It is easy to convert Kilowatts to pounds of steam per hour.  One kilowatt can produce 3.5 pounds of steam per hour.  So, a 15KW steamer will produce 52.5 pounds of steam per hour.  Hoffman has a range of steamers with different power levels.

ASME certification for steam boilers is a stamp or certification from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) that verifies a company’s quality control systems meet ASME standards. The certification applies to the design and construction of boilers and pressure vessels.

What does ASME certification mean?

ASME certification shows that a product is manufactured to high standards of safety and quality.  Hoffman 2 gallon and larger steamers are ASME certified.

There are two general categories of steamers.  Flash steamers produce steam without requiring a pressurized tank.  They produce high pressure steam by converting heat energy into steam without the use of a pressure boiler.  The steamer only draws water that would be directly converted into steam for instantaneous use.  They are great for portable operation or in jewelry stores in malls that do not allow pressure tanks.  An example is the Hoffman GEM-III.  A pressurized steam boiler works by heating water in a closed container until it reaches its boiling point, generating steam under pressure which can then be used for steam for cleaning or to power steam devices like irons or hat shaper heads.  They are great for any steam application that needs high pressure and long operating times before reheating.  The EVD-1 and JEL-3 are examples of a pressurized tank steamers.  The larger the tank size, the more steam the unit will produce.

Steamers are no different than many product categories with a wide range of quality and options.  Use this convenient check list when comparing products.  Note:  when shopping for steamer that uses a pressure tank make sure you purchase it from a brand you know and trust and that the steamer carries the proper certifications.

• Steamer is certified by an organization such as UL, ASME, ETL
• Steamer can produce high pressure steam
• Steamer heat and pressure are adjustable
• Steamer has built-in safety features
• Steamer manufacturer has USA customer and warranty support

There are four methods to adding water to your steamer. A flash steamer (like our GEM-III) does not have a pressure tank. Water is added via a pipe external to the steamer. A manual feed steamer (like our JEL3) has an internal pressure tank. Water is added to the internal tank. Once the tank is empty, the steamer needs to be depressurized and more water can be added. A manual feed steamer with a water feed regulator (JEL3 with water feed) allows a water line to be direct connected to the steamer and water is automatically added to the steamer. The steamer pressure will be equal to the incoming water pressure. A auto feed steamer with a water pump (like our RHPG-17) uses a high pressure water pump to add water to the steamer.

If you know how many pounds of steam you need per hour, we have an easy calculator to determine what steamer is right for you. Just click this link to use our calculator.

Pressure is measured in Pounds per square inch (PSI) and is the pressure that results when a 1-pound force is applied to a unit area of 1 square inch. The higher the PSI, the better a steamer will be able to clean or steam. An occasional usage steamer will generate about 40 PSI and a professional steamer will generate 90 PSI of steam.

A hobbyist steamer is designed to meet the needs of an occasional user. A hobbyist steamer typically has lower pressure, lower temperature, and less steam available than a commercial steamer. These products are designed for light and occasional use. A commercial steamer is designed to meet the needs of a business professional. Commercial steamers are ASME certified designed to produce high temperature and high pressure steam in large quantities. Typically, a hobbyist steamer is not up to the task to meet the needs for a business. A business may find a hobbyist steamer too slow to generate steam and not powerful enough to do a great job at steaming. A commercial steamer is more expensive than a hobbyist steamer but the savings in time and performance may be worth the extra initial cost.