When it comes time to purchase new appliances, the question often arises of how to choose an iron for home use. The ironing device has long ceased to be a luxury item: it is used in almost every home. This appliance greatly facilitates the ironing process, but its service life is not eternal.
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How to choose an iron for home?
Lack of knowledge about what irons are, can confuse a potential buyer. Not always for a simple housewife, the most expensive copy offered by the seller in the store will be the best option. The best iron is not only reliable, but also functional. Before choosing an iron, it is advisable to compare not only the price, but also the technical characteristics of the models of modern ironing systems you like.
Depending on the characteristics, the following types of devices are distinguished:
- Classical, having little demand due to the lack of a steam generator and a water spray mechanism in them.
- With steam generator and sprinkler.
- Steam, allowing you to iron even overdried linen and clothes in an upright position. This is due to the steam released under high pressure.
Technical specifications
If you listen to the recommendations, you can choose an iron, spending a minimum of time and nerves. The modern market offers many models that differ from each other in materials, power, the possibility of steaming and other functions.
Before deciding which iron is better to choose, pay attention to the important technical characteristics of the device.
Sole
As for the design of household appliances, you should not chase after models of irons that are very popular. The quality of ironing primarily depends on the soleplate of the iron. The platform is selected according to the following categories:
- the form;
- material of manufacture;
- number of holes.
sole material
To determine which are the best irons, it is worth considering the material of their soles, taking into account thermal conductivity, durability and reliability.
Depending on the material of manufacture, working surfaces of the following types are distinguished:
- Aluminum outsole. This material belongs to the budget category due to its consumer properties. Such a platform heats up quickly and cools down quickly, this metal is highly susceptible to deformation. With prolonged use, aluminum becomes vulnerable to scratches, which can damage delicate fabric. The advantages of this coating are very light weight and low price.
- Stainless steel platforms are also budget options: the material heats up and cools down for a long time, and it also has a considerable weight.The positive characteristics of stainless steel include scratch resistance and ease of cleaning.
- Ceramic coatings, which have a considerable cost, easily glide over clothing and are easy to clean. During operation, the ceramic surface, which has good thermal conductivity, is practically not scratched. However, this material is very fragile: at the slightest impact, cracks can appear on the platform.
- Teflon devices do not burn through things, they easily slide over clothes. The main disadvantage of Teflon is that it is easy to scratch it not only with zippers or buttons, but also with abrasive substances.
- Titanium soles are applied to the steel surface. They provide easy sliding and have good durability. High cost and long cooling are the main negative points when choosing this material.
Sole shape
When choosing a sole, 2 points are important: the shape of the spout and the surface area.
The sharper the nose, the easier it is to iron the collars and the spaces between the buttons.
Pay attention to the total area of the device. Small irons, although maneuverable, will take a lot of time to iron with such an iron. Irons with a large work surface will quickly iron things, but will not cope with small details.
Which option you choose is a personal matter, but it is better to settle on something in between.
Power
As for the power of the device, this is one of the important technical indicators. The more power, the faster the device heats up. But here you also need to understand that such ironing equipment will consume more electricity.
The power of an iron is measured in watts. When choosing a high-powered iron, the quality of the electrical wiring must be taken into account.
Modern irons for home use have the power of:
- Up to 1.5 kW. This is a travel option that is suitable for ironing a small amount of thin things.
- From 1.6 to 2.2 kW. If we choose an iron for a small family with a good price-quality ratio, then this option will be optimal.
- More than 2.2 kW. The powerful sole of such a device even irons overdried things made of natural or dense materials.
The weight
The weight of the appliance depends on the material of the platform and ranges from 0.5 to 11 kg. When choosing a model, take into account the weight parameters of the iron, depending on the physical capabilities, because due to the use of a heavy ironing system, the hands will quickly get tired. Modern models of ironing devices are produced with a light weight, which makes them more manoeuvrable.
Anti-drip system
If ironing does not require high temperature, the presence of an anti-drip system will be useful. It will prevent water from pouring out of the steam holes.
Self cleaning
The presence of a self-cleaning system extends the operational life of the device. With this system, you can easily get rid of scale, without putting much effort.
Cord
The maneuverability of the device depends on the length of the cord. It is better to opt for a length of 1.5-2.5 m. The cord with ball fastening rotates 360 ° and prevents twisting. There are models that work without being connected to the network: the process of heating them is similar to heating an electric kettle. If you remove the iron from the stand, it will stop heating.
Additional functions
Other criteria for choosing an iron include:
- Instrument handle. Before buying, take the product in your hand to make sure that the handle is comfortable.
- Steam supply. This function simplifies the ironing process without leaving wet spots on clothes. Also, during the release of steam, the water tank is cleaned of dirt and scale.
- Automatic shutdown is another equally important feature that ensures the safety of the device. When the iron is not used for a long time, it automatically turns off.
Manufacturer
Having decided which set of functions the future ironing machine should have, it is worth paying attention to trademarks. On the market there are irons of popular companies that have been producing their products for more than a year. In order for the buyer to be satisfied with his purchase, manufacturers strive to improve the technical characteristics of goods every year. The best irons are presented by such manufacturers:
- Philips;
- Tefal;
- Bosch;
- Brown.
These are the best firms for today, causing the greatest demand among buyers. If we consider budget options, then we can stop at VITEK and Scarlett.
The best irons for the home in terms of quality and reliability
When compiling the ratings of the best irons, the following parameters were taken into account:
- price;
- technical characteristics and availability of additional functions;
- ease of use;
- customer reviews and expert opinions.
The following models topped the rating of irons for home use:
- Philips GC 4924 iron became the sales leader. Characteristics of this model:
- OptimalTemp technology allows you to automatically adjust the temperature and power of the supplied steam;
- Scratch resistance and maneuverability are ensured by the presence of T-ionicGlide technology;
- the narrowed nose of the iron copes with ironing the zone with buttons;
- automatic shutdown function prevents fire;
- self-cleaning, anti-drip system and vertical steaming are additional features of this popular model;
- the presence of a large water tank (volume 270 ml).
- The Braun TexStyle TS785STP is ideal for ironing delicate fabrics. The Textile Protector and Soft Textile Protector caps prevent unwanted sheen on black materials. Smooth glide through the fabric thanks to the Sapphire platform, which is 4 times stronger and more durable than stainless steel. The iron is equipped with a large water tank (400 ml), overheating protection, anti-drip system, vertical steam and auto-off function.
- The Bosch TDA 2325 ceramic-metal iron met the expectations of customers due to its good price-quality ratio. The main positive characteristics of this model:
- Palladium-glissée technology allows you to easily glide the device without leaving a gloss on clothes;
- You can clean the device in 2 ways: through the platform - Self clean or using the calc'n clean rod;
- extension of the service life is carried out due to the 2 Anti Calc function, which makes tap water not so hard;
- the presence of the function of vertical steaming.
- The powerful device of the French manufacturer Tefal FV 3930 is very popular due to its functionality. This model has:
- Ultragliss Durilium ceramic-metal soleplate for comfortable, non-stick ironing
- the possibility of vertical steaming;
- anti-scale technology Anti Scale System with self-cleaning;
- power cord with 360° flexible swivel.
- Among the cordless models, the Philips GC 2088 iron took the leading position.The high power of the device (2400 W) allows you to heat it up to the desired temperature in just 6 seconds. An intelligent indicator light informs you about the status of the iron, and a lock on the base prevents accidental drops. Lightweight and comfortable, the device has a ceramic soleplate that smoothes things quickly and easily.
By comparing several models on the market, you can choose the right iron for your home, taking into account any budget.
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