Heavy duty irons used?

[Laundromat2]

I would like to find out what make of irons other laundries use. I have tried most irons from the heavy duty to the light domestic and they last approx the same length of time. Have you got any suggestions for me in this department. <font color="blue"> </font color>

[Launderess]

Depends upon what you are ironing and how much ironing you do per day.

You can pick up a good gravity fed iron either from a supply store or on eBay, but need room to hang the water bottle. Gravity irons also must be cleaned and serviced now and then to clean out mineral deposits and gunk from the water. Because gravity irons need to get very hot to produce steam, it can be rough on their internal parts, hence the need for frequent and proper service.

Boiler irons are good if you are only pressing shirts and items that do not require the presser to travel distance (such as ironing table/bed linens on a large ironing table). Unlike gravity irons, boiler irons get their steam from another source (boiler or steam from the plant), so they do not have to get as hot internally as gravity fed irons, and require slightly less service.


In most cases you'll find irons sold for consumer use do not get hot enough, produce enough steam, nor have the weight required for serious pressing/ironing. Most will also fall apart if handled too roughly and or dropped. Also they do not hold much water, so the operator will have to make frequent stops to add water, which cuts into production time.

Personally like Naomoto "High Steam" irons, as they produce lots of hot but dry steam. The irons are heavy but not too heavy to cause fatigue. You want a "heavy" iron as the weight means the operator does not have to use as much effort in pressing down to get a smooth finish.