I have an older Rowenta, an Aqua Clip, that I picked up used many years ago. It's never leaked, and I've never emptied out after each use. I do clean it per it's instructions that I had to find on the Rowenta site. I have used both tap water and distilled water in it with no problems.
Have you cleaned out the inside of your Rowenta? I think they spit sometimes just from being clogged up inside with minerals, etc.
Hope this helps,