Best Iron for Quilters
 

I'm in the market for a new iron. I've looked online and read tons of reviews...very conflicting. I thought this group would have the best advice. TIA!

I thinks its one of those "Ask a 100 people and get 100 answers" Many of us like the cheap ones and find they do everything we want. Other don't. Good luck with your search!

My current is a orange one from Walmart. $7.00, gets really hot, no automatic shut off, Don't fill the reservoir completely full or it will spit. Which as far as I know from experience makes them all spit.

I recommend a cheapo big box iron, mine is great, I do not put water in my irons anymore, it tends to kill even the expensive ones, I use a spray bottle.

Any brand that you like and feels comfortable in your hand (not too heavy, etc.). My advice, given to me long ago by my uncle who was a garment worker on Seventh Avenue (New York), was that never, ever, ever put water into an iron. The water will cause the inner workings of the iron to rot out and leak. Spritz or spray your fabric with water then iron with a dry iron - no steam. The wet fabric and dry iron makes steam.

I use a Shark iron from Walmart. Have used the cheaper irons, too, and they work just as good. Had Rowenta irons for a while and didn't think they preformed any better than the $7 Walmart version.

Just my 2 cents...which may only we worth a penny. LOL

I have a hard time finding one that gets hot... and I don't like the auto shut off so much either...........so I will be watching this thread myself :)

After buying an expensive one that leaked I only buy cheap irons now. I'm happy with them.

I use a Vintage iron from Goodwill. No auto shut off and it gets Hot!

Cari

Cari is on the right track. The irons I like the best are the older ones. The one I got when I was first married was wonderful - it got hot, stayed hot and I was a fool to let it go. But I wanted one of those fancy ones with the teflon on it - well, that was fine until the teflon was coming off and suddenly leaving brown marks on everything I ironed. Then I replaced it with a beautiful iron I got at Costco - not sure of the brand - it cost about $30 - but it doesn't get as hot, and the auto shut off I swear started each time I set it up right. So then I visited my friend in Phoenix - she has the Rowenta, quite a few years old, and it gets hot! And she uses water all the time. So I was going to order one like hers until I read so many reviews and the were not really great for the amount of money. But one thing I did notice it is 1800 watt instead of 1500 watt - so many people had more positive reviews for the Shark brand and about $50.00 cheaper. Much to my family's dismay - that was what I wanted for Christmas (they hate to get me practical items - but for me it was a luxury for my quilting since I already have a functional iron). I have been using it since and it has been wonderful. I have not put water in it - I grew up with a mother that used a spray bottle and too many bad experiences with the spray so gave it up.

I wish you success on your hunt. I would suggest you buy from a Retailer that you know you can return it if you don't like it. The Shark I have is the Bed, Bath & Beyond.

I think I paid 5 or 6 dollars for my iron it works great,I got it at Dollar general it is a conntinental. Needed one quick after my grandon poured black paint in my water resivoire. LOL

Thanks for all of your thoughts on the subject!

For me, I prefer cordless irons. I have had 2 Panasonic so far. The older purple one is at least 15 years and still works like a charm, but takes a little while to heat up. I got a green one about 10 years ago and it is trucking along also. But then again I iron in my "dining room/craft room" with an ironing pad made to the same size as the top of my vintage enamel table with the wings up, so I walk around a lot when ironing.

Never again will I pay big bucks for an iron. I am going to raid the thrift stores and get several and then throw them out if and when they malfunction. I just had to have an Oliso TG1600, so I saved and got one last January. Well, it malfunctioned 5 days ago. Contacted Oliso, yeah they will honor the warranty. After sending them my info and where I bought it the warranty is not valid since I bought through EBay. Seller on EBay said the warranty was valid which I made sure of before I bought it. Now I get the blah,blah,blah and the run around. So do yourself a favor and buy a cheap one.

I buy generic just about everything except Heinz ketchup and Rowenta irons. I like Rowentas because they are self cleaning. I buy them at the thrift store whenever I see them and if they don't have an auto shutoff i transplant the one I have. I like to not have to worry about making sure I have turned off the iron because I have ADD and that way lies craziness. I also love the shot of steam feature, and sometimes have to fo a steam button transplant. I like the idea of making my iron last forever by using a spray bottle but I know that I can never give up that blast of steam, lol. So, I will continue to be a part time iron surgeon.

I wouldn't touch a Rowenta if I got it for free and you paid me to use it. I've heard waaaaaaay too many stories from fellow (and sister? :p) quilters who have had their Rowentas shock and/or burn them. Not worth the risk.

I love my Reliable Digital Velocity, and I also have a $10-from-Target iron, I think it's a Hamilton Beach brand. They both work great. I do think of my Reliable as "gourmet". That awesome sucker has so much steam it could pull a freight train.

As Kitsie said, you will get many different answers. We all have different options and features that we like/dislike; for instance some people want a heavy iron, others will dislike a heavy iron. It's all a matter of personal preference.

I buy cheap ones that have a long flex/lead/cord) as I hate using an extension. Rarely put water in it unless a whole lotta steaming is required. If I need to iron yardage, I use my steam generator iron instead.

I buy cheap ones mostly because I have a habit of knocking the ironing board on the way back to the sewing machine and the iron hits the floor and breaks!

I don't care about brand anymore, as long as it is 1800 watts. Right now I have the Eureka and I like it.

I have a Hamilton Beach from Walmart and it is Blue and black an plug/cord is retractable and it has served very well.

I have a Rowenta Focus...I like it so much that I bought a second as a backup in case they stop making it! It has super powerful steam, a stainless steel soleplate, a great weight, and no auto shut off...I detest the auto shut off on these new irons, and I don't like how lightweight the new ones are.Irons are a very personal choice, but for me..I have the one I like!

I have a B&D Digital Advantage that has been great. I purchased it for about $40 at Bed Bath Beyond after having a disappointing experience with an expensive Rowenta.

So funny! I bought the very same cheapie from Walmart! And, yes it will spit if tank is filled, likes cup half full. But it is a "hottie"

My current iron was $28 from Costco. It works just as well as the expensive ones my friends bring to retreat.

I bought a Reliable a while ago and am disappointed. It DRINKS the water. I feel all I do is refill the reservoir. Was expensive and won't do that again.

Over a year ago I had to switch to a lighter weight iron due to a shoulder injury. At that time I had a pink Olisio iron which I loved and which my DD loves now. I got a cordless Panasonic which heats up fast. The water receptacle is removable from the iron. I remove it when done ironing for the day. Sometimes something needs to be ironed while on the cutting mat. It is so easy to move one of those padded ironing mats to the table, put it underneath the fabric and press away.

I have always used Rowenta irons. This past week the one that I've had over 6 years finally bit the dust, and I immediantly ordered a new one from Amazon. [h=1]Rowenta DW9280 Steam Force 1800-Watt Professional Digital LED Display Iron with Stainless Steel Soleplate[/h]

I pick mine up at places like Goodwill or salvation army! Pay a couple of dollars for them. But I am not really picky about all the extra things on a iron. It just needs to be very clean on the bottom and it will work on what I want it for.

I agree with most of you....I buy cheap. I have had too many Rowenta irons that leaked from the first week I got it . I have a relatively inexpensive T-fal from Walmart, very seldom put water in it and it works fine.

I purchased a Rowenta when I started my quilting journey. I don't use the steam feature and it gets extremely hot. Actually, I have been using a Rowenta since the 70's with no problems.

I had a Rowenta would not own another one, so now I buy cheap irons at Walmart and right now I have a Black & Decker it doesn't leak, works great and will not break the bank when I need to purchase another iron like the Rowenta.

I use the smallest Black and Decker I can find at Walmart. About $15 and when it dies, replace it.

I want 1700 or 1800 Watts too

I use a B & D Classic. It gets hot, and is not a lightweight.

My most recent purchase was a Steamfast, it gets very hot. I never use water in my iron--use a spray bottle or water or Best Press. It fits my very small sewing room by not having a large foot print. I hope to get another one for my away sewing days. However, I still love my Rowenta, but it just takes up too much space.

I use this one on a little table for pressing seams or little wrinkles, as I'm lazy and don't like to get up frequently.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It does not get warm enough to press out persistent wrinkles, and it takes forever if I don't get my shark iron out for large fabric pieces.

I have a cheap Black and Decker that I got on sale at walmart 15 or 20 years ago. It gets good and hot. I use a spray bottle with water if I need steam for stubborn wrinkles. I also starch fabric if I’m doing a project that requires lots of bias cut pieces. Had an expensive Singer that was a promo item thrown in with a furniture purchase. it retailed for close to $100, never got hot enough, had to use it on highest setting, had auto shut off (what a pain). And died after 6 years. Threw it away and Retrieved the Black and Decker from the laundry room...

Rob

I had a gift certificate and went all in with a Rowena steam generator iron setup. It's great for me. I asked Jordan fabrics what they thought of it before I bought it since I saw it in their videos. It gets really hot, can be used dry or, with the press of a button, forces out steam, doesn't shut off automatically, the iron itself is light (since the water is in a separate tank) and can be used for 6 or 7 hours without having to refill.....I love it but 'it ain't cheap'....

I have a spray bottle and an Electrolux (never heard of that brand before I got this one) iron, have had it for maybe 6-7 yrs...I am keeping my eyes open for a dry Continental iron at the thrift stores...no holes in the soleplate.

I had a full sized Rowenta that smoked (literally) after a few years so I bought a B&D and it quilt working after 3 months. Bought the Panasonic with the titanium bottom (it is easier to clean the plate when I use starch) and it has worked well. I am going to have to go to a lighter iron and am looking at the Panasonic cordless. I don't use water anymore. I also have a portable Rowenta that has never had water and works ok, but for a lot of heavy duty pressing it is too light.

I have a $15 Sunbeam that I bought from Big Lots thirty years ago, so thought I deserved a fancy-dancy one with all of the bells and whistles. I paid $49 for a digital Black & Decker - every time one stands the iron up, the digital temperature clears itself and everything has to be re-set. Not much fun when ironing a bunch of half-squares. So after a couple of uses it's back in the box and I'm using the $15 Sunbeam again. So glad I didn't throw it out in all the excitement of getting a new iron.

Sorry for the laughter, or can you hear me? This reminds me of growing up in a houseful of boys, where we older girls were held responsible for any mischief "the boys" got into.