Reliable makes an iron that is GUARANTEED not to leak or spit.
http://www.reliablecorporation.com/
The water is preheated before it its the sole plate which, on regular machines, the water goes to the sole plate directly and that is what make the machine leak and spit.
They have two models which sell for $99.00 and $139.00 respectively, each which fantastic control settings one of which is you can over-ride the auto-shut-off function so your iron stays hot.
I'm seriously going to purchase one, likely the $139.00 model in the next week or so.
I'll donate my leakers and spitters (I have two) to Goodwill or Sal.Army and they can sell put on their big buck pricing (see previous posts on Thrift Shop Prices).