CHI Lava 13113 Review

Ironing Performance

To thoroughly gauge the iron's effectiveness, we conduct comprehensive tests on a variety of fabrics, including cotton, linen, silk/satin, and polyester. We adhere to the recommended temperature settings for each fabric type as specified on the iron's controls. The CHI Lava excelled in these ironing tests, making it one of the top performers in the lineup. Its combination of high heat and substantial steam output makes quick work of even the most stubborn wrinkles.

When tackling cotton fabrics, the CHI Lava delivered outstanding results. The iron's high temperature setting, which reached an impressive 344.4°F, combined with its powerful steam output to smooth out wrinkles in cotton shirts with minimal effort. The steam output was strong and made a big difference when ironing fabrics like cotton.

For linen, which typically demands the highest heat settings, the CHI Lava truly shined. Its ability to maintain consistent high temperatures allowed it to tame the notoriously stubborn wrinkles common in linen fabrics. I was also very impressed with this irons ability to quickly heat up to high temperatures. The smooth ceramic soleplate glided effortlessly across the material, requiring minimal pressure to achieve excellent results.

Before Ironing After Ironing

The CHI also demonstrated impressive versatility when switched to lower temperature settings for delicate fabrics. On silk and satin, the Lava performed admirably, producing smooth results without scorching. Ironing delicate fabrics is always more challenging, but I liked the way the Lava performed. After just two passes the fabric was mostly wrinkle-free. And after applying several more passes it was very smooth.

Before Ironing After Ironing

Even synthetic fabrics like polyester posed no challenge for the CHI Lava. At appropriate lower heat settings, it removed wrinkles efficiently without melting or damaging the material. The even heat distribution across the soleplate prevented hot spots that could potentially damage sensitive synthetic fibers.

Steam Output

Steam is great for getting wrinkles out more efficiently, especially on fabrics like silk and satin. In order to evaluate steam performance, we filled up each iron's reservoir to capacity and recorded the weight. Following this, we preheated the iron until it reached its peak temperature setting, over three minutes, before proceeding to iron for another two minutes with the steam function engaged. After this, we reweighed the iron to measure the quantity of water that had evaporated. It's important to note that we exclusively used the standard steam mode throughout this evaluation, opting out of any concentrated steam burst and water spray features.

The CHI Lava 13113 is exceptionally steamy. This iron produced an impressive 127 grams of steam during our test.

The Lava's steam capabilities were immediately noticeable during ironing sessions. I could hear the distinctive hissing as steam flowed through the fabric, and there was a pleasant sensation of warm vapor curling around me as I worked. This generous steam output contributes significantly to the iron's wrinkle-fighting effectiveness, particularly on thicker fabrics like denim and linen.

I also appreciated that there were no issues with water droplets or oddly concentrated steam release patterns. Overall, the steam production was strong, consistent, and effective.

Heating

To evaluate the heat output, we adjusted the iron's heating element to its maximum setting until it reached peak temperature. Subsequently, we measured temperature using four probes strategically positioned across various locations on the iron's soleplate, with the iron seated on its dock, placing the probes on each end.

The CHI Lava 13113 placed among the top performers in this crucial metric. I recorded consistent high temperatures across my testing probes, with an impressive average operating temperature of 344.4°F.

Breaking down the temperature readings, I measured 319.8°F, 388.8°F, 331.5°F, and 337.2°F across my four testing probes. This demonstrates the iron's ability to maintain high heat while distributing it relatively evenly across the soleplate.

What particularly impressed me was the Lava's rapid heating time. After powering on, the iron reached its operating temperature significantly faster than many competitors, becoming ready to use in under two minutes. This quick heat-up time means less waiting and more efficient ironing sessions, especially for those quick touch-ups before heading out the door.

The iron's temperature indicator system works flawlessly, with the selected setting blinking while heating up, then remaining solid and emitting a clear beep once the desired temperature is reached. This combination of visual and audible feedback ensures you'll always know when the iron is ready to use.

Detailing

This metric assesses the iron's capabilities in handling delicate tasks, including maneuvering around buttons with precision, shaping specific features such as pleats, and overall ease of maneuverability across the ironing board. In addition to evaluating performance, factors such as weight distribution and handle ergonomics were carefully considered to provide a thorough analysis.

The CHI Lava 13113 features a tapered nose design, which excels at navigating around buttons and reaching tight spots like collar points and seam intersections. When ironing button-down shirts, the Lava's precision was great.

The tapered nose easily slipped between and around buttons without catching or snagging, allowing me to iron right up to each button without leaving annoying wrinkles around the placket. This precision extended to challenging areas like shirt collars and cuffs, where the iron's design helped create crisp, professional-looking edges.

I found the armpit area of shirts—often one of the most challenging areas to iron properly due to the convergence of multiple seams—was much easier to tackle with the CHI Lava. The combination of the tapered nose design and the iron's substantial heat made quick work of these trouble spots.

The smaller soleplate size (compared to some larger models I tested) proved to be an advantage for detailed work. The Lava was easy to maneuver in tight spaces and around obstacles, making it particularly well-suited for sewers and quilters.

Moreover, the soleplate material deserves special mention. Throughout testing, the iron never caught on any fabric — instead, it glided smoothly across all materials, from delicate silks to heavy cottons. This smooth gliding action, combined with the well-designed nose, made detail work noticeably less frustrating than with many competing models.

Ease of Use

The ease of use metric encompasses a range of factors pertaining to the iron's functionality, including the efficiency of the water spray mechanism, the user-friendliness of the water refilling process, the design of the cord for optimal maneuverability, and the effectiveness of any temperature indicators, if present.

The iron comes with a generous 8'2" cord length, providing ample reach for most ironing situations. The retractable cord is a particularly nice touch, making storage clean and simple—a feature not found on many competing models. That said, at this price, we would have loved to see cordless functionality.

While the water tank can get momentarily overwhelmed during rapid filling, I never experienced any significant spillage or difficulty. The transparent water tank is a helpful feature, allowing you to easily monitor the water level as you fill.

The control interface is where the CHI Lava truly shines. The large, easy-to-read display with clear temperature indicators makes selecting the appropriate setting for different fabrics straightforward. I particularly appreciated the blinking indicator light that flashes until the iron reaches the desired temperature, then becomes solid and emits a beep when ready. This dual notification system ensures you'll never miss when your iron is ready to use.

Safety features are well-implemented on the Lava. The auto-shutoff function activates after 30 minutes when the iron is standing on its heel, but more importantly, it shuts off after just one minute when left face down or on its side. The iron provides a clear indication when auto-shutoff has been triggered, with aggressive beeping and visual cues — a critical safety feature for peace of mind.

Where the CHI Lava falls slightly short is in its spray and steam burst functions. While the spray mist is fine and projects a good distance, I found it somewhat narrow in coverage, resulting in more concentrated moisture than ideal. The steam burst function was occasionally problematic when set upright, starting with appropriate steam bursts but sometimes ending with unexpected water drips that could leave wet spots on fabrics. For vertical steaming tasks, I'd recommend holding the iron further from delicate fabrics or considering a dedicated steamer instead.

The ergonomics of the Lava are well-executed, with a grippy handle that remained comfortable during extended ironing sessions. The 3.0-pound weight strikes a good balance—substantial enough to help press out wrinkles without requiring excessive downward force yet light enough to prevent arm fatigue during longer ironing sessions.

Should You Buy the CHI Lava 13113?

The CHI Lava 13113 is an excellent investment for anyone who irons regularly and values both performance and convenience. Its outstanding heating capabilities, generous steam output, and precision detailing make it ideal for tackling everything from delicate silks to stubborn linens with professional results. If you iron business attire frequently, work with a variety of fabrics, or simply appreciate tools that perform at the highest level, the premium price of the CHI Lava is justified by its exceptional performance and thoughtful design features. While it represents a higher initial investment than many competitors, the quality of results and improved ironing experience make it worth considering for discerning users.

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