Steam stations (steam generators): what is it and how to choose?

In search of an answer to the question of how to choose a good steam station, thousands of people are looking at customer reviews, looking for information about what it is and how to use it correctly. Today, almost every home has a similar technique, and the use of a steam generator as a steamer is not the only area of ​​its application. This device is quite capable of becoming an indispensable assistant in house cleaning., it will easily put in order curtains, upholstered furniture, help to disinfect children's toys or urgently prepare a business suit for the exit.

Steam generator (steam station) - a device that acts as a steamer and replaces a regular iron while smoothing wrinkles on the fabric. This type of equipment, in addition to direct heating, has the ability to deliver hot steam under pressure, having a temperature of 100-140 degrees Celsius.

There are 3 main units in the design:

• iron;
• a heating element;
• reservoir for the gulf of water.

The structural elements of the steam generator are interconnected using a special hose. It provides a sealed connection without leakage and the risk of burns. Steam is supplied continuously, effectively smoothing even the most complex creases or creases on the fabric. The device can work in horizontal and vertical position.

Steam stations are considered professional, characterized by a longer period of continuous use. The manufactured devices differ in power, which determines the intensity of the steam supply, weight, volume of the water tank.It is this category of technology that is popularly known as a steam generator, although among its functional capabilities there can be not only steaming, but also contact ironing of linen.

The main purpose of steam generators and steam stations is to treat fabrics that need to be cleaned or smoothed. In the atelier, clothing stores, this device is one of the most important improvised tools. With it, you can quickly remove creases from shirts and jackets, to refresh a coat or jacket, sagging all winter in a case. Steam generators for clothes can work in horizontal or vertical position, they are effective, convenient to use, have not too much weight.

The devices used for disinfection and cleaning of the house are produced in manual and floor versions. They are equipped with a flexible hose or socket nozzle, multifunctional models can have an additional module in the form of an iron, which is easy to use for steaming clothes. Such devices effectively clean up furniture, carpets, toys from dirt, dust, allergens.

Steam generators can be used. for disinfecting baby clothes - high-temperature processing easily replaces boiling, but less damages the structure of the fabric. In addition, with their help, the specific smell of shoes and clothing made of natural fur, sheepskin, artificial sheepskin coats, and plush is eliminated. It occurs in the process of being worn, and it can be difficult to freshen products in other ways.

Another area of ​​application for steam generators is removal of dirt from hard surfaces. With the help of such a device, tiles are cleaned in the bathroom and in the kitchen, ceramic flooring, enameled surfaces of gas stoves. A directed jet of hot steam can remove body fat from the surface of a microwave oven, refrigerator, and other types of equipment.

When cleaning tiles, this device allows you to remove spores of fungus and mold in the bathroom, eliminate bacterial microflora. Steam generators - universal devices suitable for use in car interior care. Stains on the upholstery, dried up traces of dirt, dust, an unpleasant smell - these are just a small part of the problems that can be solved with the help of a steam generator.

The modern market for household appliances offers a wide selection of devices with the function of supplying steam under high pressure. It can be a small device for a point impact, a mop or a mobile device for cleaning kitchen surfaces. Mini steam generator convenient where long-term exposure is not required. Ultrasound models and are generally used to create various visual effects in aquarium and landscape design, can be used for humidification.

A portable home care appliance is popular. Moreover, the difference with the classic steam generator is significant. This type of equipment is more like a vacuum cleaner or a miniature watering can with a flexible hose and a narrow tip-nose, as well as with a system for collecting dirt.

The difference from the steam generator is the use of interchangeable nozzles:

• for washing windows;
• for processing corners and crevices;
• for furniture cleaning - in the form of a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner;
• for cleaning the floor.

Besides, this technique is focused specifically on the treatment of hard surfaces; it’s not very convenient to take care of fabrics with it. The versatility of the steam cleaner allows you to use it for professional cleaning and in home cleaning. But the high cost of devices often severely limits their popularity among the population. The purchase of such equipment is advisable if there is an allergic person or a small child in the house.In this case, the device will help maintain an optimal level of cleanliness and sanitize all surfaces.

A steam mop is another type of steam cleaner, but in a more compact, portable design. This appliance is used for mopping, caring for carpets, upholstery of upholstered furniture, and children's toys.

This category includes both irons with the function of steam boost and special devices - steamers designed to remove creases and creases on clothes. They differ from steam generators in that they do not have a cleaning effect. The steamers are well suited for disinfection - the device has a special nozzle, similar to a vacuum cleaner divider.

With such a home appliance easy to maintain order in the children's room, destroy dust mites in bedding, pillows, upholstered furniture. Professional steamers for ateliers most often have the form of mannequins with shoulders on which garments are worn.

The modern hybrid iron with a boiler was called the steam station from manufacturers. The principle of operation of such a device is based on heating the water in the tank to a predetermined temperature with its subsequent supply through the hose in the form of fumes. The device consists of several blocks and in a complex makes it possible to get a replacement for a professional system for cleaning, ironing and steaming at home. Devices, by analogy with steam cleaners, can be manual with replaceable nozzles or stationary, which are most convenient to use for the care of clothing and home textiles.

A conventional steam generator provides constant liquid evaporation until its level drops to critical values. The device may have different functionality and power. In a steam station, steam is supplied under increased pressure, which greatly facilitates the user’s work.

The so-called active models have additional blowing, which provides directional action of the technique. Besides, equipment of this type can be used as a home dry cleaning, providing stain removal, elimination of unpleasant odors.

Comparison of the characteristics possessed by steam stations from different manufacturers allows us to appreciate them. The overall ranking of models and brands looks like this.

• MIE. The Italian manufacturer is considered one of the leaders in the market of professional ironing equipment. For domestic use, the company offers both sets with Completto XL, Milano, Maxima ironing boards and individual vertical steamers. Steam generators are presented by models with an iron of the Sitro series with a stylish design and prices ranging from budget to very high.

• Siemens The German brand produces quite powerful equipment for home use. The steam stations of this manufacturer are distinguished by excellent technical characteristics and high reliability. Among the best models are the Siemens slider SL22 extremePower, which can smooth out even the most complex folds, and the more economical TS45XTRMW with a special sole distribution system for steam.

• Bosch The brand from Germany produces a wide range of steam stations in the middle price segment. Its models are characterized by excellent ergonomics, stylish design, high power from 2400 to 3100 watts. Among the popular equipment options, BoschTDS6041, equipped with a self-cleaning system, a constant steam supply, a large tank volume, can be noted.

• Tefal. A recognized leader in the mid-price segment, the French company offers its fans a GV8962 steam station with steam boost, self-cleaning system and high pressure up to 6.5 bar. In the budget segment, buyers may be interested in a model with a small (0.7 L) tank. Tefal GV4630 is characterized by the presence of a vertical steamer, bright design and affordable price.

• Philips. The Dutch manufacturer of home appliances provides its steam generators and stations with excellent value for money. Manufactured equipment models are presented in the middle segment of value. Interest for buyers is the Philips GC 7703/20 model with a function of vertical steaming, a 2.2 liter tank, and a ceramic sole of the iron.

• Scarlett. Manufacturer from England with factories in China. The brand’s equipment belongs to the ultra-budget segment, the main savings are associated with smaller tank volumes, low power, and the lack of vertical steam function. The most popular Scarlett SC-SS36B01 model has an affordable price, can be used as a regular iron.

When choosing a steam station for the home, you should pay attention to exactly what tasks you have to solve with its help. For cleaning, it is better to choose a steam mop that can quickly and effectively help in cleaning. It is also suitable for processing curtains, carpets. To clean surfaces in the kitchen, it will be the right choice for a steam cleaner. For the house, a compact manual model or a full-fledged station with a wheelbase and a capacious tank is suitable.

It is better to entrust the care of textiles, upholstered furniture to the most powerful device. Steam station for dry cleaning and disinfection will help to maintain in order outer clothing, sofa cushions. With its help, you can easily overdo the mountain of linen without fatigue and difficulties with the formation of creases.

As for the useful features, it is worth paying attention to instrument indication. The liquid level sensor will exclude overheating of the heating element; the scale level controller will help to start cleaning the device in time. In addition, you need to remember that for the care of textiles, you need to choose devices with a tank capacity of 1400 to 2200 ml. Steam pressure must be at least 5 bar, power - from 2400 W or more.

Since the steam station is a rather bulky device, it is recommended from the very beginning to equip a convenient place for it, where there will be an ironing board and a water tank in the reach zone. It will be useful to additionally equip a rack with vertical “shoulders” and a horizontal bar for the care of trousers, shirts, jackets.

It is worth considering that a classic ironing board for a steam station is not good - wooden components quickly get wet, here they use metal-made variants, as well as “active” models with a built-in blowing system.

The instruction manual for stations with a steam generator in the kit implies compliance with certain rules. Among the useful recommendations are the following.

1. The right fluid choice. It is recommended to fill in the tank with exclusively distilled water mixed with demineralized in a ratio of 1 to 1. When using ordinary water from a water tap, it is necessary to use a reverse osmosis filter, which reduces the parameters of medium rigidity. If the steam generator has its own cartridge for cleaning, you can use liquid from any source.
2. Regular filter cleaning. If the model has a built-in self-diagnosis system, it will give a signal about clogging. In other cases, you will have to monitor the state of the filter yourself.
3. Compliance. It is important to first fill the tank with water to the recommended level, and then plug the device into the network. After a beep, you can start ironing.The steam supply can be continuous or by pressing a button.

Among the breakdowns faced by owners of steam generators and stations created on their basis, The following types of malfunctions can be distinguished.

1. The appliance does not produce steam. The reason most often becomes a clogged filter or the formation of scale, limescale on the working surface. If regular cleaning is neglected, the device simply refuses to work. The problem is solved quite simply - by washing the strainer, descaling with the help of special compounds with the subsequent discharge of the spent liquid.
2. The appliance does not heat water. The most likely cause of failure is the failure of the heater. You can replace the heating element in a workshop, independent work will lead to a loss of the manufacturer’s warranty.
3. Water leaking from the system. The problem is usually associated with a breakdown of the shutoff valve - it is enough to replace it, and sometimes just tighten it harder. In addition, the cause of this phenomenon may be the banal squeezing of the hose connecting the steam generator with a nozzle for steaming. The malfunction is “treated” by completely cooling the device and draining the water back to the tank.
4. The power system does not turn on. There can be quite a few reasons - from the banal failure of the power button to damage to the cord. In addition, the security system will turn off the device if it requires emergency descaling. In this case, it is worth using the information about the diagnostic system and carefully studying the signals supplied by the device.
5. Traces of rust remain on the fabric. The cause may be the corrosion process in the water tank. In this case, it is worthwhile to flush the system, then replace the usual liquid with distilled one. If the actions performed do not give results, you should pay attention to the condition of the silicone gaskets - if they are damaged, the particles of the molten substance will stain the water.
6. Cannot adjust pressure. It is worth paying attention to the state of the system. The formation of a large amount of scale can disable the pressure regulation in the system. If the device has an automatic setting of values ​​with a choice of mode, you need to test its operation with different power levels. If there are no changes, you can diagnose damage to the electronics.
7. Faulty indicators. Most often, they burn out directly on the iron. At the same time, the device can work in normal mode, but its indication will not allow to fully monitor the condition of the equipment during use. You can check and replace blown diodes in the workshop.

These are far from all the malfunctions faced by steam station owners. Most of the damage that can be easily fixed for a particular model is always indicated in the instructions that came with the device.

Steam stations and steam generators, according to customers, can be attributed to the category of absolutely irreplaceable devices. With their help, you can easily cope with the tasks of ironing a large volume of linen, caring for large items of furniture. Unlike a conventional steam boost iron, it uses an enlarged tank that holds 4-7 times more water. Hybrid devices are praised for their quick availability, the ability to perform many additional operations.

The purchase of steam stations most often coincides with the appearance of a small child in the house. It is worth paying attention to the fact that equipment with a disinfection function significantly facilitates household chores. But if it comes exclusively to cleaning, it is best to consider steam cleaners as a suitable purchase. They, according to customers, help to maintain cleanliness in a house, apartment much more efficiently.

Negative reviews are mainly related to the rapid breakdown of the steam generator in the station. Water leakage and other breakdowns are detected even in models produced by top brands.

You can watch the video review of the Tefal GV9070E0 and Tefal GV9080E0 steam generators below.