Rowenta Irons are famous for sputtering. Solved this problem by buying spring water after much researching on this problem. As for the vinegar....try mixing half spring water and half vinegar then use only spring water. Sort of shake it around and then pour it all out. You could do this several times if you want and not hurt your iron. Distilled still sputters, water from the faucet sputters. I truly don't know why spring water doesn't but it doesn't for me. Hope this helps.