I'm still using my Proctor Silex, it's almost 50 years old. Yes the cord is wrapped in electrical tape, but the iron works perfectly and it's used OFTEN. Still steams like it's new, never had anything in it but distilled water. Of course the new ones tell you not to use distilled. You wouldn't have to buy a new iron every other year, if not oftener. My DMIL, was a seamstress for 70 years. She never used anything but distilled in her iron, it was older than mine. Even used it to press wedding gowns she made.