Mr. Steam Review
Mr. Steam generators are in a class of their own. I have to say this is the best single tank pressurized steam generator on the market. I can go into detail why. Although I am not a fan of wet steam, this is the driest of all the single tanks I have reviewed. There is a lot of confusion between open tanks and closed tanks. This works at a much higher pressure than all the other single tanks I have reviewed. Most people are calling me about the Kholers, the Steamists, the Amerecs, the Elite Steams and I tell them, every component of Mr. Steam can handle high pressure and it gives a very intense fluence of steam and doesn't spit out water like the low pressure models that can't handle pressure like Mr. Steam.
Note: most of the really cheap single tank steam generators work at 15 or lower psi and have lots of condensate.
If you are going to get a single tank generator make sure you have 3/4 inch pipes. Try to avoid water hammer.
Their steam tanks are stainless steel. Although not 304 surgical steel, the cleaning system is the best I have seen. It does cost extra. For those that have a pre steam inline water filter, you don't need to buy the cleaning system. Their heating elements last many years before servicing if it is maintained well by not letting limescale build up. Let me know if your water is hard. I recommend a water softener if it is especially if the elements aren't surgical steel.
I urge those considering a Mr. Steam to go to a local spa and try out a steam room that has this brand. I also recommend trying a continuous type steam room to compare and really get to know your steam before considering which brand to get. Most people do not consider steam duty cycles, latent heat index and how higher humidity in relation to the steam room design can affect your steam experience. Please take my Steam Quiz. I will pick out the generator based on your answers. Also, take my sizing quiz. My quiz just might get a different size than you originally thought was the right size for your steam room.
What to pay for a steam room. From Low End to High End
Tier 5: $100 per KW. A Tier 1 9kw steam generator will typically cost 900. These will typically have the highest density heaters and made of cast iron (not even stainless steel and certainly not surgical steel. The heating elements usually have to be changed frequently and the cast iron will leach out and make the water impure and I do not like breathing in heavy metals. These are usually the Chinese Imports that many people buy due to these companies advertising to get your business.
Tier 4: $200 per KW. Tier 2 9kw steam generators will typically cost about 1800 dollars. Most people that do not want to pay the price of a Mr. Steam or a Thermasol usually buy the Whirlpools, the Amerecs, the Elite or Steamist brands. These are a huge jump from the Kholers that I have tested.
Tier 3: $300 per KW. These are a step above the budget grade (Tier 2 brands are not made in China but are not very well built compared to Thermasol and Mr. Steam. They may be made in the USA but have their parts still imported from China. The brands in tier 3 are not made of cheap cast iron and are made of stainless steel. These are cheaper than tier 4 that has surgical steel tanks and elements.
Tier 2: $400 per KW. Steam generators in the Tier 4 range are the most expensive before they jump up to the commercial sizes. These have surgical 304 grade steel boiling tanks as well as 304 grade surgical steel heating elements. All the models in this tier are open tanks, not pressurized steam.
Tier 1: $500 to $600 per KW. These have the lowest density heaters as they will be used all day in a gym from 6am till the evening or sometimes 24 hours a day. I only promote commercial steam generators that have surgical steel, not just stainless steel. These heaters are 11 foot in length unlike the typical residential models that have usually 2.5 foot heaters. Most commercial brands cost about 450 to 500 per KW if American made and 600 dollars per kw if buying a high end brand that not just the tank and heating element I surgical steel but also the frame. All of the prices per watt are an average.
Pictures of Mr. Steam heating elements. These are not surgical steel.
Note: I urge people to know the difference between piping even if getting a quality generator.
Many people use galvanized brass or copper tubing, or even PVC. Make sure you know the types of piping to get.
Warning: I never want to oversize an single tank steam generator. Those who have ceramic or other porous walls if the steam comes out too much and there is too much latent heat, most of the hot steam will be trapped under the ceiling and stick to the walls. The more oversized the generator the harder it is to get steam out of the steam trap.
A dual tank (slower burn steam rate) is much easier to work with in preventing steam traps and keeping the steam drier with less condensate. Also, another problem with oversizing a single tank model is feet burn. It can come out too strong and burn your feet as the steam comes out of the steam head. You may want to consider a wooden enclosure to go around the steam head if this happens.
Pros: I talk a lot about high psi steam generators and atmospheric steam generators. Mr. Steam is not one of the cheap low psi models that spits out a lot of water but it does have a single tank. it does give me a nice relief when it is not on a steam cycle so I go slower into cardiac drift. That is one thing I like about single tanks. I can stay in for an hour if I want if the duty cycles are long enough.
SteamSpa VS Steamcore VS MR. Steam "in a nutshell"
Before deciding on a Mr. Steam, Steamcore, or Steamspa make sure you really know the differences.
The Mr. Steam has a shorter duty cycle while Steamspa and Steamcore have a constant steam that you don’t have to wait with no steam. The vapor in the Steamcore is the driest and most dense while the old style single tank pressure cooker types let out steam with more moisture that is not evaporated into steam yet. The steam cloud on a Steamcore or Steamspa lingers and doesn’t drop to the floor as quick and there is way less drippiness. The latent heat index is lower with less moisture in the steam so the steam stays in the air and doesn’t stick to the walls and ceiling. If someone has a ceiling over 7 foot tall, I would only go with a drier steam so the steam doesn’t rise to the ceiling from the high latent heat. Lag time on the Mr. Steam is much higher since it only has one tank.
Another thing is the noise. Steamcore doesn’t work like the pressure cooker type so it is very quiet. With high pressure steam generators you may need to buy a drip pan and empty it out all the time. Not with Steamcore. Those who don’t want to pay to replace heating elements and pay for a new boiling tank in the future may want to have a surgical steel tank and heating elements. More expensive up front but a lot less maintenance. With surgical steel you don’t need to buy a gallon of solution to clean the tank every 90 sessions if your water is hard.
For those that want the short duty cycle type, Mr. Steam is the best single tank generator. Comparing it to Elite steam (Steamist), which is my 2nd best single tank. Steamcore and Steamspa have the 2 best steam qualities I have tested of all the generators so far. As far as Steamspa and Steamcore, Steamcore has a denser steam and has the least maintenance. It is more expensive than all the others but for those that do just one session with a Steamcore it is hard to go back to any other steam. I discount Steamcore to make it closer to the prices of Mr. Steam and Steamspa. Please take my steam steam quiz or call me if you want to research deeper into the different brands.
Know before buying a steam generator
Know before buying a steam generator
Know before buying a steam generator
DiscountSteamGenerators.com
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1-800-336-9285
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1-800-336-9285
Ask for Alex
DiscountSteamGenerators.com
We're open now
1-800-336-9285
Ask for Sharon
We're open now
1-800-336-9285
Ask for Alex
Comparisons to Mr. Steam:
Mr. Steam is the best in the generators priced under it from all the tests I've done (Steamist, Elite Steam, Roma, Kohler, Steam Whirl, Amerec, and a few others. But, if someone wants to compare it to the next highest level single tank pressurized generator, it is the L SERIES. This is the super high end model for people that want a single tank with duty cycles to prevent cardiac drift or don't want to stay in a constant temperature (110 - 114 degrees). The L series goes way beyond 20psi. It is not robotically welded. Their steam generator is tig welded (hand welded). it will never rust through.
L Series - Steam Quality 99%
I can't give this 100% because only a sweat lodge gets 100% (100% steam, zero condensate). These are 100% made in the USA. 100% tig welded. Heating elements last 30+ years. Hydrostatically tested for super high PSI giving dry steam. Way above 20 psi limit on most other generators. Only comes in 9kw or above. Super expensive. Long wait to get one.
Take my steam quiz to get help choosing a steam generator brand. I will pick out the brand and size based on the answers you choose. Take the sizing quiz first or the steam quiz.
