FAQs and Get Support

If you need help with service, just give Hoffman steam a call. We will connect you with a local authorized Hoffman service representative to help you with whatever you need.  We have several ways to contact Hoffman. Call 1-800-221-0146.  Email support@hoffman-ny.com . Start at chat at www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com

Absolutely. The steamer is our pride and joy, and we are extremely confident you will truly love it. If for any reason you don’t, we will give you your money back.

When you purchase a Hoffman steamer direct from the factory, we provide shipping anywhere in the continental USA for free.

Established in 1904, Hoffman is a global leader of laundry presses and steamer boilers.

Hoffman proudly manufactures all our Pro steamers in the USA in our Dushore Pennsylvania facility. Dushore is a borough in Sullivan County Pennsylvania and is home to Sullivan County’s only traffic light.  Raw steel and materials enter our factory, and our output is our steamers that are manufactured with care by our team of crafts people.  Our crafts people include welders, metal workers, engineers, and technicians. Customer service provided by the same expert team that manufacture our steamers.

Our Pro line and portable line of high-quality steamers are made in the USA and feature different capacities and attachment options to meet your every need. Designed for maximum steam power and rugged dependability, all our Pro steamers are built to the highest safety standards and are U.L. and A.S.M.E. approved.

Hoffman has many 5-star reviews.  The reviews are published both on the Hoffman site https://buyhoffmansteamersnow.com/reviews/ and on the Hoffman Google business page

Yes, Hoffman also sells a line of presses for the laundry and garment industry.  In addition, our sister company, Unity Laundry, sells commercial washer, dryers, and presses available for purchase from Unity Laundry (www.buyunitynow.com).  Just chat or give us a call and we will provide all the details including price and specifications.

Yes, Hoffman steam has a video library with product features content as well as customer support and maintenance content.  Click here to visit the video library.

Hoffman is in Dushore Pennsylvania. We have customers all over the world and we will ship our products and support our customers anywhere they may be.

Hoffman products are available through distribution and factory direct. To purchase factory direct visit www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com  and shop for your commercial steamer.  You can purchase your new steamer just like you would purchase anything online. We include a 30-day money back guarantee and free shipping to ensure you are totally satisfied with your purchase.  If you would rather purchase through a distributor just start a chat and we will provide a list of distributors.

Visit www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com to see our models and pricing.  We are one of the only manufacturers to publish our prices online.

Hoffman features a USA technical support team.  We have several ways to contact Hoffman support. Call 1-800-221-0146.  Email support@hoffman-ny.com . Start at chat at www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com.

To order replacement parts call 1-800-221-0146.  Email support@hoffman-ny.com . Start at chat at www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com or visit our online parts site www.buyunitypartsnow.com

Lead times for our steamers varies depending on the model.  For the latest lead times just visit www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com and chat with one of our product experts.  They will be able to provide the latest and most accurate information.

We have several ways to contact Hoffman.  Call 1-800-221-0146. Email info@hoffman-ny.com. Start a chat at www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com

ASME certification for steam boilers is a 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.  Nearly all U.S. states and local jurisdictions legally require steam boilers to be ASME-stamped (such as the “H” or “S” stamp) and registered with the National Board.  All Hoffman PRO steamers are ASME certified.

Most states have pressure vessel codes. To avoid any issue, ensure that your steamer adheres to all applicable boiler laws/codes. A jewelry steamer like our JEL-3 is a pressure vessel and must conform to all boiler laws. A jewelry steamer like our GEM-III does not have a pressure vessel and does not need to meet any pressure vessel codes.  These laws are put into place to ensure that your steamers are safe to operate. Each boiler must be supplied with an ASME-stamp (such as the “H” or “S” stamp) and registered with the National Board.

Most states have pressure vessel codes. To avoid any issue, ensure that your steamer adheres to all applicable boiler laws/codes. A hat shaping steamer like our JEL-3 is a pressure vessel and must conform to all boiler laws. These laws are put into place to ensure that your steamers are safe to operate. Each boiler must be supplied with an ASME-stamp (such as the “H” or “S” stamp) and registered with the National Board.

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 steamer.  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. An 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.

The best features to look for in a jewelry steamer include a steel boiler, consistent high PSI pressure, a built-in pressure safety release, and a generous water tank capacity. These elements ensure safe, continuous, and high-powered cleaning to blast away tarnish, lotion, and dirt.

Top Features for Jewelry Steamers

• High Pressure & Steam Output: Look for a steamer that generates at least (around 70 to 90 PSI) of pressure. Higher pressure effectively dislodges stubborn grime from intricate settings and diamond pavé.  The Hoffman JEL-3 steamer is a great option for jewelry cleaning.
• ASME certified Steel Boiler: Avoid aluminum boilers, which can degrade and flake over time. An ASME tank ensures the boiler meets all government and insurance regulations and handles high temperatures safely.
• Generous Tank Capacity: The larger the tank capacity the longer the unit will operate and produce steam without needing a refill
• Safety Features: Essential safety mechanisms include an automatic pressure release valve, a low-water shut-off sensor, and a sturdy, heat-insulated exterior casing.
• Continuous Steam vs. On-Demand: A foot pedal or a continuous steam lock reduces hand fatigue, allowing you to easily rotate your jewelry with both hands under the nozzle.
• For portable or mall operation consider a flash steamer.  The Hoffman GEM-III flash steamer provides high pressure steam without the need for a pressure tank.

When choosing a hat shaping steamer, prioritize dry steam output, high wattage (1500W+) for quick recovery times, a foot pedal, and a shaping head. Look for models that produce consistent, steady dry steam to make felt or straw pliable without over-soaking the fibers.

Top Features for hat shaping steamers

• Dry steam vs. wet steam: Look for high-pressure or boiler-style steamers that produce “dry steam.” This delivers high heat with minimal moisture, which prevents shrinking or ruining the shape of delicate materials like beaver felt. The Hoffman JEL-3 produces dry steam, and the moisture level can be controlled with the temperature knob.
• Shaping head material: Avoid cheap plastic heads, which can melt or spit boiling water onto the hat. Choose durable metal heads for focused, clean steam distribution. Hoffman has a stainless-steel shaping head the is specially designed to work with Hoffman steamers.
• Wattage & Heat Recovery: Choose a unit with at least 1500 watts of power. This ensures the heating element can keep up with continuous use without dropping in temperature or sputtering.
• Large Water Reservoir: A large, clear water tank allows for longer steaming sessions without the need for constant refills, maximizing workflow and focus.
• Safety Features: In busy hat-shaping environments, features like automatic shut-off and thermal protection are essential to prevent overheating.

Yes, it is recommended to use distilled water with any Hoffman manual fed steamer like the JEL-3.  Auto water fed units like the RHPG-17 do not need to use distilled water. To learn more about water, Hoffman has created a free guide.

Our steamers require very little maintenance if blown down frequently. Examine your steamer after the first 90 days and check for small leaks (around gauge glass, valves), check for any calcium buildup (to evaluate if more or less blow downs are required), clean probes, and generally look for problems. It is recommended to replace the gauge glass every year, check for leaks, internally examine boiler, and clean probes.  If you need any help Hoffman features a USA technical support team.  We have several ways to contact Hoffman support. Call 1-800-221-0146.  Email support@hoffman-ny.com . Start at chat at www.buyhoffmansteamersnow.com.

Almost all steam boilers are constructed of carbon steel, which rusts if exposed to oxygen and moisture.  To minimize any rust ensure you clean your boiler with a blow down procedure, never leave your steamer empty, never fill your steamer over the high-water mark, use distilled water where applicable.

10 KW = 1 BHP (boiler horsepower)

1 KW = 3412 BTU/HR

1 KW = 3.48 LB/HR steam

Amp draw (1 PH) = watts / volts

Amp draw (3 PH) = watts / (volts X 1.732)

1 cubic foot = 7.461 gallons water

1 gallon water = 8.331 lb.

Maximum water usage = .07 GPM of water per 1 BHP