Steam cleaners offer a non-toxic way to remove oily grease, cut through thick grime and banish germs from any moisture-resistant surface without scrubbing until your hands ache. From handheld to rolling canister, McCulloch’s line of steam cleaners boasts an array of sizes and accessories, and they are all safe to use indoors and outdoors.
Affordable Option
McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Cleaner
Heavy-Duty Steam Action. While lightweight at 10 pounds, this MC1275 canister-style steam cleaner packs a punch, producing 43 psi of steam at a max flow rate of 37 grams per minute. McCulloch includes a fill cup for adding water to the 48-ounce reservoir, which only takes 8 minutes to heat from the moment you flip the moisture-protected power switch.
On the nozzle, you’ll find an ergonomic trigger lock for instant switching between continuous and on-demand steam delivery that lasts for 45 minutes. A total of 18 accessories comes with the MC1275, including an extendable floor mop, 9-foot hose and a squeegee. When you’re finished using the steam cleaner, the carrying handle offers an integrated cradle for neat storage.
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Popular Option
McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam System
What Doesn’t It Do? With the MC1375 canister steam cleaner, you get a 20-tool package that partly consists of a scraper, a floor mop and all the brushes you’ll ever need, and you can store them onboard the steam cleaner. An 18-foot cord offers a decent reach, and the treaded wheels make the 11-pound canister outdoor-worthy.
The manual-fill boiler holds 48 ounces of water and keeps the steam flowing for 90 minutes at 58 psi. Next to the easy-to-read pressure gauge, you’ll find a dial that lets you adjust the steam flow from 15 to 31 grams per minute. Other notable features you’ll appreciate are the 10-foot insulated hose and the lockable on-demand steam trigger.
Best of the Best
McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam System
Smartly Designed and Mega-Powerful. The 13-pound MC1385 is a user-friendly upright canister with its top-located pressure gauge and push-to-lock trigger. The nozzle rests in a built-in caddy when not in use. The MC1385 has an easily accessible variable steam dial, and there’s even a bag for keeping the tools that come with the 23-piece accessory set.
Between the insulated hose and power cord, you get 28 feet’ worth of reach, and smooth transport is guaranteed thanks to the steam cleaner’s massive wheels and luggage-style handle. It only takes 12 minutes for the 64-ounce boiler to heat the water, and a full tank generates 2 hours of steam at an impressive 4-bar pressure.
Alternative Brand
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner Multipurpose Heavy Duty Steamer
A Unique Take on Steam-Cleaner Design. The 9.5 by 10.5-inch one-of-a-kind box frame is the first feature to catch your eye. At 9 pounds, it’s easy to roll or carry by the retractable tote handle. Instead of gauges, switches and triggers, Dupray opted for a flat power button that produces continuous-only steam at 50 psi.
Spilled water is a thing of the past thanks to the innovative funnel built into the 54-ounce tank. Despite its high capacity, it only takes 7 minutes for the water to heat, and the steam lasts for 50 minutes. Both the 16-foot cord and 6.5-foot hose are a respectable length, and the 18-piece accessory package is generous.
McCulloch Steam Cleaner Buying Guide
McCulloch jams a ton of valuable features into a steam cleaner without jacking up the price. Out of the five currently available steam cleaners, four come in a robust canister design and one is an ultra-lightweight handheld model. Find out everything you need to know in our McCulloch steam cleaner buying guide.
Accessory Packages
The accessories that come with a steam cleaner determine what and where you can use your machine. When it comes to accessories, McCulloch steam cleaners have some of the most comprehensive sets on the market. Every model, including the MC1230 Handheld’s 11-piece set, includes tools such as jet nozzles, scrub pads, and brass and nylon brushes.
McCulloch’s canister steam cleaners let you sanitize floors with a floor brush, and cleaning corners is a breeze thanks to the triangle brush. The brand’s heavy-duty models offer extras like a scraper for removing stuck-on debris and a squeegee for window cleaning. If you want a steam cleaner that can handle all tasks, the largest model has 23 accessories.
Hoses and Cords
Measuring 15 or 18 feet (depending on the model), the power cords on McCulloch steam cleaners aren’t long enough to reach across the yard unless plugged into an extension cord. However, they are long enough for common indoor/outdoor jobs.
When connected to a flexible hose, which McCulloch includes with every steam cleaner, you can extend the cleaning reach. The brand’s smaller cleaners come with a 3 or 4 foot-hose while the larger ones have a 10-foot hose. If reach is high on your list of must-have features, the MC1375 and MC1385 offer 28 feet’ worth of it.
Storage Solutions
A multitude of accessories at your disposal is great, but where are you supposed to store all of these brushes, nozzles and hoses? McCulloch meets users’ simple yet important storage need by throwing in a tote bag with each steam cleaner.
The only exception is the MC1375 – It has an onboard storage compartment. While the bag and the MC1375’s storage caddy are able to house smaller accessories, they aren’t big enough to fit the extension wand and floorhead that comes with most models. Keeping them connected to the steam cleaner when it’s not in use is a simple workaround.
Water Capacity
Capacity and cleaning time go hand in hand. The more water the steam cleaner’s tank can hold, the bigger the task you can tackle on one full tank. Although the time it takes the water to heat increases with the reservoir’s capacity, it’s worth waiting an extra 5 to 7 minutes as opposed to making multiple fill-ups.
McCulloch’s MC1230 holds 6 ounces, creating steam for 10 minutes. While not much, the capacity is enough to sanitize your bathtub or clear barbecue grill grime. On the flip side, the MC1385 has a 64-ounce boiler. With its ability to produce steam for 120 minutes, no chore is off-limits, including auto and boat detailing.
Heating Method
Like most residential-use steam cleaners, those made by McCulloch are equipped with a single boiler. Single-boiler systems require manual refills, which is no big deal if the steam cleaner’s capacity is appropriately sized for the task at hand.
To make refills less cumbersome, McCulloch includes a fill cup with each steam cleaner. The cup that comes with the small-capacity models has a funnel spout to prevent water from spilling. While the larger models’ cups don’t have this feature, it’s not necessary because the tank inlets are much wider.
Pressure Ratings
You may be surprised to know that it’s the motor’s wattage and not the steam cleaner’s size that determines the amount of the pressure it produces. Most McCulloch steam cleaners have a 1,500-watt motor and generate 58 psi of pressure. This amount of pressure kills germs and blasts away grime without damaging surfaces.
Remember, steam cleaners operate under a lot of internal pressure, especially if you have a high-capacity model. Due to their size, the MC1375 and MC1385 have a color-coded gauge that tells you when the pressure becomes too high (make sure to shut off the steam cleaner immediately if this happens).
Steam Delivery
Steam cleaners release steam at either one steady rate or a variable speed controlled by the user. If you are working with a delicate surface, we recommend using one of McCulloch’s variable-speed steam cleaners – the McCulloch MC1275 is an excellent choice. Otherwise, a one-speed machine is suitable for common household jobs.
You also have to decide if you want a continuous or on-demand model. On-demand steam cleaners won’t waste water as you move from area to area, but you have to squeeze a trigger/push a button to start and stop the flow. With a McCulloch steam cleaner, you don’t have to choose because they have a trigger lock.
Related Post: Best McCulloch Steam Cleaners
FAQs
Is McCulloch an American-Based Brand?
More than 50 years before it became a brand synonymous with high-quality steam cleaners, McCulloch designed and manufactured chainsaws, lawn equipment and airplane engines from their headquarters in Wisconsin. Later, McCulloch moved and set up shop in California and then in Arizona.
Although McCulloch was sold to the globally recognized Husqvarna company in the 2000s, it still operates under the McCulloch name, and its American headquarters are based out of Andover, Kansas. While steam cleaning machines have become its bread-and-butter, McCulloch still makes a variety of garden tools, including mowers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers.
Do McCulloch Steam Cleaner Hoses Detach?
Some steam cleaners have detachable hoses while others are permanently attached to the machine’s main body. All of McCulloch’s latest steam cleaners come with a detachable hose, which is also known as a mono-block hose.
Mono-block hoses offer benefits that built-in ones don’t. When storage space is tight, you can roll up the hose and put it in a bag. Replacing a damaged hose is dirt cheap compared to buying a new steam cleaner; they are also less prone to breakage. Plus, a detachable hose is easier to clean.
What Kind of Steam Cleaners Does McCulloch Make?
Canister-style steam cleaners are McCulloch’s top-sellers because they can do virtually any task. They are equipped with wheels for pull-behind transport. Each one also comes with a hose as well as a pole and an oversized nozzle for above-floor and on-floor sanitation.
McCulloch’s handheld steam cleaners are also popular. People like these cleaners because they’re able to fit into tight areas for detailing work, and they’re incredibly lightweight. In addition to canister and handheld steam cleaners, McCulloch has wheel-free portable ones, which are a fair balance between lightweight and versatile.
Do McCulloch Steam Cleaners Have a Plastic or Metal Frame?
For its line of steam cleaners, McCulloch chose to use ABS plastic for the housing instead of metal like stainless steel. One benefit of ABS plastic is that it doesn’t contain toxic BPA as opposed to some other types of plastic. It’s also lighter and less expensive than stainless steel.
Within most of its steam cleaners, there is a boiler, which is constructed from aluminum. McCulloch’s choice of aluminum was a sheer cost-cutting measure to keep the prices of its steam cleaners affordable. While not as strong as stainless steel, aluminum boilers hold up well through years of residential use.
How Does a Vapor System Differ From a Steam Cleaner?
Some people believe they’re the same type of appliances, but there is one characteristic that distinguishes vapor systems from steam cleaners like McCulloch’s, namely the amount of water they use. Steam cleaners require a large amount of water to work. On the other hand, vapor systems only need a fraction of that.
In all other ways, there are no differences between vapor systems and steam cleaners. They both come with tools such as brushes and scrubbers. You can use either one for detailing and sanitizing jobs, and you don’t have to worry about clogs because neither vapor systems nor steam cleaners have a dirt-extraction mechanism.
Can I Put Chemicals in a Steam Cleaner’s Tank?
No. Chemicals aren’t meant for use in steam cleaners and may actually cause irreparable damage to the appliance’s internal components. All you need is water to kill bacteria and eliminate grime, which saves countless dollars otherwise spent on overpriced shampoos and solutions.
Steam cleaners also do the environment a favor because you don’t have to harm the soil or your septic tank to dispose of them. If you have asthma, you won’t breathe in fumes and put your physical health at risk while cleaning your car or sanitizing your kitchen.
Why Does the Pressure Drop Before It Rises?
Don’t worry. Your steam cleaner isn’t broken – It’s just the mechanics of the science behind pressure. To create steam, the machine has to increase the pressure; this process begins as soon as you flip the power switch.
When you squeeze the trigger, a release point is created. In turn, the steam cleaner’s pressure drops. After you let go of the trigger, the pressure will rise again.
However, if the strength of the cleaner’s steam isn’t meeting your expectations, the hose may be to blame. Ideally, the hose should measure no more than 12 feet. The shorter the hose, the shorter the steam’s travel distance and the stronger the pressure.
How Long Does It Take a Steam-Cleaned Surface to Dry?
The average drying time for a steam cleaned surface ranges from 2 to 3 minutes. Wattage plays a huge role in the level of a steam cleaner’s moisture. A low-watt steam cleaner produces a lower steam temperature, and the opposite is true for steamers rated at 1,500 watts or higher.
In order to avoid saturating the surface with which you’re working, don’t direct the nozzle toward the surface immediately after squeezing the trigger. Instead, give the steam cleaner time to heat up, which takes about 15 seconds.
Do I Have to Wait for the Steam Cleaner to Cool Down Before I Refill It?
We definitely recommend letting the steam cleaner cool down before you add more water to it. Steam cleaners like the caddy-style McCulloch models have a boiler, which heats the water to a temperature that exceeds the minimum 212 degrees Fahrenheit needed to sanitize surfaces.
If you unscrew the tank’s cap without letting it cool off, you may get scalded by residual steam escaping from the inlet. Depending on the size of the steam cleaner, you should wait 10 to 30 minutes before pouring in more water.
Is Steam Cleaning More Effective Than Hand Scrubbing?
Absolutely! In every way possible, the results produced by a steam cleaner surpass what a person can do with soap, water and elbow grease. When you use a steam cleaner, you won’t have to scrub until your hands are raw, and the steam cuts through grime faster than cleaning by hand.
Then, there is the dirt located in extremely tight gaps. These areas are too narrow for your hand to reach. However, they are no problem at all for steam as it can penetrate any open gap, including the natural pores found on any surface regardless of the material from which it’s made.
Can You Adjust the Temperature of the Steam?
Although the most robust multipurpose steam cleaners allow you to change the output and choose between an on-demand and a continuous flow, there is no way to adjust the temperature of the heating element. Steam cleaners are equipped with a thermostat that automatically controls the temperature.
Can a Steam Cleaner Kill Dust Mites and Fleas?
When you have a flea or dust mite problem, there are many measures you can take. You can throw linens in the washing machine, vacuum your carpets, mop your floors and dust every hard surface in sight, but mattresses and upholstered furniture are much trickier to clean.
Among the many benefits that steam cleaners offer, the ability to banish dust mites and fleas is perhaps one of the best. To kill fleas, you have to apply heat that’s at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit. For dust mite eradication, the temperature must be 130 degrees Fahrenheit. McCulloch steam cleaners get much hotter.
McCulloch Steam Cleaners: Are They Worth the Money?
The beauty of McCulloch steam cleaners is their versatility, which is mostly due to the wide array of accessories that come with each model. Even better, these steam cleaners are incredibly user-friendly and efficient. Whether you need a handheld steam cleaner for kitchen and bath tasks or a full-size canister model, McCulloch has you covered.
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