Open Sesame?
May 7, 2010 3:16 PM Subscribe
The future Mrs. and I recently came into possession of a Hi-Steam SVP-24 Steam Iron, unfortunately I can't figure out how the blasted thing works. Any mefites have any experience?
I have photographs here. Specifically, what I can't figure out is where the water goes. The black knob on top looks like the most likely fill point, but I can't get it to open. The knob freely rotates without pressure, but if you push down on it it locks into something, my mightiest twisting efforts have failed to budge it however.
Bonus question, what the heck do I do with this thing? Steam my clothes?
I have photographs here. Specifically, what I can't figure out is where the water goes. The black knob on top looks like the most likely fill point, but I can't get it to open. The knob freely rotates without pressure, but if you push down on it it locks into something, my mightiest twisting efforts have failed to budge it however.
Bonus question, what the heck do I do with this thing? Steam my clothes?
Best answer: Black knob on top should open into the reservoir. Dunno what's up with yours not opening. Don't ever open it while the iron is on and/or hot. Unless you like exploding steam burns. Always always always fill it with distilled water, too.
You use it to iron a whole bunch of crap at once. No use getting the iron up to temp for one or two things. If you hold the iron face perpendicular to the floor and press a button, you'll get jets of steam, useful for steaming wrinkles out of silks and other delicate fabrics.
It's really kind of too much iron for home use, honestly. But your local college or community theater costume shop would be thrilled to own such an iron. Any seamstress would make excellent use of it as well.
posted by mollymayhem at 3:24 PM on May 7, 2010
You use it to iron a whole bunch of crap at once. No use getting the iron up to temp for one or two things. If you hold the iron face perpendicular to the floor and press a button, you'll get jets of steam, useful for steaming wrinkles out of silks and other delicate fabrics.
It's really kind of too much iron for home use, honestly. But your local college or community theater costume shop would be thrilled to own such an iron. Any seamstress would make excellent use of it as well.
posted by mollymayhem at 3:24 PM on May 7, 2010
I have a similar one (but another brand) and I love it! It's taken all the drudgery out of ironing: I can do a shirt perfectly now in 90 seconds. Yes, it has to be the black knob, by the way you describe its operation. The free rotation without pressure and the pushing down to lock into the thread are a safety feature because it reaches 40 psi pressure when you have a head of steam, according to the catalog. Mine really does require considerable strength to open the filler cap - I would be tempted to get really tough with it, overcome one's natural fear of breaking something through rough handling. Maybe even pushing it down with one hand and applying a pipe wrench with the other. Those caps are made to stand up to punishment.
And as mollymayhem says, don't ever open it when the iron is hot. If I've ironed enough to need to refill, I've found the only way to release the filler cap is (1) make sure the water is all used up, and then (2) press the steam trigger to release enough pressure so the cap will turn. And don't use distilled water, but ordinary tapwater, according to my instruction manual. But you may want to ask a local laundry service what they recommend on that score.
posted by aqsakal at 3:31 AM on May 8, 2010
And as mollymayhem says, don't ever open it when the iron is hot. If I've ironed enough to need to refill, I've found the only way to release the filler cap is (1) make sure the water is all used up, and then (2) press the steam trigger to release enough pressure so the cap will turn. And don't use distilled water, but ordinary tapwater, according to my instruction manual. But you may want to ask a local laundry service what they recommend on that score.
posted by aqsakal at 3:31 AM on May 8, 2010
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posted by nulledge at 3:20 PM on May 7, 2010