How to choose an iron

Such a household device as an iron should be in every home, as the external neat appearance of each family member depends on it. In order to speed up and facilitate the ironing process, you must select the correct and convenient device.

The very first similarity of the iron in antiquity was a frying pan on which hot corners were hung. In ancient times, ironing was produced by Rubel (board with a handle), which allowed to roll coarse tissues. However, soon there was the need of an invention of a cast iron iron after the appearance of subtle materials and tissues.

Only at the end of the 19th century, the Americans invented the semblance of the first electric iron. In the middle of the 20th century, the first iron with the use of steam, which was used only for industrial purposes appeared. In the times of cast-iron and first electric irons, the hostess was not asked: what iron is needed, because they were the same, and today many new features often mislead the user.

Types of irons

All modern irons can be divided into main types:

1. Normal without sweeping. Such models practically do not have demand today and are no longer produced.
2. Steam irons. The most popular ironing devices are available with the function of horizontal or vertical sweeping in the widest range due to the large demand and availability of the pricing policy of manufacturers.
3. Irons with steam generator. The steam generator device is equipped with a heating element that warms the water tank and produces steam through a special feed hose. Such models can work continuously and equated to professional models, which due to its technologically more complex design are estimated somewhat more than normal steam models.

In order to understand which iron it is better to choose, it is necessary to take into account all the functions required by the user and the specific characteristics, which may also depend on the price of the device.

Iron power

An important indicator when choosing ironing technology is undoubtedly its power, because it directly depends on the speed of the device and its energy consumption. Models with a capacity of up to 1500 W are suitable for a small family or use the road. Such ironing devices allow you to quickly smooth out almost all the main types of fabrics with an average heat of the platform.

The devices with a capacity of up to 1800 watts allow you to heat up faster and smoothing even very crumpled things and hard-to-reach places. For example, cuffs of sleeves, collars, places of buttons or just greeted after washing things. Such models are recommended to acquire hostesses, which are smooth quite often and if the family consists of three or more people.

More than 2000 W models are very quickly heated and guaranteed the perfect iron quality. These devices can be compared with their qualities and are relevant for large families. With high power, energy consumption increases, but many models have economical modes and convenient steam supply, which will save.

Sole of the Iron

Another important factor when choosing a good iron is the appearance of its heating sole. The total weight and price of the iron depends on the material used in the manufacture of this part of the device, since it is this part that in contact with the linen. There are such materials used for the manufacture of irons soles:

• aluminum;
• ceramics;
• stainless steel;
• teflon;
• titanium;
• chromium.

The most first in the ranking of irons in the popularity of the plantar material are aluminum models. In addition to the availability of prices, such models have ease and convenience of cleansing, lightweight device, as well as the speed of heating and cooled abilities. The disadvantage of such a material is its easy-to-resistance and probability of damage to delicate tissues from synthetic and silk when using too high temperatures.

Available at the price and very common material is the stainless steel. Recalling feedback on iron with a stainless sole, it can be argued that such models are very practical, reliable, easy to use and do not require careful care, but more aluminum weigh. Such material greatly slides over the surface and is not afraid of light damage.

Best irons for ironing delicate fabrics are considered ceramic or metal-ceramic models. Even at high temperatures, the device will not spoil the fabrics and will easily slide without sticking. The disadvantage of such models will only be the high risk of surface damage to the soles with metal details of clothing.

Teflon or chrome-plated coating of irons in contrast to titanium and steel models is also subject to scratches and damage. However, such models have better slip indicators on any surface. As well as ceramic models, Teflon is recommended for ironing particularly delicate tissues.

The sole may be double and with a removable second surface. Such models provide a safe ironing of the most delicate marchs without gauze and other old agents. Also, the removable sole can be very thin or have specific grooves for the most thorough ironing of clothing areas with buttons.

Iron temperature

In order to correctly select the iron, it is necessary to pay attention to the temperature settings and accuracy of their modes to avoid damage to delicate things. The hottest temperatures above 200 degrees can be used for cotton and flax. The remaining tissues are smooth at a temperature not higher than 150 degrees, but especially delicate and no more than 100.

Some models sin so that their surface is heated unevenly, which can spoil things and the mood of the hostess. In high-quality devices, the heating element must be located across the entire inner surface of the sole. A uniform distribution of temperatures corresponding to the established modes is an important factor when choosing ironing devices.

Couple supply and water in iron

If you doubt whether you need a new device for ironing in the form of an ordinary electrical model, it is definitely better to buy an iron with a steaming function. The fabrics are smoothed far faster and better with the use of steam. The volume of the steam allocated under ironing is made to measure in grams.

When ironing not too crumpled tissues in the usual mode, the steam feed is made in the amount of about 30 g per minute. When ironing the underwent and high underwear, pairs can increase special modes. Some steam models are automatically adjusted depending on the installed mode for certain tissues.

The steam supply occurs by means of special holes on the sole of the iron, which can be rounded or oval. The quality and speed of ironing depends on the number of such steam holes. The average model may have 50 or more holes, and professional characterized by the presence of more than 100 holes for steam output.

The steam supply can be horizontal or vertical, and also supplemented with the functions of additional steam emissions and sprinkling water for particularly difficult-faced zones. The main models involve horizontal exhalation, and the presence of a vertical feed indicates the possibility of ironing things in a hanging position. The splashing function is performed by pressing the button and the moisturizing of the water jet of the underwent.

The steam extraction function allows you to file pairs in a certain place of ironing. Such a steam punch is used mainly for tissues requiring enhanced smoothing. In addition, through the ejection of the steam, you can clean the iron from dirt and scale, and to prevent its appearance better to use distilled or boiled water.

Iron wire

The comfort of the ironing process will also help ensure the device of the device. Length can vary from 1 to 4 m, however, the optimal size is considered 2-3 m. Such length allows you to freely iron big things and not change the position of the ironing board.

There are several types of fastening wires to the instrument. The cord can move on the sides and forth or backward depending on the turning of the device. The best fastening is the possibility of turning the wires throughout its axis, which prevents its twisting and shortening.

Also, modern manufacturers offer wireless iron users, which is heated not through the cord, but through the stand connected to the network. The stand provides heating the device through contacts (the scheme is similar to the operation of electrochetics) and the device does not heat up when removing from such a platform. Often such models may have an alternative wired connection, which allows the user to choose freedom of movements.

Weight weight

The main difference between modern models from the ancient cast iron of course is their ease. This factor makes it easier to maneuver the instrument at ironing and the hands of the owners will not be very tired. The weight of the iron affects the material of the sole and often modern home models do not exceed the masses of 1 kg, and professional models with steam generators can reach 10 kg.

Iron knob

You can save family tools and buy an iron on the Internet, but it is better to go to the store and hold the model you like for the handle, since this factor especially affects the convenience of using the device. In standard models, non-heating anti-slip handles are often cast with a housing and are equipped with control buttons, which provides greater convenience. Road instruments are removable handles, which provides compactness when transporting.

Iron Security

It happens that the iron remains on and well, when it only spoil the thing, and does not burn the whole house. Modern models can be equipped with automatic shutdown when the apparatus is fixed for a while. When the device is disconnected, the device can signal an automatic lock from overheating using audio and light signals.

Iron Safety Protection

New models of irons are equipped with special cassettes and rods that prevent the formation of scale in water tanks. Such protective systems are removable and require replacement or cleaning after 30 times the purification of tap water. If there is no such protection, then water from under the tap is not recommended, in order to avoid damage to the device.

Droplet formation system in iron

Such systems can be in some models of steam irons. The meaning of their work is to block water flowing, if the formation of the steam is not required when ironing. If there is no such system, then the water should be drained when ironing without a couple, otherwise you risk leaving droplets on things and divorces during the ironing process.

Water tank in the iron

Directly on the weight of the iron also affects its flask for water (about 300 ml). Too much capacity is driving the device, and the small one will have to fill all the time during the ironing process. It is better that such a capacity is transparent and you have seen how much and when you need to add liquids to normal steam supply.

Professional models of irons

Models with a steam generator involve the separation of continuous steam stream to 3 hours and are connected to the main part of the flexible hose (length of about 3 m) steam feed. Such vertical pairs allows you to try the top clothes without touching the metal. In addition to the convenience of ironing large and dense things, such an iron has antibacterial properties.

Ironing presses and rollers are used only for industrial scales and in atelier or dry cleaning. Rollers allow you to quickly and efficiently smooth tight fabrics and large things, such as heavy curtains. Presses for ironing provide a large area of \u200b\u200bironing and excellent speed and quality of ironing to the simultaneous use of 10 high-capacity irons.

Manufacturers of irons

Iron PHILIPS

The 4870 GC model from the PHILIPS producer has a capacity of about 2600 W and has a weight of 1.5 kg. Such an apparatus allows you to perfectly cope with all the tissues due to the volume of steam in 200 g / min with a vapor emission of 50 g in the usual mode. The sole of the iron is made of metal and ceramics alloy and is equipped with various holes in its shape for high efficiency and work in a horizontal and vertical position.

The device is equipped with water sprinkler, dripping blocking system, self-cleaning, protection against scale and ionization of vapors. The model has a heating indicator and a convenient location of the buttons on the handle. The quality of the ironing is regulated by the wheel to establish the desired mode.

Iron Tefal.

The FV 9540 model from the Tefal producer has a colorful design and swears both horizontally and vertically. The device is equipped with a metal-ceramic sole and self-cleaning functions, protection against scale, blocking of drops, spray, auto-shutting, dry ironing, has a shift rod from lime. Couple supply of about 50 g / min, and a heat blow reaches 170 g / min.

The water cylinder capacity is 350 ml, the length of the wire rotating along the axis of the wire is 2.5 m, the power is about 2600 W, the total weight is 1.5 kg. The cost of the model varies from 3500 p. Water after ironing must be merged to avoid expenditures, and the steam blow makes a strong noise effect.

Iron Bosch.

TDS 4530 model from Bosch manufacturer is a black and white home steam generator. The device is equipped with a removable water tank with a capacity of about 1300 ml and has a weight of 5 kg and with a capacity of about 3100 W. The steam supply is 130 g / min, and a heat blow to 200 g / min, even with a vertical ironing.

A wire with a length of about 2 m and the same hose allows you to freely maneuver the metal-ceramic sole with ironing. The device is equipped with the functions of the filing signals and prevent the capping on the tissue. The cost of such an ironing station varies from 7500 p. up to 11000 p.

Iron Vitek.

The VT-1201 model from the Vitek manufacturer has a constant steam supply with the modes of its adjustment during vertical and horizontal ironing, a thermal blow to 100 g / min and with a capacity of about 2,200 W. The device is equipped with self-cleaning and contamination features. The device for ironing bright white and green coloring is about 1000 p.

Comparative video of irons

To choose the right choice of high-quality and relatively inexpensive electrical appliances for ironing, it is recommended to view a video review of popular brands of Ireks of Wosch Sensixx B1 and the RIMA RLUS tefal: