Press?

[johnrk]

Does anyone else on here use an ironing press instead of an iron?

I bought my first Swiss-made Elnapress about 30 years ago from my Elna sewing machine dealer. Back then, I wore jeans and other slacks and was quite anal about creases in my pants. The Elnapress easily puts a crease in like no iron ever could, because it presses at 32 lb/sq in. And it's fast! I loved the speed that I could press even sheets and pillowcases. At that time it cost not a lot less than $1K but was worth it in time and appearance of laundry for me. I gave that one to my sister about a decade later (still working perfectly for her) and bought a new one just before the Asians took over Elna and ruined the brand.

To this day I still prefer sitting and using the press rather than sawing an iron back and forth, though I do it on occasion when I just have one item.

Does anyone else on this forum use an ironing press, of any brand?[this post was last edited: 11/11/2017-11:56]

 

[launderess]

Archives to the rescue!

Pipe:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?72094

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?65869

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?63979

And so it goes.....

You'll find there is very little laundry-wise this group hasn't covered over the years.....

 

[johnrk]

Blancapress

The Blancapress doesn't compare to the Elnapress. Why? There is no sleeve capability; it's simply flat.

One thing is for certain: to use an ironing press, there is a learning curve. However, once mastered, it's considerably faster with results that aren't obtainable with irons.

However, we all know that people iron just a fraction of what they used to, so the advantage in time and finishing isn't so great.

As I stated before, I have both, and know when to use each. And thanks for your reply, 'Laundress'! True, I come here and visit, then leave again, to return at a future point...

 

[launderess]

A skilled press operator can do sleeves

On a rectangular press "buck" same a shaped.

Have had an Elnapress for ages and it rarely sees use. The "buck" surface is just too small and makes an already tiring job (moving/repositioning things to be pressed) more so.

My vintage Hurley press like the Blancapress is a large rectangle, and am here to tell you can get shirts done quite easily with far less effort.

That being said if one is going to do shirts via a mechanical means, the Ironrite is faster and gives better results with far less effort.

 

[earthling177]

If one just visits my home and doesn't ask any questions, one might be forgiven for thinking that I love ironing -- there's certainly more than enough equipment to suggest so.

Some people really love ironing, they find it relaxing -- I say, more power to them. I really don't like ironing at all, and that's why I eventually ended up with a few irons, an Elna Press and a Miele Rotary Ironer.

Funnily enough, when people who are picky about results see my stuff or try them out, they can clearly see 3 different results and people who just want "wrinkle-free" like me don't care, whatever works, but people after certain "finishes", only that process will do.

I like the rotary ironer the best (it's a 240V model) -- if one is careful, it produces fast nice results. I say it's like a microwave oven, you can either produce nice results really fast or you could accidentally put in creases and wrinkles that are hard to remove, LOL.

The Elna Press is also nice to use, but it seems to take the longest to warm up and one also needs to be careful not to press in wrinkles/creases one doesn't want. Also, one needs to take care not to accidentally touch the hot plate while smoothing the items on the table.

The irons vary in quality, speed and amenities. I have one I like for sewing/quilting because you don't need to keep changing from up/down -- once you release the handle, it automatically raises itself up, very convenient when you are ironing hundreds of tiny quilting pieces. The Rowenta is better for pants or shirts, it heats up really fast (I think it's 1,600W or so) and has lots of steam but the steam takes a bit to start coming out of the vents and if you are ironing something smaller (handkerchiefs, for example) you might get pissed off 'cuz the steam starts pouring a third of the way thru and *really* goes nuts when you put the iron upright, when it does the *least* good.

But honestly, if you are happy with wrinkle-free and do not mind the clothes are not "ironed" but just pressed, the Elna Press is faster and the Rotary Ironer is fastest.

Have fun!
   -- Paulo.