Comparison Miele B 3847 vs Miele B 3312

Iron soleplate cover. This surface is in direct contact with the fabric, and therefore the type of coating is one of the most important characteristics.

— Aluminium. Aluminium, being a simple and cost-effective choice, offers advantages such as low weight and rapid heating. However, it is prone to quick scratching, diminishing ironing quality and potentially damaging processed fabrics. Overheating may cause aluminium to stick to fabric, posing cleaning challenges. As a result, "pure" aluminium is often found in the most budget-friendly or compact irons. Some manufacturers employ special technologies in aluminium soleplates to mitigate these drawbacks to some extent.

— Stainless steel. Inexpensive and at the same time very practical material, the most common version of the metal soleplate in modern irons. True to its name, "stainless steel" is highly resistant to corrosion, yet it is durable, free of scratches and burrs, glides well and is easy to clean. Of the significant shortcomings of this material, one can only note a rather large weight.

— Ceramic. The main advantage of ceramics is that it glides much better than steel or aluminium. In addition, this material is easy to clean and practically does not scratch. On the other hand, ceramic soleplates are quite fragile and can break or chip from a strong impact.

— Metal-ceramic. Material generally similar to the ceramics described above; may be somewhat stronger due to the addition of metals, but in fact it all depends on the specific composition.

— Tourmaline. Another type of ceramic material containing tourmaline is a natural semi-precious stone. A feature of tourmaline soleplates is a natural antistatic effect, which is especially useful when ironing light fabrics: such fabrics will not stick to the soleplate due to static charge.

— Titanium/ceramics. Metal-ceramic (see above), which includes titanium. This metal is characterized by high strength and wear resistance, which has a positive effect on the overall reliability of the soleplate.

— Teflon. Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) enables smooth gliding of the iron over fabric and offers non-stick properties. This coating is easily cleaned, resists sticking to clothes, and remains relatively clean even in situations like overheating and burning through materials. However, a notable drawback of Teflon is its high sensitivity to scratches, necessitating caution when ironing items with metal buttons, fasteners, or decorative elements.

— Non- stick. This category includes all types of non-teflon non-stick coatings (see above). The specific composition and properties of such a coating may be different. For example, in some models it is the same PTFE, just not called Teflon (the word "Teflon" is a registered trademark and may not be used without permission). In addition, there are other materials. A common feature of all such coatings is that almost no dirt sticks to them, which greatly simplifies the cleaning of the soleplate.

— Titanium. One of the most advanced options. Titanium is extremely durable and virtually unaffected by chips and scratches, even from falls and other serious "accidents". On the other hand, it does not heat up very quickly, but is very expensive. Therefore, such a coating is rare, mainly in premium irons.

— Enamelled. Typically, these soleplates feature a stainless steel base with a specialized enamel coating. The enamel composition is chosen for both smooth gliding and durability. The primary advantage lies in the reliability of this coating, which is highly resistant to scratches—many enameled soleplates can withstand cleaning with metal brushes. However, it's worth noting that irons with such coatings come with a corresponding higher cost.

The presence in the delivery set of the iron of a special nozzle for delicate fabrics — silk, cotton, etc. Such a nozzle has a smooth surface, and is also designed in such a way as to exclude heating above a certain temperature and the ingress of accidental drops on the fabric when working in the steaming mode. All this prevents tissue damage and allows you to gently and effectively iron them. The nozzle for delicate fabrics is removable and attached to the sole with clips.

Many irons have special settings for sensitive materials, which can eliminate this feature. However, if you have to deal with delicate fabrics often and a lot, it is still advisable to choose an iron with a nozzle.

The maximum steam pressure provided by the iron in constant steam mode. The higher the steam pressure, the better the iron handles with thick fabrics that are poorly permeable to moisture. Note that most modern irons have a steam boost function — in this mode, the steam pressure almost doubles for a short time. Therefore, for domestic use, in most cases, a pressure of 3-4 bar will be sufficient, such irons can easily cope with ordinary fabrics, and for especially thick ones, you can use a steam boost. But in the professional field, it is recommended to use models with more powerful steamers.

— Suction mode. A function unique to ironing systems, involves the ironing board drawing in air. This causes the fabric to adhere to the board, preventing movement during ironing. This feature is particularly beneficial for tasks requiring intensive ironing, such as creating creases on trousers. Additionally, suction efficiently eliminates excess steam and facilitates the drying of treated fabrics.

— Ventilation. The ironing system offers the option to operate in airing or pressurization mode. In this mode, air is blown across the ironing board's surface, creating an "air cushion" that gently supports the fabric's weight. Primarily used for delicate materials, including those with a fluffy texture, this function allows effective steaming without pressing the product against the work surface and without flattening the pile.

— Heating of an ironing surface. In ironing systems with this function, not only the iron, but also the surface of the ironing board can heat up. This has a positive effect on the efficiency of processing, prevents the formation of condensate on the working surface and accelerates the evaporation of moisture from ironed products.

— Foot control. Function used in ironing systems (see "Type"). The foot control is usually used to turn the steam on and off — often more convenient than using t...he manual switches on the iron or steam container.

— Stand for iron. The presence of a stand for the iron in the ironing system. The stand usually has the form of a shelf made of metal or other heat-resistant material; it is placed on the wide end of the ironing board, on the opposite side of the narrowed part. On such a shelf, you can safely put a heated iron with the sole down.

— Wire holder. The presence of a holder for the wire in the ironing system. Such a holder is usually made in the form of a vertical metal rod with a ring at the top. The wire is passed through this ring — thanks to the holder, it is located more neatly and does not get tangled under the hands during operation.

— Sleeve board. The presence of a sleeve board in the ironing system. The undersleeve is a small narrow board raised above the main work surface and designed for ironing sleeves. Such a board can be made removable or folding.

— Shelf for linen. The ironing system includes a linen shelf, typically positioned beneath the main working surface. This shelf is designed for placing already ironed linen, providing convenience as it is easily accessible and eliminates the need for users to search for a place to keep processed items.

— Iron cabinet. The ironing system features a built-in cabinet for the iron, simplifying both storage and transportation. Users can keep the iron directly within the ironing system, eliminating concerns about misplacement and the need for a separate container.

— Steamer. The presence of a steamer in the ironing system. The steamer is a device for supplying steam; its key difference from the iron is that the effect is carried out only due to steam, without pressure. This feature is indicated only for models originally equipped with a steamer; some ironing systems allow you to purchase such a tool separately, but they are not included in this category.

— Transport rollers. The ironing system, being a portable device that often moves from the workspace to storage areas like niches or closets, is enhanced by the inclusion of wheels. This feature, especially beneficial for predominantly female users, adds convenience and ease of use during transportation.

The length of the steam hose from the steam generator to the iron.

The longer the hose, the farther you can reach without moving the device itself. On the other hand, a large length can create inconvenience during storage and transportation, as well as when working at short distances.

The length of the cable for connecting to the mains provided in the iron.

Manufacturers select the length of the cable, taking into account the general specialization of the iron and the characteristics of its application — so that the wire is enough for most cases and at the same time it is not too long and bulky. Therefore, in most cases, this parameter can be ignored; exceptions are only some specific situations. For example, if you choose a travel iron and compactness is a key criterion, you should choose a shorter wire. A long cable, in turn, will come in handy at a great distance from sockets and the absence of extension cords.

For clarity, we note that for household irons, the average cable length is 1.5 m.

The total weight of the steam iron or ironing system (see "Type"). Usually, the dry weight is indicated in the characteristics, excluding the filled water.

It makes sense to pay attention to this parameter if ease of transportation is important to you: the lighter the weight, the easier it is to transfer the structure from place to place. On the other hand, light models usually either cost more than heavy ones or have a smaller water tank capacity.