I agree with this

Me too. That's how I learned how to iron. I never put water in my iron and it's lasting forever. I got it (Black and Decker) as a gift in 1968.

I had a good iron that I liked, can't remember what brand, but it had a retractable cord that would "whap" me every time as it recoiled. I gave it to my youngest daughter when my oldest daughter gave me a new Rowenta. She has since had problems with her Rowenta spitting. She always used tap water until she got this new one, now uses only distilled water. It spits. I read the instructions on the new one she got me, it said to use half and half, half tap, half distilled. I have used it now for two years and no problems, (fingers crossed). So far so good. I do not like the auto-turn off, but it does recover steam quickly, so guess it is doing well.

I had a Rowenta for the past 6 years till the cord entry into the iron weakened to where I saw a couple of sparks. End of that iron! I read on this board about so many unhappy Rowenta owners & decided to go with a cheaper brand. First, I got a B&D but the fabric dial was hard to access and very hard to move. I returned it & got another one that didn't heat up adequately. Returned it for a Sunbeam. I like this one though it's style takes a little getting used to.
All things considered, the Rowenta was really good whIle it lasted & became my standard for comparison.

I had a Rowenta, and within a year this $130 was leaking! I bought the yellow (as seen on Fons and Porter show) Oliso iron and LOVE it! It stays on for 30 min. and has a 12' cord. NOT CHEAP, however. I paid $180 so told my hubby it was his anniv. present to me. If some read this and do not know the fabulous rise and auto lower feature of this iron, go look on their web site.

I have had a Rowenta and thought it was good until it leaked had to be replaced and I got a Reliable about four or five years ago, it is the best Iron I have ever had. It has a boiler inside that makes the steam and the steam is constant not in spurts, so easy to push the steam button on and off,you use tap water and it has a filter that is replaced when ever it limes up. We have a water softener so mine lasted a couple years. You have two levels of steam, high and low and will steam at any setting. I also splurged and bought my self their ironing board, it comes with two pads and a piece to slip on the front to make it a large rectangle. Can't think of anything I dislike. The iron was about $30.00 higher then a Rowenta but worth every penny.Notice that Nancy Notions is carrying them now, I bought mine direct from their web site. They are made in Canada and the CO makes commercial steamer,s to. Try www.reliance.com

You might want to use the search function to get even more opinions and options.

For quilting, a plain no steam flat plate iron and starch. For clothes, a Rowenta (or any other good brand) steam iron.

I have a full size Rowenta that I have used for over 15 years and I bought a travel size Rowenta (purple handle that folds) for Quilting when I go to workshops. I love both of these irons, but a friend that quilts swears by the Sunbeam iron.
I think it is a matter of preference. But remember, when quilting, your iron is on most of the time. It does get a lot of use.

Am I reading this right? $5.50 for a Rowenta? Where is this store located?
Thank you