Unpopular opinion: you don't need a hot towel steamer to soften beards
Every old head at my shop in San Antonio swore I was nuts last year when I swapped the steamer for a 30 second hot towel dunk in the sink and a cheap microwave warmer. Turns out the steamers just get too wet and the follow up towel does the same job for a fraction of the upkeep, my skin fade clients quit complaining and my towels quit getting that mildewy smell after 6 months. Anybody else mixed their setup like this or am I the only one who thinks the fancy gear is overhyped?