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A fixed standing steam iron is a household essential, addressing numerous drawbacks of traditional and handheld steam irons.Having utilized this product for nearly a year, today I'm sharing insights on the overall advantages of standing steam irons and the pros and cons of the Philips GC625 model.Why Every Household Should Own a Standing Steam Iron?
There are two compelling reasons to invest in a fixed standing steam iron: safety and convenience. Safety-wise, compared to traditional metal plate irons, standing steam irons pose fewer risks. Although there are now many safety features in traditional irons, personally, I still see potential dangers, especially with their wide metal plates, which can easily cause accidents during use.
In terms of convenience, every time you need to iron, you simply press a button to heat the water, hang your clothes, and start ironing. The heating time is short, steam flattens wrinkles quickly with minimal risk of burning. Moreover, the ironing head is usually very lightweight, reducing hand fatigue compared to traditional or handheld irons. Additionally, fixed models often come with large water tanks, eliminating the need to constantly refill water like handheld steam irons.The overall steam iron is bulky, the heaviest among all common household iron types. However, it's only bulky in the parts you don't need to hold or lift, as everything is completely fixed. You only need to lift the iron handle when in use. Compared to handheld steam irons, everything will be heavier because you have to carry the water tank while ironing.Design of Philips GC625 Steam Iron
Solid design with a soothing white and light blue color scheme.
Although the steam iron is quite heavy, it has wheels for easy transportation. The machine features a flexible design for adjusting the height to suit users or you can set the ironing board diagonally/vertically depending on the ironing situation.
What I like about this iron, and the reason I chose it among many other standing steam iron options, is because the ironing surface is thick and sturdy. It's a firm, substantial pad rather than flimsy like some other products. Others are simply a plastic frame with a piece of fabric tucked in. If you iron frequently, you'll encounter garments with stubborn materials that require precise pressure and appropriate temperature to straighten.
Advantages of Philips GC625 Steam Iron
- Rapid heating, less than 1 minute for a large water tank
- Despite being a fixed iron, it's bulky but think about when you use it, you only need to hold the iron handle!
- Large water tank lasts for about ~10 garment sets before refilling
- Minimal water spraying, almost none, or very little, making it hard to notice any water splashes
- Beautiful green color
- Sturdy ironing board
- Quickly straightens tough materials like jeans, linen, etc.
- Metal ironing surface evenly distributes steam and heat
- Control panel at the bottom is easy to observe, no need to bend down to turn on/off (I often use foot pedal)
- Toggle and mode switch right on the handle, no need to constantly bend up and down to change modes
Cons
- Large and bulky, takes up space in small homes
- Quite expensive
- Requires electricity
What type of iron are you using? In your opinion, which type of iron, dry or handheld steam and water, is the most convenient and suitable for the needs of a family of 2-4 people?
