Most of us want an iron that heats up quickly, glides easily and gets creases out in one pass. The Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 does that on the board, and it also steams vertically, so you can freshen up curtains, coats and shirts on a hanger without taking them down.
At a glance
- 3100 W, so it heats up and recovers quickly between bursts
- Vertical steam for hanging clothes and curtains
- Ceramic soleplate with a tapered tip and button grooves
- Variable steam, water spray and a strong steam shot for stubborn creases
- Anti-drip and anti-scale systems with a self-clean function
- 3-way automatic safety shut-off
- 350 ml water tank and a 3 m power cord
Who it suits
This is a good fit for busy households with a weekly ironing pile. The large tank means fewer trips to the tap, and the long cord gives you room to move around the board. The tapered tip gets into collars, cuffs and between buttons, and the grooves let you iron right up to a button line.
If you've ever forgotten whether you switched the iron off, the 3-way safety shut-off is the feature you'll value most. It turns the iron off if it is left still on its soleplate, on its side or upright for too long.
How to steam curtains and hanging clothes
- Fill the tank and set the dial to the highest steam setting the fabric allows.
- Hold the iron upright a few centimetres from the fabric. Don't press it against delicate fabrics.
- Gently pull the fabric taut with your other hand and press the steam shot as you move down.
- Let the fabric hang and dry for a few minutes before you touch it.
Steam is very hot, so never steam clothes while someone is wearing them, and keep your hand out of the steam path.
Tips for better results
- Sort your ironing by temperature and start with the coolest fabrics, such as synthetics, before moving on to cotton and linen.
- Iron cotton while it's still slightly damp. It's much quicker.
- In a hard water area, run the self-clean function regularly. It flushes out scale before it can spit onto your clothes.
- Empty the tank after each session so water doesn't sit in the iron.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use tap water?
Russell Hobbs designs this iron with an anti-scale system, so ordinary tap water is fine for most homes. In very hard water areas, regular self-cleaning keeps the steam holes clear. Check the manual for the water types it recommends.
Is it heavy?
It weighs about 1.6 kg, which is fairly typical for a powerful steam iron. The weight helps press out creases on the board.
Does it switch itself off?
Yes. The 3-way automatic shut-off turns it off if it is left unattended in any position.
Where to buy
The Russell Hobbs Powersteam Ultra 20630 is available from Clean Smile Home with UK delivery. If you'd like a cordless option, have a look at our guide to the Tower CeraGlide 2-in-1 cordless iron.
This guide is general information. Always read and follow the instructions and safety advice that come with your appliance.
