Customer Reviews

Philips PerfectCare GC9230 Steam Generator with Optimal Temperature Technology and Carry Lock

5 star:		(110)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In my opinion, the iron needed to perform outstandingly to justify its price tag. This review is long, but hope it helps people who are wondering whether it is a reasonable purchase!

The unit and iron feels very well made, looks good, comes well packaged and is extremely easy to use. My only real niggle is the mechanism for storing the power and steam cables, which is done via voids in the sides of the main housing. It's fiddly and often needs quite a few goes to get the complete wires in the cubby holes. Like everything, they were perfectly accommodated when unboxed and I've not replicated this yet! I think this might be addressed in future designs, but is likely to get easier with time and practice.

I read other reviews about water egress at "easy de-calc" function- the screw wasn't particularly tight when I first looked so I screwed it up and I've had no problems. On closer inspection, it has been designed so that the screw doesn't need to be entirely taken out before the water will come out (a channel starts just below the screw thread). This is why it might leak if it's not done up tightly. There was already some water in the iron system (another complaint I've read here) but there was an enclosed leaflet which stated that the iron is tested with water in the factory, so no problems there either.

I read reviews about the noise, I haven't found it too loud. When it steams, there's obviously a constant hiss, and periodically there is a noise when the steam re-compresses which is louder, but lasts only seconds (perhaps up to 10). Don't let this put you off.

A few practical considerations which might be useful for potential buyers. The steam cord isn't long enough to have the base on the floor, so consider where you might put the base wherever you usually like to iron. Certainly my supermarket ironing board is nowhere near strong enough. A side table does the job, but it needs to be big enough for the base to be stable, and ironing boards designed for these heavier units are expensive. The size of the iron unit might also make it difficult to accommodate in smaller homes, the only place for ours is on top of the fridge and this might not appeal to some people. The advert states that the sole plate is "never... too hot or too cold" but don't assume this means the plate is safe - it IS too hot to touch after ironing so keep little (and big!) fingers away.

And now onto the ironing. It's fantastic. I can iron work shirts in a minute flat (I spend more time placing the shirt on the board than ironing) and for the first time since purchasing, my table linen is actually flat. No more annoying creases that require spraying and steaming (you know the ones!) - it's like putting a hot knife through butter. I did a pair of work trousers one morning before work - took longer for it to warm up than the ironing did! Seriously impressive and a joy to use. My usual Sunday night hour plus was cut to thirty minutes, and only because I kept finding more and more things to iron!

The only change to my routine is that things can't be ironed dry, because it uses steam (which is wet when it gets cold). I suppose the only reason for doing cottons when damp was because they were easier to iron than when bone dry, and with the new iron it's a moot point anyway. So it's just a matter of organisation and making sure your stuff is dry when you are ready to iron. Same for the time that it takes to heat up - 2 minutes is a long time when you're watching it, so my tip is to set the iron up first, and then get the ironing board out etc.

In summary, I'd recommend this to anyone who wants easier and faster ironing with better results. If you want these things, the price tag IS justified. If you're not time-poor, don't have much to iron and don't mind battling (or living with!) a crinkle or two, it's not for you.

The only slight dark cloud on the horizon is how long it will last. To me, a two year warranty for a £200+ appliance from a top manufacturer isn't enough. My last iron conked out after 2 years and 1 month... But it was cheap enough to not be too upset (except for the planet). Not the case with this iron, though - it is a long term investment in my household. This is the only reason that I have knocked a star off. If it's still going strong after 3+ years, I will return and happily award it the final star.

As someone who loathes ironing and generally has an ironing mountain rather that a pile, I wasn't sure the Philips Perfectcare GC9230 would make any difference but how wrong I was. Although the unit itself is large it is so simple to set up, fill the tank with water and switch it on. It just takes a couple of minutes to heat up and away you go. No faffing about with temperatures, just grab a crumpled piece and away you go. As the water is in the tank and not the iron, its lighter than my old iron and glides through the creases with ease, less effort on my part and much much quicker than my old iron which can only be a good thing.And to top it all even my hubby and teenage daughter were willing to use it and loved it (though how long that will last remains to be seen). All in all a fantastic product, and whilst not cheap, it is certainly something I would recommend for any household

I hate ironing, but I hate creased clothes too. This works wonders. You can get through a pile of ironing without any effort and in a fraction of the time. Expensive but well worth it. The only thing I am finding a little odd is that it loses pressure for a while when ironing a big lot - I need to re-read the instructions and will be contacting the manufacturer for advice. Shame as when it works, it really works.

After years of putting off the ironing as it would take me so long and give me half decent results, I finally listened to a friend who owns a steam generator iron and took the plunge with the Philips Perfect Care Steam Generator GC9230. I still don't love ironing (does anyone) but it's now a heck of a lot quicker and easier.

I did my research and chose Philips as they give a 30 day money back guarantee; a 2 year warrantee and this iron had been tested and approved by independent textile experts Woolmark and Gold. Philips is the world's number one ironing brand and also won the 2011 Which Awards Best Small Home Appliance Brand - yes, I really do do my research.

When the box arrived it was rather large but once out of the packaging the system itself is quite compact compared to some generator irons I have seen. It also looks really nice in white and blue.

The whole system weighs 5kg but you are only lifting the iron once in place which is really light at 1.2kg as the water is contained in the base unit.

You will need more room for storage than your average iron so think about where it might go unless you are happy to have it sitting on the kitchen surface.

There is an instruction booklet but there is also a quick start guide on the box lid itself and that's all I needed to get going. There are a few images showing you how to fill the water tank, plug it in, switch it on, wait 2 minutes for the temperature indicator to show and off you go, all ready to start ironing. It really is that simple.

The detachable water tank holds an impressive 1.5l and will quite easily get through about 2 hours of ironing, about the maximum I am willing to stand about ironing so perfect for me. There is a water level indicator and a dry tank alert though so you always know how much is left. Always empty it after each use if there is any water left to keep the iron in tip top condition.

It even has an easy de-calc which takes less than a minute. On the iron it says this is the easiest and most efficient anti-calc system from Philips and I can see why. There is a small dial on the side that you twist and after emptying the contents you simply twist it back in again, make sure it's tight or you may get a little leakage. My Mum was so jealous of that function when she used it. It's also the only job my hubby will do when it comes to the ironing so he's very happy that this job now involves minimal effort.

On the advertising it says - 'The iron always delivers the perfect combination of steam and temperature on all ironable garments. It is safe on all delicate fabrics like (silk, synthetic, wool, polyester) and effective on tough fabrics. Easy to use - you can now iron all garments one after the other, without having to wait or adjust the temperature dial'. "Surely not" I thought - no temperature dial, no waiting for 5 minutes between different fabrics while the iron cools or hots up! SO, to test it I got one of my silk scarves, much to my mother's terror and placed it on the ironing board with the iron left in place on it for 5 minutes! I was secretly terrified but there was no need to worry, there was no smell of burning, no damaged fabric, the iron hadn't left a mark on it!
I can go from silks to denim, one after the other and back again, fabulous! The iron has a ceramic soleplate which glides perfectly meaning no more sticking to clothes and that moment of panic when you lift the iron to see what damage has been done. It's so smooth and easy to use, even when you're tackling those dreaded crumpled up bed sheets!

Its steam functions are impressive, a steam ready indicator and a 240g a minute shot of steam which will eliminate all those stubborn creases. It has a vertical steam capability too so you can freshen up your curtains whilst they are still hanging or quickly steam through a dress or suit that's been sitting in the wardrobe a little too long.

Other little features I like are that the base unit has a carry lock which locks the iron in place when not in use. It makes it easier to move around as one unit when storing it away. The base does stay warm for quite a while after use so leave it to cool thoroughly before picking it up and storing it. There is also a 1.8 metre power cord which is more than enough length and means you can have the base on the floor and just the iron on the board if you want to. A sturdy board is a must if you want to leave both the base and the iron on the board securely. The cord then folds away into a little compartment on the side of the iron. This can be fiddly to start with but you get the hang of it.

When first using it I did accidentally push the steam button a few times as it's on the top of the iron handle which would make me jump and send steam everywhere but I'm used to it now and it doesn't happen as often. It's only a small gripe as I otherwise love this iron.

The only other steam generator I ever owned made a heck of a noise when in use which is what put me off owning another for so long but this is so quiet, only the odd noise whilst it first heats up and once in a while when the water passes along the cord.

I would easily recommend this to others searching for a steam generator iron.

N.B - I received this product free to review

This iron rocks ladies !!!
Having used a standard iron for years and getting grief from the wife for either not doing the ironing properly to leaving a sheen on her clothes and in some cases burning her clothes, being given the chance to test out the Philips perfectcare was a dream come true, i did ask myself after all of those mishaps how can an iron be safe to use on all items of clothing without the need to change the steam settings.
Well this certainly does what it says on the box and more.
Who would have thought ironing can become so easy and more importantly quicker.
Don't be put off the price it's worth every penny (Just in the cost of clothes i no longer ruin and have to replace for the wife)
Philips state 100% safe on all delicate fabrics
100% easy to use
100% effective on the toughest fabrics
No other steam generator is faster.
All of above are true
A few other great ideas which work great
An easy de-calc system simple to use and very effective.
A simple and very effective carry lock system adding to the safety when grabbing that well earned beer from the fridge its safe from the kids and also easy to move around.
Philips have also designed an ironing board to even further compliment this iron it comes with a TV remote control holder (Or at least that what i use it for) Philips just one thing missing a beer can holder and you have a perfect combination.
Ladies as you might have noticed and said to yourself "a bloke doing ironing" yes that's correct, before you all start e-mailing Amazon for my e-mail address i am happily married apart from the fact she didn't do the ironing which i'm happy to say as our new Phillips is so easy to use now does small amounts of the weekly ironing. (Yipee)
I've not added my full name on the review for fear of your husbands and boyfriends starting a man hunt against me. LOL

This is fantastic ive always had the problem of burning garments due to the settings, i could never get it right and would usually burn the bottom of the iron. The Philips GC9230 PerfectCare Pressurised Steam Generator Iron stops all that you can switch from garment so it doesnt matter weather you iron a pair of jeans then a silk shirt the Philips GC9230 PerfectCare Pressurised Steam Generator Iron automatically adjusts its heat according to the garment you are ironing i dont know how but it does, no more turning Tshirts inside out even the logo prints and pictures you have on clothes dont burn not even a smudge. You have at least two hours of ironing without adding water and when you do need more water it couldnt be simpler just pull out the tank and fill from the tap.
It even has an easy de-calc which takes less than a minute. On the iron it says this is the easiest and most efficient anti-calc system from Philips and I can see why. There is a small dial on the side that you twist and after emptying the contents you simply twist it back in again, make sure it's tight or you may get a little leakage.
The two steam buttons allow you to control ironing very precisely, use the half steam button when ironing around buttons so that you only iron at the front and so avoid re-ironing the body of the garment. The body of the steam generator locks the iron in place which seems like a little feature until you use it and see how useful it is in a busy household.
The mains cable and the cable to the iron from the steam generator are fine in terms of length but again if you use it with the Easy 8 it's better because of the features built into the board (like the large stand and the cable holder).
It is large and it isn't inexpensive but this is a quality product that works very well. It's easy to use and won't be expensive to run. Overall I think that over time it will easily pay for its self.
A brilliant product well done philips.

As with most of the population, one of my least favourite household chores is ironing. This Philips Steam Generator does not take the chore out of the task, but it does go some way to getting the job done. With no need to adjust the temperature for different fabrics, it makes the job easier when trying to work out in what order to press the pile of garments. The extra large capacity for water means that there is no need to keep refilling, and takes away yet another one of the tedious elements of the chore. The actual performance is excellent, garments are pressed and look lovely and smooth almost effortlessly within no time at all. The handheld section is nice and light to hold and use, and steam is available on demand without the usual worry of water spraying out and spoiling the garments.

The only downside of the machine is the sheer size, but anything that takes some of the pain out of the ironing pile has to be worth a little extra storage space! The wires all tuck away inside the base unit so beyond the limitations of space, it is quite easy to store away between uses.

This was the first steam generated iron I have ever used, and it was very pleasant to finally use.

It is a quite large device, which unlike a standard iron cant be easily stored away into a small space.

The basic normal use of this is to fill the water jug attached to the front of the base which water, and then turn it on, and wait untill the water has reached the desired temp. After that you lift of the iron (attached to base with water hose), and you start ironing.
Same as a normal iron when you press the steam button steam comes out, but this one seems to produce more steam which helps in removing creases and speeds ironing up a lot.

After the ironing is done, put iron back on base, wait till cool and empty water container using a small plug tap in the side of the base.

Overall I found it great to use, and would be ideal for someone who has lots of clothing to iron as it really does speed the whole process up.

Well if the ironing gets done by the other half, well worth trying.

My husband hates ironing and usually uses any excuse to get out of it, but this bit of kit seems to have changed him, he can even iron material without there being a trauma

I will be honest and say that I have kept this iron in the box for a few weeks, thinking 'My God do I really have to wait until I get a load of ironing to do?'. The box is a lot bigger than the item, don't let that put you off.

Well not beng one that likes a huge pile of ironing to build up, I did try this out ...... A couple of days washing .... That amounts to about four loads of washing and most of it that needs ironing. From shirts to jeans, denim skirt, jersey lounge trousers, nightwear, silky top and kids tops also not forgetting that acrylic top, will sparks fly?

Item unpacked and quite surprised the base station which you fill with water is quite big, but easily put on a kitchen worktop, as my first thought was that you needed a big ironing board to contain the iron. No, you don't a kitchen worktop will be sufficient. Only one plug socket needed as per normal iron, this actually is the same size as a normal corded iron. The thicker cable which has the water that steams goes down this and does get hot whilst in use, but not an issue as this usually stays on the worktop and just goes into the tank (base tank). Now myself I usually use a steam iron and have it on the worktop anyway as our dog has a tendency to suddenly launch himself onto the ironing board in the middle of ironing, so as a safety measure have the iron not on the board whilst arranging the clothing on the board etc, so for myself not an issue.

The instructions are on the inside of the box, but also in a booklet, but a quick guide easily at hand ... When you first use it, you will be surprised at just how quickly it heats up and how easily you can get to use it. No dials temp. Controls or anything, just plug and go.

The iron itself was a surprise to me I did think that it would be heavier. Husband did point out that the iron itself didn't contain the water itself, so why should it be heavier. Alright, good point. So basically a normal sized iron that does a perfect job, hisses at times but what a godsend, the ironing gets done in no time. Partly due the fact that you don't have to clothes sort (put clothes into various orders for ironing). Also the steam it generates does the job so no pressing needed, shirts, jeans and other items done and that also includes acrylic jumpers (usually I need to put a tea towel over it before ironing so that no shiny iron marks appear, with this iron this towel is not needed. No shiny marks left, just a pristine looking garment.

Anyway I have small hands and find that this iron is perfect in weight and size, the button for steaming was pressed by accident quite a few times by myself, as I had a tendency to grab the iron thus causing steam to come out at a great rate of speed. After using it a few times more have got the hang of it, you really don't have to be heavy handed with this, it does all the hard work for you.

Husband has now taken over the ironing today (now he is a man that hates ironing, and can not do jersey material to save his life, but this iron has transformed him. Jersey tops for school done, jeans that were bone dry ironed perfectly. Shirts, no excuse now for me to have to do all the ironing, this can do anything. Even down to creased jackets from sitting on long journeys, they can be got out by vertical ironing. Yes, it does work and a lot cheaper than going to this dry cleaners to be pressed.

All I would say it that for a few items a bit of an over kill, as the base and iron together unless you have it on standby so to speak in your laundry room is a little heavy to carry into your kitchen each day if you ironed daily or every other day. So for that school top or few items I will still stick to the normal steam iron I already have.

As we speak now my other half is ironing a tee shirt that has been at the bottom of the ironing basket for a few weeks and is really badly creased and dry as a bone. The results are outstanding ..... Crisp and looking like new.

The items are left slightly damp but ironed perfectly, best to have the clothes really dry before hand.

I left a couple of shirts slightly damp as I usually do for my steam iron but with this iron, the drier the better.

It is worth the price ...? I would buy one but only at half the price the full price is a lot even though there is a 2 year guarantee on it.

Husband is impressed and thinks it fantastic, but considers the longevity an issue..... Will it last the time?

Pleased with the results and a good bit of design that man that like their gadgets will like.

Buy one for your other half this Christmas as then they can have a gadget they can have fun with and allow you to get out of the ironing....... Well that happened today .... Thank you Amazon.

PHILIPS

One big thing I have since noted after leaving the iron with some water in the tank (silly thing that I shouldn't have done, as there has to be a tiny hole even though secured as well as can be for the item to work). I found that my tiled worktop (small tiles) that a couple had risen, where the iron discharge water had come through in the night. I normally leave the iron base on the worktop whilst using it, then afterwards empty it and put it away in the washroom, this time I didn't and am now regretting it. It seems that the water has gone into the tile gaps (grouting and found a weak spot where the join is under the worktop so caused the batten underneath to soak up the water. I know that a little regrout job was needed on a couple of tiles but now am left with a couple of raised tiles and cracked grout? I couldn't believe it at first but there was a large pool of water right where I had had the unit. Spent a good few hours looking under cupboards on ceiling etc for any leaks in the house walls etc for an explanation but the only thing the came to light was this unit.

Philips I know that it does say that you should empty the tank after using, but sometimes things happen and you don't think and just leave the iron somewhere safe. But even better labelling on the outside of the iron maybe.

Have just done some more ironing and found that there is a small amount of water that does appear from the unit even after just half an hour but put the unit on a tray like another reviewer has done to stop the water issue. Surely this must be a design fault?

That said husband still thinks it irons better than any other iron so still the main iron in the house even though it caused a few hours of panic as to leaks etc. But down to my fault really.

I had tried all sorts of steam irons before but avoided generators - but this is undoubtedly the best iron I have had. Haven't worked out how to store neatly yet but otherwise I am very happy.