Help! I'm at my wit's end!
 

Irons - can't live without one, can't find one to last!

Since I have been quilting, I go through an iron in less than a year, usually 8 to 10 months. Tried many different brands but nothing seems to last. Is it the reduced quality of irons, or is it because when you quilt, they are on for hours at a time. And I quilt almost every day.

Any suggestions? Don't suggest Rowenta -- they are too heavy for my poor arthritic hands! Thanks for any help you can share with me.

I just get a plain 'ol inexpensive Black & Decker or GE from Walmart or Target. Mine has held up for years.

ali

Judy, if you're going through so many irons I have to wonder if you have "dirty" power like we do here. It fluctuates constantly, so many things burn out quicker than they should. Do you have them plugged into a surge protector? If not, try that. And if it doesn't help, I would say buy the cheapest iron that does the job. If they won't last, no sense spending a lot of $ on them.

Good luck.

Is the iron leaking or spewing water but still heats up? I bought this one and so far it's been great. http://www.always-free-shipping.com/...-dry-iron.html

I bought a really cheap one and did not put any water in it.....so far that has lasted longer than my previous irons. I now use a spray bottle of water or Mary Ellen's Best Press when I press my blocks/seams. (Love Best Press!!!)

I agree. I have a Black and Decker that I've had for a number of years that I paid $30 for at Walmart. It doesn't leak, is on for hours nearly every day. Doesn't spit and holds a lot of water. I like it a lot.

I bought a cheap $6 iron at Dollar General, and it is working a year later..So cheap I dont care if I have to replace it..The last one ran for 5 years, and I am sure it was the cheapest one available at the time

I feel for you. I've gone through 3 or 4 in the last 10 years (different brands). As a teen when I ironed in the 60s mom always put distilled water in it. I don't remember it 'spitting' like they do now, but my mom used to put vinegar inside to get the gunk out. I bought a Rowenta a couple of months back (never had one before). I now use no water in it but just use the Best Press. I personally find the iron saga very frustrating...

Picked up an vintage GE Iron at a resale shop and the thing works wonders. Better yet it was 4 BUCKS!!!

I also have a Black & Decker that I have had for years. I only use a spray bottle; no water in iron.

I too use cheap irons from Walmart and have quit putting water in them. Seems it's the water that ruins them, which is disappointing to say the least. I just use a spray bottle if I need steam.

I turn my iron often while I'm sewing, it heats up fast when I need it. I don't use water in it, tried bottle water in the last old iron I had and didn't like it.

I have a lightweight B & D bought on clearance for $7 at least 15 years ago and it's still going strong, with or without water. I do used distilled water. I picked up a heavier GE iron at a garage sale for pressing backings. It doesn't turn off, so I have to unplug it, but as long I know that I can deal with it.

I have a Kambrooke which I paid about $30 for which beeps at me if I leave it for more than 12 minutes. If I continue to ignore it it switches the heat off. All I need to do is move it and it starts up again. I'm not crazy about it beeping at me. I preferred the one I had before which I bought at a store like your dollar store for $25.00. It didn't beep at me but would switch the heat off it it sat for 10 minutes. Again I only had to move it to have it restart. My iron stays on most of the day at least 4-5 days a week.

I have an expenisve Shark iron which I do not like. It is heavy and keeps shutting off and you have to shake it to "wake it up". I like my cheapie Hobbs iron so much better and it was one tenth of the price!

dirty power, bad socket, hard water....could be many things! Do you turn it off at all times?

I never put water in my iron. I turn it off after each and every pressing segment - whether it is three seams or thirty. I had one iron for probably 30 years and finally had to buy a new one three years ago. I don't like to pay the electric company for anymore than I need. I also don't want to "use up" a product before it's time. The one I am using now is from Walmart and probably cost $12. The incredible (to me) need to have the newest and most gadget filled everything makes me crazy! Women used to put their irons on the wood stove to heat them up. I am thrilled to be able to just turn one on. Some of us don't have thousands of dollars to spend on our hobby and make do quite well on the cheap. Try it! You just might like it.

I have a Sunbeam iron and only use demineralised water in it that I buy from the supermarket. Had it for 4 years and haven't had a problem yet.

i've had really good luck with a $12 black & decker from wally world, a $15 GE, the $9 one i'm using now is not a 'name brand' one. i have a $150 iron in my closet----which i hate- is heavy- does not get as hot as i want- shuts itself off ---when i want it on---
i don't care if i have to buy a new one every year---but most of my inexpensive ones last 2-3 years----and mine are often for hours at a time ... almost every day.

I made up my mind 3 years ago that I will not buy the "Expensive" Irons, I've heard so many people complain about the cost then the die. So I buy the cheapest Iron I can find at walmart or target and now they last forever, they are not heavy. So I spend 9 to 10 dollars and it works 10 months a dollar a month! I hope this encourages you to not spend a ton on something that will only let you down, after all you have material to buy!!! :o)

funny - I bought an iron THREE years ago at WalMart - Black & Decker for under $20 and just knew it would have to be replaced within a year or less....Go figure. Now this one DOES turn itself off after a bit - but a press of a button and it reheats quick enough.....

I bought one over here in Germany...220 I'm going to miss it when we move back. It is fabulous.....A quilter should design an iron for quilters.

I've had a Sunbeam for over 30 years that I originally bought as refurbished from BigLots for $10. I've used only distilled water in it and keep it plugged into a power strip placed onto my sewing table. I can flip that on and off easily and don't waste power as I understand that irons use a lot. Should I need to replace it in the future, I'll go the $10 route again.

I have a cheap Black and Decker for ironing large fabric and a travel iron for piecing. Love the small iron it is perfect for piecework.
I shop at Savers alot and they have many Rowenta irons and they all leak so there is a flaw in them. I got one for $5 and use it as a dry iron. I like the shape of it as it has a nice point on front whereas the B&D is not as smooth to use.

I also use a spray bottle because my expensive Rowenta leaks and spits like you can not believe. Wouldn't buy another one for an amount of money. I keep thinking why won't this one just quit so I can buy a $20 iron that I can use steam in.

I also have a cheap wal-mart iron that I think is a black and decker. I use distilled water as my water is very hard, and I've had this iron about 3 years. When it breaks, throw it away and get another cheapie. I lvoe the look of the Rowenta and other expensive irons but they just aren't reliable so I'll keep my money to spend on fabric.

I bought a Black & Decker travel iron years ago. It's small, light weight and gets really good and hot. I use it every day. I have also left it on over night several times. Great little iron that has served me well.

I recently had to replace my cheapy WM iron. I bought a Shark Professional at WM for about $30 and it steams like crazy. I don't care if it only lasts one year, I'd buy another in a hot minute. This iron has made my life easier.

This has been my solution, as well. If you DO put water in it, use distilled water. I collect rain water and filter it thru a coffee filter, store in plastic bottles and use sparingly.

I have two irons....one expensive one that I use for irong clothes and one cheap one that I use in my sewing room. The cheap one is GREAT, but I only use distilled water in it. It automatically shuts off after a period of time, but again, it wakes up when I move it, and it reheats very quickly. Go for the cheap, especially if you're dealing with the power issue and invest in a surge protector. Good luck!

I have had the same Black and Decker iron for 15 years. I use steam sometimes, and then use only distilled water. Turn it off when not in use. Good luck at finding one that works for you.

I get about 2 years out of mine and I get one that isn't too heavy. Right now I have a Shark.

I have had my Rowenta iron for 4 years with no problems. You have to read the directions for your iron they are not all the same, the Rowents says to NOT us disilled water as it will cause the iron to spit and leak. It says to use inexpensive botled spring water if you have hard water in your area other wise you can use plain old tap water.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I had been having the same thing happen. Now I purchase the cheapest iron I can find. I no longer use water in the irons, I use a spritz bottle for the water if I want steam. And I also use a surge protector when they are plugged in. They seem to be lasting longer. Good luck with whatever you try.

Ditto. I've tried fancy, expensive irons & just wasn't happy with them. So I get a cheapie & replace as needed. Works like a charm for me.

When my home burnt to the ground someone gave me a used GE steam iron...that was in 94... still using it !!!

It's been so interesting reading the comments. I have a Rowenta and have been happy with it until last month. After 3-4 yrs of use, it has now started to spit and leak. It does that for several minutes then seems to work fine. If I don't use the steam, it doesn't get hot enough (at least to me). Bottom line after reading all the comments, when this one quits, I'll be off to Target or Walmart for my next iron and it won't be $$

I do the same thing. I also use a small travel iron from target cause it does not shut off. I have used it for years now and it stays on all the time. good luck!