How to choose the right steam generator for your home?
Steam generator for home - a modern device that generates high temperature steam under pressure.
Design features allow using the device for cleaning and steaming things.
In order for the purchased steam generator to meet all the requirements of the hostess, it is necessary to decide, on the basis of the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, which device is better.
This article will show you how to choose a steam generator for your home.
Content
What are they?
Steam generators there are industrial and household... The latter are subdivided into types intended for the following purposes:
- Cleaning (in fact, steam cleaners are used for these purposes).
- Ironing clothes.
Cleaning models look like a vacuum cleaner... Such a device is equipped with a steam generator, which allows you to quickly and efficiently clean the room:
- tidy up the windows;
- clean carpets;
- clean the bathroom;
- clean the split system;
- clean glass and tiles, etc.
The garment steamer is a multifunctional device, which allows for the steaming of unfolded and suspended items. This allows you to effectively smooth even difficult-to-work items, for example, curtains on windows, jackets.
Parameters of good home appliances
A wide range of steam generators from various manufacturers allows you to choose the device according to your requirements and the nature of the work performed. Technical parameters determine how efficient the steam generator will be.
Power
Power indicator is one of the important parameters... The power depends on what types of work the steam generator can handle.
Advantages of choosing a device with low power:
- energy saving;
- high-quality steaming of products.
If a device is chosen that must cope with many tasks and heat up quickly, the power should be higher - 2 700 - 3 200 W. But for home, the limit is usually enough - up to 1,800 - 2,000 watts.
Steam supply
Steam supply is one of the most important indicators. The higher this indicator, the greater the efficiency. Depending on the model, this figure is in the range of 2-6 bar.
If you need the function of vertical steaming of clothes and curtains, then it is necessary to give preference to models that have a higher pressure. For homework, 3 bar may be sufficient.
With a constant supply of steam, the volume of the resulting jet is important. This figure is usually in the range of 80-140 g / min.
The "steam boost" function deserves special attention... It is necessary for heavily crumpled and dry things.
It can be difficult to cope with such a problem in normal ironing mode, but with a steam boost, the problem is solved quickly and easily. The indicator for this should be 90-360 g / min.
Tank volume
In household steam generators, the volume of the tank can be 0.5-2 liters. The larger the container, the more items can be steamed without adding water.
It can be more difficult to use than an instrument with a small reservoir. Small to medium sized containers are optimal for homework.
In addition to the total volume of the tank and the device itself, it is important how comfortable and ergonomic the model itself is.
With or without a boiler?
Steam generator models, depending on the speed and nature of steam formation, are divided into the following types:
With separate boiler, in which the water is heated and brought to a boil in full. Heating time - up to a quarter of an hour.- Without external boiler, with a heating element. Heats up very quickly, but the weight of the iron itself also increases.
- Two combined tanks, one of which is used to replenish the water in the working boiler, in which it is brought to a boil. A device with such an organization is distinguished by its large dimensions.
The choice is made depending on the goals. If you have to iron a small amount of things, it is recommended to choose a model with fast heating and instant steam generation. Such a device will be ready for use almost immediately after switching on.
Even though it takes time to form steam, the work will be fast and efficient. The power depends on what types of work the device can handle.
To serve one family, it is optimal to use a steam generator with fast heating.
Appliance sole
For the manufacture of steam generators, several types of sole materials are used. They have different characteristics and costs.
| Material | Characteristic | Note |
| Steel (stainless) | Durability, fast heating, reliability | Rapid cooling |
| Titanium | Strength, reliability, low thermal conductivity, due to which it takes time to heat up, high cost | Very expensive material that can only be found in premium class devices |
| Aluminum | Fast heating, low cost, lack of strength - surface can be easily damaged | Low cost and short service life |
| Teflon and glass ceramics | Durability, strength, good performance | High cost and fragility to mechanical damage |
| Ceramics | Fast heating, good cleaning, slow cooling | High cost and fragility to mechanical damage |
A steam generator is a rather expensive and serious purchase, designed for many years of use, therefore, it is undesirable to save on the quality of the sole. The leaders are ceramics and teflon.
Scale protection
Steam generation in the steam generator comes from water. Its quality plays an important role. If it does not meet the manufacturer's recommendations, it is possible:
- breakdowns;
- poor operation of the unit;
- the formation of stains on steamed surfaces and other failures.
In addition to complying with the prerequisite - pouring purified water, the function "protection against scale" will also be useful.
Such an organization usually includes rods on which scale collects and indicators that indicate that cleaning is necessary.
Periodic descaling will prolong the life of the steam generator.
Important little things
Modern steam generators are designed to operate continuously for at least 45 minutes. The time of continuous work depends on the following factors:
- the volume of the container with water;
- the ability to refill without shutting down;
- type of apparatus.
Several attachments are included with the device. Besides, for most models it is possible to purchase additional:
- for cleaning fur, suede and cashmere - a brush with natural bristles;
- to remove local stains - a steam gun;
- for handling delicate materials - Teflon nozzle, etc.
Physical parameters: weight and ergonomics
To choose a model in which all functions are present to the maximum in most situations is irrational. A steam generator that "can do everything" is not only expensive, but also large in size. It may be inconvenient to use such a thing in everyday life.
Important points:
- Selection of a model with a comfortable grip is an individual matter. The comfort of work largely depends on how convenient it is.
- Weight. It can be difficult to operate the machine while it is suspended if it is too heavy.
- Cord length. Convenient when the cord is long. This allows you to freely handle the steam generator, and not to select an additional extension cord.
- Steam hose. If it is too short, then it will be inconvenient to process the clothes - they will have to be placed almost close to the tank.
- It is advisable to choose a tapering nose of the iron, as this makes it easier to work when processing hard-to-reach places.
- Steam must be supplied to the spout. Otherwise, the whole effect of the fact that the nose has the correct tapering shape will be lost - the steam simply will not reach the goal.
Operating modes: automatic or manual adjustment
Steam generators can have the following types of steam supply:
- without the possibility of adjustment;
- with manual adjustment;
- with automatic adjustment, depending on the type of material to which the steam acts.
For household appliances intended for home use, manual adjustment is convenient, allowing you to keep the steaming process under control.
Additional functions
The functionality of the equipment can be expanded with additional features:
Dry ironing... This allows the steam generator to be used as a regular iron.- Splashing. Not all materials can be steamed; spray humidification can be used for maintenance.
- Vertical steaming... This is a useful function for smoothing curtains, suits and other garments suspended from a ram.
- Auto shutdown. This function is necessary from a security point of view. A steam generator forgotten on or left unattended switches itself off after a certain rest time.
- Anti-drip function prevents the accumulation of water and its ingress on the steamed cloth.
Purpose of acquisition
Modern technology is multifunctional. Steam generators are not always used exclusively for ironing linen.
With their help, it is possible to carry out a whole range of cleaning measures:
- disinfection;
- elimination of soap deposits;
- the fight against limescale;
- cleaning carpets;
- removing stains, etc.
Depending on the purpose for which the equipment is selected, a model with a suitable configuration is determined.
Ironing clothes
If you only intend to iron clothes for family members, you can get by with a not too powerful device.... This will allow you not to overpay for unnecessary functions and save energy consumption.
For stubborn dirt, you should pay attention to the steam boost function, which will help not only to straighten the crumpled item, but also to clean it. Another useful feature is the ability to handle products vertically.
Carpet cleaning
It is recommended to clean the carpet with a steam generator together with a vacuum cleaner. Water and a cleaning agent are poured into the steam cleaner and pass the nozzle over the surface of the pile.
It is recommended to perform the treatment several times for better results.... After steaming, the carpet is vacuum cleaned.
Tile and bathroom cleaning
You can clean kitchen tiles and other oily surfaces using a nozzle with a special brush... In the process of processing contaminated areas, the brush is periodically moistened in a solution of water and detergent.
After passing over the surfaces with a steam generator, the residual contamination is removed with a napkin.
Washing windows and glass
Washing windows with a steam cleaner makes cleaning easy and simple. For best results, it is convenient to use a special nozzle that looks like a small nozzle. In this case, the temperature regime of steam is set at 95 ° С... Higher temperatures are not recommended as the risk of glass damage increases.
The processing is performed first from a distance of 0.3 m. Gradually, you can bring the device closer to the glass. The same attachment that is suitable for window cleaning can also be used for mirrors. It is not recommended to wash the windows with a steam cleaner during the cold season, as this creates a significant temperature difference that the glass may not withstand.
Split system care
The air conditioner is cleaned with a sufficiently powerful high pressure steam generator to clean the internal structure. Such cleaning allows you to cope not only with dust, but also to remove germs.
Top manufacturers: brands and prices
Well-known companies that are in the top sales have a fairly high cost, but at the same time they guarantee a decent quality of their products.
Top manufacturers:
- Tefal.
- Phillips.
- Braun.
- Bosh.
Steam generators, which are designed only for garment care, are generally cheaper than their versatile counterparts, which allow for serious cleaning of the entire house.
The cost of the first category of goods of famous brands is several thousand rubles... Steam generators, which are designed to care for the entire apartment, are more expensive - from 16,000 rubles.
In the line of each brand there are both simple models and serious ones: with high power. Self-respecting manufacturers try not to use low-quality materials, which, although they are cheaper, are inferior in quality and can undermine the credibility of the entire brand.
The more powerful and versatile the device is, the higher its price will be.
Conclusion
The choice of the best steam generator for the home is dictated by the purposes for which it is selected. Wherein it is important that the manufacturer is trustworthy and the device itself is serviced.
There is no ideal steam generator suitable for everyone and everyone - there should be an individual approach when choosing.
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