A steamer is a device for treating fabric with steam with a certain pressure and temperature. This effect is no different from the operation of a steam iron or a steam generator, it gives exactly the same effect: the wrinkles are smoothed out, and additional disinfection of the fabric after washing takes place.
In principle, all modern irons generate steam, but the steamer does this more efficiently. But there is another difference: the absence of a heating surface in it. Now, even with inept use, there is no way to spoil a beautiful thing or decor element due to prolonged exposure to high temperature. It also makes ironing safer for humans.
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Work principles
Most of the steamers on the market consist of a floor-mounted steam generator, completely put into a plastic case, a hose, often metal and perforated, and a nozzle, which is called an iron or a steamer.
The housing, which resembles a vacuum cleaner in configuration, contains most of the parts of the device: a container of water, a pump or pump, and a heating element. It generates steam, which is transmitted through a sealed hose to the steamer. The important point is that many irons have a small additional heater, it heats the steam to get rid of condensate.
The iron is not the only nozzle; additional accessories are often supplied in the kit, allowing steam processing of various surfaces in the house. Using a special brush allows you to steam the floor, which is an ideal disinfection option if there is a small child in the house.
For convenient work with clothes, a vertical rack-hanger is provided. It greatly speeds up ironing and makes it more comfortable. At the same time, the hanger is most often telescopic, which allows you to adjust it to the user's height. In expensive models, it is combined with an ironing board.
What to look for when buying?
For long-term operation and a good visual state of things, the following characteristics of the steamer are important:
- Steam pressure. The greater the pressure the generator provides, the more dense fabrics can be processed.
- Performance is a characteristic of steam speed and quality. The larger it is, the faster the process.
- Steam boost. Some manufacturers provide their products with the possibility of a sharp and short-term increase in the amount of steam supplied for processing. This allows you to cope with even the most complex and large folds.
- Power regulation. Starting from medium-level models, steamers are equipped with a steam supply mode regulator for processing various types of fabrics. This allows you to optimize the process of working with delicate and rude things, save energy.
- Capacity for water. The capacious capacity will ensure long-term operation without stopping, since not all models provide water recharge during operation.
The positive and negative aspects of working with the steamer
Pros and cons are related to the specifics of the device operation process: the lack of contact of hot surfaces with the fabric of the thing and the high speed of steam exposure to the material.
Usually the following advantages are distinguished:
- the speed and comfort of vertical ironing, because you do not have to use a board. Often there is no need to remove clothes from hangers or curtains from the cornice for processing. It is very convenient to handle large volumes of work;
- the ability to work with complex elements and cuts that can be damaged by a conventional iron.Decorative elements, rhinestones usually do not withstand even a fleeting touch with the sole of the iron, so in order to process things with such elements in a high-quality, it is better to use a steamer;
- long time of continuous work in comparison with the steam iron, thanks to the large volume of the water tank;
- the versatility of the device or the ability to use the steam it produces as a means to clean many items in the house.
Cons are a little removable:
- cost. Cheap models, unfortunately, are not so reliable. A good steam iron costs less;
- nevertheless, the steam power is not so great as to successfully smooth out cuffs, collars or very badly wrinkled things. For example, after a washing machine it is better to use an iron.
What should be considered when working with a steamer?
From the foregoing, it can be concluded that iron works better with strong folds on thick clothes, but the steamer allows you to refresh things hanging in the closet for a long time or to cope with a large amount of slightly wrinkled things.
Since the advent of structures that evaporate water, their manufacturers have been fighting an uncompromising fight against scum. In the case of all household generators, the scale gradually clogs the steam paths, causing a gradual decrease in the power of the device, and then its failure. Steamers were no exception, so you should pay special attention to water filtration, in the case of frequent and prolonged operation of the device, it is worth using distilled water. Many companies try to use constructive tricks for self-cleaning from scale or special traps that are easy to clean.
After steaming, especially heavy fabrics that require a long exposure to a steam jet, things will be somewhat wet, so do not hang them immediately in the closet.
The specifics of the work of the floor steamer, despite the thermal insulation, necessitates the protection of hands. Usually, a special mitten is included, as the steam heats up the hose and the nozzle very much.
Well-known steamer brands
The leaders in the production of household steam generators are well-known manufacturers of household appliances: Philips, Roventa, Tefal. Competitors try to offer their models cheaper, but you should always remember the reliability of components. Too cheap steam generators with a steamer tend to fail quickly.
Consider several models popular in the market:
Philips GC536 / 35
Approximate price: 17,000 rubles.
It provides steam at a level of 40 g / min with a heater power of 2000 watts. A 1.2-liter tank allows you to work without interruption for more than half an hour. Good steam parameters and the absence of condensation leave the fabric as dry as possible. Somewhat inconvenient feed adjustment located on the tank.
Tefal IS8380E1
Price: 9400 rubles.
With its power of 1700 watts, the device of the famous French brand has a good steam capacity of 35 g / min. In addition to this, a capacious 1.7 liter water tank and a set of additional brushes allow steam cleaning of both clothes and other surfaces in the house.
Rowenta IS 6300 D1
Cost: 7400 rubles.
1550 W of power, despite the reduced parameters, only 30 g / min, allows you to perfectly perform steam cleaning of clothes and other things. This steamer does not develop sufficient steam power to handle serious creases, so it should be considered as a steam cleaner.
Steam devices are gradually replacing the usual irons, despite even their slightly higher cost. The advantages of such devices definitely do not go unnoticed by their users. Try it and you will appreciate all the advantages of floor-mounted steam generators. There is no doubt, buying a good steamer will not make anyone disappoint.
