Iron: How to choose an iron
Iron; how to choose? There is no family where they would not iron their things, so read about how to make the right choice of this household appliance! Every homemaker wants to know how to choose an iron! If you also come across this question, it’s time to understand the features in more detail. Of course, you can immediately go to the store to question the sellers. Still, it is always better to independently study the parameters and choose the best option for you. After reading the article to the end, you can easily navigate the basic features and the fun little things invented for your convenience.
What do you need iron for?
First of all, you need to decide on the type of iron. There are many offers on the market, from a small iron to an ironing system.
A travel iron is suitable for traveling – a miniature version of a full-fledged brother. Compact, but at the same time fulfills all functions relied on.
You can buy a simple iron without steam if you need a cheap option for a while. Ironing like this is certainly not a lot of fun, but it will work fine for the price.
Steam generators and ironing systems are another matter. The name of the device speaks for itself – it creates steam. With this miraculous technology, ironing becomes a pleasure. Can iron it in a minute by folding the duvet cover several times. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford such luxury; nevertheless, you can handle a good steam iron at an affordable price for a high-quality iron.
Power
Many people think that the more influential the device, the better. This rule does not always work. On the shelves, you can find not expensive irons with high performance. It would help if you did not try such a tempting offer; considering the low price segment, choosing an iron with a power of 1.6 kW is better. Irons with a capacity of 2.2-3.1 kW will heat up faster. Remember that the more power the device has, the more electricity it consumes.
Iron plate coating
An important criterion when choosing iron is the composition and coating of the sole. Today there are many versions, the main ones being aluminum, steel, and ceramic.
The iron with an aluminum sole is light, heats up, and cools down quickly. A significant drawback is that when high heat is used, the material can stick promptly to such soles. Aluminum also cannot boast of strength; it is easy to scratch the product with a zipper or a button.
Iron manufacturers most often use stainless steel to make soles. Not surprising because soles with such a surface do not scratch, provide quick heating, and slide easily over the surface. The disadvantages include the considerable weight of the iron and the long cooling time.
Ceramics and vessels are as famous as steel; they allow the iron to slide easily over the material but are prone to damage and scratches.
A modern iron should slide smoothly over the surface, not stick to ironing and not scratch the fabric. In the fight for the company’s buyers, manufacturers are inventing more and more new coatings that promise that the above requirements are met. Each company has its own “flavor,” which makes ironing easy and comfortable.
The BRAUN company uses for the production of one of the most complex alloys based on aluminum with an injection of sapphire powder, which in turn protects the device from mechanical damage. TEFAL has introduced ceramic soles and modernizes them in every possible way. One of the latest developments in the self-cleaning Auto clean Catalys soleplate is steam-cleaned during ironing thanks to the chemical reaction of palladium foam when heated. The well-known household appliance manufacturer Rowenta offers iron with a Micro steam 400 Platinum stainless steel plate coated with a Nano-glass coating, which ensures a flawless swing.
The secret of the Philips Steam Glide solar panel does not lie in the skin but in the number of steam holes that create a kind of “steam pad” that allows you to glide easily and smooth out the toughest wrinkles.
Steam and everything related to it
It’s no secret that fabrics like cotton and linen are tough to iron without steam. In modern models, the steam power is in the range of 0.15 g / min. To 0.30 g / min. The best choice for normal materials is a steam rate of 0.20 – 0.25 g/min. The capacity of the water tank is also important. You must renew it with a large amount of ironing if it is too small.
Steam control is present on almost all models with a steam function. It allows you to select the desired steam manually.
Steam boost – only most budget models are deprived of this function. You deliver a powerful jet of steam at the push of a button. It helps to iron thick and coarse fabrics.
Vertical steam helps to steam items that are difficult to iron in a horizontal position.
Protection is essential in all devices related to water heating. This function is usually implemented on irons as a removable spindle or bar. Allows you to extend the life of the iron when constantly working with steam.
The self-cleaning system will solve the problem of limescale build-up in the steam chamber. When you press the corresponding button, steam will be released, which turns into the water as the solar panel cools. All “costs” associated with the steam process will expire with it.
The “Drop-stop” function blocks water flow from the cooled iron. This feature will be vital if you are afraid of spoiling expensive things.
Automatic shutdown
Forgetful people now can’t think all day at work whether they turned off the iron or not. Thanks to this function, the device will turn itself off. It will help prevent a potential fire and keep you calm.
What else to note
Useful little things will make your life much easier but will not significantly affect the cost of iron. Some soles have grooves to iron the fabric around the buttons. When buying, pay attention to the cable’s length and the braid’s quality. Spherical irons are very comfortable. During movement, the wire rotates freely without twisting.
Price range
The cost of irons with similar properties is about the same except for a few “advanced” models. Currently, the price of a steam iron ranges from 50$ to 60$. In the middle price, you can buy an iron with a power of 3.1 kW with the main functions: steam increase, vertical steam, and automatic shutdown. Despite the wide variety of models available, decide which features are most important to you. Choose several preferred options, starting with value for money. In the store, you can touch the product and evaluate its usefulness.