I found if I rest my auto shut off iron with the front end facing down the auto shut off does not shut off! I had an iron rest shaped like a ramp and I turned it around so the front end is pointing down. When I'm done with the iron for the day I stand it up and it goes off. It may work for your iron too.
Never turn on the steam until the iron has reached full temp. That causes 99% of spitting and leaking as you found out. :thumbup: