What is the best iron to use
 

Hi Everyone...
I am going to get myself a new iron. I was just wondering if anyone has suggestions on what would be a good one. I currently have a Black and Decker - professional that I am not too thrilled about. It automatically shuts off and it's kind of irritating to have to "wake" it up every time I need to iron when I'm working on something. So any suggestions would be great!!!

I would not waste my $$ on a Rowenta. I have had two (slow learner) and they just aren't worth the cost. Spurt, don't steam well and leak.

I am surprised most of us use only one iron for all purposes. I have discovered that exactly the same way we change scissors depending on the job being done, we change needles depending on the thread and we change rotary cutters depending on the fabrics and the project, I am changing irons depending on what I am doing. I have a regular iron for large pieces that sits on my sewing table. I have one for clothes. My sewing iron can take water for steam, but I use my Tobi if I need steam, because I am yet to find an iron that stays dry. If I am doing applique, I use a flat iron I found at Vermont Country Store. It doesn't take water, therefore has no little holes in the button that trap the corners of my pieces. This one I use for small pieces. The auto shut off, I hate it too, but see it as a safety device. Many times I forget to turn off the iron and is good piece of mind to know that it shuts itself off.

If your ever in a Savers you will see lots of Rowentas, they leak.
I have a cheap Black and Decker for large pieces of fabric and a travel iron for pieceing.
The small iron is perfect for piece work.

There is no such thing!! LOL I have had cheap and expensive irons and they all have issues. I think the above poster has a point about using different irons for different purposes. I only have 2 irons...a NEW Rowenta and a small travel iron I purchased at Walgreens. My NEW Rowenta has to have special treatment to avoid it spitting and leaking. I just use my travel iron dry. It's great for pressing small items.

I just recently got a sunbeam from Big Lots for $20. Most irons today have the auto-shutoff but some of them you can adjust the timing or not use at all but these are harder to find. There was one like it at Big Lots, a Black and Decker for the same price and I almost got that one except that I liked the different steam settings on mine better. I had one without the auto-shutoff and would forget to shut it off. It was old; I threw it away and got this one so that is one less worry that I have to deal with. I can't see spending alot of an iron especially when I see some of the reviews of the more popular ones like the one here already mentioned that leaks; I've heard that alot. I like the Oliso that Fons and Porter uses that after a few seconds raises itself up of the board but there are mixed reviews and a large cost involved. I'd rather spend my money on other things.

I agree - a cheap B & D is great! No auto shutoff. I don't have a problem with turning it off - when I leave the sewing room, it is automatic for me: TV, iron, sewing machine in that order.

Now if someone would invent a gadget that would remind me to turn off the the oven when I am finished with it I would be forever grateful. I use it so seldom (ahem). Was on all night again last night.

My favorite iron is my Velocity by Reliable. It has an override button so it won't shut off automatically. I also have an Oliso that I use and really like. I bought a cheap iron for applique only. But the Velocity roars when I use the steam. I absolutely have fallen in love with the steam on my Velocity. It's incredible. I also have two Rowentas, but have never had problems with them spitting. And then I have a few small ones for little projects. But I've had many irons over the years and nothing compares to the Velocity when it comes to steam. It doesn't leak or spit or anything. My all time fav!

There are a lot of pros and cons for every iron. I've had a Rowenta that is probably between 15 and 20 years old
that is running great. In the fall of last I purcased their top of the line for my sewing room and it is wonderful.
This one was made in Germany and from what I understand, some are not.
I would not trade this for anything. I agree the "shut off" sometimes gets annoying but I can live with it.
I think everyone can give a different opinion of irons,"like cars".
this is just mine.

I use an Oliso because I don't have to lift it.