[Shirl]

Hi all, newbie here

I have a polti vaporetto eco pro 3000 which is polti's top end steam cleaner. Its used a lot with family and friends borrowing it so I was wondering about trading it in for a commercial steam cleaning machine.

However when I've looked at the spec for the commercial machines they still only have the same 5 bar pressure that my polti has. 

Can anyone look at the specs below and tell me what I should be looking at? I assume bars are the important bit and thats what I've been concentrating on? The one i'm looking at buying has a vacuum attachment on it but thats not important, neither is boiler size etc.

One machine talks about steam regulation and the other steam temp - is this the same thing because the temps are quite different.

If there is someone out there who has used a commercial cleaning system and can comment. Theres no point me buying a new machine if all i'm going to get is stronger tools, its steam performance im interested in.
Many thanks peeps

Here's the spec for my polti
Steam cleaner
Power 2000w
2.9lt Boiler 2lt use capacity
Continuous steam regulation up to 110g/min
Steam pressure in bars- 5


Spec for machine I'm looking at (this is a Duplex machine as they seem to have the best spec)
Stainless steel boiler
4 litresWater reserve tank
10 litresDetergent tank
10 litresOperating pressure
5 barSteam
temperature150/160˚C
Power supply230V 50Hz
Boiler output3000 W - 230vVacuum drum capacity14 litres

The Duplex machine has a chemical injection that I like the sound of as cleaning grease isnt the Polti's strong point.

Also, would the Duplex machine with chemical injection be a good carpet cleaner?

I'm on a limited budget so Im looking at getting a second hand machine.

Many thanks for any advice.

[garyj]

First of all a steam cleaner will not make a good carpet cleaning machine, have a look at the carpet cleaning section for advice on a half decent machine.

In my experience steam cleaners are a pain, I had one that cost £1500 a few years ago and it was very disappointing, but saying that I could do with one now as I have a big clean up to do and the customer had asked for steam cleaning, to hire one is £40 a day.

I thought an industrial steam cleaner was going to blast away every bit of dirt I could find, but they don't  . I know some people on here get on well with them, I didn't, also found with the amount of steam created it was difficult to even see what you are doing and where you are aiming.

[Shirl]

Many thanks Gary.

Yes I have to say I expected an industrial steam cleaner would be far superior to anything sold to the domestic market.  Some of the industrial cleaners are stating a 3.5 bar pressure which would make them not as good as my polti! 

I've been searching the history and it seems that the camp is a little split as to the merits of steam cleaners.  I like mine but think theres probably a better option out there.

As for carpet cleaning, I expected to be told that a steamer wouldn't be the best, however with the Duplex machine there is the option of chemical injection so it would be interesting to see what kind of results can be achieved.

Right i'm off to look around the marketplace forum to see whats available.....

Thanks again

[BDCS]

You need to look at the KW rating - 3kw is about as much as you will get on a 3 pin plug, I got an osprey m/c with the chemical injection which I use for cleaning gum, and on carpets you need to look at the construction to see whether its suitable. The attachments are what make the m/c usefull or not for the different jobs because just spraying the surface dos'nt really clean but just makes lifting the dirt easier and also kills the bugs if its hot and dwells long enough

[Shirl]

Thanks for that 

So if its the KW thats important instead of the bar pressure then the Duplex model will be a lot better than the Polti I already have as its 1000 KW more.  Sorry I am not up on this sort of thing.

I like the sound of the Osprey ones but I've not really seen any of the chemical injection ones for sale second hand thats why I'm looking at the Duplex as they seem more in my price bracket.  I know you say you use it for gum but I use my Polti for most of my cleaning as i'm only domestic use.

I'll probably go for a second hand chemical injection steam cleaner and then a Puzzi for the carpets (don't laugh I'm not in the big boys league  )

Thank you again
Shirl

[BDCS]

I got a steampro for the carpets which our hosts have for £1400, which has been a godsend with the carpet, upholsery and hard floor tools

[Shirl]

Thanks again BDCS I appreciate the advice, theres so much out there and it can be confusing.

Its definately time to move on from the Polti and get a good commercial steam cleaner.   I definately fancy the chemical injection models

Will be keeping my eyes on the for sale section.