steam generating irons - are they worth it

[UsedToBeAPaxmanFan]

Our iron is on its last legs. We're thinking of replacing it with a steam generating one, but we're not sure if they are worth the additional expense. To be honest, I don't really understand how they work and why they would be better than a regular steam iron.

I've reads some reviews, and people rave about them and even claim that now that they've got one they love ironing but I am a bit sceptical and suspect the reviews might be written by employees of iron manufacturers

So, does anyone have one and are they all they are cracked up to be?

Yes. Yes they are. Mine has revolutionised my ironing ways. So much faster - you zip along, no going over the same bloody crease again and so on. I don't really understand why because my old one had steam - but these have better quality steam with added fairy dust or summat.

They are 100 times better than an ordinary iron!! So much quicker & I almost enjoy ironing now. Although they do make a lot of noise so it's hard to watch TV whilst ironing

Yes they really are - feel a bit hypocritical as we actually have a cleaner who does virtually all of our ironing, but she raves about it and says she can get through much more ironing at our house than she does at some of her other clients.

They are good. So much easier.

Molten I stick the subtitles on if I'm watching TV

I am treating myself to a steam generator when I have PFB's school uniform to iron. Seriously, so no hate please

Yep, brilliant. I bought a Hinari from Asda for £59 to see if I liked it in principle and if they were worth it because I have a lot of ironing, cotton shirts - two men in the house type stuff. It has been fantastic. You don't have to keep refilling it, it is light and it takes out the creases. It is big though and you do need a bit of storage space and a worksurface for it to stand on. It's been going for two years and has earned its living here.

Worth every penny! I do a weeks worth of ironing in just under an hour!!! (2 adults, 3 kids including 15 work/ school shirts!)

If you get one, make sure you get one with the "continuous fill" option- then you can keep topping up the tank whilst you iron. If you don't have this, you have to switch it off and wait to refill it ( I think!)

Yes

They are as good as they say they are. You'll need an ironing board designed for a steam generator as well.

Totally! Mine has just broken (after only two years, not happy about that) and have just been using my old, heavy, really not as good one. I've ordered a new steam generating one already.

Snot what a good idea, thanks. Hope I don't get too engrossed reading the subtitles & burn the clothes

Ha Molten I literally almost did that exact thing tonight. Damn you Sally Field, so compelling, so believable.

Thanks, I'm convinced. Now, any recommendations as to brand/model?

I had a steam generator iron a few years ago, but can't really tell the difference in relation to my last steam iron, which was almost the same price, but is great at ironing and doesn't have the huge steam generator attached to it.

The generator was better for ironing more clothes, as it doesn't need to be filled as often.

Steam generators are so much better. Less topping up of water, much lighter as you are only lifting the iron, not an iron full of water, plus the steam pressure is so much greater. Would never go back now. Ours is a Philips, bought it because it was half price in Argos and its worked perfectly for 6 or 7 years.

Yes. I'm evangelical about mine. And I also use subtitles when ironing and watching tv. Simples!

Love the idea about subtitles on tv whilst ironing!