Stream Generator Iron Question

[gredmondson]

Now that I have a vacuum ironing board, I have seen references to steam generator irons (and there is a Eurp Pro Shark Steam Generator iron for sale on craigslist in Emeryville for $69.00). When using a steam generator iron, do you still have to dampen cotton material to iron it nicely? How does the steam generator iron do on garments that are starched?

 

[luxflairguy]

steam generator irons

As a long time user of both a vacuum ironing table AND a steam generator iron, I can answer this question!
I rarely pre-dampen cottons or linens unless they are vintage items and I want them urber flat. I find that my everyday linen napkins, tea towels, cotton shirts don't need anything but the wonderful heavy amount of steam my iron produces. I have the no-longer made Bernina generator iron. It steams for about 1.5 hours before needing water. That's normally. Jeans take more steam.
I do not like euro-pro irons. I've had trouble with them. I do have as a back-up the Rowenta generator iron and rally like it. The Bernina stays in Seattle and the Rowenta travels with me to Palm Desert twice a year when I move to the other house for tennis vacations.
I'm left handed and I also was taught to use the large end of the ironing board for shirts and I have taken off the iron platform so I can use the big end. The iron's "plant" sits on the counter to the right of my ironing board, with the iron on the triangle end.

Hope this helps.
P.S. I have really enjoyed all the latest cheerful, friendly banter here about clothelines and the enthusiasm you all share about life, love, underwear and of course wash day! Keep it coming!

Greg Bushman aka Luxflairguy!

 

[gansky1]

I have a Reliable steam-generator iron but not the vacuum ironing board. I love the iron - the steam is just incredible and lasts for a long time as Greg said above. Reliable was the maker of the Bernina iron but they've added quite a few features since that model. The one I like the most is the external water tank that allows you to add water without opening the steam chamber. I shopped around and found that the new model of the Rowenta steam generator was too small in the handle for my big, fat hands! My knuckles dragged on the temperature dial making it uncomfortable to hold.

I do dampen some items before ironing, I find it gives a nicer finish sometimes.

Good luck with your new ironing board and all the toys to go with it.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[luxflairguy]

Reliable Iron Maven

So glad is Maven and not Maiden! Now I'm going to seriously have to think about updating! I do get tired of waiting for the tank to cool before I can add water...
Stop showing me things I want but don't need!

 

[gredmondson]

Oh, Man,

now I want the Reliable Steam Iron, but it is so much more expensive than the Euro-Pro on craigslist! I paid $10.00 for the vacuum ironing board. What would be a companionable price to pay for the used Euro-Pro Steam Generator Iron?

And, Greg, thanks for the information!

 

[tlee618]

I have the Rowenta Steam Generator Iron and love it!! It makes ironing so much easier!! To me it puts a different kind of finish on the fabric than a regular iron.