The dry iron has a solid sole plate, no steam holes. This allows for a hotter surface, even heating and no imprint of the steam holes on the fabric which is horrible for applique pieces especially if you are using fusible. If you want steam it's easy to spray with water. The steam iron with no water still leaves imprint. The newer irons seem to have smaller steam holes but more of them.
The dry iron new is under $25 so no big expense at all to have one.
Last edited by BellaBoo; 12-03-2012 at 05:01 AM.