Households that build up large piles of laundry
You regularly iron shirts, sheets, children’s clothes or household linens in one session. Being able to carry on without waiting to refill the appliance may therefore influence your choice.
Who is this choice for?
People who iron thick or heavily creased fabrics
For jeans, household linens or stubborn creases, compare the continuous steam output, steam boost and settings of the specific model rather than looking at the bar rating alone.
People with limited space or time for maintenance
You’re considering a steam generator but need to be able to set up, move and store its base. The model’s descaling process may also influence your decision.
What should you look for?
For regular, lengthy ironing sessions, first decide whether you’d mind stopping to refill the appliance. Then consider the fabrics you need to iron, maintenance and the space available.
Steam generator with unlimited runtime
Consider this: if the length of your ironing sessions varies and you’d like to be able to add water while ironing.
Be prepared for: a base that needs setting up and storing. Check how to refill the specific model you’re considering.
Steam generator with limited runtime
Consider this: if your laundry loads are predictable and a possible pause won’t disrupt your ironing session.
Be prepared for: if it has a pressurised boiler, you’ll need to switch the appliance off and let it cool before refilling, according to Centrale-vapeur.com.
Conventional steam iron
Consider this: if you can manage your ironing sessions without a separate base and storage space is a priority.
Be prepared for: you won’t benefit from the separate tank, which can make a steam generator’s iron lighter to hold, as Que Choisir points out.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Uninterrupted ironing | Check whether you can refill the appliance while it’s in use and whether the tank is removable: these are two separate features. | If I have a large or unpredictable pile of laundry, I want to avoid waiting for the appliance to cool before I can carry on. Around 36% of consumers would put uninterrupted ironing at the top of their list. |
| Stubborn creases | Compare continuous steam output and steam boost in g/min, as well as the settings for the fabrics you need to iron. | If I often iron jeans or heavily creased household linens, I look for an appliance suited to those items rather than focusing on one pressure figure. Nearly 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Descaling and limescale maintenance | Check the model’s instructions to find out how to descale it and whether any parts need to be removed. | If I find maintenance a hassle, I want to be able to follow a process that’s right for my appliance throughout my ironing sessions. Ease of maintenance would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage space | Measure the space for the base and check the total weight and carrying features of the model you’re considering. | If I have to take the appliance out and put it away after every session, its size may matter more than the comfort of a lighter iron in my hand. Around 14% of consumers would put storage space first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on pressure or steam boost
Pressure, continuous steam output and steam boost don’t describe the same feature. Que Choisir also considers ease of use and maintenance when testing steam generators.
Compare the specifications and available test results for the exact model, taking into account the fabrics you iron.
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Confusing refilling during use with a removable tank
A steam generator with unlimited runtime may have a fixed tank. How you refill it therefore depends on the appliance’s design.
Check separately whether you can refill it while it’s in use, whether the tank is removable and how easy it is to access once the steam generator is set up.
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Using the same descaling method for every model
Philips says the process varies by model. Calor also recommends following the appliance instructions and advises against using white vinegar, as it may corrode certain components.
Find the full model number and check the instructions before using a descaling product or removing any limescale-control part.
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Forgetting how much space the base needs
According to Que Choisir, the separate tank can make the iron lighter, but it also makes a steam generator bulkier than a conventional steam iron. This is worth considering if you need to move the whole appliance for every session.
Measure the space where you’ll use and store the appliance. Also check its total weight and whether the model you’re considering has a transport lock.
Steam generator brands to know
Calor
Calor offers a range of steam generators, including models designed for regular ironing sessions.
- For the Pro Express Ultimate II GV9721C0, Calor states a continuous steam output of 170 g/min, a steam boost of 600 g/min and a removable limescale collector.
- These specifications apply to the GV9721C0. Check the product details and instructions for any other Calor model before comparing.
Philips
The PerfectCare range includes steam generators whose maintenance requirements should be checked for each model.
- Philips Support lets you find the descaling instructions for your model.
- The name of a limescale-control system doesn’t tell you how to descale the appliance: check the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Braun
The CareStyle range and other Braun series feature different tank designs and maintenance requirements.
- Braun describes the UpStyle 2 as having a removable 1,5 L tank with an integrated collector, and the CareStyle 9 as featuring an AutoClean system.
- These features are specific to the models or series mentioned; they don’t apply to every Braun steam generator.
A steam generator to consider on Joybuy
This Philips steam generator could be worth comparing if you have demanding ironing sessions. Before choosing it, check its filling requirements, maintenance and dimensions against your ironing routine and available storage space.
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Philips PSG6022/20 PerfectCare 6000 Series steam generator
Worth considering if you tackle a large pile of laundry in one session. Before buying, check the PSG6022/20 instructions to find out whether refilling means you’ll need to stop, and how to descale it.
Frequently asked questions
How much laundry makes a steam generator worth considering?
There’s no set number of items that applies to every household: Que Choisir recommends considering a steam generator if you iron large loads. If your sessions are long, frequent or regularly interrupted to refill your iron, compare a steam generator with the steam iron you use. For more manageable loads, also think about how much space its base would take up.
Can you refill a steam generator with unlimited runtime while ironing?
Being able to refill the appliance while it’s in use is a feature of this category, but check the instructions for the model you choose. A refillable tank isn’t necessarily removable. Conversely, a pressurised boiler with limited runtime must be switched off and allowed to cool before you refill it, according to Centrale-vapeur.com.
How do you descale a steam generator?
Follow the instructions for your specific model rather than using a method intended for another appliance. Philips says the process varies by model, while Calor advises against using white vinegar because it may corrode certain components.
What warranty applies to a new steam generator bought in France?
For a new product bought from a professional seller in France, you can make a claim under the statutory legal guarantee of conformity against the seller for two years, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Any commercial warranty is separate and does not replace this statutory guarantee.