Earlex Steam Generator for Wood Bending with 12-Foot Hose | 1.3-gallon steam generator with a 12-foot hose is designed for steam-box wood bending.

The instructions are clear. The product is easy to set up. The product works excellent and is easy to use. It is easy to fill up with water, and it boils quickly. Be sure to keep the steam box away from the boiler, as drips of water leak out of the pressure release hole in the steam box and could drift toward the electrical cord. The steam hose is long enough to prevent that from occurring as long as one is mindful of it. It serves its purpose well.

I bought this steam generator 2 years ago. It was "on sale" so I thought, "why not, I will eventually give it a try." Two weeks ago, I was inspired to build a trout landing net which required steam bending thin (1/8th inch) strips of walnut, birch, and yew wood. Out of the box and ready to go, I only needed to study the manual that came with the steam generator then construct a steam chamber. I was off and running! There was nothing difficult about this process. Other than being extra cautious (it never hurts to be careful) about potential over pressurization, I simply plugged in the steam generator, checked my timing parameters, then proceeded to work on another craft project while I waited for the steam process to take place. Fifteen minutes later, my first strips were ready to clamp to the jig. The wood was like butter and molded easily around the template. I left the steamed wood clamped to the jig for 24 hours (although I recently learned that it's not necessary to wait that long), then completed the gluing up process (messy, but the excess glue sands off easily). The result is the attached picture. I can only say good things about this steamer. This was my very first attempt at steam bending; and it worked! The kit includes everything you need to set up your system. The only thing you need to do, besides building your steam box is drill a hole for the fitting that connects the steam hose to the box. The manual includes a very nice set of instructions for building your own steam box out of plywood. I made mine out of PVC, and while the PVC warped a bit from the intense heat, it was still satisfactory. I plan to build a similar box out of 3/4" marine plywood; other people use galvanized stove pipe and even stainless steel if you want to get fancy. As true for any project using steam and tools, be sure to study the warnings and precautions described in the manual. You will be dealing with 212 degree steam so wear gloves when you are removing your steamed wood or are in contact with the system while it is in operation. The Earlex Steam Generator has opened up a whole new world of wood crafting for me, and I thank them sincerely for a product that has allowed me to get started with a very effective unit at a very reasonable price.

I bought this because it looked identical to one by another company but this was a few bucks cheaper. I was skeptical about its ability to generate enough steam for the size steambox I built, but it had no problem. I have used it about 10 times so far. The interior size of my steambox is 57"x 22"x 4 3/4". It takes about 45 minutes to get up to 210 degrees F and it stays there. I was using it to try and flatten warped 2 inch thick cabinet doors that were apprx. 4 feet x 20 inches x 2 inches. I needed to leave them in the steambox for up to 4 hrs. Because of this long time I needed to refill the water every 1 1/2 hrs. or so. For my purpose and this reason it would be great if they made one with a bigger water tank so I could leave it unattended longer but thats a small consideration and not a complaint or criticism. I did wish I could shorten the 12 foot steam hose and feel that it must lose some heat with the distance even though it is insulated and does get the box up to 210 degrees (the hose stays cool enough to touch). I saw that this product was produced as a wallpaper steam remover so that is the reason for the long hose. I would recommend using distilled water to cut down on the mineralization on the heating element. Anyone with questions on its use or my wood steaming experience is welcome to email me at [email protected]. STEVE

I use this to steam hay for my horses. I run it 1 to 2 times a day. The first one quit working and they replaced it. I had bought 2nd one while I waited for the replacement. The 2nd one fell and broke the part where the hose hooks on and there's no way to fix that. now I'm on my 3rd one and its starting to act up already. Hopefully this one lives longer than the last two. I wish it came with a funnel to fill it with. I use a screwdriver to push the rubber flap down. I wish it was a more serviceable product to fix it rather than keep replacing it. It does get nice and hot and creates good steam. When they are new they work great!!! Would say it's perfect for a hobby wood worker or for wallpaper removal .

The bonus is that the product came with instructions to build a steam box.

Restoring 120 year old windows, so I have a lot of putty to remove. Saw a video whit a guy using one of these as well as some of the big restore shops using a big steam box. After the nightmares of putty removal as a kid with all the cracked windows, I decided to try this method. Couldn't be happier. Takes about 10-15 minutes total on a 24x24 window to remove all the old putty. No more broken glass from digging at the putty or overheating it with a heat-gun/torch. Got 3 -4 windows done per tank. It does tend to spit a little hot water and you have to be a bit careful on the wood so you don't dig in or scrape it to bad. Would help to have some sort of handle available for the end of the hose as it can get warm - I just used a big plastic spring clamp.

I just got started with wood bending when I got this unit. It's easy to operate, heats up quickly, and makes plenty of steam for the average one-off project. I have used it steaming wood in plastic trash bags (you can put the wood in the mold while it is still steaming), and using a collapsible gutter downspout (variable length, good diameter, and a square end for the stream line). It's pretty easy to attach the steam line to whatever you need, just drill a hole and screw the line on. The only thing that I would caution people is to say RESPECT that max fill line on the side of the unit. If you overfill the tank with water, it will trip the overtemp safety switch and shut down the unit until the water cools off. Since you have a lot of water in the tank in this case, that will be a long time. You'll end up having to dump out all that very hot water (not a pleasant chore), and starting from scratch. Not to mention what a way-too-short steam run might do to the wood you're trying to bend. This is a good way to bend wood if you follow the directions.

I got one good use out of this steam generator before the plastic fitting snapped off the end of the hose. Functionally, I think it could work reasonably well, but the hose fittings are way too fragile for use in a woodworking workshop. There does not seem to be any way to repair or replace the fittings, so you are always going to be one slight bump from having to order a replacement hose from the manufacturer. It's unfortunate, because it was off to a good start before I suddenly couldn't use it at all, and of course progress on my project is now at a standstill until I find a replacement solution.

Just worked only 2 times and very next day stop working. Not truning on. Don't know what to do. Is there any warranty available ?

Leider fehlt der Adapter, in der Gebrauchsanleitung bei Technischen Daten wird angegeben das, dass Gerät nur mit 120V betrieben werden darf?? Was soll ich mit dem Gerät , da wir eine Netzspannnung von 220 V haben. Angaben sehr MANGELHAFT!!

Unit works perfectly. I used it to remove thick ice from the edge of my roof. I added a 6" pipe nipple onto the provided brass fitting and was able to melt through the ice easily. Also used it to defrost my chest freezer. Once heated up, it produces steam for about 2 hours. No power switch, just plug in and wait about 20 minutes for it to start producing steam. Nice to have 12' hose to give lots of reach.

This steamer is awesome! I bought it to do wood strip steaming. I watched a few videos and some chambers had been made with PVC pipe, so I did the same. I set my timer for 15 minute intervals but nothing happened until the 45 minute mark! See photo. Obviously PVC is not the choice, so perhaps ABS will do, but this machine did its job well.It comes with a coupler for the steam box that makes the connecting process very easy. I highly recommend this steam generator.

I like this equipment Except the hose, the hose is in plastic and all curved. it is broken. I would like to know what other hose i can use?