OK, here's a mini review of the new Walgreens Living Solutions steamer vs. the Shark Hard Surface Steam Cleaner.
Physically, the steamers are very similar, leading me to conclude that they were either built in the same factory or factory A stole the plans from factory B. Hey, it could happen. Anyway, from external appearances and features, the Walgreens (WG henceforth) unit is a bit better built. It has a torque limiting filler cap, the Shark does not. The o-ring on the WG cap is Viton, which is chemical and heat resistant. All o-rings on the Shark are standard issue. The WG's attachment point on the basic, straight cone shaped nozzle (where the elbow attachment would slip on) has double o-rings (not Viton); the Shark has only one. On the other hand, the Shark's heating element is rated at 1000W, the WG at 900W. The power light doubles as a ready light on the WG, turning off when operating temperature is reached. The Shark light is always on. The WG has a 2 year warranty, the Shark 1 year.
The Shark's accessories are made of gray plastic, the WG accessories are black. The difference goes deeper than the color. In the original steamer thread, some concern was raised about the burning vinyl smell emitted by the Perfection steamer, and some troubling worries about lead were voiced. The WG unit's attachments emited a distinct odor, which I describe as a burning tire smell. The Shark's accessories emitted no detectable odor, or at least none that could override the smell from the WG. I was using them side-by-side, but I held each cone attachment up to my nose after the second run and there was nothing offensive given off by the Shark. If there are any lead warnings on either unit, they are not prominent. I have not examined every word of the manuals nor every inch of the units, however.
Now on to performance. Both units were filled with approx. 200ml of water and allowed to warm up for 10 minutes. The WG light turned off well before then, but Crem says he lets his steamer warm up quite a bit, so I decided to do the same. Holding one steamer in each hand with no attachments of any sort, I depressed the triggers simultaneously and aimed into the double kitchen sink. The Shark produced a greater volume of steam and the duration of usable steam lasted 2-3 seconds longer than the WG, using the count-it-off-in-my-head timing method. Attaching the straight cone, or "concentrator", (the design of which makes either attachment fit either steamer) the test was repeated. Again, the apparent volume of steam from the Shark was greater and it seemed more consistent with less spitting. Steam "on" time was again slightly in favor of the Shark. Attaching the elbow and repeating the test yielded essentially the same results.
Note that no actual cleaning was done in these tests, and the steamers weren't used until the water was exhausted, so cleaning time is unresolved. I did hold my hand about 1 foot away from each unit as it was in operation and there is no danger of scalding at that distance. One did not seem to be any hotter than the other.
I don't know if anyone will find this exercise useful, but as for me, I think I'll keep the Shark.
