steam generating ironing unit.....grrr!

User_Bob

In the past five years I have managed to get through three steam generator ironing units, you know those big ugly things where the iron sits on a big box that makes the steam.

They are brilliant to use, and cut down the ironing time quite considerably (IMPORTANT as I hate ironing) but I am now wondering if they are worth the extra cost ? Also I would have also thought that by now, the technology would have improved so that they lasted longer than 18 months ! Pretty poor me-thinks.
Admittedly mine were cheap 'n cheerful versions about £60-ish from Aldi / Lidl but I couldnt afford a £200 Bosch turbo version, and am still wary about spending that much.
Anyone else had such bad luck with these contraptions ?

meer53

I've had mine for 7 years now, never let me down. It's a Philips and was £150. I think the saying "you get what you pay for" is appropriate ! Maybe worth while saving up this time ? Although i'm sure someone will be along shortly who has paid a lot and had problems.

paddyrg

Do you live in a hard water area? It could easily be limescale.

User_Bob

nope not hard water, Manchester South, so (allegedly) very soft.

Plus all the blurb suggestes we can use tap water, which I did, so obviously there is some design/engineering type problem

scheming_gypsy

I've got one of these http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Traditional-Look-Modern-Design-Steam-Generator-Iron-/320677116777?pt=UK_Irons_Presses&hash=item4aa9d87b69 which is a lot cheaper than the £60 Aldi one. It's great but it's got a bit of an issue with it so i have to work around it.
For some reason it'll blow the electrics in the house and it leaks from the base; but if i plug it into an extension cable with a built in surge protector it works ok

Sagaris

We got a Morphy Richards steam generator iron from T J Hughes half price (should have been £120) almost 3 years ago and it's still going strong - usually I 'kill' normal irons stone dead just after the warranty runs out!

Perhaps keep an eye out for a 'bargain' one?

Stephb1986_2

I run a ironing service and we use these types of irons day in day out.

Are you cleaning the iron out? so there is no scale in it?

What are the irons doing that makes them "stop working" does it not turn on etc?

How long are you using it for? do you use it once a week etc?

Are you putting anything else in other than water? like fabric conditioner etc

If you have any questions let me know I'll answer them the best I can. I've had mine for a while now I use it for 6-7 hours a day 5 days a week.

Steph x

smudge56

I had my Tefal for over 10 years before it gave up the ghost - it was £200 but got it half price as it was a display model with no box, I've bought another Tefal to replace it - and this one is even better.
You do only get what you pay for - but it is worth it.

fluffnutter

User_Bob wrote: »

Admittedly mine were cheap 'n cheerful versions.

I think this is your problem, User Bob. False economy innit? That's £180 squid you've parted with. If you'd paid £150 - £200 (judging by the other posts) you'd still be enjoying yourself like crazy, ironing away.

Another top tip - drop your standards. The only thing that gets ironed in the fluffnutter household is the other half's shirts for work! Everything else, just fold it carefully. Job's a good 'un. Life's too short to care about creases.

winnie81

I have a £200 steam generator and been going strong for 7years now never had an issue with it and were in a very hard water area. Maybe look for a higer end model on offer somewhere to make it cheaper?