stretch the fibers of the fabric, but makes them more elastic and bulky. The temperature of the vapor does not exceed 99 ° C, so the material is not damaged( regardless of whether it is natural or synthetic).The work is conducted in an upright position, so you do not have to look for a place at home for the board.

In addition to all of the above, this steam generator has several obvious positive qualities:

1. You can start work almost immediately after turning on the steamer.
2. The device can work for a long time without interruption.
3. The functional part of the device is very light and easy to use.
4. Simultaneously with smoothing, an unpleasant smell is eliminated, which often comes from products that have been subject to long-term storage.
5. The exposure temperature is sufficient for disinfecting things, eliminating dust mites and other pathogenic microflora, cleaning furniture upholstery.

Buying a model for a house that is not equipped with a self-cleaning system, one can face the problem of the rapid formation of scale. This can be avoided by filling the boiler with distilled water.

Characteristics that you need to pay attention to

To always get the desired degree of cleaning and smoothing things, when choosing the optimum steam generator, special attention should be paid to the following parameters:

• Power. Many housewives try to save on this component, preferring low-power units. Specialists and experienced users for the house recommend considering models with an index of at least 2500 watts.
• Features of steam supply. The higher the pressure, under which the steam is supplied, the better the device will work. It is these devices that need to be considered if the steam generator is planned to be used not only for clothing care, but also for other textiles. A huge plus is the presence of the vertical stripping function.
• Water tank. Ideal for a home with a small reservoir. It takes up less space, if necessary it can always be filled. Well, if the tank body is transparent, it will allow you to easily monitor the level of liquid and mark the appearance of traces of scale.
• Presence of the anti-scale system. It is not so important, than this option is represented - by a rod collecting scum, or by a device informing that the boiler must be cleaned.
• Work regulators. For the house it is best to purchase a device that independently regulates the quality of the steam supply, depending on the type of fabric. In extreme cases, you can do with the device, which you need to adjust yourself. Universal instruments without regulators, although cheaper, cause a lot of trouble in the process of operation.
• Security. Quite an important requirement for an electrical device. It is good, if the steam generator is equipped with the function of automatic shutdown in case of overheating. Stand under the iron should be reliable, not slippery.
• Weight. You should not think that the mass of the structure will not play an important role if ironing goes much faster than usual. The device should be selected so that its operation does not cause uncomfortable sensations, otherwise the process of processing textiles will turn into torture.

Separately have to consider the material from which the sole of the iron is made. Modern models are most often represented by the following options:

• Steel. Perfectly glides on any materials, unpretentious in maintenance, does not get dirty, it is cleaned without problems, it is steady against mechanical influence. The material is heavy and requires more time for heating.
• Aluminum. Rapidly heats up and cools, is easy. When exposed to mechanical stress, it can be scratched, which will then leave damage to the fabric.
• Metal Ceramics. Such soles, although they are distinguished by excellent sliding, rapid heating and cooling, resistance to scratches, are quite fragile.
• Titanium. Material that is used in high-end, high-end devices. It is stable and reliable, but it takes a long time to warm up and cool down.
• Combined options. The combination of two( and even more metals) is implied, which reduces the severity of their deficiencies and activates virtues.

In addition to all the above points, when choosing a steam generator for a house, it is worth paying attention to the popularity of the brand, the availability of a guarantee for the product, external data are also often indicative of the high quality of the system. Additional nozzles are available in such installations, sufficient length of hoses and wires. Before you buy the product, you should definitely try it in order to make sure of the convenience of operation.