In box
Additional accessories and equipment supplied with the device.
Modern steamers can be equipped with ironing accessories – irons and mini irons,
ironing boards,
vertical stops,
trouser clips,
telescopic stands and additional
bottom clips; accessories for processing fabrics –
brushes,
fabric nozzles, nozzles
for delicate fabrics,
for arrows; as well as some other items. Here is a more detailed description of the most common options:
–
Iron. A classic iron connected to a steamer with a hose. Such equipment actually turns the device into a
steam generator for ironing; and models equipped with an ironing board (see below) are often comparable in functionality with full-fledged
ironing systems.
–
Mini iron. Reduced analogue of a conventional iron. It is not designed for large volumes of ironing, but for simple tasks like ironing 1-2 items of clothing or refreshing a business suit, such a device is quite enough.
– Ironing board. The classic ironing board is a horizontal surface used for ironing fabrics. G
...arment steamers are equipped with small boards, which are usually installed vertically during non-working hours and, to some extent, can also replace vertical stops. Usually such a board is mounted on a telescopic stand.
– Vertical stop. Device in the form of a plane mounted vertically. In fact, it is an analogue of an ironing board used for vertical steaming: the processed fabric can be pressed against such a “board”, providing more intensive and efficient processing. Foldable ironing boards can perform a similar function, but they are not considered vertical stops, because they are small and have limited capabilities (whereas a full-fledged stop allows you to completely process trousers or other similar clothing in one session).
– Fabric nozzle. Microfiber nozzle – fabrics based on microscopic fibers. It is used for vertical steaming of various fabrics, thanks to which the steam is evenly distributed over the entire treated surface. Does not leave particles of pile on the surface.
– Nozzle for delicate fabrics. The specific design of such nozzles may be different, however, in any case, they provide the most gentle treatment, with a reduced intensity.
— Brush. In this case, brushes are meant for cleaning clothes and other fabric products. Thanks to the effect of steam, cleaning with this nozzle is more effective than with a manual clothes brush.
– Nozzle for arrows. Special nozzles for forming arrows on trousers. Such nozzles are usually clips of a special design. They are not as convenient to use as traditional irons and mini irons, and the use of such a device requires certain skills. On the other hand, this type of nozzle allows you to refresh the arrows even if there is no ironing board or vertical stop.
– Trouser clip. A special clip that allows to hang trousers and other similar products on the stand of the garment steamer. By default, hangers are installed in steamers, however, for some products they are poorly suited or not suitable at all; in light of this, clips of this type are often also provided in the design. Typically, such a clip is a pair of specific clothespins mounted on the crossbar of the coat hanger.
– Bottom clip. Clip mounted on the garment steamer at the bottom of the stand; usually, it is equipped with a movable mount and can be adjusted in height, it is also often made detachable. In most models, such a device is combined with a trouser clip and has the same design – in the form of a pair of clothespins; however, there are steamers that have only the bottom pair of clothespins – in addition to the usual hangers. In any case, such a clip allows to stretch the clothes hanging on the stand – this further contributes to the effectiveness of the steaming.
– Telescopic stand. A garment steamer stand with a telescopic design – which allows to adjust the height at which the clothes hanger is located. The convenience of this feature is obvious: it makes it possible to adjust the height of the hanger to the specifics of the situation and a particular product. At the same time, telescopic stands are relatively inexpensive, so that such equipment is almost mandatory for modern garment steamers (with the exception of portable handheld varieties).Detachable water tank
Device has a water tank with a
detachable design.
The detachable design makes refueling much easier. In particular, it allows to fill the tank under the tap, while with a non-detachable tank, this option is often not available. And some models with this feature can be refueled during operation, without turning off the heating and without relieving pressure in the boiler (although it still will be necessary to clarify this possibility separately). In addition, a detachable tank is much easier to clean or wash than a non-detachable one.
Steam power adjustment
A controller that changes the power of the steam coming from the device, in other words, the overall speed and flow rate at the outlet. Do not confuse this feature with humidity adjustment: the change in power is carried out mainly by changing the operating pressure, while the humidity may remain unchanged (and vice versa).
Steamers with power adjustment can be easily adjusted to the specifics of the situation, choosing the optimal mode depending on the tasks and materials.
Steam flow
Steam flow provided by the device. For models with power and/or humidity adjustment, this item indicates the maximum possible value.
When choosing according to this indicator, it should be borne in mind that the steam flow characterizes only the amount of water vapor produced by the device per minute. The intensity of the impact of this steam on the treated surface/product can be different, first of all, it depends on the working pressure. Therefore, only devices with similar pressure indicators can be directly compared by this indicator. When making these comparisons, it's worth assuming that higher steam flow allows to handle a large amount of work faster, but requires more powerful heaters and larger tanks – which, in turn, affects the dimensions, weight and price of the entire steamer.
Continuous operation time
Approximate time that the device is able to operate without breaks. This parameter is determined primarily by the performance and capacity of the boiler/tank: when the water supply is exhausted, the work will have to pause to replenish the stock. At the same time, for models with humidity and/or power adjustment, both the average time of continuous operation (at a certain standard mode), and the longest (at minimum intensity) or the shortest (at maximum) can be indicated; these details should be clarified separately.
It is worth saying that some models allow refueling with water right in the process of operation, but it also does not hurt to clarify this possibility separately.
Power cord length
The length of the cable with which the device is connected to the mains. The longer the power cord — the farther from the socket the device can operate, the more freedom of movement the user has. On the other hand, an unnecessarily long cord can create difficulties both during operation and in storage/transportation; and when working away from the socket, you can use an extension cord.
