Steam Generating Irons

[curlywurlycremeegg]

Have I used the correct term? , those expensive ones that sit on a big tank of water

Dsicuss: are they any good? My old faithful iron has had it's day, should I shell out for one of these? Any recommendations?

TIA

I bought this Philips in September and I love it except for the sole plate which is supposed to be non stick ceramic, but it's not very non stick. I have never found ceramic very good anyway and much prefer stainless steel irons.

The Philips steam generators came out best in Which, which is why I went for it.

I'd recommend getting a Laurastar iron. I've got the G4 version. It's the most hassle free imo of all the steam generators.

The main difference with the Laurastar is it produces dry steam instead of wet steam. I use to have a wet steam generator but found clothes are often left damp so you have to hang them up to dry after you'd ironed and the room gets really steam filled and your windows misted. Plus you can get burn off the steam quite easily. With the dry steam none of this happens.

It's expensive, but if your going to spend lots of a steam generator iron anyway i'd pay a bit more for this one.

Definitely worth it. Definitely, definitely, definitely. I used to be not very good at ironing and put it off but with a steam generating one I actively iron things which don't strictly need ironing.

Yes, they are good. They are just so much faster than a conventional steam iron.

They are brilliant. Ironing's done in half the time

I got mine in M&S. At about £80, it was fairly cheap as fair as these gadgets go, and worth every penny.

I'm a steam iron girl myself but never understood how MIL irons (perfectly) without any steam at all.

Been using this type of iron for years now and couldn't go back to an ordinary steam iron. IME, you don't need to buy the most expensive one to get the best results.

I hate ironing, but it is okay with a steam generator. A lot quicker anyway. MIL, who is 1950s WI Mother personified - has had one for a few years and it cost a fortune, but she so inspired me that I bought a cheaper one. (about £80, Kenwood). It is really rather good, but then my previous iron cost £5.

Cuts ironing time by at least half, I can do one of dh,s shirts in around 2 mins with one. Thumbs up from me!

£369 for an iron , bleedin hell

Do these fit on the end of the ironing board ok. I would not imagine there would be the room.

I dont iron. I do however have a steam gen which I have used maybe 3 times in total. My boyfriend loves it. so do my two friends who have borrowed it!

Oh thank you everyone, if it cuts ironing time then it's a winner, with 6 in our family I need all the help I can get! Will now have a look at all the links and do a bit of research

Tefal one gets my vote

You do really need to get a mesh based ironing board too or the solid type metal ones go rusty...and sometimes you may get drips underneath, so a large old towel under the board is helpful.

Yes you do need to get a mesh or the top cover just ends up soaking.
I found this ironing board really good

6 people in our house too and i would never go back to a standard iron either.

same as onadietcokebreak have one, don't use it, others do and love it! [slattern]