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How to Choose an Iron / Best Iron to Buy 2023
Today we will discuss the most important aspects for How to choose an iron, let’s take a look
Hold in your hands
An iron is a household appliance that you have to keep in your hand all the time it is working. Therefore, it is important that you feel comfortable, easy and pleasant to “communicate” with him. Even if you choose it on the Internet, do not be lazy, go to a hardware store, hold it and see how comfortable you are.
Weigh
Some housewives like it when the iron is heavy enough. Apparently, this has gone back to the time when the large weight of the device helped to smooth fabrics faster and better. Now weight is not an important characteristic, and many manufacturers do not even indicate it in the main technical data. But still, look at the weight, because the iron is always in your hands, if it is very hard or unusually light, then ironing will be uncomfortable.
Irons with ceramic or aluminum soles weigh a little, some even less than one kilogram. High-quality irons with stainless steel soles weigh about one and a half kilograms, less often about two. Keep in mind that when you fill the tank with water, the iron will become slightly heavier.
Check out the power of steam
Steam is as important a part of ironing as a hot sole. Therefore, the more steam the iron produces, the easier and faster men’s shirts, voluminous duvet covers, and light dresses with flounces will be ironed.
We look at the power of steam supply. The higher it is, the better!
Steam output or continuous steam output is how much steam per minute comes out of the holes on the soleplate of the iron. In this case, you do not need to additionally press any buttons. Just move the iron over the fabric, and the steam comes out and smoothes out the wrinkles.
This indicator affects the cost: the more steam, the more expensive the iron. On the most equipped models, continuous steam output can reach 75 g/min. Average indicators – 35-50 g / min. But even at 40 g/min, you will have to press the steam boost button frequently to iron the fabric faster.
Check the steam boost
Every steam iron has a steam boost function. Press the button, and steam falls on the fold of the fabric in a powerful cloud, and the hot sole smoothes it out effortlessly.
The stronger the steam boost, the easier it is to remove creases.
Average indicators: 160g–200g. If the value is below 150g, then it can hardly be called a steam boost, just increased steam supply. It, of course, will help to smooth the fabric, but the strongest creases will have to be ironed several times.
Estimate the frequency of use of vertical steam
This function allows you to iron clothes hanging on hangers. But in fact, only expensive irons with a steam boost of about 200 g / min can cope with this task. If this type of ironing is important to you, then it is better to buy a vertical steamer.
Check the volume of the water tank
If the iron has a large steam supply and a small water tank, then ironing will turn into a torment, because you have to add water every ten minutes. Manufacturers also understand this, so they increase the volume of the tank as much as they can. Largest tank: 350-400 ml.
Average volume: 250–300 ml.
You can take a model with a smaller tank volume if it has a small supply of steam or you prefer to iron without it at all.
Find out if there is descaling
If you want your iron to last longer, choose a model with a descaling function. Such a system is found in most devices. The main thing is to use it. Many simply forget to pull out and rinse the container or a special rod in which limescale accumulates.
If there is no such function, then only distilled water can be used.
In addition, it is necessary to carry out self-cleaning of the iron so that when ironing, pieces of scale do not get on expensive clothes. Expensive models have a separate button for this. You need to heat the iron with a full tank of water, place it over the sink and press the clean button. Water with scale pieces will pour out of the holes.
If there is no button and self-cleaning function, then you need to set the maximum heating and turn on the steam boost several times over the sink so that all scale particles come out with water and steam.
Only some of the most expensive models have an indication of the need to clean, with most irons you need to follow this yourself.
See if there is an anti-drop function and how it works
The anti-drip function allows you to iron at low temperatures, at which water does not turn into steam, without the appearance of water droplets on clothes. Drops can stain silk and leave marks, which is why it is so important that the iron does not “cry”.
The main problem is that the “anti-drop” is declared for almost all models, and only works for some. And it’s almost impossible to check this before buying, you can get truthful information only by studying the feedback from the owners or looking at independent tests. Therefore, after buying, check on a simple cloth how the iron behaves when ironing at low temperatures, and if it “drops tears”, then do not be lazy and drain all the water from the tank before ironing delicate fabrics.
You can, of course, try to return the iron to the store if 14 days have not passed since the purchase, referring to Article 18 of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”. After all, the buyer has the right to return the goods if he has a defect that the seller did not warn about. But it will be difficult to prove that a couple of drops spilled during ironing are sufficient grounds for the return of equipment. If you had such an experience, tell us in the comments, it’s interesting.
Check if there is an auto-off
If you suffer from forgetfulness or increased anxiety, then pay attention to devices with an auto-off function. They usually turn off on their own if they lie still for more than 30 seconds or stand still for more than 8 minutes. This feature is available for both expensive and cheap models.
There is one more opportunity to control the operation of the device: some models can be controlled from a smartphone through the application. So the problem with the iron not turned off remains in the past.
Look at the cord
Two points need to be checked: the length of the cord and the method of fastening.
The maximum length of power cords for irons is 3 meters.
Often there are models with cords 2.5 m long. An iron with a shorter cord is worth buying only if your ironing board is equipped with a power connection.
The way the cord is attached to the case is very important. The cord must rotate freely 360 °, only in this case it will not fray during operation.
Check out the warranty period
Many models have a 2-year warranty. Some have one. Agree, two is more than one. Therefore, choose equipment with a longer warranty period. But keep in mind that some breakdowns, such as those associated with the fact that you did not perform descaling, may not be covered under warranty.