A couple of steam on a single station

The steam station is a device consisting of an iron and a steam generator, which is a stand for the iron.

And the best thing is that the steam is pressurized up to 5 bars, which changes the process of ironing drastically. Practically we are faced with professional appliances, adapted for domestic use.

Let’s try to find out what steam stations are and what “kinship” they have with ordinary irons.

BOILER + IRON KILLED THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

The idea is ingeniously simple: remove the water tank from the iron. That’s three birds with one stone: you get more water in a separate boiler, the steam is more powerful, and the iron is much lighter.

The system works very simply. This boiler is filled with plain water, where it is brought to the state of steam, which is fed through a special hose to the iron soleplate and takes part in the ironing process. The second part of the system, the iron, can be equipped with various technical innovations and an “interesting” soleplate with a special coating.

PLENTY OF STEAM

The first thing you look for in a steam station is the boiler capacity. Of the current devices, the most compact water tank in Ariete 6387/7 Stiromatic – it is only 550 ml. And the Lelit PG 027 has the biggest capacity of 3.7 litres.

The most popular boiler capacity of steam stations sold in America ranges from 800 ml to 1.2 l. This is common to about 40 of the 60-odd items in the stores.

By comparison, you can pour 200-400 ml of water into the iron. And the volume equal to two cups, t. e. 400 ml, is not common – for example, in the models Bosch TDA7680, Braun Braun TexStyle 740/SI18720, De’Longhi FXN 24. We can fill an average iron with about a cup and a half of water, and that means we get the same amount of steam.

TIME TO DEVELOP

But the steam station’s large boiler capacity is a little alarming: how long does it take before the appliance can get down to combating crumpled clothes and laundry?? It takes about a minute for the steam iron to do that. The steam station is ready to go in 2-6 minutes.! This speed is due to the fact that the boiler does not heat all the water at once, but takes it in small portions, which takes only a few minutes to heat up. The portion size is determined by the amount of water needed to ensure a constant supply of steam.

A COUPLE OF THEM IRON THREE TIMES AS FAST

The quality and speed of ironing depend largely on the intensity of steam. In steam stations, the steam rate is really impressive.

Judge for yourself: the minimum steam rate in the weakest steam stations is 70gr/min. That’s twice the average steam rate of today’s irons! and the average speed is 110 g/min.

What it makes? Here’s what the visitors of Internet forums say about it:

– “Steam 110 very good, allows you to iron 8 layers of linens.”

– “A huge plus is the speed of ironing compared to classic irons . It irons at least three times faster.”

– “The quality of ironing is something that used to take a long time

Ironing on the fabric, now it is easy to iron in one touch.”

IF THE STEAM IS PRESSURIZED, IT’S A BEAST, NOT AN IRON

Another great thing about steam stations is that they deliver steam at 3 to 5 bars pressure.

The higher the pressure, the more steam is applied inside the fibers of the fabric, the less movement is needed, the faster the desired effect is achieved.

Now to specific figures: the weakest steam supply among the models presented in America, at semiprofessional Lelit PS 09/D – it is 2,5 bar. There are very few appliances with this pressure.

The most popular niche – models with pressure from 4 to 5 bars, and the market leaders offer a certain choice of devices for 4, 4,5 and 5 bars.

The steam’s thick steam flow makes it possible to iron fabrics much faster, getting rid of the most stubborn creases. It efficiently ironed several layers of folded tablecloths, duvet covers and towels.

This is the opinion of visitors to Internet forums as well:

– “Excellent ironing, especially for linens in multiple folds.”

– I will say one thing: a beast, not an iron!!! I ironed a bunch of baby clothes in 10 minutes. I just folded a diaper 4-6 times and ironed one side… So, it’s a blast!”

– You can’t compare it to an ordinary iron… The iron saves time and it’s easier and more enjoyable to iron.”

– “5 bar – it’s space : “

– “Incomparable thing, t. e. It can’t be compared to an ordinary iron: it irons faster and of higher quality. Linens are ironed in less than 5 minutes, and children’s clothes – in 10 seconds! The appliance is super!”

– …You fold the linen 6-8 times, iron it with steam on one side and it’s ironed! From all angles! And that’s even linen. Ironing time is reduced by leaps and bounds. For smaller items – say, men’s shirts – it takes less time and no effort to iron properly.”

VERTICAL STEAM IRONING AT A DISTANCE

Vertical steaming is not only a popular mode nowadays, it is one of the factors of comfort and speed when taking care of things: no need to get used to how to tidy up a jacket with a complicated cut or an expensive wool jacket, everything is done on the weight, right on the shoulders.

Vertical steam must be strong enough, otherwise you will not achieve the desired effect. Pressurized steam produces dense jets that retain their ability to smooth fabric vertically. The steam can be used at a distance from the garment without the iron’s hot soleplate touching it.

Vertical steaming in steam irons is usually declared in the instructions, but is poorly implemented, the steaming quality is low, because the steam jets disperse faster. Steam stations in these cases successfully cope with the task.

Steam not only smooths, it actually allows you to refresh coats, raincoats, curtains, remove stains from sofas and carpets in a home “dry cleaning” environment.

SO MUCH STEAM THAT CRUMPLED LAUNDRY IS NOT ENOUGH

Having determined with the capacity and power, we may well, remembering school lessons, calculate the time, or rather the duration of operation of the device on one portion of water.

Refilling the station as well as the iron in the process of ironing is possible, but not with all models. But even if it is allowed, you should agree that this is an unnecessary hassle, and it is because of their presence or absence that the concept of comfortable use of technology is formed.

Let’s calculate.

Iron: we take the average tank capacity of 300 ml remember that 1 liter of water is 1000 g and the average steam rate of 35 g/min., with it, we use up the water in less than 10 minutes about 9 to be exact .

Stations: average water volume 1 liter, average steam speed 110 g/min., we get 9 minutes, the same figures seem to be..

But only at first glance the difference with irons is not great. Let’s remember what kind of intense steam we are dealing with! You do not have to spend more than 5-6 minutes on ironing.

Also, most of us will not use maximum constant steam as often, choosing a low to medium force feed. And, therefore, the water will be used much slower.

To confirm this thought, here are statements collected on internet forums:

– “A tank of water 800 ml at steam power 2 out of 6 is enough for about 8 sq. m of straight laundry.”

– “…The tank was enough for 1 set of linens, 3 shirts and a couple of shirts.”

– “…The water tank is still a little small, but it is small if you need to iron 50 things in t. ch. duvet covers, sheets, etc. d. , and for a standard ironing the water is quite enough for the eyes.”

NOKAUT STEAM

The station, while giving a powerful constant steam, is able to temporarily increase its emission, i.e. the steam blow function also applies. One of the highest values – in steam stations

Philips GC 9140 and GC 8560: 200 gpm. Some models have no steam blow function at all. Apparently, this is due to the fact that there is simply no need for it. This is the way, for example, Bosch and Siemens engineers. Some De’Longhi, Taurus, Ariete models lack this function.

By the way, irons, too, are constantly moving forward to the “steam top”. Their steam stroke is getting more and more intensive: for example, in Bosch TDA 7677 it reaches 180 g/min.

SET UP AN IRONING TABLE

A little fly in the ointment: ironing with a steam station looks more cumbersome. Indeed, the device is larger and weighs not one and a half kilograms like an iron, but four or five, or even six and a half! This refers to the weight of the whole station, the iron itself, on the contrary, is lighter than its steam analogue, for it does not have a reservoir of water. Understandably, it’s not very convenient to carry a steam station back and forth around the house.

Besides, the size of an iron implies a certain attachment to a place, i.e. e. If you have a possibility, it is optimal to equip the special corner for ironing. Of course you can’t iron a blouse or a skirt right on the bed before work.

The appliance must be mounted securely on a special ironing board. The wooden one will not be suitable for this purpose: from the steam procedures it will get wet and will quickly deteriorate.

That’s why you need a board with a lattice base cost from 500 Dollars . on legs to prevent condensation or all-metal from 2000 Dollars. .

In addition, you can buy a special active board with a blower system from 7000 Dollars . , which itself is part of ironing and takes a direct part in it.

EASY IRONING

In general, the system is heavier than a steam iron, but its own iron is lighter, because it does not have a device for steam and water.

All the work is done by the hot steam, so the iron itself can be so light. My hands don’t get tired while ironing, which is another plus for using the ironing system.

HOW MUCH MONEY DOES IT TAKE TO BE HAPPY?

With all the advantages of steam systems, the most critical factor in your choice is always the price. The most affordable systems cost from 2 to 5 thousand. Dollars. It is comparable to the price of the most advanced irons, which is in the range of 3-5 thousand. Dollars.

The average price for a steam station is 6-12 thousand. Dollars. The most expensive devices cost over 20 thousand. Dollars. for example, Philips GC 9140 – 20 thous. Dollars., Bork IS NVP 1321 BK – 25 thousand Dollars. Dollars. .

Is it worth spending so much money on the station – you decide. We will give reviews of those who have already done it:

– “Ironing is a pleasure now, and before it was a punishment. I can’t compare it to a regular iron! I’ve been using it for a month now and I’m very happy!!!”

– “The time spent on ironing has decreased by a factor of three or four! This thing can do it all. I ironed suits – both pants and jacket – no gloss. We even tried winter coats – perfect! You do not have to refill water all the time. The iron itself is light, so my hand does not get tired.”

– “Total euphoria “

– “It irons better and faster than simple irons, even the top-of-the-line ones.”

Model	Volume of boiler, l	Constant steam supply, g/min.	Steam blow	Steam pressure, bar	Weight of the station/uting unit, kg	Operating time max steam min.	Ready, min.	Price, Dollars.
Gorenje SIT 2400 SG	0,8	n. d.	n. d.	3,5	n. d.	n. d.	n. d.	2500
Sinbo SSI-2852	0,8	n. d.	n. d.	3	n. d.	n. d.	n. d.	3 000
Clatronic DBS 3162	1	40	n. d.	3	n. d.	15	n. d.	3200
De’Longhi VVX 380	1	80	80	3,5	4,4	12	n. d.	4100
Philips GC 6420	0,8	90	n. d.	4	5,25/1,2	9	6	4500
Moulinex GM 5010	1	90	n. d.	4	n. d.	11	n. d.	4600
De’Longhi VVX 1460	0,85	90	n. d.	4	3,9	9	n. d.	4800
Daewoo DI-9214	1	90	n. d.	n. d.	n. d.	11	n. d.	5200
De’ Longhi VVX815	0,6	90	90	4	4,3	7	2	5200
Philips GC 6440	0,8	100	100	4	5,25/1,2	8	6	5300
Braun SI 9200	1	75	75	3,5	n. d.	13	n. d.	5400
Tefal GV 5240	1	90	90	4,5	n. d.	11	8	5500
Bosch TDS 2510	0,8	100	100	4,5	5,7	8	2	5500
Bosch TDS 2515	0,8	110	110	5	5,7	7	2	6200
Ariete 6256 Stiromatic 2400	1,2	n. d.	n. d.	3	3,7	n. d.	n. d.	6500
Gorenje SGT 2400 EAL	1,1	90	90	4	n. d.	12	n. d.	6500
Ariete 6401	1	120	120	4	n. d.	8	n. d.	7000
Bosch TDS 3530	1,4	130	130	5	n. d.	11	2	7300
Philips GC 8350	1,4	120	200	5	6,06/1,2	12	2	7300
Taurus Bravissimo Complete Pro	1	70	n. d.	3,5	n. d.	14	n. d.	7800
Ariete 4397/6 Stiromatic No Stop V7	0,8	120	n. d.	4,5	4,35	7	n. d.	8000
Tefal GV7250	1,4	120	n. d.	4,5	n. d.	12	2	8500
Kenwood IC800	0,8	140	n. d.	4	n. d.	6	2,5	8600
De Longhi VVX1870GAT	0,7	130	180	5	5,5	5	2	9300
Euroflex IS 45 HS	1,2	n. d.	n. d.	3,5	n. d.	n. d.	n. d.	9800
Ariete 6279/6 Stiromatic 2700 Deluxe	1,2	80	80	3	3,31	15	n. d.	10 000
Philips GC 7430	1,6	120	150	4,5	6,1/1,2	13	2	10 300
Tefal GV 8330	1,8	110	n. d.	5	n. d.	16	2	10 300
Eurometalnova Vapor 2600	1,5	80	n. d.	3	5,7	19	n. d.	11 000
Eurometalnova Vapor 2800	1,2	70	70	3	5,2	17	n. d.	11 000
De’Longhi VVX 2200	1,1	130	150	5	5,8	9	2	11 500
Polti Comfort	2	85	85	4	5,4	24	n. d.	16 200
Lelit PS 09/D	2	n. d.	n. d.	2,5	8,2	n. d.	n. d.	17 000
Bork IS NVP 1321 BK	1,2	85	n. d.	4	7,4	14	n. d.	25 000