Advice on Irons
 

Does anyone have an opinion on Rowenta irons sold at Jo Ann's? My sweet husband purchased an Oliso iron at the full price for me. After reading some reviews about Oliso malfunctions , I decided I didn't feel right with such an expensive iron that might go bad early on, so I had my husband return it. I feel I need to get an iron at Jo Ann's now because I was given a Jo Ann's gift card because we couldn't find the receipt. Does anyone have any advice. I would greatly appreciate it. I just missed Jo Ann's iron sale. I wonder when the next one will be. Thank you so much! AND I DID LET MY HUSBAND KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE HIS THOUGHTFULNESS!

Rowenta used to be a great iron. I don't think that's still the case. I purchased one, it quit working within a few months, and I sent it to the one and only service repair center on the west coast. The service I got was horrible and the owner was extremely rude. I sent a letter to Rowenta detailing the bad experience and never heard a word from them. When I finally got the iron back, it failed again just after the warranty expired. I would never purchase another Rowenta, based mostly on the service experience. That said, I know that there are many quilters who love their Rowentas, especially the older ones. (I mean the older irons, not the older quilters.)

I had a couple of Rowentas - several (well, quite a few) years ago - they both died for no apparent reason.

I have been perfectly happy with the Black and Decker irons I have.

I love my yellow Oliso iron. It is the one that pops up by itself when you are done. That said, it is far cheaper to buy it on Amazon than Jo Anns, and often free shipping.

I am on my second or third Rowenta in 25 years. I honestly have not had the issues many here have. When I was working in the corporate world, I ironed my clothes every morning with my Rowenta. After beginning to quilt, I still used my Rowenta. I either wore them out or dropped them one too many times. I'm a firm believer in that the type of water used is very important with Rowenta. Some are made to specifically use tap water and others specifically to use distilled water. Read the instructions and use what is recommended for that particular model. Also, check the wattage usage. Higher wattage - more heat/steam.

I forget what store I was in a number of years ago and there were probably 6-8 different Rowenta models on display at the time. Couldn't believe the variation in the wattage of the displayed models. Wasn't in the market for one at the time but curiosity got the better of me simply due to the number of different models displayed.

Rowenta use to be made in Germany. The company was sold and now the irons are made in China. Some are great some are horrible. I don't think the quality control is very good at all. I quit buying expensive irons. I buy a high wattage iron at Walmart and forget it.

I have had 2 Rowentas and both caught on fire within 2 years of use...I am too scared to try another one!

I had the tiny little grey rowenta that I used as my dry iron. The other day it began to pop and crackle and smoke began pouring out of it. I quickly unplugged let it cool, cut the cord and disposed of it. No idea why but it really made me suspicious. I didn't use it that often so the iron time was small.

I was going to get a Rowenta and after reading reviews decided not to. Went to a dollar discount store and paid $10.00 for a cheapy have had it for 3 years. It gets hot and works and is a Proctor Silex. I also have a Sunbeam with the auto shutoff (safety feature and hate that son ofa biscuit). I would be in the midst of using it and it would shut off. I use my PS more.

i also have heard of bad reviews of Rowenta. I've always been pleased w/ Sharp products and that is the current iron I have had for several years now. I do NOT want a teflon bottom on my irons. I want shiny surface. I also want as heavy of an iron that i can manage. It helps w/ pressing.

I starch alot when i'm making quilts, but a magic eraser cleans it up quite well.

After all that - I will say that I've been intrigued w/ Oliso, but I just haven't wanted to spend the money. I have a feeling though that some day I probably will.

I have an older Rowenta made in Mexico. It works as a dry iron but spits water (I used the water recommended in the instructions) so now I use a Black and Decker digital advantage which has some heft to it and doesn't spit, but, I decided not to use water in it just in case.

I have had 2 Rowenta irons and both lasted about 4 years- each time, splattering water and not hot enough. Recently, I bit the bullet and bought an Oliso smart iron for $99 on Amazon. I read the reviews which were mixed. I will say that I love the iron and its features especially the ability to lay it down without worry of scorching fabric or iron board cover. It heats up fast and is a joy to iron piecework. I never thought I would spend this money on an iron but now wished I had long time ago.

I was at the cottage and had invited friends for a quilting weekend and needed an iron, so I went to WM and got a Shark. I LOVE it. After using it, one of my friends (a quilting instructor) got one too. It has an automatic shutoff, but it's on a long time before that kicks in and it re-heats very quickly. Might want to use your gift card for something else...

I had the same thing happen to me with my Rowenta travel iron! I used to swear by Rowenta irons. The first full sized one I had was made in Germany, lasted ten years. Loved that iron! Replaced it with an expensive, professional grade Rowena made in China and it died in 7 months. Called the company and was told that the warrenty on professional irons was six months, so there was nothing they could do for me. I have been using Shark and Black and Decker irons since then. Both are very affordable, lots of steam and the average life has been about 3 years on both brands. I wish I could find an iron like my original Rowenta, but hesitate to spend big bucks, just to be disappointed.

DH bought me an Oliso for my birthday, caught it on sale on Amazon for $63, & free shipping, but I starch & iron my scraps before cutting into usable pieces & often sit for several hours in the winter cutting them. I'm afraid the up & down motion will wear out, I mean you don't have it down but a few seconds or up for a few cause I'm ironing small pieces for a very short time. I've read where that option quits after a time on the Oliso, anyone else have this problem?

I bought a cheap Hamilton Beach at Big Lots about 5 years ago. I decided to quit putting in water. I use a spray bottle. It is still working just fine. I also use starch or Best Press quite often. This one looks like an old fashioned one.

I would use my GC for rotary blades or other things I use often. I buy the Country Cotton solids at Joannes when they are half price and find them pretty good. I use alot of white in my quilts.

I bought my current rowenta on qvc on special. It is the Mercedes Benz fashion version. It has an amazing amount of steam when I iron garments. Really cuts down on the ironing time. Great price there too. But, it is hard to see the water level, because of the purple colored plastic. But, It gets hot and I like that.

Before that I had a very expensive black and decker I gave my brother because it was so heavy it hurt my wrist to use it.

So guess what I found new in the box at a second hand store a couple weeks ago? An honest to goodness top of the line GE! I had not seen one of these since I lived at home with my mom. It has all of the warranty cards and instructions and I could not believe it. Completely never used! Remember these have the braided fabric cord? So when my current iron bites the dust I will use that one.

I would go with the Oliso iron over a Rowenta. I know many people that have had Rowenta's die in under two years. I only know one person that had any problems with an Oliso, and she got excellent customer service from the company. I know there are other stories on the internet, but in my experience Oliso owners seem much more satisfied than Rowenta owners. I also love the pop-up feature of the Olisos - I bought one after using it at a retreat for a weekend. Much easier on the wrist than tipping a heavy iron up on end.

I always put my iron in a iron stand that prevents it from falling even if the cord is pulled after each use. With the Oliso I will get out of that habit. The stand has saved me many iron fall incidents so I won't give that up.

My Rowenta lasted through 3 moves and 15 years, but it seldom had water in it. Two things are important for me in an iron: a sole plate that can be cleaned (think shiny) and enough weight. Got a Shark to replace it. 15 min auto shut-off. Love it. Use the card for other items.

I too have had several Rowenta's and they too died pretty quickly. I got an Oliso and I like it BUT it no longer will steam. I wonder if there are ANY really good irons with longevity out there. Good luck with whatever you decide on.

I have the yellow Oliso, too. I've been really happy with it. I bought mine from Bed, Bath & Beyond with the 20% off coupon and gift cards I got from my credit card points. I only ended up having to put $25 on my credit card for it!

There are still many made in Germany, you have to check the models. I think some are also made in Mexico. I have one that I just purchased in may from QVC as my rowenta I had for years was ruined by my brother. I purchased an oliso but wasn't happy with it and it is in a box. I love my QVC Rowenta.

I posted on the pressing thread too, I have a cheap iron from big box store and I like it pretty well, it gets a bit heavy and that's without water in it, I use a spray bottle cause water tends to kill irons for me. I'm debating a dry iron but due to medical issues I'm back at the weight dilemma. Several quilting pals I know use vintage irons from decades ago, one got hers at thrift shop and had the cord replaced with a modern cord. Gets much hotter than a modern iron

I've had my pink Olisio almost two years and love it. It shuts off after 8 minutes and it reheats quickly. This saves on electricity as compared to the 30 minutes for the yellow Olisio. I used a Rowenta steam generator almost 6 years before it started to smell as if it was burning. Replaced it with another steam generator; I should have known better because it went bad within a couple years, a very expensive lesson!

I bought a Rowenta last year and it gets a lot of use...I didn't purchase it at Joann's but maybe ordered it online. Anyhow, I don't think I would spend the money again... It works fine but it is heavy and I probably could have done with a Black & Decker. I purchased a Shark for my summer home but it leaks like crazy.

I, too, have a Proctor-Silex and it's been a workhorse. Love it! Got it long enough ago that I don't recall when (many years ago) or where. We have a water softener and I use that water for steam or spray.

I bought my Rowenta in 2005. It gets lots of use, especially on sew dates and at retreats with no issues.

I have the yellow Oliso & I am very happy with it. Have had it for almost 2 years & haven't had a lick of trouble with it. My hubby surprised me with it for Christmas in 2014. I find Rowenta irons too heavy & after reading all the posts about them catching on fire, I wouldn't get one now if it was free !! IMHO, anyway.

Had two Rowentas here and hated both of them. Went to Walmart and pd $14.00 for a low end iron and have it now for 4 yrs and still going strong.

I would not buy another Rowena iron EVER! I had 3 of them over the years. The first one was awesome. Glided over the fabric, great steam etc. After many years it quit working. The next 2 were bad. The last one was about 1 month out of warranty when it started leaking a lot. Every time I tipped it to iron about a tbsp of water would come out. I used the type of water they had recommended. It ruined a quilt block by leaving spots. I contacted Rowena and they just told my I was SOL. NEVER AGAIN! They are expensive junk. The old ones were good. Look all over the internet and you will read similar things. I currently had a Sharp iron. It was a lot less expensive and works pretty well. It is about 3 years old. Good luck. I'm not sure there is a decent iron made anymore.

I bought a Rowenta iron and it wasn't very good. It spit water all the time, right after I bought it. I now use GE or any other good name brand and they work great.

I got a super inexpensive Oliso from Joanns and I love it. The blue one. Didn't NEED to replace my Rowenta but it was such a deal... Still have Rowenta for back up. Like them both. No trouble with either.

Always check thrift stores and yard sales for vintage irons. I detest the auto shut off. I have my iron on a timer so it goes off when I want it to.

Just bought my second Rowenta Promaster 8080. I really like this iron, and it is made in Germany. Tons of steam, heats up fast. The first one lasted about 3 years, but began shutting off soon after heating up---I thought it was shorting out so bought the second one. The new one did the same thing---then I figured out the surge protector power strip I had been plugging them into had gone bad! Now I have two good Rowentas!!

ALWAYS pay attention to the water recommended for the iron you purchase. It makes a difference. Read the owners' manual. (Rowenta gal here...no issues.)



sandy

I had 2 Rowenta irons that broke. Was not going to pay the price again. Bought a Shark that has lasted for years. Lots of steam and heat. I think it was $20 at Sears.

My advice is to save your money for fabric or other quilting needs. I have been using the Black and Decker, and the Proctor Silex, which I always get for $9.99 on sale, I will buy two at a time, they do last for a long time and I get my monies worth ; plus I using mine daily in my quilting/sewing room. Get my irons at K-Mart. Once I even got one at Wal-Mart for 6.99

I've had a Rowenta iron since 1996 and I love it Actually I bought this one since it didn't have the auto turn off When quilting it was annoying when it turned off. Never had any problems with rowenta although I've heard they spit sometime when using steam I always let it steam for awhile so it warms up. Rosalie

I have had 3 Rowentas and they all spit and dripped water. No more for me. I use a Shark now.