The history of iron dates back to the first century. The primary use was through pans filled with boiling water. This innovation was used in china. While the Roman Empire used to pound their clothes with flat metal mallets to remove wrinkles. Advancement was made around the 15th century when a hot coal iron was introduced. It used to contain a hollow metal box with a smooth bottom and a grip usually made of wood to hold it. They would fill that hollow metal box with burning coal or some other hot element to produce heat. Another advancement happened in the late 19th century. This time its name was a gas iron. These were hooked to the gas pipelines of households which provided fuel to the burner inside the iron. Other fuels like oil, gasoline, etc.
The iron that we know today was invented in 1882 by Henry W Seeley. This iron was heated by heating coils which were heated by electricity. The problem with this iron was that it had no temperature control. It had to be reheated regularly. Thomas Sears invented the steam iron in the 20th century.
Difference between steam iron box and regular iron
A regular iron has no water compartment, or it does not spray or steam any water. On the other hand, a steam iron box converts the water in its water compartment into steam by the iron’s heat and emits that steam through the soleplate. This innovation helps in ironing clothes in a better way.
A steam iron box contains a water compartment which you will have to refill whenever it gets empty. Most spray iron boxes even let you spray some water before ironing the cloth. This helps in getting the cloth a little wet before ironing. This process makes it easier and smoother to remove wrinkles from the clothing piece. A steam iron can work as a dry iron too, all you need to do is remove the steam setting and use it as a dry iron.
Why steam iron box
This is a fundamental question, and everyone should ask it before buying a press or iron. Why should you buy a steam iron box and not a regular dry iron? The answer is dependable. If you need to press or iron only a few clothes and not every day, then dry iron is a good option for you. Steam iron is useful when you have to iron a large number of clothes in a limited time. The steam iron box manages time well as it produces steam which penetrates the fabric and helps retain the non-wrinkled texture. Sometimes you don’t even need to iron both sides as just ironing one side has enough effect on the other side too. This iron will use half the time and effort required to iron by a dry iron.
How to iron using a steam iron box
It is the right choice as not only are your clothes being ironed; they are also getting steamed. The best and first tip we need to give you is the choose the correct setting for your garment. The texture and the instructions about ironing must be kept in mind. After you have applied a particular setting to the iron, switch it on and let it heat till its indicator, light does not go off. Once the light gets off, start ironing.
How to take care of your steam iron?
The holes from which the steam escapes can get blocked due to deposits. The key to avoiding that is to use clean, soft water. It will be best if you use drinking water only in the water container as tap water can be hard and then those deposits can ruin the ironing experience for you. Do clean your press once in a while.
Make sure you wind up the cord carefully. Many times the cord gets damaged, and the price is paid by the clothes.
If possible, empty and dry out the water container after every use of the press.
When cleaning the press, read its instructions carefully. Most irons warn about not putting hot water on the sole after it has just been removed from the switch. You must let it cool down and then you may use some water.
Which temperatures are best suited for which clothing material –
The following information’s source is Wikipedia –
- Cloth – temperature
- Toile – 240 degree Celsius
- Triacetate – 200 degree Celsius
- Cotton – 204 degree Celsius
- Linen – 230 degree Celsius
- Viscose / rayon – 190 degree Celsius
- Wool – 148 degree Celsius
- Polyester – 148 degree Celsius
- Silk – 148 degree Celsius
- Acetate – 143 degree Celsius
- Acrylic – 135 degree Celsius
- Lycra / spandex – 135 degree Celsius
- Nylon 6 – 150 degree Celsius
- Nylon -6,6 – 170 degree Celsius
Suggested products
Here is a list of the steam iron boxes that we recommend. We have not only explained each iron’s specifications in detail but we have also given their amazon link along. The specifications are in detail so that you can decide which iron is best suited for your household.
Product Name | Product | Product Price |
Bajaj majesty MX3 1250 – watt steam iron |  | |
Philips GC1905 1440- Watt steam iron with spray (blue) |  | |
Morphy Richards super glide 2000 watt steam iron ( white/blue ) |  | |
Philips easy speed plus GC2048 2300 – Watt steam iron ( purple ) |  |
1. Bajaj majesty MX3 1250 – watt steam iron
There are several reasons as to why this steam iron box has topped our list. Let us discuss each of them. Its design is a win-win situation. With a sleek and majestic designer look, this iron is very lightweight, its finish is super clean and aesthetically pleasing. Its actual weight is around 1 kg. It comes with a cold body touch technology. This means that the body does not get hot and we are protected from any accidental burns. Its power usage in 1250 watts. It comes with a non-stick coated soleplate which helps it in smoothly gliding over clothes.
Along with steam, It also has the option of spraying water. It has 23 steam vents and 12g of steam output. You can also vary the amount of steam output depending on the cloth you are ironing. It has got a 150 ml translucent water tank. The cord can be rotated full 360 degrees.
The dimensions are that its height is 10.8 cm, width is 13.6 cm and depth is 26.6 cm. The product comes with a two year warranty. Its maximum retail price is one thousand three hundred and eighty rupees. But you will get a discount if you buy from the link we have given below. This iron also boasts about a self-cleaning facility so that your task is reduced. The length of the power cord is 1.8 meters. The dimensions of the soleplate are 18 cm of length, 9.5 cm of width, and sole plate’s thickness of 1.84mm. Its temperature control will help you iron on specific temperatures for different clothing. We have mentioned about different temperatures at which irons should be used to iron different clothing materials.
Yes this iron has some disadvantages, and that is, you should set the steam settings carefully. If your steam setting is maximum, and you leave it vertical, it will produce steam on a large scale which eventually condenses and runs down like water through the plate. The heating on this device is quick and efficient. If you think that the water is leaking or something like that, then before getting angry and returning the product, learn how to use the product. Lucky for you, we have mentioned the dos and don’ts below in the section called how to use it properly.
How to use it properly?
Do not fill the water tank thoroughly. Let the iron get sufficiently hot before using it, or otherwise, the water will leak from the steam vents. Start using only when the indicator light goes off after plugging. This ensures that the desired temperature is achieved. Do not use hard water as its deposits are bound to block the steam vents over time. Do not touch the metal part at any cost. Even the sides are harmful. Especially since steam is marching out of it, do not keep your hands even near the iron while ironing.
2. Crompton Greaves ACGSI - Aristo 1200 – Watt Steam Iron ( white )
The company name is Crompton greaves. It does contain an indicator light; it also allows you to spray water. It does automatically regulate temperature by shutting itself off automatically. This iron also offers a self-cleaning facility which makes it easier for people to use and clean ti. Its power consumption is 1200 watts. The soleplate on this device is also non-stick; it hence ensures smooth ironing of your clothes. It has a manual clean function also. It also contains a steam burst. The cord given attached to it can be swivelled for 360 degrees, hence no hassle of rotating the cord to a specific degree. This product is supported by a two year warranty too. This product also needs to be handled with care, just like the other steam iron boxes. How to use it properly section will tell you the dos and don’t of using this product. Its maximum retail price is 1399, but the link we give below will suggest a lesser amount. Its dimensions state that it has a height of 5 cm and a width of 5 cm too.
On the other hand, its length is 10 cm. This too is a lightweight iron with a weight of 1 kg. This product is made in India and has a robust body. Like the other irons, its body is also protected from the heat that is, only the soleplate will get hot. It comes with a dial that tells you about the different settings for different materials like linen, silk, wool, cotton and nylon. Read the manual carefully to use the iron properly. There is a water tank in it with self-cleaning technology. You can also dry iron by not filling the water in the tank.
How to use it properly
The instructions of how you should use a steam iron box and more or less the same only. Here too, you let the iron get sufficiently hot before using it, or otherwise, the water will leak from the steam vents. The question arises, how can we know that the temperature has been achieved? To that, we say, that let the indicator light go off. That is the indicator that the desired temperature has been achieved. Do not use hard water as its deposits are bound to block the steam vents over time. Do not touch the metal part at any cost. Even the sides are harmful. Especially since steam is marching out of it, do not keep your hands even near the iron while ironing. Most of all, never fill the water tank fully to avoid leakage.
3. Philips GC1905 1440- Watt steam iron with spray (blue)
The retail market price of the product is one thousand eight hundred ninety-five rupees. But the link below will always provide some kind of discount for you. The aluminium soleplate glides over all clothing materials easily. It also offers the facility of spraying water. The steam output is of 13 g per minute. The power consumption on this device is 1440 watt, and it comes with a warranty of 2 years. Its water tank’s capacity is of 180 ml. The length of the power cord is 1.8 sufficient meters. This iron also offers a self-cleaning option. To prevent leakage, always keep the setting at dry when the product is not in use. If the product is cols, that is, it is not in use; then the water will leak if your setting is of steam. Second and third positions too are to be used only when the soleplate is hot, that is when the device is connected to electricity.
The soleplate is non-sticky so that your clothes get ironed smoothly. It boasts about a button groove for easy ironing along with buttons and seams. Its heating action is quick and effective. It is loaded with a fast filling and emptying hole, so you can fastly fill and empty the water tank. The iron is smartly furnished and is aesthetically pleasing. The thing is, its cord can be swiveled for 180 degrees. Its dimensions are as follows height is 15.7 cm, width is 28.4 cm, and depth is 12.3 cm. It is also lightweight, but more massive than the other irons we have discussed. Its weight is 1.6 kg.
How to use it properly?
Here too, you let the iron get sufficiently hot before using it, or otherwise, the water will leak from the steam vents. The question arises, how can we know that the temperature has been achieved? To that, we say, that let the indicator light go off. That is the indicator that the desired temperature has been achieved. Do not use hard water as its deposits are bound to block the steam vents over time. Do not touch the metal part at any cost. Even the sides are harmful. Especially since steam is marching out of it, do not keep your hands even near the iron while ironing. Most of all, never fill the water tank fully to avoid leakage.
4. Morphy Richards super glide 2000 watt steam iron ( white/blue )
This robust looking steam iron box is a great idea as it has an extra-large water tank that can store up to 350 ml of water. It comes with variable steam control, that is, you can change the amount of steam you want radiating out of it. It provides 11 g of continuous steam. Its steam shots are potent. They can provide up to 150 g per minute. It too is self cleaning to reduce your chores with anti calc function. Its sole plate is premium ceramic coated which gives it a longer life and smoother ironing. The sole plate is extra large which reduces your efforts and saves time. The cord can swivel 360 degrees so that you can work hassle free. The cord is extra long too. It comes with the option of spraying water. You will get shocked when you hear the number of steam vents. It is forty-six! Yes this steam iron box contains 46 steam vents. The power needed is 2000 watts. Its operating voltage is 230 volts, and it comes with a warranty of 2 years. Its maximum retail price is two thousand five hundred eighty rupees. By clicking on the link we have given below, you will get a good discount on this device. The cable has a length of 152 cm. its variable heat dial also helps you set a particular heat setting when ironing different clothing materials. If we talk about dimensions, its height is 17.2 cm, width is 13.2 cm, and depth is 31.2 cm. Like other steam irons, it also comes with an instruction manual. Consult the manual for the smooth and safe functioning of the iron.
How to use it properly
The first and foremost tip that is needed in any steam iron box is the fact that you need to let it get hot properly before using or otherwise the water will leak directly instead of getting converted into steam. Plug the device into the socket and let it get hot until its indicator light goes off. Then start ironing your clothes. Do not use hard water as its deposits are bound to block the steam vents over time. Do not touch the metal part at any cost. Even the sides are harmful. Especially since steam is marching out of it, do not keep your hands even near the iron while ironing. Most of all, never fill the water tank fully to avoid leakage.
5. Philips easy speed plus GC2048 2300 – Watt steam iron ( purple )
This iron has a ceramic soleplate for smooth glide. It also comes with safety auto-off feature to prevent burns. This iron also provides vertical ironing which is not the case for many irons. You can press the clothes which are on the hanger or steam them as it does emit steam. The steam output is up to 35 g per minute which is quite high. It also comes with a drip-stop system. The warranty on this device is of 2 years, it operates on a voltage of 230 volts, and its power consumption is 2300 watts. It has a steam boost of up to 120 g per minute, which to is a high number. It ensures no dripping even at lower temperatures.
Many people with steam irons complain about leakages and dripping because the water condenses or because the temperature needed Is low, this no-drip technology solves those problems. The power cord can be rotated to a full 360 degrees. It automatically shuts off too when not in use. It can be used as a dry iron too. This iron retails for three thousand nine hundred and ninety-five rupees in the market, but with the link below, you can easily buy it for lesser prices. It can spray water too. There is a feature of a calc clean slider. This helps you to remove any built upscale out of your iron easily. They recommend using this feature at least once in a month so that the iron gets a smoother life. It also comes with a triple precision tip for the better ironing between buttons. This iron comes with an extra-large heel rest to give it stability. The dimensions of this device are height 15 cm, width 32 cm, depth 14 cm. This iron is lightweight too as it weighs only 1 kg.
How to use it properly
In steam irons, the sole plate needs to be hot enough, or the water starts to leak. This is often seen as a defect when the actual defect is in how you’re handling it. Do not use hard water as its deposits are bound to block the steam vents over time. Do not touch the metal part at any cost. Even the sides are harmful. Especially since steam is marching out of it, do not keep your hands even near the iron while ironing. Most of all, never fill the water tank fully to avoid leakage.
Buying Guide:
How should you choose your iron? Well, the answer highly depends on your needs and your budget. If you only iron a few clothes in a week, then there is no point of spending too much money in buying a steam iron box. You could simply use a good dry iron for the task. However, if you have to iron a lot of clothes daily, then steam iron will not only reduce your workload because of its efficiency, it will also make your clothes look more professionally ironed. Most of the time, you would not even need to iron the other side of the clothing as the steam penetrates the cloth and does the task for you. The next thing you need to take care of is the power usage if you are concerned about the electricity bill. But most of the time, higher power also means that the iron will get heated quicker and your task will be finished quicker. So you will have to research that part. We have tried our best to mention all the features and specifications that we could about each of the steam irons mentioned. Now you need to realize that which one is made for you.