Press the button and you will get the result, or how a steam generator works
Hearing the word “steam generator” for the first time, a woman indifferent to technology will say that it is complicated, cumbersome, expensive and not needed in the household.
Seeing an advertisement for an expensive device out of the corner of his eye, he will exclaim: “Yes, I have the same iron: you press a button - steam comes out!”
How complex is this device, how does it work, how does it differ from an iron, and does the average housewife need it? The article discusses the operating principle steam generator, and also provides short and detailed answers to questions.
Content
What can this household device do?
Answer: everything related to ironing. If the item is made of a material for which ironing as such is provided, then a household appliance operating with hot steam will do it well, simply, and quickly.
Other functions of the device:
Removes foreign objects - threads, hair, lint - from curtain fabric, clothing, upholstered furniture with a powerful steam blast.- By punching the fabric with hot steam jets, it displaces foreign odors and refreshes the fabric.
- Steams hanging items - from shirts or coats on hangers to heavy curtain fabrics on the curtain rod.
The high temperature of dry steam streams disinfects linen and things. This is taken into account when choosing household appliances when there are children and/or pets.
When comparing devices of different price categories, a housewife takes into account the needs of the family. If we compare a steam generator with an iron, then:
- The iron operates with a hot soleplate, moisturizing and softening the fabric: this makes it easier to iron.The opponent “irons” with dry steam, smoothing out wrinkles or achieving clear arrows.
- The iron reservoir requires constant addition of water for large volumes of ironing, and mandatory draining of remaining liquid. The steam generating device operates without refueling for 2 hours, and the excess is stored in the boiler stand until the next batch of laundry.
- The steam generator irons laundry in stacks using the power of steam: several T-shirts or a set of bed linen in one sitting.
How is it different from a steam cleaner?
Answer: a steam generator only partially replaces a steam cleaner. Both devices operate by releasing steam in directed jets under constant pressure.
But if for a steam generator cleaning upholstered furniture and other fabric coverings is only an additional function, then all types of steam cleaners ensure cleanliness of any surfaces, be it:
textile,- furniture,
- window glass,
- kitchen set,
- plumbing,
- tile.
General cleaning is the purpose of a steam cleaner. These household appliances do not replace each other.
However, a steam cleaner is often called a steam generator. It is easy to distinguish them - a steam generator is partly similar to an iron, and a steam cleaner is more similar to a vacuum cleaner.
How does the device work?
All units that supply steam under pressure are designed according to the same principle. Main blocks:
- Stand with water container. The container is often removable, made of heat-resistant plastic - you can visually determine the liquid level. This is where the water is heated. At the same time, the stand is almost a system unit of the computer, where all the electronics are located, the control panel, indicator lights - everything that provides the functionality declared by the manufacturer.
- Iron. Feature - the sole does not heat up, since ironing is a steam task.The materials of the sole - steel, aluminum, ceramics, cermets - determine wear resistance and affect the price of the product. Through the holes in the sole, steam is supplied under pressure to the fabric.
- Tube-hose. Connects the stand to the iron, supplying hot steam.
The iron is stored on a stand. By fixing the spout and placing the connecting tube in the designated compartment of the stand, you get a compact shape that is convenient for storage.
The latest developments in steam-generating household appliances from industry leaders guarantee:
-
Economical power consumption. Different fabrics require different amounts and intensity of steam.The microprocessor itself determines the required mode, saving water and electricity.
- Self-cleaning system. Now there is no need to prepare water in advance. The technology itself solves the problem by collecting scale.
Periodically, an audible signal notifies you: it’s time to remove sediment - traces of poor-quality water.
- Safety. The unit turns off after a few (10-15) seconds if it is standing on the sole, and a few (15-30) minutes if it is not in use. The time interval is set by the manufacturer.
The complexity of electronically controlled processes is hidden behind the external simplicity of the device; a clear system of sound and light signals facilitates operation and maintenance of the equipment.
The video will tell you how the steam generator works:
Principle of operation
Principle of operation home steam generators one:
- in the tank, the water is heated to a temperature at which it turns into steam;
- hot (160 °C) dry (up to 6%) steam flows through the hose-tube;
- By pressing the handle button, steam is released from the holes in the sole, smoothing the fabric.
On an industrial scale
A family of up to 3 people can postpone the purchase of a steam generator until the time when the old iron breaks down or there is extra money. But in enterprises associated with sewing, cleaning clothes, working with non-household textiles, processing large quantities of fabric, the device is necessary.
Ateliers, dry cleaners, and hotel services are equipped with professional ironing equipment:
-
Steam stations with iron. The boiler allows you to heat 2-3 or more liters of water for several hours of operation.Irons are only made of steel, the handle is cork. These are large equipment weighing over 10 kg, professional ironing systems for small enterprises.
- Ironing press. Sophisticated equipment that can iron sheets or towels and even fancy items in seconds. The boiler heats up more than 20 liters of water and supplies steam in triple or more volume compared to an inexpensive household analogue.
Place things in small piles on the work table and close the press, which only takes 10 seconds. for ironing. Minimum physical effort – huge amounts of work.
Conclusion
The design of a household steam generator and its operating principle are very simple. You can figure out how the device works visually: just pour water and turn on the device. After some time, the water is converted into steam due to heat.
