Is A Steam Generator Better Than An Iron?

Some people can be very particular about how their clothes look. They need professional standard results. Usually, even a Rowenta garment steamer may not be good enough for them. After all, there are inherent weaknesses in a garment steamer as it can never give the same level of crispness and smoothness that a steam iron can. So, an iron is still the better option compared to a steamer in this case.

There is also such a thing called steam generator iron and this might make you rethink if the conventional steam iron is still the best choice. Of course, it depends on what you are looking for in an iron in terms of results, ironing load, size, and ease of use. There are pros and cons to each of the appliances and there will be compromises to be made if you choose one over the other.

What Is A Steam Generator Iron?

A regular steam iron would have a small water tank built-in which will release steam through the steam holes on the soleplate. The maximum tank capacity is around 12 oz for the larger irons such as the Rowenta DW8080 Pro Master Iron. The more common tank size can fill less than 10 oz of water.

A steam generator is a little different. There is a separate tank which is much larger that comes with a boiler that heats up the water pretty quickly. You can get the steam going within 3 to 4 minutes for most models. This boiler creates steam pressure that is higher than most regular irons which is then released via the steam holes on the soleplate.

Just like when you press the trigger button on an iron to get a burst of steam, the same applies to a steam station. The only difference is the steam force is more powerful compared to most regular irons. This pressure should penetrate the material and loosen the fibers to smooth out all wrinkles easily.

Steam Generator vs Steam Iron

Water Tank Capacity

As mentioned, a steam generator will have a much larger water tank that is separate from the iron. What this means is it will allow you to iron longer without having to refill as often. You can have an hour to 2 hours of continuous steam for most home models.

Steam Pressure And Output

The top Rowenta steam generators can produce up to 5.2 bars of pressure. This powerful force will make vertical steaming of drapes, curtains and hanging garments much more effective than regular steam irons.

The higher level of steam output also makes ironing easier and faster as wrinkles can be quickly erased. The Rowenta DG5030 Pro Iron Steam Station, for instance, can produce 3 times more steam than traditional irons.

Size

A steam generator is definitely bulkier and heavier because of its large water tank. So, you need the best ironing board to go with it. The ironing board cannot be flimsy as it might easily collapse or tip over due to the weight. You might even like an extra long ironing board if you are using a steam generator so that you will have a bigger surface area to work on.

Iron Weight

Because the water is not in the iron itself but a separate tank, the weight of the iron portion has become lighter for a steam generator. This means it is not as tiring on the arm especially when it comes to vertical steaming.

Price

A regular iron is definitely cheaper compared to a steam station. The better models for home use commonly retail for $200 to $300. Of course, you can get a unit for less but the steam pressure and output will not be as powerful as the top models. In comparison, you can get the best steam irons for less than $100 which is less than half the price of a steam generator.

Should You Buy A Steam Generator Iron?

A steam generator is not necessarily better than an iron. Nowadays, the top range irons like the Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force can also produce a very powerful steam surge. But a steam generator will work well for those who have a high ironing load. If you find it troublesome to keep refilling your steam iron, then a steam generator is the way to go.

It is also the right choice if you like better results for your clothes. If you have a cheap iron right now with a big pile of clothes to iron each time, it can be frustrating to work through every item to get perfectly smooth results. In such a case, replacing it with a steam generator would make sense. More steam output and a higher steam pressure will get you the results that you want at a faster rate.

Lastly, a good steam iron filled with water can be heavy. The top Rowenta irons can easily weigh over 3.5 lbs without water. If you filled it to the maximum, you will have one very heavy iron to manage. The iron portion in a steam generator unit will be lighter since it doesn’t have a water tank built in. So, if you like plenty of steam but not the weight, then a steam generator is better than a regular iron in this aspect.