Iron Buying Guide

Steam power

Steam is the ultimate wrinkle-buster. While every iron will eventually press creases out of your garments, irons that produce more steam will do it faster and with less effort. More money generally buys you more steam, and pricier irons distribute that steam more effectively.

While basic irons have just 10-20 steam holes, midrange models often add extra holes at the tip of the soleplate (the surface that contacts fabrics) to tackle tough spots like shirt collars. The top-of-the-line Rowenta Advancer DZ9080 iron has a whopping 400 tiny steam holes for superior steam distribution. If you iron frequently and need to tame tough fabrics like linen and denim, paying for better steam makes sense. If you just need to press a few shirts once a week, an inexpensive iron will deliver plenty of steam for the job.

Mid- to high-end irons offer useful features that make steam work harder for you. Look for a “burst of steam” option to give an extra blast to stubborn wrinkles. Variable steam automatically tailors the amount of steam to the iron’s heat setting, so you don’t oversteam delicate fabrics. Increasingly popular is vertical steam, which lets you use your iron upright, like a steamer, to banish wrinkles from drapes or hanging garments.

Weight and feel

Irons weigh anywhere from 1 ½ to 4 pounds, but remember that they’ll be several ounces heavier when you add water. If you have limited arm strength, definitely opt for a lightweight iron. If your biceps can take it, a hefty iron is good on heavy fabrics and quilts and gives a stable feel. Steam will affect performance more than weight, so go with an iron you can easily manage.

Look for a comfortable handle with enough clearance, especially if you have larger hands, and heat-setting and steam controls that are well-placed and easy to operate. You’ll also want to consider the iron’s “glide,” or how it moves. Irons with nonstick or enamel-coated soleplates move more easily over fabric. Some users love the effortless feel, but others find fast-gliding irons unstable and difficult to control. If you want a steadier feel, choose an iron with a stainless-steel soleplate. Stainless-steel soleplates are also more durable than those with nonstick coatings, which are vulnerable to scratches and nicks.

Convenience factors

Will having the right features on your iron magically make getting creases out of linen fun? Probably not, but when you’re shopping, pay attention to these details that can make ironing less of a chore:

The water tank – Bigger is usually better. Inexpensive irons often have small tanks, meaning you’ll need to stop and refill frequently. Look for a tank that’s easy to refill and avoid designs that require the iron to sit flat or be turned upside down to add water. A removable tank is easier to fill. Make sure the iron you choose uses tap water; most do, but a few still require distilled water.

The power cord – Cordless irons may seem convenient, but they lack the power of corded irons, and it’s a nuisance to reheat them in the base every few minutes. Stick with a corded iron with a cord that pivots out of the way. Retractable cords keep things neat and convenient, but add a bit to the iron’s cost.

The wattage – Hate waiting for the little light to tell you your iron has reached the right temperature? Compare iron wattages. The higher the wattage, the faster the iron will heat up and the less the temperature will fluctuate during use. The average range is around 1100-1800 watts, with more watts costing more money.

Safety features

We’ve all been there – standing in the checkout line at the grocery store, sitting in a budget meeting at work, or on a plane halfway across the Atlantic – when we suddenly wonder, “Did I turn off the iron?”

An unattended hot iron can certainly cause a fire, but most irons now have an auto-shutoff feature and you shouldn’t buy an iron without one. With auto-shutoff, if the iron sits without moving for a preset amount of time (usually 8-15 minutes), it automatically powers off and cools down. Many mid- to high-end irons have a three-way auto shutoff that sticks to the 8- to 15-minute limit if the iron is sitting vertically, but switches off the heat in as little as 30 seconds if the iron is knocked over or left sitting horizontally on the soleplate.

If you’re a quilter or sewing enthusiast, you may get frustrated with an iron that shuts off every 10 minutes while you’re working. You can choose from a few iron models without auto-shutoff, or ones that offer an optional “always on” setting. Just remember to turn your iron off!

Durability

The typical lifespan for irons is two to three years. After this the iron tends to start leaking or stops working altogether. Top-of-the-line irons don’t fare much better than inexpensive ones, so ask yourself how much you think is reasonable to spend. If you iron a lot, a high-end iron’s performance and features may be worth extra cash to you, even if it gives out in a couple of years. But if you’re an occasional presser, a cheaper iron may get the job done. If it breaks in a year, you’re only out about $30.

Self-cleaning irons have longer life spans. Self-cleaning irons blast air through steam vents to clean out mineral deposits that can cause clogging and leaks. If you’re investing in a high-end iron, make sure it has an anticalcium feature, which removes the minerals from water before they can muck up the steam holes.

Need to know more?

• Ironing Tips
  http://home.howstuffworks.com/ironing-tips.htm
• How to Clean Your Iron
  http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cleaniron
• KidSafe Iron Safety Fact Sheet
  http://www.kidsafehunter.com/factsheets/IRON%20SAFETY.pdf