If you’re planning to use or buy an iron you might have some questions about how hot it gets. There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the temperature of your iron.
Most irons have a temperature setting that ranges from low to high. The higher the number, the hotter the iron will get. Most irons have an indicator light that tells you when the iron is ready to use and when it’s too hot to touch.
How hot can an iron get, keep reading our article to learn more
How Hot Does an Iron Get
Most irons heat up to temperatures between 100°C (212°F) and 230°C (446°F), although some go as high as 270°C (518°F).
The temperature of the iron can vary from model to model and from brand to brand. There are many types of irons available in stores today, including electric irons, steam irons, and steamers. The temperature range of these different types varies as well.
Some irons reach temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), while others don’t get above 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius).
Some irons have adjustable settings that allow users to change the temperature of their garments before pressing them flat with steam. The type of fabric being pressed will also dictate how hot an iron gets; some fabrics require more heat than others when pressed flat with steam.
Can an Iron Get to 400 Degrees?
The answer is yes, but it’s not recommended. The highest temperature setting on most irons is 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 204 degrees Celsius). But that’s a temperature that’s only good for certain materials and you should be careful when using it on fabrics that can’t stand up to high heat.
What’s the Hottest Setting on an Iron?
The hottest setting on iron is the 7th dial which is around 400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 200 degrees Celsius). That’s hot enough to scorch most fabrics and melt some plastics, so it’s important to use a pressing cloth when pressing at this temperature.
Most home irons have a range of temperatures between 150 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit (65 and 176 degrees Celsius). The lower end of this range is fine for most fabrics, but some materials — particularly delicate ones like silk — are better pressed at the lower end of the scale.
The highest setting on iron is usually marked as “cotton,” while a lower temperature might be labeled “silk.” In general, the higher the setting, the hotter your iron will get.
What Is the Lowest Setting on an Iron
The lowest setting on iron is probably around 150 degrees Fahrenheit or below (65 degrees Celsius) which is the nylon setting. Some irons may go as low as 120 degrees F (50 C), but this might not be enough heat for certain kinds of fabric like viscose rayon or microfiber, which tend to wrinkle more easily than other types of material.
How hot does the steam from an iron get?
The steam from an iron can reach temperatures as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). This is not as hot as boiling water, but it’s enough to damage the fabric and melt the plastic.
What setting is 150 degrees on an iron?
150 is Viscose/rayon setting. Some irons have a special setting for viscose and rayon fabrics. This setting heats up to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius), which is hot enough to set the synthetic fibers in these fabrics but not so hot that it causes damage.
The higher temperatures used by most irons are best suited for cotton and linen, which will shrink if exposed to higher heat levels.
Iron Temperature Settings for Different Fabrics
Ironing cotton. If you’re ironing cotton, set the temperature between 150 and 210 degrees Celsius (300 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit) and select a steam setting that suits your fabric.
Ironing polyester. Polyester can be ironed at a slightly lower temperature than cotton — around 110 degrees Celsius (230 degrees Fahrenheit). Iron with steam on low or medium settings to avoid melting the fabric.
Ironing silk and linen. Silk and linen should be ironed at around 110 degrees Celsius (230 degrees Fahrenheit). For both fabrics, set your iron to steam with no heat at all while pressing them flat against an open seam or hem so that they don’t stick to the board or scorch in any way.
