In recent years, steam cleaners have become increasingly popular, helping to cope with the ironing of a variety of fabrics and materials, and for convenience, an ironing board for a steam generator is often bought. How such a system differs from a conventional ironing board covered with fabric, why a steam cleaner needs it, and which models can be called the most successful in recent years, we will understand in more detail today.
How does this system work?
Steam cleaners were invented to make room cleaning and ironing faster, more convenient and more efficient. Some housewives buy steam generators that are responsible for both functions, but in our article we analyze systems designed exclusively for ironing. In addition to individual steam cleaners, special ironing systems can be found on the market where the board is not a familiar working surface for the iron, but also functions to perform useful functions. By default, such a model should have two functions:
- Airing or blowing.
This mode allows you to iron thin and delicate fabrics, men's shirts, blouses and other more demanding fabrics by creating a protective air shell. The gentle ironing mode best helps delicate items to get rid of creases and bruises. It can also refresh your outerwear.
- Steam absorption.
The mode is necessary for soaking the fabric with moist air, in order to better smooth complex sliding or thick fabrics, for example, trouser arrows. Excess moisture is removed by a fan in a special compartment, without remaining on clothing and the board.
The ironing system itself with an integrated steam generator looks like a folding frame and countertop. Standard additions to the main structure include a clothes shelf, a separate bracket for hangers, a special nozzle for ironing sleeves and a stand for steam ironing.
Much less often such boards are made not active, but classic - without any additional modes. But even in this case, the model is better for a steam generator, because its coating involves the rapid evaporation of excess moisture and easy glide of the iron.
How to choose the right ironing board for the steam generator?
When buying a model of an iron board with a steam generator, you must clearly understand what opportunities you expect from it, so as not to overpay for too much. It is best to focus on the active system, which allows you to work with products of complex cuts, delicate materials, synthetics or large fabrics. When choosing, pay particular attention to the following characteristics:
- Weight
A variety of models allows you to choose a weight of five to twenty kilograms, but preference should be given to more mobile designs. The best option is 8-12 pounds.
- Dimensions
Obviously, the system you bought should fit comfortably in the room, without interfering in everyday life.
- Height
This characteristic is important because some housewives cannot afford to iron while standing, or different family members are involved in this process. That is why manufacturers create a model with adjustable height. By the way, step adjustment, although less convenient, is more durable.
- Dimensions and shape of the work surface
Here, boards with a wide countertop will have an advantage, because this will greatly simplify the ironing process.By the way, the pointed edge will allow you to put on garments.
- Strength and stability
In many respects, the reliability of the model depends on the materials of the frame, and it is worth choosing steel or special durable plastic. Be sure to check the stability of the structure: the larger the area of the supports, the better the board will be stable, especially if the legs extend beyond the area of the countertop. A nice addition will be rubber or corrugated knobs on supports, because they will not allow to slip.
- Power cord length
An active ironing board for an ironing-steam generator works from a normal power supply, and only a long cord will allow you to position the model normally in the room, regardless of the location of the outlet in the room.
Be sure to read the instructions for the chosen model to understand how its functions work. Remember that working with any mechanized device can be dangerous, so follow the rules described in the instructions, and in case of questions, contact a service center.
Rating of 10 best models
To make the ironing process more convenient and faster, you can only use a high-quality ironing board for a steam generator, so we specially made a rating of the best models in recent years. This top was compiled based on the characteristics of each model, its cost, as well as customer reviews.
Philips GC240 / 25
This model is easy to use when ironing, because it boasts not only a wide working surface of 120 × 45 cm, but also a special ShoulderWing system, which is necessary for ironing hard-to-reach areas of various shirts or skirts. The whole structure is stable and safe to use, there is even a lock lock, which allows the use of the board even for children. In addition to the hanger and the power cord holder, you may also enjoy a three-layer cover made of cotton, felt and foam for effective gliding. By the way, the stand for the steam generator is also suitable for a standard iron. Ideal for a large family.
Nika Valencia
The domestic manufacturer pleased the housewives with the creation of an excellent ironing board, both for a standard iron and for a steam iron, because the design requires 12 layers of silicone to hold the heated device. Quite an unpleasant minus - the stand can withstand no more than 10 kilograms. Durable metal frame and foam tabletop with an area of 124 × 46 cm are good for ironing in a small apartment.
Under the working surface there is a convenient linen net that can withstand up to 4 kilograms, and the stand for the device allows you to place hangers on it. The design also provides sides for ironing complex folds, but the ribbed tips exclude the possibility of sliding even on a smooth surface of the floor. The last advantage of the model can be called the presence of 33 steps to adjust the desired height. This ironing board is perfect for your home!
BOSCH TDN 1700P
The best option in terms of multifunctionality can be called just this model from the famous brand BOSCH. She copes better than others with the perfect ironing of any product, and can only dry the washed thing with a separate heating mode. This system has standard functions of blowing and absorbing steam; its design involves seven-step height adjustment. A fairly mobile frame of 107 × 45 cm is made of durable metal and includes a separate stand for ironing and an electric extension. The only negative can be called a very high cost, but an excellent design is worth the money.
Hausmann HM-3172 Companion
Quite economical, but functional option, characterized by high reliability and build quality. Although it does not have many modes, it performs its task responsibly and without complaints. The frame is made of high-strength metal, and the cover is made of 100% cotton, which should be sufficient reason to choose this particular model from the rest of the low-budget ones.In addition, the buyer can be pleased with the pleasant dimensions (125 × 42 cm), a stand for an iron or a steam generator and a convenient bracket for the wire. Good value for money.
Ironing System Mangano M9910
A fairly large ironing system, which has impressive dimensions even when folded, remotely resembling a small nightstand on wheels. The working surface of the model is approximately 130x40 cm, which is really enough even for bulky products, but there will not be too much. This board boasts automatic folding of one or two wings, touch control and a non-stick sole ironing.
Particularly pleasant advantages are the large volume of the 2.4-liter tank, the rather powerful steam supply under pressure of 120 g / min and the possibility of changing the height of the countertop from 70 to 100 centimeters. Of course, one cannot but rejoice at the presence of the main modes of the active board and additional functions, for example, descaling, adding water to a working device and automatic shutdown. It is worth adding that the size of such a system is about 22 kilograms, and its cost is as high as how massive the design is.
MIE Completto XL Non-Stop Plus
Another massive board already 128x44 cm in size, weighing 26 kilograms and powerful steam with a pressure of 5.5 bar, capable of smoothing even the most dense materials, well consolidated its position in the ranking. Although the model has a clear flaw in the small capacity of the water supply tank (total liter), the multiple pluses raise its rating. The complete set of the system includes the working surface itself, a steam generator, a manual steam iron, a platform for ironing sleeves, a rack for hangers, a mitt for protection and a linen net directly under the tabletop.
The advantages of this model include an electric lift and a simplified folding mechanism, in addition, it has a retractable remote control for setting modes. The steam generator, by the way, is not located on a separate stand, which is a continuation of the countertop, but on the leg of the board, which allows you not to take up too much space. Water is poured into the tank even when the device is turned on, and the residues are poured into a separate tank. Naturally, such a grandiose system costs at least 50 thousand, which can be an unbearable luxury for many.
Prima system
Just an exemplary representative of active ironing boards on the market, made in high-quality chrome-plated frame and chain-top. It is this design, treated with a special coating - cataphoresis, that allows this model to be the most durable among the others. In addition, it is quite wide - 120x45 cm, has wheels for better mobility, as well as an “air cushion” mode. The undoubted disadvantages are not only the large weight of 16 kilograms, but also the huge cost in stores.
VLK Vesuvio 8000
This model is lower in rating than the rest, due to the lack of a full-fledged iron, replaced by a removable manual steam generator. This system is quite mobile, because it has not only a platform with wheels, but also a small weight of 6 kilos. A good advantage can be called a high steam productivity of 120 g / min and structural stability. A particularly pleasant plus is that this ironing board costs about 10 thousand rubles, which is a very reasonable price. Inconvenient cons - a small volume of a water tank of only 850 milliliters and small dimensions (80x37 cm).
CSI SAS TA-600
Active ironing board with stand for a steam generator without any frills, but with a classic set of modes and functions. It has convenient dimensions - 1500x420x160 and an acceptable weight of 11 kilograms. The steam ironing system allows you not to touch the product in the process and quickly dry it for future use and storage. This model is not very high and is capable of changing the height only from 82 to 100 centimeters, but has an annual guarantee, low cost, and also consumes little electricity.
Polti Stira Aspira Top
Ironing system from the Italian manufacturer, equipped with a standard fan, suction and heating function. This model really does its job well, preventing delicate items from wrinkling and removing excess water from fabrics, as well as smoothing even linen and clothes folded several times. The frame allows you to adjust the height of only 80 to 104 centimeters, but even this can be useful in the process of ironing. Unpleasant disadvantages are the huge weight of 16 and a half kilograms and too large dimensions in 162x47, although the latter will be convenient for bulky items.
We hope you find it easier to figure out how to choose a decent model for your home. Following our rules and recommendations, you can buy a quality product that will definitely make your life easier.
We also recommend that you read on the website what are varieties of folding ironing boards.
