Beurer SI40 Steam Inhaler | Soothing steam Treatment for The Upper Airways | Nebulisation of Saline Solutions and Essential Oils | Inhalation Therapy for Effective Relief from coughs and Congestion

Ok first of all, this is quite large, there’s no real way to pack it away cleverly to reduce its size - it’s big. As with most electrical items, I assembled, looked at the obvious water container at the front, and figured that would be where you put the water…. STOP…. I have a feeling this is why this particular unit gets some bad reviews; because people simply don’t read the instructions.You have to take it apart, unscrew the lid for the container and put a small amount of water inside. There is a maximum level, although it’s very hard to see - but it really is not much water. You turn it on and as it is new, it does smell pretty bad (now I’ve used it several times you don’t get the new plastic smell).It does take quite a few minutes for the steam to start working properly and I would suggest you use the same technique as me - or the steam does actually get way too hot. My technique is to breathe in through my nose and then push out through my mouth quite hard. This cools the steam fractionally so that it isn’t so hot when you take the next breath in. If you breathe through your nose and slowly out of your mouth, you will find your nostrils will get way too hot, way too quickly.If you just breathe using your mouth, you will find you start coughing a lot - this may help your cold symptoms or end up making you sick - kill or cure hey!I’m very glad I bought this as I have suffered for years from sinus issues and because I sing (whilst playing the drums) any respiratory problems are a complete nightmare. I really think this is going to make a big difference. It has been suggested that you don’t go out in the cold after using this straight away and I could see why. I would also add, after using it, my voice does sound a little bit odd initially, so don’t start trying to sing straight away either. I haven’t yet tried adding salt or anything in the atomiser, but I will add to this review when I do.Yes, you can use a kettle and a bowl of hot water and a towel, but this is just so much easier and less faff.

I bought this as I had accidentally dropped the mouthpiece for my Dr nelson inhaler - which is glass and therefore broke - and steaming is very important for vocal hygiene as a vocalist. This steamer is great in that you can opt for a fine mist therefore the particles are smaller which is better for your voice. It gets hot - so creat a little distance when steaming - and shuts off at a good time when you should stop steam - Over steaming is a thing.- I like that there is a section where you can add saline water. I’ve added a little on a couple of occasions as I sometime nebulise for my voice too. For the voice you only ever really want to steam with water but as I also use saline for my nebuliser again for my voice I thought I’d try the 2 together. It cools the steam as the saline comes through as a cool mist- Note that the saline doesn’t sustain for the duration of the full steam cycle - which creates a good temperature for steaming.I would recommend this product for vocalist or anyone who is in need of a steamer to help remove phlegm/ mucus in the throat or lungsThe steamer is also not too bulky it’s a good size. It did take me a while to work out a good way to remove the lid to put water in the section you need to put the water for steaming - which is separate to the section you put the saline - but I have worked out and easy way now and it’s great. It’s easy to clean and once you’ve finished steam you pour out the water that’s then collected in the area where the saline would be put.The only other thing is I could see a maximum line in the area where you put the water for steaming so I make sure I do not over fill it to be same but eye balling it and only filling it about 3/4 full.There is a slide in the front that controls how your steam comes out as a fine mist or heavier.I hope this helps, this is is a great product and does what it says it should do with easy use and cleaning.

UpdateHave returned to update my review and increase the rating from 3 to 4. The comments below all remain valid. But, I can say that the steam vaporiser has worked very well for me over recent days since I received delivery. Am definitely more likely to use this than the towel and bowl method. Go to the Beurer website and download the instructions for this model. The photos re the aroma container are much, much clearer compared to the 'in the box cheap print manual'. For cleaning, it is in practice very easy to rinse off and clean the removable parts. Just look after the mask as replacements or spares are charged at an extraordinary £15!!!! Beurer seems to be a nice, reliable, genuine mittelstand company, embedded in its community and on this basis I would guess and hope that they would help resolve any issues. The steam vaporiser has definitely helped me.Original postOn the enthusiastic recommendation of a relative and in need of relief from a very unpleasant seasonal 'lurgy' ordered this Beurer item. The bonus was that it was reduced by 26% and impressively, ordered at 22.30 arrived 10.30 next morning. Relying on my relatives extensive research I did not look at the reviews until setting up. Firstly, I suspected by simple examination that the box had been previously opened - and indeed when I finally managed to open the kit to put 25ml water into the steam container the safety label on the lid has clearly been previously peeled off (a corned was crinkled and not flat to the surface) and stuck not very well back on. It obviously got through the Amazon returns inspection as you would have to open the body of the machine to spot this. After careful examination of the face mask, and disinfecting it, I decided that rather than return the item, would try it out as my unwellness demanded relief. All those reviews that complain of poor instructions are correct, ditto those that identify lack of clarity re aroma chamber, the shortness of the tubing dropping into it and opening the machine body. The length of the power cable is another cost saver by Beurer meaning an extension cable almost certainly needed. However, once one has found the little tab to push in (not explained in instructions) and open the machine body, filled w 25ml water, and ditto the aroma chamber - you are good to go. Does it work? Yes. Is it worth it? Possibly (not at full price) - if it helps me, yes. Is it well made? Mediocre quality would be my assessment. Should I have returned it when the box arrived seemingly previously opened and with firm evidence that this was the case and no safety seal apparent on the outer box- in other circumstances, Yes .... If the machine fails or breaks within the next 12 or 24 months, consumer law applies and I don't understand all those comments that say the product cannot be returned for replacement or refund.... Statutory rights cannot be written away! Much would be improved with decent instructions accompanied by clear photos. For me, this machine is more effective than a towel over a bowl.... I just wish a safety seal had been on the box and no evidence of prior use. The manufacturers need to make sure that their equipment is not distributed by anyone without intact outer box safety seal. Amazon should send all returns back to Beurer for their examination. Conclusion: worth a try if at a reduced price (£36.99) - I would not be happy if I had paid full price (£49.99) for the item - it would have been in the returns process by now! Hopefully I will escape the many parts quality issues some have had - but if that is the case, back it will go - statutory rights apply! Nb: if my item was returned, it would have been almost impossible for an Amazon Returns centre to spot the tampering with the label as this can only be accessed by opening the body of the machine and examining internally - unlikely unless checked by Beurer. Whoever returned it made it otherwise appear ostensibly unused - which I doubt.