You need to choose the right steamer for ease

More and more unusual things and fabrics appear in our wardrobes, and an ordinary iron can no longer cope with the task. For this, a fairly universal assistant in these matters - the steamer - comes to the rescue. Choosing such a device is not very easy, because the home appliance market offers many types and various options for such a device. From this article you will find out how profitable it will be to acquire such an assistant, what resources you can save by having it available, and most importantly - how to choose the right steamer for home use.

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Steamer advantages over the iron

In fact, when we talk about comparing two such devices with each other, we do not quite correctly represent this. The steamer is not a substitute for iron, and if you suddenly need to iron the arrows on your trousers, then you just can’t do without the second. At the same time, such a device copes with some tasks that are beyond the power of the iron. Among its main advantages are the following:

1. This assistant is instantly ready to work, does not require time for heating.
2. Provides the possibility of long continuous operation.
3. The device itself is compact and mobile. Suitable even for the smallest apartments and does not take up much space.
4. With the help of steam smoothing technology, it not only removes creases and wrinkles, but also eliminates unpleasant odors on clothes.
5. Suitable for even the most delicate fabrics.
6. Saves time handling your favorite things.
7. Smoothes even the most inaccessible places, on things that have a complex cut, or protruding details.
8. Disinfect material.
9. Can be used for fabric furniture.

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The principle of operation of the steamer

In order to know how to choose the right steamer for home use, you need to understand how such a device works. Let's talk in more detail about this. A classic steamer consists of:

• A steam generator is a generic name for a complex of devices that generate steam.
• Boiler. Here, water turns into steam, in some models the latter lingers here.
• Steam hose. The length of this device varies from model to model. The largest of them is 2.7 meters.
• Steam iron. The device itself by which clothes are steamed. It happens of various types and from different materials. Some also have built-in heating elements.

Important! It is recommended to buy an assistant with a metal iron and a built-in heater. This design is more durable, it can be used as a regular iron.

• Rack hanger. In most types of steamers, this element is present. The tube is usually telescopic, which makes the device more compact.
• Accessories Additionally, manufacturers offer a variety of accessories in the kit. For example, such as a heat-resistant board or an additional hanger.

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Types of steamers. Pros and cons of each

When we talk about how to choose a steamer for the home, you need to understand what we are dealing with, what options exist at all.There are many options from different manufacturers, they differ in functionality and cost. Among the diversity, several main types are distinguished:

1. Manual.
2. Vertical - gravity and with vapor pressure.
3. Multifunctional.

Consider in more detail each type of such a device and talk about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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Hand steamer

The simplest and most compact form of such an assistant is a manual steamer. The shape of this device resembles Electric kettle, on the principle of operation is not much different from it.

Important! The device is very compact and lightweight; it is ideal for both home and travel.

Among the advantages of this assistant are:

1. Lightweight and compact - fits easily in your bag.
2. It can be used as an electric kettle.

Disadvantages are also available. Among them:

1. Low power of the product.
2. A small period of time continuous operation.
3. Poor smooths natural coarse fabrics.

To decide how to choose a handheld garment steamer, be guided by the parameters that are necessary for you.

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Vertical floor steamer

Choosing a vertical garment steamer will not be difficult - just decide on the characteristics you need and choose a model that fits them. The device received this name due to its appearance. It is used for steaming things on a hanger designed for this, which is located vertically to the floor.

Usually consist of:

1. Enclosures with integrated water tank.
2. Heating systems.
3. Racks-hangers.
4. Steam hose with an iron on the end.

The advantages of this type of product are:

1. Power is higher than manual.
2. Work time is longer.
3. Also, the feature of this type of device - a rack hanger can be attributed to the advantages.

Not without flaws:

1. Large dimensionality of the device.
2. Sleeves and cuffs need to be steamed using a special device - a heat-resistant board. In some cases this introduces inconvenience.

Self-flowing

This type of device has a simple design and principle of operation. Water passes through a metal tube with a heating element and forms steam, which, by gravity, enters the iron - it steams things.

Important! The steam output intensity depends on the volume and power of the boiler into which it enters.

The advantage of this device is the simplicity of design and low price. The disadvantage is the low intensity of the steam supply, as a result - poor smoothing of heavy materials.

With steam pressure

When it became clear that gravity steamers can not always smooth dense curtains and coarse cloth, manufacturers thought about how to create a full-fledged replacement for the iron. Here a steamer with steam pressure was born.

The device of this product differs from the previous one by the presence of a special valve that traps steam in the boiler until the pressure inside reaches a certain value. After that, the valve allows the steam to exit, as a result, a powerful flow of the latter arises. Thus, the intensity of the impact on the material increases and the device copes better with its task. In addition, the pressure sensor has an additional function - it saves the device from overloads, prolonging its life.

The advantages of such a device are as follows:

1. High steam pressure.
2. Feed rate.
3. Easily cope with any material.

The disadvantages are the following items:

1. The supply of steam under pressure in most devices is not permanent, you need to wait about a minute.
2. The cost is much higher than in the previous version.

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Multifunctional Steamers

The most modern form of these devices is a multifunctional steamer. If you want to choose a garment steamer in the best modern traditions, then this description item is for you.

Such devices usually combine several use cases. For example, it can be a steamer and steam cleaner. The main advantage of such devices is the price. Buying separately two devices is much more expensive than a multifunctional device. The second plus is that they take up 2 times less space.

The most common device combinations are:

1. Steam cleaner. The kit includes nozzles for two types of devices, which is why it is universal. Such a design can be versatile, depending on which of these devices is more important. If a steam cleaner is at the head, then such a design is usually more expensive and more powerful.
2. Steam iron. In addition to our appliance, there is also a steam iron connected to the same connector as the iron.
3. Ironing system with steamer function. In this device the steamer is an additional complete set. Steam hose and iron included.
4. Steamer with ironing board. One of the newest ideas these days. There is only one such model - the MIE Compatto. The steam iron in this appliance is triangular in shape, which allows it to be used as an iron.

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What parameters to evaluate when choosing?

So, you have decided to purchase a steamer. Selecting it is quite simple if you know which parameters to look at first. Let's talk about them in more detail:

• The first selection criterion should be power. The higher the power, the faster your assistant heats up and the greater the steam supply.

Important! The most powerful device on the market is a 2.6 kW steamer.

• Steam supply rate. This criterion is measured in grams per second. The higher it is, the better the product copes with its task.
• Steam pressure. If you want a powerful device, then this feature will be present. Measured in bars. The most acceptable value is 3.5 bar.
• The volume of the water tank and its inextricable characteristic is the time of continuous operation. A medium-good indicator is an operating time of about an hour.
• The number of modes. Different fabrics require a different degree of processing, so the more modes, the better.
• Steam iron hose length. The longer, the better, but only if the iron itself has a heating element. Otherwise, this advantage will turn into a big disadvantage, as the steam will cool down along the way.
• Material of steam iron. There are metal and plastic irons. The first, as the practice shows, is more durable.
• Compactness. Also not an unimportant criterion, especially if the apartment is small and does not have much space.

Important! More successful purchase can also make:

• Brush. It is used for additional cleaning from lint and dust.
• Clamps. Using a similar accessory, you can even make arrows on your pants.
• Protective accessories. Usually, protective mittens are included.
• Stand for collars. Stroking collars on jackets and shirts will be much easier.

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Let's talk about the manufacturer

What does a person usually think when deciding how to choose a steamer for the home? Probably about which manufacturer of the device to watch in the first place. The steamers are represented on the market by many different manufacturers, but the companies received the best reviews: Super Jet, MIE Deluxe, Grand Master and the recently launched Philips in this vein.

Philips

One of the most popular and optimal options. Excellent value for money and variety of goods attract everyone.

The most popular at the moment is the Philips ClearTouch GC536 / 35. The power of this device is 2 kW. This is a vertical steamer, which includes: mittens for protection, a nozzle for arrows and an adjustable stand.

Important! A feature of the device is a removable water tank and a silicone hose for supplying steam. The nozzle is made of stainless steel.

Super jet

This company has a budget price and high quality. Almost all devices of this company are equipped with auto power off in case of unforeseen circumstances.

A popular model is the Super Jet 100A. Inexpensive model with a telescopic stand. Easy to manage. It does not have different operating modes. Simple and budget option.

Grand master

A company with such a big name produces both manual and vertical models. Some accessories are included. The models feature high-quality steam irons, so the device lasts a long time.

The most famous model is the Grand Master A600. Vertical model with a tank volume of 3.2 liters. It has the unofficial name of a semi-professional appliance, has great power and is suitable for ironing everything.

MIE Deluxe

The company here seems to be a powerful professional unit with a name that fully matches the title. The iron has condensation protection. The power of the device is 2.5 kW.

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Stock footage

The choice of such a device is quite an interesting and voluminous process. In order to choose a good garment steamer, you need to look through a sufficient number of options. If in doubt about which device to choose, then you should visit offline sellers. They often offer to test drive a device before buying it. Remember that the one that suits your exact requirements is the best steamer. It’s real to choose one, and using it will be a pleasure. Use our recommendations and choose your ideal option.