Here’s a short video which quickly and succinctly captures many of the benefits of steam generator irons.

Hopefully, that’s pretty direct and to the point. If you’ve been wondering about whether or not a steam generator iron would be a good buy for you, then the main thing to consider is the fact that you will save quite a lot of time by using one of these. Most people cut their ironing time in half when compared to a similar load of ironing carried out with a standard steam iron.

Steam Iron Or Steam Generator Iron?

Of course, steam generators do cost more than conventional steam irons – so be sure to check out a more in-depth discussion of steam generator iron benefits and also our steam generator iron comparison guide.

As a very rough guide, if you have a lot of ironing to do, and especially if you tend to do this in fairly long sessions, then a steam generator iron is probably worth while considering.

If you don’t have a great deal of ironing to get through, and especially if you find that you typically iron only two or three garments at any one time, then a traditional steam iron might be adequate for your needs.

If you’re unfamiliar with steam generator irons, you may be wondering about certain aspects of their design, use and operation. The questions below are often asked, so they’ve been collected together here. Hopefully this will be helpful for you.

If your question isn’t featured here, then feel free to ask it in the comments section. You may also find further information in our steam generator irons buyer’s guide.

What’s the difference between a steam generator iron and a standard steam iron?
A conventional steam iron has the water in the body of the iron. A steam generator iron has a separate water tank and boiler which feeds larger quantities of steam at high pressure to the iron head, from where it can penetrate deep into the fabric of the garment being pressed. This will halve your ironing time and also produce a superior quality of finished garment.

If the steam is at high pressure, is there a risk of explosion?
No. The pressure is higher than standard steam irons but is still relatively low. An emergency steam release valve is fitted, purely as a precaution, and the boiler is fabricated from stainless steel – so there’s no risk of corrosion.

Can steam be used on all heat settings?
Yes. Since the steam is produced independently, you can use steam on even the lowest heat setting if you wish.

What type of water should I use with my Tefal steam generator iron?
Tefal steam generator irons are specifically designed for use with normal tap water. You should not fill your iron with water from any other source, including demineralised water, distilled water, scented water or softened water.

I live in a hard water area. Is scale likely to be a problem?
Because the heating element is outside the water tank, scale build up is prevented. However, all Tefal steam generator irons are fitted with a patented anti-calc system which is easy to use. Simply unscrew it and hold it under running tap water whenever the indicator light tells you to.

Do I need a special ironing board?
Because steam generator irons produce a huge amount of steam, you should use an ironing board which has a mesh construction. Otherwise there will be a build up of condensation and the clothes being ironed may become damp. It’s also worth noting that steam generator irons are larger than standard irons. Make sure that your steam generator ironing board is large enough and sturdy enough to accommodate this – or, alternatively, you could position the base unit on the floor or on a nearby worktop if you prefer.

More information on the different types of steam generator irons available from Tefal can be found at our steam generator iron comparison page.

The following review is taken from Amazon UK and summarises one customer’s experience with their brand new steam iron (in this case a Tefal GV8360 steam generator iron).

It also removes BLACKHEADS LOL, 19 Jun 2010

After reading all the reviews I decided this was the iron of my dreams. so I got one, plugged it in, pressed a button and it shot from my hand, I managed to grab it by the cord. I soon discovered why, My ironing board wasn’t suitable for a generator iron , you need one with vents or mesh. So… I got one and had another bash at ironing. I do B&B so my linen has to be pristine. I’ve got lots of victorian tablecloths that are a nightmare to iron, this thing whizzed through them in minutes. Everything I ironed with it was perfect.

As you can see, Mrs. Docherty was very happy with her iron – after she got over her initial fright of course.

Steam generator irons do produce much more steam than conventional steam irons. That’s why they help you to zip through your ironing in about half the time. However, do be sure that your ironing board has vents so that all that extra steam can escape.

If you plan on doing large amounts of ironing you may want to get a special steam generator ironing board. These have a good solid platform at the end of the board to mount your steam generator iron and also have traps which collect the water which condenses after prolonged use as a result of the steam produced.

Brabantia Aqua Bowl Steam Generator Ironing Board at Amazon UK ...

In all probability – as long as you’re not doing huge amounts of ironing (and don’t forget, your steam generator iron will cut your ironing time in half – more or less) – a normal ironing board with a suitable mesh will be fine for you.

A mesh type ironing board will probably be suitable

So – in summary:

1. Steam pressure of 4.5 to 5.0 bar.
2. Steam output of around 120 gpm.
3. Easy anti-scale cleaning system.
4. Easy to fill (preferably with fast heat up).
5. Easy to use.

Steam generator irons certainly offer a number of advantages in comparison with conventional steam irons. The main difference with this type of iron – also known as “continuous steam” irons – is that the steam is generated in a separate base unit which contains both the water reservoir and a boiler, rather than in the body of the iron itself.

This produces a number of advantages. Firstly, since there is no water in the body of the iron itself, it is lighter and easier to move around. Combine the reduced weight with a super smooth sole plate and ironing becomes – if not exactly a joy – very much easier.

The second big advantage is that the separate base unit produces much more steam than a standard steam iron – and it is at a higher pressure. This means that the steam penetrates the fabric of the garment being pressed more easily. It’s possible to iron both sides of even fairly heavy garments in one pass.

The quality of the finished garments will be better than that which would be achieved with a standard iron. More importantly, these results will be achieved in much less time – a reduction of 50% in ironing time is genuinely achievable.

It’s true that steam generator irons do cost a little, but not too much, more than normal irons – but the results are well worth it. If you value your time at even the minimum wage then you will very quickly more than justify your investment.

It’s always worth checking online for bargains. Amazon nearly always have discounts – and delivery is free. Take a couple of minutes to check out our buyer’s guide to Tefal steam generator irons and you’ll know how to spot a bargain.

Tefal Protect Steam Generator Iron - available at Amazon UK. Click the image for more details

The advantage of this over a conventional steam iron is that the base unit generates steam under high pressure – and a lot more of it than a traditional iron. This extra steam penetrates deeper into the fabric of whatever garment is being ironed. It means that it’s easier and faster to iron clothes and that the end result is better as well. Some people say that they have reduced the time that they need to iron by 75% – but 50% is commonly quoted.

Obviously if you have a large family and do a lot of ironing then a steam generator iron would be a good way for you to free up some time. Even if you don’t have a lot of ironing to do then you might think that a steam generator iron would be worthwhile – even if it only saves you an hour or two each week. Let’s face it, ironing is a necessary but pretty thankless task. Cutting the amount of time you spend doing it in half has got to be worth looking at!

Steam generator irons with high steam pressure can also be used vertically – to take the creases out of curtains and drapes, or even to freshen up a suit or jacket on a hanger.

They do tend to cost a little – but not too much – more than conventional steam irons. However, most people who use them swear by them and would never go back to using a standard iron. Have a look at our quick Tefal steam generator iron buyer’s guide and you’ll soon know what to look for and be able to spot a bargain when you see one.

On the subject of bargains, you can usually find Tefal steam generator irons on Amazon – often with a discount and usually with free delivery thrown in.

Check out Tefal steam generator irons at Amazon UK ...