How to choose an iron with a steam generator for your home - functions, advantages and main parameters. Steam cleaners: general information Steam and steam formation, what kind of steam there is and its parameters

19.10.2019

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A steam generator is a device that converts water into steam heated to 140-160 degrees. At this temperature, it acquires the properties of dry and perfectly steams things. Many housewives, tired of the daily loss of time ironing board, decide to purchase a modern steam generator. In order for the purchase to really bring benefits and help in performing household duties, you need to decide which steam generator is better.

Types of household steam generators

Steam generators are used in many areas of human activity. It's not only Appliances, making it easier to do household chores, but also powerful devices that operate on various enterprises for production purposes.

As for steam generators used in everyday life, the following types can be distinguished:

Steam generation principle

According to the speed and principle of steam generation, all models of steam generators can be divided into the following types:

Device with a boiler. In such a steam generator, water is boiled in full, forming steam. The boiler in these devices is usually large.
A device with an instant steam generation system. In such a steam generator, a certain amount of water rushes towards it, after which steam instantly appears. Such devices are equipped with small boilers.
Steam generator with two water tanks. From storage with cold water it is periodically pumped into the boiler with hot water and boiled. Thus, the process of steam formation occurs faster.

In order to decide which steam generator is better, you need to know for what purpose it is being purchased. If constant ironing is expected large quantity things, then it is worth purchasing a device with a large storage boiler. The formation of steam will take some time, but its temperature will be higher and will allow the work to be completed faster and better. Such a device is also necessary in sewing workshops, clothing and fabric stores.

For ironing small amounts of items and easy to use V household A steam generator with an instant steam generation system is suitable. Such a device can start working within a few minutes after being turned on.

Steam generator power

So, you have decided which steam generator is best suited for ironing the number of items you need. For further selection, you need to consider some technical parameters of the device. One of the first characteristics that you should pay attention to is its power. If it is more than 1800 W, then this device is suitable for all types of fabrics and has many functions. Such a device will steam the material much faster. A steam generator with a power of up to 1800 W also does an excellent job of steaming almost all fabrics, except for particularly dense ones. True, its speed will be lower. For everyday use It is better to choose a steam generator with low power. This will save a lot of money, and the quality of the work performed will not suffer.

Maximum steam pressure

This indicator can be divided into three components:

It is impossible to say unambiguously which steam generator is good and which is worse if they differ in maximum steam pressure. It all depends on what purpose the device is intended for.

Tank volume. Device weight

Typically, the volume of the steam generator storage is from 500 ml to 2 liters. If you need to iron a very large number of items in one go, it is better to choose a large tank. At the same time, the device will also increase significantly in volume and will take up a lot of space. In addition, the steam generator will become even heavier. If the device is a gift for an elderly person, there is hardly any need to choose a massive model with a large water storage tank. Which steam generator is better even depends on the handle of the iron. After all, the ironing process takes quite a long time, and it should be as convenient as possible.

Iron sole

When answering the question about which steam generator is the best, you must also keep in mind the material from which its sole is made. The materials used in the manufacture of iron soles are very different. The most common:

Thus, which steam generator is better to buy depends on many parameters. The main thing is to correctly determine the purpose for which the device is being purchased and pay attention to the technical characteristics indicated by the manufacturer of a particular model.

Steaming is the best way to get rid of dirt

A steam cleaner is indispensable in cases where you need to quickly and efficiently clean a room not only from dust and dirt, but also from bacteria, allergens and other microorganisms. Initially, such devices were created for medical institutions. But today they are no less popular among Russian consumers, since they greatly facilitate the cleaning process, allowing you to quickly and effortlessly clean almost any surface from all kinds of contaminants.

Main selection criteria

Types of steam cleaners

When choosing a steam cleaner for your home, you should pay attention to both functionality and specifications. There are three types of steam cleaners on sale, each of which has its own characteristics.

Manual- have compact sizes, easy to use and store. They are available due to their low cost and can easily process hard to reach places. The only drawback of steam cleaners manual type is their weight. A two-kilogram device will be difficult to hold in your hands for a long time. Therefore, a portable steam cleaner should be chosen only if the cleaning will be done for a short time and only from time to time.
Compact- are the golden mean between a vacuum cleaner and a hand-held device. They have a long hose and a reservoir that can be placed on your shoulder or on the floor while cleaning. Compact models are suitable in cases where regular cleaning and disinfection are required. When choosing such steam cleaners, you should pay attention to the length of the hose and cable: the longer they are, the better. As a rule, such devices are supplied with nozzles for washing various surfaces.
Vacuum cleaners- used for professional cleaning. Steam cleaners are powerful, efficient, and expensive. Many combine the functions of washing, as well as cleaning with hot and cold steam. Due to the high cost, purchasing such a model is not always rational, but for adherents perfect cleanliness in the house - quite justified.

Steam boiler volume and heating

Direct flow- water is heated as it comes out. Interior- steam is generated directly in the boiler. In this case, the jet power and steam temperature will be much higher.
Internal steam generator can be made of steel or aluminum. Aluminum boilers are preferable because they heat up faster and are less susceptible to scale formation.
Volume steam boiler in manual steam cleaners it can be 0.175-2.5 liters. Floor-standing models can also have a 5-liter volume. In this case, the operating time will depend on the amount of water poured into the tank. For example, a liter tank will last for 20-30 minutes.

Steam pressure

Another one important characteristic Something you should pay attention to when choosing a steam cleaner is steam pressure. As a rule, this indicator varies between 2-6 bar. If the steam pressure is less than 3 bar, the device will not do its job well. It should be taken into account that in the technical specifications manufacturers indicate maximum pressure inside the boiler.

Photo: e96.ru

What else to pay attention to

Power

The power of compact and hand-held devices, as a rule, is 700-1600 W, and of floor-standing ones 1300-2300 W. And the higher this indicator, the faster steam will be generated. Experts do not recommend purchasing devices with a power of less than 1000 W, since they are not capable of effectively cleaning surfaces from dirt.

The power regulator is a very convenient function with which you can reduce the pressure or switch to the dry steam function. But not every model has a power regulator, so it is important to check its availability in advance.

Water heating time

The speed of water heating depends on the volume of the steam generator and power. Depending on these indicators, the heating process can take from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. To speed up heating at least a little, you can use boiled hot water. In this case, the water will turn into steam much faster, and there will be much less problems with scale.

Steam temperature

The optimal steam temperature for steam cleaners ranges from 140 °C. This allows you to effectively clean any surface without damaging it. But if a steam cleaner is required primarily to destroy pathogens, you should choose models that have a higher steam temperature.

Protection

It would be great if the steam cleaner is equipped with a child safety feature, steam lock and a safety valve.

The most popular manufacturers

Among Russian buyers, the most popular steam cleaners are brands such as: Karcher, Ariete, Clatronic, Polti, Philips And Thomas.
Branded products are much less popular in Russia Maxwell, Hilton And Saturn.
Firms Magic, Orion, Vinis And Dex on the Russian market they cannot achieve any significant figures at all. However, this does not mean that their products are completely worthless.

Photo: s5.kaercher-media.com

It is important to pay Special attention for the length of the cord. Popular manufacturers do not skimp on this and supply their models with cords whose length ranges from 4 to 6 meters. Even cheaper steam cleaners may have problems with this. But such a seemingly insignificant detail can become a real problem, especially if you need to clean the ceiling or cornice.
The length of the working hose through which steam is supplied is no less important. If the device is low-power and the hose is too long, the steam will cool before it reaches the washing nozzle.
You should not completely trust advertising and think that a steam cleaner can cope with any dirt. For example, a steam cleaner is not effective in combating grease deposits on kitchen stove and in the oven.

Otherwise, a steam cleaner is a necessary device that can easily clean and disinfect almost any surface in the house. If you buy it, you definitely won't regret it.

- Steam generators And steam boilers- is there a difference?
- Which to choose steam generator?
- Registration of steam generators in the bodies of Gosgortekhnadzor.
- Electric steam generators- fundamental design differences.
- Features of electrode, heating element, induction heating.
- Steam - what is it for?
- Steam and vaporization. What type of steam is there and its parameters.
- Possible sources of steam for your production.

1. Steam generators and steam boilers - is there a difference?

There is no clear division of steam-producing units into steam generators and steam boilers. Concept "steam generator" used in following cases:

The unit does not have its own firebox or other energy source and uses “external” energy to convert water into steam. For example, coolant from the circuit nuclear reactor, or gaseous products of fuel burned in the furnace;
- the unit uses electricity to convert water into steam (electric steam generator);
- the steam output of the unit does not exceed 1000 kg of steam per hour;
- the process of producing steam from water occurs in the “coil”, and not in screen pipes and drum, as happens in a traditional steam boiler.
Despite this, in the names of many domestic steam generators the concept of a steam boiler appears.

2. Which one to choose steam generator?

Choosing a specific model steam generator among analogues with similar technical characteristics, it is necessary to build on some characteristic features steam generator. Such features, or consumer characteristics, can be considered the following:

Additional features adjusting steam output parameters - pressure, humidity, steam flow; as well as the ability to regulate consumption steam generator capacity in accordance with current needs;
- presence in the design steam generator all elements and components necessary for its full operation;
- degree of automation of the steam generation process, capabilities alarm and so on.;
- maintainability steam generator, popularity and, as a consequence, the degree of development of the market for spare parts and components for this model of steam generator;
- modern appearance steam generator, ease of use, accessibility of control elements for the steam production process, absence of traumatic design elements.

3. Registration steam generators in the bodies of Gosgortekhnadzor.

This issue is most often overlooked by the consumer and “omitted” by the supplier. It should be noted that a wide range energy equipment associated with production and consumption, steam requires registration with the Gosgortekhnadzor authorities upon commissioning. All steam generators(steam boilers) with a steam capacity of more than 1000 kg of steam per hour, with rare exceptions, are subject to mandatory registration.

The situation is different with electric steam generators. In view of their relatively low steam production, Gosgortekhnadzor applies a special formula to determine the need to register such steam generators:

V[m3] * (tworking - 100)< 5

where V[m3] is the volume of the vaporization chamber in steam generator minus the volume of heating elements (heating elements or electrodes), expressed in cubic meters.

tworking - estimated maximum working temperature inside the vaporization chamber, expressed in degrees Celsius.

In case of execution this condition electric steam generator no registration required.

4. Electric steam generators - fundamental design differences.

Main design difference electric steam generators is how electricity is converted into heat.

Basic methods of transferring electricity to thermal energy pair:

Heating element heating is the most common, obvious and does not require additional explanations. The water is heated by several heating elements of varying power.
- Electrode heating. Water is a conductor of electricity. By applying voltage to water using electrodes, we cause it to flow. electricity directly through the water. Joule heat released when an electric current passes through any in this case This is water) conductor, heats the water. Contrary to popular belief, this method of heating water is not dangerous for people if they follow the operating instructions.
- Induction heating - heating water using a high-frequency emitter. This method similar to how water is boiled in a conventional microwave oven.

5. Features of electrode, heating element, induction heating.

New heating element.
Positive points:

The heating element jacket dissolves little in heated water and steam, does not contaminate the steam with metal oxidation products, this becomes especially important when the steam is expected to come into contact with food or especially clean products.
- When using a heating element, the electrical conductivity of the heated water does not play a special role.
Negative points:

The jacket of the heating element has a very high temperature, which causes intense deposition of hardness salts on the surface of the heating element (scale is formed). Scale reduces heat transfer from the surface of the heating element, which causes a rapid increase in temperature inside the heating element itself and, as a result, its burnout. This can only be avoided by using deeply softened make-up water, which greatly increases the cost of installation.
- The power of the heating element steam generator can be adjusted only by turning on or off the entire heating element, i.e. stepwise.
Electrode heating.
Positive points:

The temperature of the electrode surface is almost the same as that of the water itself. This significantly reduces the rate of deposition of hardness salts on the surface of the electrodes.
- Electrodes, being “pieces of metal”, cannot “burn” and are significantly more durable than heating elements of similar power.
- Using electrodes you can achieve smooth adjustment power of the steam generator by changing the area of contact of the electrode with the heated water.
- It is important that the electrode group is much more compact than a heating element group of similar power, which allows steam generators with a power of over 100 kW to remain not accountable to the Gosgortekhnadzor authorities.
- Significantly lower cost of steam generators using the electrode heating method compared to heating element steam generators.

Negative points:

Dissolution of electrodes during operation. This may be important in the case of contact between a couple and food products or with particularly clean media.
Induction heating.
Main positive thing the use of induction heating is the absence of any contact of water and steam with heating device, which allows you to obtain especially pure “medical” steam.

The negative point, which so far outweighs all the positive ones, is the relatively high cost of the steam generator and the high cost of the steam produced with its help.

6. Steam - what is it for?

1. Steam as a coolant:
Steam is most often used as a coolant. This is due to the fact that the process of the water-steam phase transition requires a very large amount of energy. Accordingly, the reverse process - condensation - occurs with the release of a large amount of energy. Thus, steam is very convenient to use for space heating, heating of various types of media, chemical reactors, cooking processes, etc.

Here are the most typical examples of the use of steam: steam jackets of autoclaves, heat exchangers, heating systems and so on.

In some cases, direct contact of steam with the heated medium is required. This may be necessary when steaming concrete products, products light industry, when using steam as a heating medium in a special kind of heat exchangers.

Steam is used not only as a necessary agent in various technological processes. Often the need for a pair arises seasonally. It is known that when the temperature decreases, many viscous media, for example, fuel oil, oil, molasses, various chemical substances reduce their fluidity so much that their movement and transportation is practically impossible. In such cases, steam heating of containers and pipelines is the most optimal.

2. Steam as a humidifier:
When in direct contact, the steam is very effective as a “humidifier”. Steam is most suitable for steaming wood, animal feed, light industrial products, and in various technological processes that require simultaneous heating and humidification.

Saturated water vapor is used in the following cases:

IN construction industry, public utilities- to prevent freezing of “inert” (sand, gravel) in bunkers, heating of viscous media - oil, fuel oil;
- in the production of reinforced concrete products, plywood;
- in confectionery, canning and other food production;
- in chemical and perfume industry;
- in woodworking industries;
- for sterilization and disinfection, for example, glass bottles in the production of beer;
- in agricultural production.

7. Steam and vaporization. What type of steam is there and its parameters.

Vaporization- the process of transition of a substance from a liquid to a gaseous state. Boiling and evaporation should be distinguished from evaporation.

Evaporation is the formation of vapor that occurs only from the surface of a liquid. With increasing temperature, the intensity of evaporation increases.

Boiling is the process of converting a liquid into steam, which occurs not only from the surface of the liquid, but also inside it, i.e. This is the process of vaporization throughout the entire volume of liquid. Boiling occurs at a certain temperature, depending on the type of liquid and pressure. The boiling process is carried out by supplying heat to the liquid at a constant pressure.

Condensation is the reverse process of vaporization. This is the process of transition of a substance from a gaseous state to a liquid state. The condensation process occurs when heat is removed from steam at a constant pressure. Condensation, like the boiling process, occurs at a constant temperature.

When evaporation occurs in an unlimited volume, the entire liquid can turn into steam. If the process of vaporization occurs in a closed container, then equilibrium can occur between the processes of vaporization and condensation. Steam in this state assumes maximum density at a given temperature and pressure and is called saturated.

Thus, saturated steam is steam that is in equilibrium with the liquid from which it is produced. When the temperature of the liquid changes, the equilibrium is disturbed, which leads to a corresponding change in the density and pressure of the saturated vapor.

When all the liquid evaporates, it turns out dry saturated steam, not containing particles of the liquid phase.

Wet saturated steam- saturated steam, which contains tiny droplets of liquid.

The ratio of the mass of dry saturated steam contained in wet steam to the total mass of wet saturated steam is called degree of steam dryness(vapor content) i.e. The degree of dryness determines the proportion of dry saturated steam in wet steam.

The mass fraction of liquid in wet vapor is called degree of steam humidity

If heat is added to dry saturated steam, its temperature will increase, resulting in superheated steam.

The difference between the temperature tп of superheated steam and the temperature tс of dry saturated steam is called the degree of superheat. Superheated steam is unsaturated. At a given pressure, its density is less than the density of dry saturated steam, and its specific volume is greater. The higher the degree of superheating, the more the superheated steam approaches an ideal gas in its properties.

To superheat steam, special devices are most often used - superheaters, which can be either electrical or another operating principle.

Steam pressure directly depends on its temperature and vice versa: P = f (T). Here are some typical relationships:

T, 0C	Pizb, atm.	Pabs, atm.
100	0	1.0
143	3	4.0
165	6	7.0
184	10	11.0

Let us recall that the pressure of a gas (and steam, respectively) can be absolute - measured from zero (full vacuum), and excess - equal to the difference between absolute and atmospheric pressure. When using the pressure unit “atm” (technical or physical), the ratio of absolute and relative pressure looks something like this: Rab = Rizb + 1.

8. Possible sources of steam for your production.

"Alien" steam - steam from steam boilers of centralized boiler installations, the landlord's own boiler houses.

A situation often occurs when the monopolist owner of a boiler house that was once common to the entire enterprise dictates “draconian” conditions for the supply of steam to an “independent” consumer. Despite the fact that the quality of such steam is most often not under the control of the consumer.

The main complaints of tenants regarding the steam provided by the landlord:

interruptions in steam supply;
mismatch of steam parameters with the required ones (pressure, temperature, humidity, degree of contamination, etc.);
the impossibility of objective control by the consumer of the amount of steam received from the boiler room;
frequent cases of “writing off” various types of steam leaks and other boiler room problems to the tenant.
"Own" steam - steam produced using relatively low-power steam generators installed directly near the consumer.

Steam generators use not only traditional gas, diesel and solid fuel, fuel oil Very common electric steam generators(more detailed information about steam generators and their role in modern production can be obtained from the article by Yu. Kulakov for the Tekhnomir magazine: " Electric steam generators. History and modernity").

Despite the obvious absence of disadvantages of “foreign” steam, when using steam generators A number of features should be taken into account:

steam generator must be installed and connected to communications;
The steam production process, regardless of how and on what equipment it is produced, is a very energy-intensive process.

Steam cleaners: general information

How it works

A conventional steam cleaner consists of a steam boiler (water container), heating element, "pistol" and flexible hose with nozzles.

Before starting work, water is poured into the container (if desired, you can add a little disinfectant solution or descaling agent). Then the device is turned on to the power supply, and after pressing the corresponding button, the heating element - the heating element coil - begins to work. After some time, the water in the container begins to turn into a gaseous state. Now, when you press the “trigger” on the “gun” (or just a button on a portable version of the device), the gas, finding no other outlet, bursts out of the hose under pressure. A jet of steam under strong pressure comes out of the holes in the nozzle, penetrates between the smallest particles of dirt and easily destroys them from the inside.

The simplest models of steam cleaners have only one button. It is responsible for turning the water heating on and off. There is also usually a "trigger" (which must be held in order for the steam to escape) and a safety valve that blocks it.

The operation of the steam cleaner is almost silent, and the escaping steam, although hot, is quite safe for humans - due to its loose structure (another thing is that large drops of water can sometimes come out with the steam).

The kit usually includes a measuring cup, a funnel, several options for attachments, instructions, a napkin and a cloth for the floor.

What can be cleaned with a steam cleaner

Steam cleaners (sometimes called "steam generators") were originally invented for disinfection in hospitals. Therefore, it is not surprising that they remove most pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms. They also do an excellent job of cleaning any organic dirt: grease on shirt collars or grease on the stove. And even more than that - they are quite capable of ironing clothes! Steam cleaners are most often chosen to clean up the floor and bathroom, although there are many more possibilities for their use. Let's list a few main ones. So, the steam cleaner:

There will also be contraindications. For example, it is better not to use a steam cleaner to clean delicate fabrics - silk, velor. It is also not recommended to use it on wooden floors, surfaces coated with varnish and wax, soft plastic, any non-moisture resistant things. Do not use a steam cleaner when cleaning cold glass (in winter, for example) - a sudden temperature change can cause it to crack. If you need to clean a cold surface, it is better to first warm it up with a stream of steam from a distance of 30-40 cm.

How are steam cleaners different from each other?

Steam cleaners from different companies are quite similar in design and functionality. Typically, the body colors are dominated by yellow and black, set as a standard since 1974 by one of the industry leaders - the company Karcher. The principle of operation of steam cleaners is the same, the basic elements are similar, and even the fastening of the nozzles is identical for most. But still, some steam cleaners are seriously different from others - this is due to various areas their applications.

Firstly, steam cleaners are divided into devices for home use (household appliances) and cleaning devices production premises. This article covers only household appliances.

There are also floor-mounted steam cleaners (similar to regular vacuum cleaner) and portable (the so-called “hand-held”, first produced by Karcher in 1984). Portable steam cleaners are smaller in size, have less power and operating time, and most often have less jet pressure, but they are more convenient to use and cost less.

For manual models plays an important role weight steam cleaner. The empty weight of the device usually ranges from 1 to 6 kg. To this value we can safely add the volume of the steam boiler expressed in kilograms.

Boiler volume ranges from 1 to 5 liters for floor-standing and from 0.175 to 2.5 liters for portable steam cleaners. The amount of water, as well as the power of the jet, will directly determine the time of non-stop operation of the steam cleaner (usually 20-30 minutes). It is better to fill with distilled water. You can add disinfectant or flavoring solutions to it - but this is not necessary; most owners of steam cleaners prefer to clean without unnecessary chemicals.

Steam cleaners are also different by power(from 1300 to 2300 W for floor-standing, from 700 to 1600 W for portable) and by number and type of nozzles. There are point nozzle, floor nozzle, fabric nozzle, textile nozzle, corner nozzle, round brush, window nozzle, floor nozzle, straight nozzle, hand nozzle, cleaning brush, straight brush and others.

Different models cord length nutrition. On average, it is 4-6 meters. Naturally, the longer the better - the number of places in the house that can be reached increases. However, often steam cleaners do not have the ability to automatically rewind the cord, and manually removing a particularly long cord is not at all a joy.

In addition to the length of the cord, steam cleaners also differ in hose length. This value can become especially critical for low-power models, because the steam, passing through the hose, cools down - up to the frequent appearance of water drops, which not only interfere with cleaning, but can also be harmful to the surface being cleaned.

Of course, steam cleaners are different and by size. Portable - on average 20x15x25 cm, floor-standing - up to 50x33x33 cm for Karcher SC 1702.

One of the important parameters for ease of use is the average water heating time. Depending on the boiler volume and power consumption, water is converted into steam in a time from 15 seconds to 10 minutes (!). This time can be reduced by pouring already heated water into the steam cleaner. You can pour boiled water, you will kill two birds with one stone: you can start cleaning faster, and there are fewer problems with scale in the steam cleaner.

Returning to the heating time, we note that the record holder for this indicator is the Karcher SC 952, due to its high power (1600 W) with the miniature size of the device. However, because of this, the steam pressure of the SC 952 suffers (only 1.5 bar) - which means that the pressure of the jet coming out of the nozzle of this steam cleaner will not be as strong as that of its slower counterparts.

Steam pressure for steam cleaners it ranges from 2 to 6 bar (1 bar is approximately one atmosphere). It is important to understand that the pressure displayed in the specifications is the maximum pressure inside the container, not the pressure of the steam escaping. The strength of the jet depends on the type of nozzle and the length of the hose, so usually the pressure at the outlet is significantly different from what is inside. But it is still better to choose those steam cleaners with a pressure of at least 3 bar. If the steam cleaner has a dash in this column, it’s better not to take risks. Under low pressure, the quality of surface cleaning is quite poor.

Optimal steam temperature- 135-140 °C. It will clean and kill germs, and will not harm things. Temperature and steam pressure are directly related. A steam pressure of about 3.5 bar means that its temperature will be around 140 °C. If you are going to clean only heat- and moisture-resistant surfaces, know: the higher the temperature of the steam created by the steam cleaner, the better its bactericidal properties and cleaning quality.

Another quite important parameter when choosing a steam cleaner is heating type. It can be direct-flow (without a closed loop, the water heats up as it comes out) or with steam generation in the boiler (which is preferable, since both the steam temperature and the jet power will be higher).

It is also better to choose steam cleaners with boiler made of aluminum, not steel: they heat up faster and scale sticks to them less.

The larger pressure can provide a steam cleaner, the higher the quality and speed of cleaning. During the cleaning process, the vapor density inside the container decreases, and accordingly, the pressure and pressure of the jet drop. Therefore, it is better to choose powerful steam cleaners that provide good quality cleaning, and not just pouring out warm water drop by drop.

Steam cleaners are very different by price. There are quite good models for only $50 (Clatronic DR 2930) - with high pressure steam and a variety of attachments (however, for the sake of compactness, the water tank is very small - only 220 ml). But in general, the prices of steam cleaners range from $80 (ELEKTA) for cheap portable models and up to $1000 (Karcher SV 1902) for the most advanced floor options. In fact, it’s better not to skimp here: floor-standing steam cleaners under $300 usually clean much weaker than their more powerful counterparts.

There are also many additional amenities like a second tank (allowing you to add water without stopping the steam cleaner), a steam flow regulator, the ability to monitor the level of liquid remaining in the tank, or steam iron included. Naturally, each of these features affects the final price of the device.

Conclusion

A steam cleaner is a simple device that can do a ton of work around the house. There are absolutely different models, and there is something for everyone.

If he wants, of course.

IDEAL STEAMER: how to choose?

What should you consider when purchasing a steamer for travel? Good model will become your assistant even if your steam generator suddenly fails.

07/28/2016, Business

The steamer is ours indispensable assistant on trips. We decided to talk to experts about how to choose the perfect steamer. The first question that is worth clarifying is what is the difference between a steamer and a steam generator.

In a steam generator dry steam is supplied under pressure up to 6 bar, which allows you to smooth out several layers at once, even the most thick fabric. The productivity and efficiency of steam generators is higher than that of steamers, and this directly affects the result. At the same time, it is quite heavy and clumsy, it is problematic to carry it with you, and therefore it is used in the workshop.

Steamer due to its mobility and compact size, it is perfect for quickly bringing textile products into a neat appearance in “field” conditions, and it is intended mainly for vertical steaming.

Types and principle of operation of the steamer

A steamer, like a steam generator, consists of a boiler (but a small one) with a heater into which water is poured, a hose with a handle that serves to conveniently supply steam to the required location, and a steam release mechanism, with the steam hose ending in an iron. Additionally, it has a removable water tank.

In the simplest case, water enters the boiler by gravity, evaporates and leaves the iron in the form of steam. This design can be called a “kettle with a straw on the spout”, so the steam is generated moist and without pressure.

Professional models have a water pump (pump) that pumps water from the tank into the boiler. This allows for significantly improved technical characteristics. Firstly, by controlling the operation of the pump, you can quite accurately change the steam supply: it becomes uniform, and its smooth adjustment is possible. Secondly, the steam in the boiler is created under pressure, so the stream of steam coming out of the steam nozzles is more powerful, and it is able to pass even through several layers of dense fabric.

Additionally, professional steamers have a steam heater built into the iron, which prevents condensate from escaping, dries the steam and heats it up. With such steamers, the steam output is dry and has a temperature of more than 100 degrees, usually up to 140-150 degrees Celsius.

Steamers are used for ironing textiles of any complexity. They are not suitable for extravagant products, for example, made of leather, faux leather, natural and artificial suede. Other fabrics, such as organza, cannot be steamed at all.

What is the difference between models for working with different types fabrics?

When choosing a steamer, pay attention to models that allow you to regulate the steam supply, since for light fabrics it needs to be reduced, and for dense ones, on the contrary, it needs to be increased.

In addition, wet steam steamers are the most suitable for the job. since heavily wrinkled and overdried fabrics require longer processing.

Find universal model with both characteristics now there is no problem, and due to the fact that steaming in general is carried out extremely delicately, it is possible to process any types of fabrics, including lace, with embroidery and rhinestones.

When choosing a steamer, you need to know how much you should expect. He who is forewarned is forearmed!

According to our experts, the price range is quite significant and depends on the brand, internal mechanics, and whether it is included in the package additional accessories and nozzles. For example, the price of the simplest hand steamers used for travel ranges from 700–800 rubles. Such devices are too primitive and do not have required power.

Prices for professional models start at 9 thousand rubles, and the average price category is 4-5 thousand rubles.

What brands should you pay attention to?

Almost all well-known brands have steamers in their product line. Among the most famous brands called Philips, Vitek, Endever, BRADEX, Tefal, Bosch, MIE, BORK, Grand Master, Kitfort, Rowenta, VLK.

Experts warn: if steamers are the only steam products from a manufacturer, then you will probably encounter problems with technical support in the future.

If the production includes steamers, steam generators, and steam mops, then the company’s engineers probably know everything about these products, and, consequently, their quality only becomes higher.

What affects the quality and speed of steaming?

The speed and quality of steaming of any model is affected by approximately the same characteristics:
1. steam pressure,
2. steam output,
3. the presence of a heating element in the iron.

Higher power guarantees large quantity steam at the output, and its average value is about 30–40 g/min at 1.5–2 kW of power. The thicker and coarser the textile, the greater the feed required for steaming.

For coarse fabrics, a power of 35–40 g/min is quite enough, but for thin fabrics its strength will even need to be reduced. According to experts, feeding more than 40 g/min does not make sense, and sometimes even interferes with the process, since the steam cloud envelops you and impairs your visibility.

Which model will perform best in operation?

An ideally convenient steamer should have:
- removable water tank,
- long hose,
- iron,
- steam buttons on the handle,
- as well as the ability to adjust the steam power for processing various types fabrics.

In addition, the iron should not produce any splashes, because they leave unsightly stains. This is especially true for smooth fabrics with shine. Their appearance is prevented by the “Anti-drop” system, which all professional models are equipped with: a special heating element is built into the metal steam iron.

Kitfort

What design features affect the long and happy life of steamers?

First of all, everything, of course, depends on the quality of materials and workmanship. Experts believe that the best material for the steamer body is stainless steel, and they also advise that when choosing, you should first of all pay attention to professional models, since they are more durable and hardy than ordinary ones.

How can I extend the life of my steamer?

However, you need to use technology wisely. The main advice that surveyed manufacturers give to WilliZ is: do not pour into the tank tap water, as this leads to the formation of scale on the surface of the boiler. For suitable for use distilled purified water, which will need to be drained after each “steaming session”, and also do not pour in too much liquid, since in this case it will get on the internal parts and harm the device.

In addition, it is necessary to regularly descale the boiler - every 50-100 liters of used water, depending on its hardness and mineralization. At the same time, manufacturers do not recommend pouring cleaning agents into the boiler: The steamer works on the principle of a distillation apparatus - it produces pure steam at the output, and all detergents they remain in the boiler, so it’s simply useless to fill them. Moreover, when high temperature in the tank, the product can decompose to form harmful substances and even eat through the wall of the boiler if the product contains acids.

Grand Master

If the device is equipped with various electronics, such as an electronic display, etc. (this only applies household models), then it is subject to wear first. All kinds of small parts are just as vulnerable: boiler covers, switches, buttons. Malfunctions of thermal fuses and thermostats are also common.

At the same time, there are no particular differences between brands in this matter: of course, models made from more quality materials, last longer, but at the same time all steamers have the same weak points.

Boiler volume
A standard 1.5-liter tank is enough for about 30 minutes of continuous steam supply, so it’s worth choosing models with a larger volume.

Power
A power of 1.5–2 kW provides a steam supply of 30–40 g/min, sufficient for dense fabrics.

Steam temperature
In professional models with a heater in the iron, the steam temperature is higher than the standard 98 degrees and can reach up to 140–150 degrees Celsius. Sometimes this temperature is achieved due to a reduced steam supply (if it is possible to regulate it), and at maximum supply the steam temperature is lower.

Splash protection, as well as the ability to adjust the steam power to process different types of fabric.

And finally, attachments and accessories
And also the possibility of replacing them. Experts advise asking the manufacturer from the very beginning about the possibility of buying consumables, and at the same time immediately find out their prices.