How to choose an iron

Such a household appliance as an iron should be in every house, since the external neat appearance of each family member depends on it. In order to accelerate and facilitate the ironing process, it is necessary to choose the correct and convenient device.

The very first likeness of the iron in ancient times was a pan on which hot coals were poured. In ancient times, ironing was carried out with a rubel (a board with a handle), which made it possible to roll out coarse fabrics. However, soon the need for the invention of the cast -iron iron after the appearance of thin materials and fabrics appeared.

Only at the end of the 19th century did the Americans invented the likeness of the first electric iron. In the middle of the 20th century, the first iron with the use of steam appeared, which was used only for industrial purposes. In the days of cast -iron and the first electric irons, the hostess did not ask the question: which iron was needed, because they were the same, and today many new functions often misleads the user.

Types of ironing

All modern irons can be divided into main types:

1. Ordinary without steaming. Such models have practically no demand today and are no longer released.
2. Steam irons. The most popular ironing devices are produced with the function of horizontal or vertical steaming in the widest assortment due to the high demand and accessibility of manufacturers' pricing policy.
3. Irons with a steam generator. The steam generator device is equipped with a heating element that heats the water tank and produces steam through a special feed hose. Such models can work continuously and are equated with professional models, which, due to their technologically more complex design, are evaluated several more than ordinary steam models.

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

The power of the iron

An important indicator when choosing ironing equipment is undoubtedly its power, because both the speed of the device and its energy consumption directly depends on it. Models with a capacity of up to 1,500 watts are suitable for a small family or come in handy on the road. Such ironing devices allow you to quickly smooth almost all the main types of tissues with the average heating of the platform.

Devices with a power of up to 1800 watts allow you to quickly heat up and smooth even very crumpled things and inaccessible places. For example, sleeves, collar cuffs, buttons, or just crashed things after washing. Such models are recommended to be purchased to housewives who stroke quite often and if the family consists of three or more people.

Models with a capacity of more than 2000 watts heat up very quickly and guarantee the ideal quality of ironing. These devices can be compared with professional in their qualities and are relevant for large families. With high power, energy consumption also increases, but many models have economical modes and a convenient supply of steam that will save.

The sole of the iron

Another important factor when choosing a good iron is the type of heating sole. The total weight and price of the iron applied to the manufacture of this part of the device, as this part is in contact with the linen. There are such materials used to make the soles of the ironing:

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

The very first in the rating of irons in the popularity of plantar material are aluminum models. In addition to the availability of prices, such models have the lightness and ease of purification, light weight of the device, as well as the speed of heating and cooling abilities. The disadvantage of such a material is its easily recovery and the likelihood of damage to delicate fabrics from synthetics and silk when using too high temperatures.

Affordable for price and very common material is considered stainless steel. Referring to reviews about ironing stainless soles, it can be argued that such models are very practical, reliable, easy to use and do not require careful care, but weigh more aluminum. Such a material slides perfectly on the surface and is not afraid of mild damage.

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

Teflon or chrome coating of ironing, unlike titanium and steel models, is also subject to scratches and damage. However, such models have the best sliding indicators on any surface. As well as ceramic models, Teflonovs are recommended for ironing of especially delicate fabrics.

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

The temperature of the iron

In order to correctly choose an iron, it is necessary to pay attention to temperature settings and the accuracy of their modes in order to avoid damage to delicate things. The hottest temperatures over 200 degrees can be used for cotton and linen. The remaining fabrics are stroke at a temperature of not higher than 150 degrees, but especially delicate and not more than 100.

Some models sin in that their surface is warmed up unevenly, which can ruin the things and mood of the hostess. In high -quality devices, the heating element should be located along the entire inner surface of the sole. The uniform distribution of temperatures corresponding to the established modes is an important factor when choosing ironing devices.

Summer and water supply in the iron

If you doubt whether you need a new ironing device in the form of an ordinary electric model, then, of course, it is better to buy an iron with a steaming function. The fabrics are smoothed much faster and better using steam. The volume of steam distinguished during ironing is usually measured in grams.

When ironing, not too crumpled fabrics as usual as usual, steam supply is made in a volume of about 30 g per minute. When ironing overdred and highly crumpled laundry, pairs can increase in special modes. In some models, pairs are automatically regulated depending on the established mode for certain fabrics.

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

The supply of steam can be horizontal or vertical, as well as supplemented with functions of additional emission of steam and spraying water for especially difficult to smooth zones. The main models provide for horizontal steaming, and the presence of a vertical feed indicates the possibility of ironing things in a hanging position. The spraying function is performed by pressing the button and moisturizing the water stream of overdried things.

The function of emergency emission of steam allows you to serve steam in a certain place of ironing. Such a steam blow is used mainly for fabrics that require increased smoothing. In addition, by means of pair release, you can clean the iron from dirt and scale, and to prevent its appearance, it is better to use distilled or boiled water.

The wire of the iron

The comfort of the ironing process will help to provide the wire of the device. The length can vary from 1 to 4 m, but 2-3 m is considered the optimal size. This length allows you to freely iron large things and not change the position of the ironing board.

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

Also, modern manufacturers offer users a wireless iron, which is heated not through the cord, but through the stand connected to the network. The stand provides the heating of the device through contacts (the circuit is similar to the operation of the electric kettle) and the device does not heat up when it is removed from such a platform. Often, such models can have an alternative wire connection, which allows the user to choose freedom of movement.

The weight of the iron

The main difference between modern models and ancient cast -iron are of course their lightness. This factor allows you to easily maneuver with the device when ironing and the hands of the hostesses will not be very tired. The weight of the iron is affected by 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.

Hand of an iron

You can save family funds and buy an iron on the Internet, but preliminary it is better to go to the store and hold the model you like, as this factor especially affects the convenience of using the device. In standard models, not heated anti -slip handles are often alloy with the housing and equipped with control buttons, which provides greater convenience. In road devices, the handle is removable, which provides compactness during transportation.

Safety of an iron

It happens that the iron remains on and well, when it only ruins the thing, and does not sleep the whole house. Modern models can be equipped with automatic shutdown with the immobility of the device for some time. When disconnected, the device can signal the automatic lock from overheating using sound and light signals.

Protection from Nakipi Iron

The new models of ironing 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 of purification of tap water. If there is no such protection, then it is not recommended to use water from the tap, in order to avoid a breakdown of the device.

System from drop -formation in the iron

Such systems can be in some models of steam irons. The meaning of their work is to block water flow if the formation of steam is not required when ironing. If there is no such system, then you should drain the water when ironing without steam, otherwise you risk leaving streams and stains during ironing things.

Water tank in the iron

Directly, the iron is also affected by its water flask (about 300 ml). Too large container hesitates the device, and the small one will have to be filled all the time in the process of ironing. It is better that such a container is transparent and you see how much and when you need to add fluids for a normal supply of steam.

Professional models of ironing

Models with a steam generator provide for the release of a continuous steam flow up to 3 hours and are connected to the main part with a flexible hose (length of about 3 m) of steam supply. Such a vertical steam allows you to iron outerwear without touching the metal. In addition to the convenience of ironing large and dense things, such an iron has antibacterial properties.

Sticking presses and rollers are used only for industrial scale and atelier or dry cleaners. The rollers allow you to quickly and efficiently smooth out dense fabrics and large things, for example, heavy curtains. Presses for ironing provide a large ironing area and excellent speed and quality of ironing in proportion to the simultaneous use of 10 irrigation irons.

Urban manufacturers

Iron Rhilips

The GS 4870 model from the manufacturer RHILIPS has a power of about 2600 watts and has a weight of 1.5 kg. Such a device allows you to perfectly cope with all the fabrics due to the volume of steam in 200 g/min with a steam emission of 50 g in normal mode. The sole of the iron is made of an alloy of metal and ceramics and is equipped with different forms for high efficiency and work in a horizontal and upright position.

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

TEFAL iron

The FV 9540 model from the manufacturer TEFAL has a colorful design and steams both horizontally and vertically. The device is equipped with a cermet sole and self -cleaning functions, scale protection, blocking drops, spray, auto shutdown, dry ironing, has a replaced rod from lime. The supply of steam is about 50 g/min, and the thermal blow reaches 170 g/min.

The water cylinder capacity is 350 ml, the length of the wires of 2.5 m, the power is about 2600 watts, the total weight of 1.5 kg. The cost of the model varies from 3500 p. After ironing, water must be drained in order to avoid leakage, and a strong noise effect makes a steam blow.

Wosch iron

The TDS 4530 model from the manufacturer VOSCH is a black-and-white homogenerator. The device is equipped with a removable water tank with a capacity of about 1300 ml and has a weight of 5 kg and a capacity of about 3100 watts. The supply of steam is 130 g/min, and the thermal blow up to 200 g/min even with vertical ironing.

The wire of about 2 m long and the same hose allowed to freely maneuver with cermet sole during ironing. The device is equipped with the functions of the signals about cleaning and preventing the hit on the fabric. The cost of such an ironing station varies from 7500 p. up to 11000 p.

Vitek iron

The VT-1201 model from the manufacturer Vitek has a constant supply of steam with its adjustment modes with vertical and horizontal ironing, with a heat blow of up to 100 g \\ min and with a capacity of about 2200 watts. The device is equipped with self -cleaning functions and anti -capacity. The device for ironing bright white-green coloring costs about 1000 p.

Comparative video of the irons

For the right choice of high-quality and relatively inexpensive electrical appliances, it is recommended to view the video review of the popular brands of irons Vosch Sensixx B1 and Tefal PRIMA RLUS: