Pressing & Finishing

Buying a Commercial Steam Iron

Invest in a commercial-grade ironing system when you need perfect seams and finishes on all your sewing projects. Sewing professionals and tailors use industrial steam irons to work for hours without worrying about steam pressure. These heavy-duty irons have automatic controls that deliver professional results every time, and with their compact design, they are easy for everyone to use.

Features and Benefits of Buying a Commercial Steam Iron

There are several benefits of using commercial steam irons. Their high steam output, adjustable temperature settings, and large water tanks save you time and money, and you can press seams with a smooth, crisp finish every time.

You’ll never run out of steam using a commercial steam iron. These professional irons are used by garment factories, spas, and hotels with large amounts of laundry and fabric that must be pressed. You can achieve consistent, high-quality results, and the large boiler capacity on industrial steam irons lets you work on projects for hours without refilling.

Ready-to-use indicator lights and automatic temperature settings make commercial steam irons suitable for use on many different types of fabrics. When your work requires precise seams, the consistent high steam output helps you achieve better results, and you can remove wrinkles quickly and efficiently all day long.

Here are some other features that you’ll find in commercial steam irons:

• Custom-designed soleplates that prevent water leakage and reduce sputtering and dripping.
• Built-in descaling functions that make parts resistant to mineral deposits.
• Compact designs that let you iron between buttons easily.
  
• Valve systems that let you refill empty water tanks immediately.
• Fast steam build-up and steady heat maintenance make ironing faster and easier.
• It can be paired with add-ons like vacuum ironing boards.
• No automatic shut-off, so your iron stays hot all day.

Commercial-grade steam ironing systems are a must-have for businesses with heavy workloads and charging premium prices for their products.

Types of Commercial Steam Irons

There are many types of commercial steam irons, and with a variety of sizes available, there are excellent choices for every application.

Most commercial steam iron systems use either steam generators or gravity-fed irons. The main differentiator is that steam generators have boilers, and steam is delivered to the iron from the boiler. With gravity-feed steam irons, water is delivered to a steam chamber in the iron.

With higher pressure and temperatures, steam generator irons deliver dryer steam with less humidity. When not in use, the iron rests horizontally on a silicone pad, not vertically on the ironing .board. Because the soleplate of the iron and the steam boiler have separate thermostats, you can quickly adjust them for different fabrics without losing pressure.

Gravity-feed steam irons are durable irons meant to be turned on and left going all day long. As long as you have water in the tank, you will have steam in the iron. Most brands have interchangeable parts, and you can replace everything from the tank to the thermostat.

Home Sewing and Light Commercial Use Steam Irons

For daily use, home sewing, and light commercial applications, look for a commercial steam iron built for light commercial use for up to 3-4 hours at a time.

• Gravity Steam Iron Silver Star ES-85A
• GoldStar Heavy Duty Steam Iron With Boiler

Heavy Commercial Use Steam Irons

If you’re running a busy hotel laundry, a large care home, or a drapery business, you need a quality steam generator iron for continuous use for up to 8 hours daily.

• Mini-Boiler - Pacific Steam #GP-103
• Consew SB-400 Mini Boiler With SE-2000 Silverstar Iron

Buying Guide for Commercial Steam Irons

Carefully examine these important features when you’re purchasing a commercial steam iron:

• Power - The higher the wattage, the faster the steam will build up. Look for an iron with around 1500 watts or more if you need fast recovery times.
• Size - Consider the size of the water tank and soleplate.
• Weight - Lightweight irons are best for extended usage, but heavier irons are more durable.
• Temperature and steam settings - Automatic and adjustable settings make your job easier when you need to make quick adjustments for a variety of fabric types.
• Interchangeable and replaceable parts - You may have to pay more upfront for a quality machine, but they usually have replaceable parts, which means you’ll save in the long run.
• Brands - Look for quality brand names that have good reviews.
• Price - There’s a wide range of prices, but since commercial steam irons are expensive, you can save a lot of money by shopping around.
• Additional features - Special features like descaling functions and retractable cords.

Always read customer reviews and check warranty information when you’re purchasing a commercial steam iron.

Maintenance and Care for Irons

Like all equipment, regular maintenance of your commercial steam irons will ensure that it lasts longer. After each use, empty the tank and set the thermostat to its lowest setting. Most steam generator irons have automatic descaling functions, but you may need to set the control to self-clean mode to activate it. Some models also have filters that need to be replaced regularly.

In most cases, untreated water is recommended for use in your iron. However, if you have hard water, you can use a 50/50 mix of untreated and distilled water. Protect the soleplate by regularly cleaning with a nonabrasive material, and never use cleaners or solvents. When it’s not being used, keep the iron on its base, and avoid placing it on rough surfaces or running it over zippers and buttons.