Philips PerfectCare 7000 Series Steam Generator PSG7130/20

We purchased this after our old steam generator iron developed a crack in the tank. The actual iron is fine, and works well and were it not for the problems outlined below it would rate higher. The user manual is largely pictograms and is rather confusing. Perhaps they can take a lesson from a certain Swedish furniture retailer on how to do useful pictograms. However we have worked it out.

We have encountered two issues. The most recent is one which the user manual does not address at all. The iron started to drip significant amounts of water from the sole plate - not steaming adequately. After a lot of research on the internet we worked out we could decalc it with low level appliance cleaner and a few rinses. That solved the problem.

However the biggest problem is the de-calcification knob/sealing plug which you have to be very careful not to cross thread. The designer chose to make the thread very fine, and put a massive rubber ring near the handle. We have been very careful with this as it impedes refitting it after the mandatory Easy De-calc steps. It now looks like the tank plug thread is damaged - despite our best efforts.

Perhaps it can be remedied with a spare, which we cannot find in Australia at present. There is a part on a European site that looks the same, and one of other models at the Australian spares site that Philips directs you to

================================================================== UPDATE: Jun-2025 ================================================================== We purchased a new de-calc plug from StateWide Appliances (ask for a Steamer Rinse Cap) - $26.95. It fits indicating the thread of the tank itself is ok. The iron is functional again. Philip could redesign this item so the rubber sealing ring is smaller, or the threaded section is longer. The attached image illustrates the issue with the thread wear.

This item should not be a consumable.

It would be appreciated if Philips responded to these posts too.

I actually enjoy ironing now! – My old regular iron was driving me nuts. I had to keep refilling the tank and it didn’t generate enough steam to get rid of wrinkles in heavy denim / cotton. Even t-shirts didn’t look great. Someone suggested I look at a steam generator / steam station iron. I tried a Russell Hobbs first up (I also reviewed this). It was a well-built unit but the iron didn’t glide and it was a bit awkward to use. I took it back and the sales person recommended I try the Philips.

Steam generators have a big, heavy base unit that produces steam and pumps it through a thick cord to the iron itself. The amount of steam ithe Philips generates is impressive! There are no temperature settings although you can choose max steam for very heavy garments. The iron apparently auto-adjusts to any garment type. The iron can also be used vertically as a garment steamer.

Things I love:

-Big capacity tank -Light iron, glides like a dream -Smashes wrinkles on both sides of the garment simultaneously -Irons in a single pass -Heats up quickly -Easy to press trigger -Can leave iron face-down on the board whike you adjust clothes.

Things that are small issues:

-Can be easy to bump the auto button -Auto steam function can be a little bit and miss (I prefer to pull the trigger manually) -Large steam cord can get in the way but can be avoided if you set yourself up correctly

Steam generators are big out of necessity so you need to have a special board to hold them or you can rest the unit on the floor or on a table. I find it easy to pack away but some people prefer to leave it set up permanently. Probably better for doing a reasonable load of ironing than a quick iron of one Tshirt. The Philips has a nice long steam cord and electrical cord so it reaches my ironing board from the floor.

The unit can handle tap water but given the purchase cost of the iron I have chosen to use distilled water as we are in a very hard water area and I would like to hopefully extend its life.

I absolutely love this iron and find myself ironing things I wouldn’t usually because it’s actually fun!

If you would like to see it in action I have uploaded a video.