Iron is considered one of the heaviest and most bulky household items. In this mini-guide, we will see how to choose the most suitable iron and make this activity as pleasant as possible.
Ironing is an activity that many women consider boring, trying to postpone it as much as possible, often unsure of the right program, and fearing that they will damage delicate clothes. This would not happen (maybe) if everyone had an iron that suited their needs.
For example:
- If the family consists of many people, an iron with a large tank is required.
- If you have wrist problems, a light model is more suitable.
- If you have many delicate items that cannot come into contact with the plate, the ideal is the vertical steam iron.
- If you have little time to dedicate to ironing and cannot continuously adjust the program to suit the fabric, you can choose a model that features self-regulating temperature and steam.
- If you iron a lot of shirts, you need an iron with an elongated tip.
As you may have guessed, no iron works for everyone, so if you intend to buy one, take the time to study the models, features, brands, and prices available on the market.
How to choose an iron: Main features
On the market, many iron models differ in terms of model and characteristics. Before purchasing one, assess the power, weight, capacity of the tank, the handle, the material the plate is composed of, the vaporization chamber, and the shape of the plate.
Let’s try to explain these features in detail :
- The tank can be internal or external. The first has a capacity ranging from 130 ml to 600 ml and must be filled only after disconnecting the power supply. The second, on the other hand, is greater than one liter, and depending on the model, it can be filled either with the plug disconnected or with the power supply connected. The plate can be made from stainless steel, Teflon, aluminum, or ceramic.
- The first two alloys are the best because they distribute heat evenly over the entire plate. The aluminum one concentrates the heat, especially at the tip. The ceramic one is less solid but very effective with more delicate garments.
- The tip of the aluminum plate, as we mentioned earlier, concentrates all the heat in that area, making it more suitable for those who iron many shirts. The steel or Teflon model, designed to fill this gap, features small holes arranged in a circle on the tip.
- Another key feature is the jet delivery power, which can be activated manually by pressing a button or automatically when the plate approaches a fabric.
- The steam power should never be less than 50 g/min.
- The handle must be ergonomic and non-slip.
- The weight of the iron must be between 1 and 2 kilos.
- The power output of iron must be between 1000 and 2000 watts; if the value is lower, the performance will be lower.
>>> Where to buy iron?
How to choose an iron: Interesting options
The presence of options depends on the cost of the appliance; the higher the price, the greater the technical characteristics.
For example, you can find:
- Vertical ironing, ie, the ability to emit vertical steam to allow you to stretch curtains and delicate items without touching them.
- The anti-drip system prevents water from spilling during ironing, thereby preventing the garment from being stained.
- The anti-scale function enables the model to self-clean and automatically expel limestone from the holes where the steam exits.
- The auto-off system enables the iron to switch off after a specified period of inactivity.
How to choose the boiler iron
Deciding whether to buy a steam engine or a boiler depends on the intended use.
Those who typically accumulate laundry over the week need a model that delivers excellent results in a short time and without wasting energy. In this case, it is advisable to use an external boiler iron, a more professional model than the traditional ones, which can give excellent ironing results on the first pass.
The advantages obtained from this model are proportional to the amount paid to purchase it. You will have a product with a separate tank that can hold up to one liter of water, offering a greater capacity to supply steam than classic models, and saving you time and energy.
The disadvantage is the price; if you decide to buy the cheapest models, you will find that they have:
- Less power.
- The tank is smaller
- Heat more slowly
- They make more noise, and they lack both the automatic switch-off feature, the anti-drip system, and the anti-scale function.
Before buying, evaluate your needs carefully, consider the price range, and identify the best-known brands.
>>> Where to buy a boiler iron?
How to choose a steam iron
The steam iron, although smaller in size than the one with an external boiler, is much heavier because the tank is integrated into the structure. This model is suitable for all those who prefer to iron their clothing daily without creating accumulations.
The advantages are :
- It has a good level of ironing, even if it needs some more passes
- It heats up faster
- Makes less noise
- It is more manageable
- Takes up less space and is easily transportable
The disadvantage is related to the fact that having a smaller tank means it has less autonomy and needs to be filled several times (naturally, by unplugging the power plug).
Depending on the price, you can find models with fewer features or those with more advanced features, such as a self-cleaning system, vertical ironing, dry ironing, continuous steam, a cork handle, an anti-drip function, a super steam button, or a ceramic plate.
>>> Where to buy a steam iron?
How to choose an iron: other models
On the market, there are also other types of appliances helpful in ironing, for example:
- The traveling iron is a small appliance with a folding handle and a tank of approximately 60 ml.
- The iron without a wire is a simple steam iron that is not powered directly by the current, but rather through a support base that is powered by the current.
- The vertical iron: a model of advanced technology that resembles a coat rack. Place the head on a crutch and use a steam dispensing gun.
- The ironing press: a practical and easy to move model; it is used on any shelf; it is quick to warm up; offers excellent quality results; just lay the garment and press.
Also, look at the ironing board
To obtain a perfectly ironed garment, it is also necessary to have an ironing board made of solid materials, with good padding, and to ensure that the iron rests on it.
In the market, four different models differ in costs and materials:
- The concealed ironing board can be camouflaged in any location; it may be a trolley with drawers to store underwear or a wardrobe with a door that hides its contents. The cost varies from $200 to $1,000.
- The wall-mounted ironing board is the ideal choice for those with limited space. It is attached to the wall, lowered as needed, and raised at the end of the workday. The cost varies from $50 to $500.
- Another option is the folding ironing board, which can be stored behind a door or in a closet. The cost ranges from $50 to $250.
- The table ironing board is compact, easy to use, and ideal for quick tasks. The cheapest is from $20 to $100.
