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Product Failure: Shark Steam Bottle
Today I spent $50 at Walgreens to buy the new Shark Steam Bottle (Model SC618) by Euro-Pro Operating LLC. It features an attractively designed flask with a nozzle for delivering steam provided by an AC-powered heater (yes, you have to be close to an electrical outlet). I read the direction, added distilled water, plugged it in, and waited for 30 or so seconds as it heated up. The blue light came on telling me that I was good to go with steam. I pressed the trigger to release the steam - and was disappointed to see a tiny little trickle of steam, about the equivalent steam flow you would expect from three hot French fries. Plus there was a lot of water sputtering out, leaving big drops on the floor. The directions said this was normal for startup. I waited a few more second and tried again. Nothing happened. The directions said that sometimes you need to squeeze the trigger several times to get steam flow. I tried repeatedly, still no steam flow. Nothing at all. The blue light was glowing, I could feel that the bottle was getting hot, but no steam was flowing out.
Another failed glitzy product. Even while it was working, the steam flow just seemed to small to be of much use in cleaning, though it might be good for tiny small things like jewelry. My advice: save your money and buy some hot French fries for steam generation. They cost less and you can eat them when you're done. And with a little luck, you might find one that looks like Abe Lincoln or maybe even Bill Clinton.