Which iron to choose?

In order to iron clothing at its best, it is necessary to have a suitable tool. There are a number of products on the market that provide the ideal functions for a specific type of ironing. The choice of the perfect iron depends on a number of factors, including frequency of use, the type of garments to be ironed and the space available in the home. On the other hand, the appliances on the market are not all the same and have specific technical features designed to meet the needs of both those who want a powerful but bulky model and those who need a more compact product to take with them on the go. Through the collaboration with miglior ferro da stiro we have analyzed in detail the different types of irons, highlighting their main advantages and disadvantages. In order to do so, we have focused on what we believe to be the most important aspects of evaluating an iron and choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Iron with internal tank

The most common and most used models are the irons with internal tank. These appliances have a water container that can be filled through a slot and are particularly easy to handle. Generally, irons of this type have a wheel to select the temperature of the plate according to the fabric you intend to iron. From the point of view of structure, these appliances are relatively lightweight and practical for those who have little space in the house. In addition, these are usually cheaper models than irons with boilers. On the market you can find irons belonging to different price ranges that therefore offer very different performance in terms of smoothness of the soleplate, steam delivery and electricity consumption. Among the advantages of this kind of products are undoubtedly the lightness, quietness and compactness. As for the disadvantages, it is worth saying that the internal tank has a limited capacity, although most models on the market allow filling during use. Some irons have a rechargeable battery and are therefore without an electric cord. These models offer greater convenience and allow more freedom of movement than traditional corded irons. However, you have to take into consideration the fact that these are devices with reduced autonomy precisely because they need to be recharged.

Iron with boiler

Those who have available space in the house where to store a bulkier appliance can move towards an iron with boiler. These models, in addition to having larger dimensions compared to irons with internal tank, usually have a higher steam output and greater autonomy thanks to the large capacity of the external tank. The latter is, in fact, able to contain a quantity of water that can vary from less than a liter to 2 liters. The capacity data is extremely important and should be evaluated especially if the product does not allow continuous filling, therefore it is necessary to wait for the boiler to cool down before adding water inside. Of course, these appliances are heavier than normal irons due to the presence of a voluminous tank and an external boiler. Among the technical data to take into consideration when you intend to buy a product of this type there are definitely the boiler pressure, the steam output and the different functions the appliance has (for example, anti-scale function, automatic shut-off etc.). Economic models can reach a pressure around 3.5-4 bars, medium range models are around 4-5 bars, while high range models are able to reach up to 7 bars. This figure also affects the ability to deliver continuous steam. High-end boiler irons are equipped with a steam blow sometimes exceeding 400 g/min, which allows you to deal with any kind of fabric in the best possible way and iron even the most difficult creases. Overall, we recommend this type of product to those who need to frequently iron a significant amount of clothing and is therefore looking for an appliance with a long autonomy and equipped with specific functions for energy saving and to better adapt the iron to the fabric to be ironed.

Vertical iron

The vertical iron, also known as a vertical ironer, is a type of iron that allows for the ironing of fabrics through the delivery of steam in a vertical position. These appliances were initially created for industrial and professional use, for example in tailor's shops, but in recent years they have been put on the market with technical features suitable for domestic use and at a more affordable price. Usually, an upright iron is composed of a rather large tank (from 1 liter to 2.5 liters) located at the base of the product and a telescopic pole that can be extended according to one's height and at the end of which, using a hanger, the garment to be ironed is placed. These models are in some ways convenient for ironing curtains and very long clothes, but they usually have lower technical specifications than irons with a boiler or internal tank. However, they are often equipped with energy-saving features (Eco function) and to combat the formation of limescale inside the tank. There are also portable versions, which you can conveniently carry and take with you on a trip or vacation. We recommend these models to those who need an iron that is practical to use but with a limited power in terms of steam delivery and therefore able to offer a lower level of ironing than other types that can be found on the market.