Important features Irons
Steam makes a fabric more pliable, allowing the heat and pressure of the iron to press it flat. Many new irons release more steam than did earlier models. A separate steam control lets you adjust the amount of steam or turn it off altogether. A few models won't allow you to use steam at low temperature settings, since the water doesn't get hot enough and simply drips out. An antidrip feature, now found on most irons, is designed to prevent leaks when you steam at lower settings.
Burst of steam, available on most new irons, lets you push a button for an extra blast to tame stubborn wrinkles. If steam isn't enough for something such as a wrinkled linen napkin, dampen it using the spray function, available on virtually all irons today. On some models, you can use burst of steam for vertical steaming to remove wrinkles from hanging items.
An iron should have an easy-to-see fabric guide with a list of settings for common fabrics. A temperature control that's clearly marked and easily accessible, preferably on the front of the handle, is a plus. Most irons have an indicator light to show that the power is on; a few also indicate when the iron reaches or exceeds the set temperature.
Automatic shutoff is a must-have safety feature. Most of the irons on the market will shut off automatically if you leave them motionless in a horizontal or vertical position. Those with three-way shutoff also turn off when tipped on their side. Shutoff times vary from 30 seconds to 60 minutes. Auto shutoff can help prevent a fire, but stored heat will still scorch fabric.
Water reservoirs in general are getting larger (capacity in the 15 tested irons ranged from 4 to 15 ounces). Some reservoirs are a small, vertical tube; others are a large chamber that spans the saddle area under the handle. Transparent chambers, some brightly colored, make it easy to see the water level.
A growing number of irons have a hinged or sliding cover on the water-fill hole. The idea is to prevent leaking, but it doesn't always work. Also, the cover may get in the way during filling, or can be awkward to open and close. Most convenient is a removable tank. Some irons come with a handy plastic fill cup. Nearly all new irons can use tap water, unless the water is very hard. More expensive irons may offer an anticalcium system, which is designed to reduce calcium deposits.
Some models now offer a self-cleaning feature to flush mineral deposits from vents, but it's not always effective with prolonged use of very hard water. The burst-of-steam feature also cleans vents to some extent.
Many irons have a soleplate described as "nonstick." Other models have a stainless-steel soleplate, while some budget models have an aluminum one. We found no significant difference in glide among the various types of soleplates when ironing with steam. Nonstick soleplates are generally easier to keep clean, but they can get scratched by something such as a zipper, damage that could create drag over time. You should clean the soleplate occasionally to remove residue, especially if you use starch; follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning. Note: Before you use a soleplate cleaner, make sure that doing so won't void your warranty.
The power cord on many irons pivots down or to the side during use, which keeps it out of the way. A retractable cord can be convenient, but make sure it doesn't whip when retracted. A cordless iron eliminates fumbling with the cord but you must reheat it on the base for a minute or more every couple of minutes, a time-wasting, inconvenient step. And cordless performance may not match that of corded models.
Weight can be more critical to comfort than performance is. Managing a heavy iron could be a workout you might prefer to have at the gym. Some handles might be too thick for smaller hands; others provide too little clearance for larger hands.
Steam makes a fabric more pliable, allowing the heat and pressure of the iron to press it flat. Many new irons release more steam than did earlier models. A separate steam control lets you adjust the amount of steam or turn it off altogether. A few models won't allow you to use steam at low temperature settings, since the water doesn't get hot enough and simply drips out. An antidrip feature, now found on most irons, is designed to prevent leaks when you steam at lower settings.
Burst of steam, available on most new irons, lets you push a button for an extra blast to tame stubborn wrinkles. If steam isn't enough for something such as a wrinkled linen napkin, dampen it using the spray function, available on virtually all irons today. On some models, you can use burst of steam for vertical steaming to remove wrinkles from hanging items.
An iron should have an easy-to-see fabric guide with a list of settings for common fabrics. A temperature control that's clearly marked and easily accessible, preferably on the front of the handle, is a plus. Most irons have an indicator light to show that the power is on; a few also indicate when the iron reaches or exceeds the set temperature.
Automatic shutoff is a must-have safety feature. Most of the irons on the market will shut off automatically if you leave them motionless in a horizontal or vertical position. Those with three-way shutoff also turn off when tipped on their side. Shutoff times vary from 30 seconds to 60 minutes. Auto shutoff can help prevent a fire, but stored heat will still scorch fabric.
Water reservoirs in general are getting larger (capacity in the 15 tested irons ranged from 4 to 15 ounces). Some reservoirs are a small, vertical tube; others are a large chamber that spans the saddle area under the handle. Transparent chambers, some brightly colored, make it easy to see the water level.
A growing number of irons have a hinged or sliding cover on the water-fill hole. The idea is to prevent leaking, but it doesn't always work. Also, the cover may get in the way during filling, or can be awkward to open and close. Most convenient is a removable tank. Some irons come with a handy plastic fill cup. Nearly all new irons can use tap water, unless the water is very hard. More expensive irons may offer an anticalcium system, which is designed to reduce calcium deposits.
Some models now offer a self-cleaning feature to flush mineral deposits from vents, but it's not always effective with prolonged use of very hard water. The burst-of-steam feature also cleans vents to some extent.
Many irons have a soleplate described as "nonstick." Other models have a stainless-steel soleplate, while some budget models have an aluminum one. We found no significant difference in glide among the various types of soleplates when ironing with steam. Nonstick soleplates are generally easier to keep clean, but they can get scratched by something such as a zipper, damage that could create drag over time. You should clean the soleplate occasionally to remove residue, especially if you use starch; follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning. Note: Before you use a soleplate cleaner, make sure that doing so won't void your warranty.
The power cord on many irons pivots down or to the side during use, which keeps it out of the way. A retractable cord can be convenient, but make sure it doesn't whip when retracted. A cordless iron eliminates fumbling with the cord but you must reheat it on the base for a minute or more every couple of minutes, a time-wasting, inconvenient step. And cordless performance may not match that of corded models.
Weight can be more critical to comfort than performance is. Managing a heavy iron could be a workout you might prefer to have at the gym. Some handles might be too thick for smaller hands; others provide too little clearance for larger hands.
