My cheapo iron bit the dust last week after 6 or 7 years of quilting. Shopping for an iron that does NOT have "auto off" was futile unless I opted for the cheap, basic WalMart irons that were around $10. Well, I bought one. YUK!! ONly 1100 watts and even though it had a nonstick surface, it stuck. It pulled my fabric every time I moved the iron - AND it leaked. I returned it and went to Target. Nothing there for me, either. I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and checked out their irons. All are auto shut off but some stay on 30 minutes, some 15 minutes, some 10 minutes, etc. They have a "back to school" special on a Rowenta DW2070 and I had a 20% off coupon so I purchased this iron. It is a powerful 1600 watts and has steam holes all over the iron surface - not just in a couple lines down the edges. It holds a LOT of water, too! I have found that if it has shut off, all I have to do is tip it slightly and it heats up really fast. Also, the steam holes don't have the "ridges" in them. I found that the ridges would also pull my fabric; my seams getting caught in them. This iron is smooth as a baby's behind!! I do like it and with the discounts and tax, it was a bit under $36. I know many people don't like Rowentas as they leak, but so far, this one hasn't leaked one drop.
So, for what it's worth, that's my iron recommendation to all the quilters!!!
Have a great day everyone!

I just bought my best quilting iron ever .... $8 at a yard sale!

I haved that iron. I bought it at K-Mart. It was around $50.00, but it is the best iron I have ever used. I love all the steam, so many holes in sole plate. It has some really nice features. Oh yes, and it is not a really heavy iron. I have never had any problems with it shutting off frequently. You will love it. It takes wrinkles out so easily too.

I've had a Rowenta for years and never had a problem with it. It is used very little and I've never put water in it. I have a little crafty size that I use for piecing but do use the big iron for final pressing on tops. Hope you are as lucky as I've been. I do like a heavier weight iron as well.

I've had a Rowenta for 11 years and never had a moments problem with it. It's a good heavy iron, steams well and doesn't have the auto shut-off. However, I might be better off if it did. I have been known to leave it on for days--and it still works just fine. I now have it and a lamp plugged into a power strip to remind me to turn it off when I leave the room! I'm fortunate I haven't burned the house down.

I have that one too. It's the BEST I've found.

I have it as well, thank goodness for the auto shut off! I seem to forget to turn it off,lol. It does reheat very quickly when neede to.

Exactly why we have auto shut offs. Not sure we can buy them without now?

I did have problems with my Rowenta, the first time while it was still under warranty (absolutely terrible customer service getting it replaced) and the last time - well I just threw it out. I bought a Reliable V100 Digital Velocity iron. You can put it out of auto shut-off mode, or you can leave it in that mode - the choice is yours. The steam is great with this iron and the design is supposed to be such that it will never leak. I prefer a heavier iron, and this one is. There are some things I don't care for about it, such as the controls being located right where my hand goes. I'm mentioning it only because it does seem to meet your requirements, of a hot iron without auto shut-off.

I have had several Rowentas and I love them! You did good getting a Rowenta at that price!

I am glad you are having good luck with your Rowenta, mind leaks. Have a B&B and it is a charm.

Got a good, cheap price on a Shark but it shuts off within 5 minutes! Far too soon to allow me to sew another bunch to be pressed. Just very frustrating.

So I just got a Proctor-Silex for $11. Very light, but no shut off, so we'll see. A Rowenta is way out of the financial ballpark for me!

I have a Rowenta Professional Luxe that is 8 yrs old. The dogs knocked my ironing board over once and the bottom of the iron (not the sole plate) cracked, but it has never leaked one drop. I have used it almost every day for the 8 years - probably has been the cheapest iron I ever owned considering I never had an iron that worked that long before. It uses household water, doesn't clog, always steams.

Rowenta's are THE best in my opinion! I wouldn't own any other kind.

I agree with the below statement. I have never had a problem with my Rowenta's, ever. Each has lasted me for many years before I've had to replace them. But I have never gotten one for the price of $36.00. I paid significantly more.

I remember the days when Rowentas were only sold in fabric stores some 20+ years ago when I first started using them. As a matter of fact, I didn't know there were other brands of irons other than Rowentas. :XD:

Actually..........I just looked at my receipt and the cost was $33.91!! This is why I recommend it - the price is great! I think perhaps the model is being discontinued - I bet that's why it was a bargain.

I have a Rowenta as well and have never had issues with it. And it's fallen and the casing cracked and still no leaks. I think the trick with Rowentas is that they make some that use tap water and some that use distilled. You just need to make sure you use the proper water and you'll be fine. Mine, too, has the auto shutoff but as said earlier, just tipping it turns it back on and it's back to temp very quickly.

Anybody have a T-Fal Ultraglide FV 4379 iron? Came up as best by one review site. Another gave it 4:5. One review said not for quilters, another said excellent for quilter!

Would appreciate any info! Thanks

I just have a cheapie iron that I can't even remember the brand. I have a hard time justifying a large expense on an iron.

I have a Rowenta Pressure Iron & Steamer that I love. It doesn't leak I think because the water is held in a separate reservior (sp) and the steam comes through a long hose attached to the iron. It's a little pricey though. I've also got a Continental Platinum iron that someone on this board suggested. It does not use steam--no steam holes and does not have an automatic shut-off but for it's small size, it's heavy as the dickens! Paid $28.00 for it at Home Depot. I love it also!

I solved the problem with forgetting to turn off the iron by plugging it and a lamp in a power strip that's powered by a light switch. When I leave the room I turn off the light and so does the iron!

Rowenta's don't leak if filled with the correct water, people just use 100% distilled water which in the manual tell you that causes it to leak. I use 50%tap and 50% distilled because I have hard water, and mine hasn't leaked in 6 years, but i do have one of the irons made in germany supposedly that makes a difference as well. I also have the auto shut off and mine heats up fast

I hadn't heard about the 50/50 rule. My Rowenta instructions say DO NOT use distilled water but use spring water without minerals instead. I guess it's like you say--depends on where the iron is made since lots of people swear by the distilled water. :D

I bought a Rowenta at Savers for $5.50 and it leaks so have to use it dry. I really like the way it handles and irons.
I bought the Rowenta travel iron new and love it. I like to use it with steam but it runs out of water fast.
Savers is a great place to buy used irons and they have a testing station to make sure they work. Of course you wont know if the steam works but for what you pay its worth the risk.