Evaluate how well an Iron meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in an iron and you've learned about the different features of irons. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of iron - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will
evaluate the irons available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed irons to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well an Iron meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available irons in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any irons that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any irons that clearly exceed your price limit.
When you are choosing a steam iron, look for the amount of steam it generates. This is determined by grams of steam per minute and is generally distinguished by a continuous steam or an activated steam, which refers to the steam button that can be pushed for spot steam. Generally a steam rate of 35 grams per minute is adequate for most households. If you iron a lot of heavy duty items, you will want to look for an iron that has a higher activated steam rate, around 150g/min to get out those big wrinkles and creases.
Tip: Look for an iron with a continuous steam function, to save yourself from holding the steam button down while ironing.
Another important feature in a steam iron is the water tank. First, pay attention to the size of the water tank. Tank sizes range from 150 ml to 400 ml (5 to 13.5 ounces). If you have a small family or do not iron frequently, an iron with a smaller sized tank is probably adequate for you. Also pay attention to the method in which you have to fill the tank. Some people are uncomfortable with irons that you have to fill upside down, because of the risk of hot steam coming from the appliance.
Tip: Top filling irons are easy to fill while they are in operation which makes them a good choice, particularly if you have a small tank size.
When it comes to the material of the soleplate, there is still some variety among irons. The most common materials are stainless steel, aluminium or ceramic in higher end models. For irons that have stainless steel or aluminium sole plates, they often also have a non-stick coating applied which makes them easier to clean and helps them glide along the clothing.
Safety is often a top concern when it comes to an iron. Most irons have some sort of auto shut off feature. Some irons turn off in 30 seconds if they are tipped over, or laying flat. Other irons can be programmed to shut off after 8 to 60 minutes of sitting idle.
Having an indicator light on the iron is a nice feature that allows you to know when the iron has reached temperature and is ready to go. The light will often fluctuate during operation as the appliance works to maintain the temperature. Higher wattage irons maintain the temperature better; however they also use more power.
Most irons can be used with standard tap water, however higher end models now come with an anti-calc feature which removes minerals from the water before it is applied to the clothing. Other irons have a self cleaning feature which will remove the build up of calcium and other minerals.
Tip: If you live in an area with hard water, using an iron with an anti-calc feature will help to prolong the life of your appliance.
Most irons come with standard cords; however you can get cordless versions. If you have clothing that is difficult to place on an ironing board, or you iron a lot of curtains or vertical articles, this might be a good choice for you. However, cordless irons generally do not have as much power as corded. Another option is a retractable cord which makes storage easier.
When you were considering your requirements in an iron it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as iron type, water tank opening and size, water spray feature and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various irons meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Type
Steam
- Amount (grams/minute) - Continuous steam: up to 35g/min (1.2 ounces/min) or Activated steam: 90 to 150 g/min (3.2 to 5.3 ounces/min)
- Adjustable
- Dry Iron feature
- Vertical Steam
- Pulsing Steam
Wattage
Controls
- Digital
- Dial
- Slide
- Button
Safety Features
- Auto shut off - Tip over, side fall, standby or 30 seconds to 60 minutes idle
- Power light
- Swivel cord
- Retractable cord
- Anti-drip
Soleplate
- Aluminium
- Stainless Steel
- Ceramic
- Non-Stick coated
Water Tank
- Small: 150 ml (5 ounces), medium: 280 ml (9.5 ounces), large : 400 ml (13.5 ounces) or more
- Access - Upright pour, flat fill or upside down fill
Features
- Light - temperature ready
- Digital thermometer
- Drip stop
- Comfort grip
- Self cleaning
- Anti-calc
- Auto off
- Water spray
Cord Type
- corded
- cordless
- retractable
- Length - average 2m (6.6 feet)
Weight
- Lightweight models - 1 to 2.5 lbs (0.45 to 1.1kg)
- Average models - 3 to 4 lbs (1.4 to 1.8kg)
- Large models - 4 lbs (1.8kg) or more
Steam holes
Warranty
Support
- Manual
- Website
- Toll free phone number
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your iron needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in an iron.
Once you have finished evaluating the irons available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the irons one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well an Iron compares with competing Irons
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of irons that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of irons that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which iron on my short-list offers the best value for money?
Which of these irons best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed irons has the best warranty?
Which iron is the easiest to fill with water?
Which of the irons seems of the highest quality?
Which short-listed iron has the most features?
Which iron do I like best?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating irons that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the iron, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the iron is put together. Check the assembly - is the iron solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the iron from the perspective of ease of use. How easily is the iron prepared for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the iron is user-friendly - some irons look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - appropriate for purpose
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as mineral build up.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labor, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories and Extras
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need an iron board, for instance?
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- What else will you need to fully utilize this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of irons that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
Video Links
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