Looking for a reliable assistant: what is better - a steamer or a steam generator?

Modern manufacturers of household appliances offer a wide range of steamers and steam generators.

These two household appliances have similar functions and purposes, but they also have some significant differences.

In this article, we will determine the difference between these two useful household devices and answer the questions: what is better for clothes and home use - a steamer or a steam generator, and how one device differs significantly from the other.

What is the difference: the main differences between the two devices

Both devices are designed for ironing textiles. They easily handle all types of fabrics, smooth and renew the appearance of clothes, curtains, tablecloths and bedspreads. In addition, they can be used for deep cleaning of dirt and dust from all types of surfaces.

1. The steamer acts on the object using wet steam, and the steam generator delivers a powerful jet of dry steam under pressure; this device works on the principle of thermal shock.
2. The temperature of the steam created by the steamer is no more than 100°C; the steam generator emits jets of steam with temperatures up to 160°C, so its effect on the surface is stronger.
3. The steam generator is a more powerful device; it is able to quickly smooth out multi-layered and thick fabrics, with complex folds and decorative elements.

   At the same time, the high temperature of exposure guarantees additional disinfection of all processed items and removal of various contaminants.

   A steamer acts more gently on the surface; this device does not make it possible to cope with large volumes of clothes and other things that need ironing in a short period of time.

4. The steamer is equipped with a small container for water; it is lighter and more transportable, but during long-term operation it requires periodic filling of the container with a new portion of liquid. The steam generator has a large container for liquid, so it can operate for a longer period without additional refilling.

Advantages and disadvantages

To better understand how these devices differ, you should study in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each device.

Steam generator

The advantages of a steam generator include the following: features of this device:

• generates a powerful jet of dry steam high temperature, which makes it possible not only to iron and disinfect the surface of any type of fabric, but also to remove various dirt and stains;
• has high performance, which allows the housewife to cope with a large volume of work in a short time, quickly and efficiently smooth complex surfaces, draw arrows, smooth out pleated products;
• multifunctionality: modern models are complemented by a large set of different attachments that allow you not only to iron, but also to clean the apartment, clean any surfaces, care for furniture, curtains, your own car, clean the homes of pets and much more;
• has a large container for water, therefore does not require frequent refilling;
• supplemented with control panel, which allows you to regulate the pressure and temperature of the steam supply;
• has an anti-drop system, which ensures automatic shutdown if liquid gets on the inner surface of the iron sole.

The disadvantages of this device include:

1. bulk and heaviness;
2. high cost;
3. rapid formation of scale on the walls of the container and hose, which requires additional effort to clean them, but more expensive models have a self-cleaning function from scale.

Steamer

The advantages of this device include:

• maneuverability and ease of transportation, which allows you to take this device on the road and easily use it outside the home if necessary;
• takes up little space;
• the presence of a telescopic pipe or a lightweight manual model allows you to easily and quickly process the product by weight;
• consumption of a small amount of energy;
• relatively inexpensive cost;
• versatility, the device copes not only with ironing, but also with cleaning, and is capable of removing simple stains from clothes and other surfaces;
• works with wet steam, which allows you to give the product a renewed appearance and eliminates foreign odors from the item.

The disadvantages include:

• low productivity in comparison with a steam generator, the speed of processing products with a steamer is much lower;
• low power of the steam jet, so it is more suitable for working with delicate fabrics; it is not always able to smooth out harder surfaces with large creases and complex folds;
• the relatively low temperature of the steam does not provide reliable disinfection of the surface.

What to choose for your home?

The steam generator is the most powerful and versatile device that effectively and quickly copes with ironing and cleaning. But it is more expensive, consumes more energy, and is less maneuverable.

This device is suitable for solving large-scale problems related to:

1. ironing large amounts of clothing;
2. cleaning difficult stains on furniture and curtains;
3. cleaning kitchen surfaces;
4. removing greasy stains and deposits on kitchen tiles;
5. sanitization of pet cages;
6. cleaning hard-to-reach places using special attachments;
7. cleaning the car interior;
8. processing pillows, blankets and upholstered furniture.

If the housewife is faced with less voluminous tasks and she needs a maneuverable, convenient device for daily use, as an assistant in everyday cleaning or ironing, then a steamer will be the best option.

If you need an assistant, primarily in ironing, then the best choice would be a household steam generator, which will allow you to iron and clean clothes at the level of dry cleaners from any type of fabric. This is a professional device that can provide high quality ironing in record time.

Reviews

Each user has a different opinion and everyone's reviews are different.The main differences are described above and they completely coincide with the opinion of buyers of these household appliances, but if you wish, you can delve into the relevant forum threads in more detail.

Useful video

Video comparison of steamer and steam generator:

Conclusion

A steam generator and a steamer are two indispensable assistants that will come in handy in any household. They will help you iron and clean clothes, furniture, and clean your apartment and car interior., will get rid of dust, mold, and clean the bathroom of fungus and plaque.

The steamer is more mobile and lightweight, it is easy to transport, but it is less powerful and is not suitable for large volumes of work.

A steam generator is a universal device with a wide range of functions that can professionally cope with many tasks, but it is quite large and heavy, consumes more energy and is more expensive.