Iron, need new one
 

I need a new iron, I've had numerous ones and they all either leak, spite, or just plain quit working. Thinking of buying one of those expensive ones as seen on many of the quilt shows. Any advice?????

Check ebay or garage sales for an old smooth plate one with a good cord. Use a spritzer bottle when you need steam.
Today's irons regardless of price seem to be destined for a 1-2 year life cycle once we use water in them. I think the auto shutdown process isn't that good for longevity either.

I read some years ago turning on an iron takes the same btu's are running a dryer. It would be nice to come up with some verifiable statistics.

I have had the Rowenta irons. They are bad to leek after a while. I got a Black & Decker from Walmart. For the price I am quite happy with it and when it goes out, replacement is not so hard on the pocket.

We have had many discussions about irons. Try using the search function. I have the Black and Decker Digital advantage and like it.

Love my Reliable. Pricey but worth it.

I went to buy a Rowenta and I found a Hamilton Beach Durathon, look similar to the Rowenta and felt heavy duty and solid. I bought the Hamilton Beach one and I love it. I was taught at a young age not to put water in an iron by my grandmother so I have never used water in the iron. I do know that when I was the last quilting class I was in she had a Rowenta the iron was so similar to my Hamilton Beach, however, she had water in it and no spray bottle on the side so I misted from the iron and I got iron stains on my quilt while I was pressing. I later had to take out the two squares and replace them as the iron stained it orange. I know she used tap water in hers and the water where we live is very irony. Most irons say to use distilled water. I use a small spray bottle on the ironing board and gently mist anything that I need to but I don't use water in my irons. I know the Rowenta was great also, other than the tap water experience for me was bad!

I think everyone has their favorite iron. It seems like lots of people like the cheap B&D from Walmart right now. I think a heavy iron is nice even though mine is lightweight. I have 6 irons. I go back and forth between them. I have the one that doesn't do steam and like it very much, but I do like steam, so I don't use it too often. I have a couple I bought at a second hand store for appliquing. I have one that has a tank that holds water and has a hose that goes to the iron. It is my favorite. It is very lightweight, though. It's nice that it's not heavy. I have an Oliso that I like and a Reliable that the buttons are on the handle and I hit them every time I use the iron, so I turn the iron off all the time, so I don't use that one very often, even though the steam is awesome!

I am glad you posted this question... as I was thinking the same thing this morning. I have a Sunbeam and I am reasonably happy with it. I don't use water in mine either.. I just spray as DeMaris said. I am only wondering about a good iron as I have had mine for close to 10 years and I sometimes feel like its not as hot as it used to be

I buy the cheapest one that wally world sells that has steam. with a kitty, I have them fall off the board quite easily, this way, I get a new one every 5 yrs or so for about $12.

I have a Sunbeam that I love! I got it at Joann, and it was under $50. It's on the larger size and has a nice point on it.

I am still sick that my mom's old iron quit on me. I loved how hot it got. Half the time pressing. I think I might go thrift shopping to see if I can find another. I loved that old GE! I have a sunbeam and and two different models of black and decker that are top of the line.
Why can't they make an iron that gets hot anymore?

Just remember any iron that can do steam can become incontinent. Also more expensive is definitely not always better.

Now I have to consider the weight of the iron also. While I love the self lifting iron it is way to heavy for me to comfortably use.

My favorite iron ever was a Black & Decker, from Walmart I think. I do have a cordless Maytag for ironing completer quilt tops without the ironing cord getting in the way.

I use a Black & Decker Classic. About $35. It has weight to it, which I like.

Thanks everyone, guess I'll just use my old Rowenta without water, however, I do like to steam sometimes. Wish I had my old GE I received for a wedding present 60 plus years ago.

I have a Black and Decker. I wish I had bought the ugly classic one. A friend of mine brought it to a recent guild sewing day and I liked it more than my iron.
I personally wouldn't spend the big bucks on a higher end iron. $35 is my limit. I paid $25 for mine at Walmart. It's nicer than my last Black and Decker which died.

Ricky Timms says to never ever add water to an iron. They all get incontinent sometime in their lifetime lol. I switched to using a spray bottle for water if I need a bit of steam I'm not sure that I am liking the spray bottle way. I figure if my $25 iron starts to leak then I'll switch back to the spray bottle... or get a new iron. I don't need steam often though :)

Husband researched and bought Reliable Velocity. I don't like it and will buy another Eliso soon.

A great big vote for that! I surely wish I had the GE that I got in 1956......!!! Newer/pricier is NOT always better. While advancements/technology is good, it is definitely NOT always an improvement over the older, simple things.

I have had the pricey Rowentas, etc.etc. They all spit/leaked/stained after a while. Now, I just buy the least expensive from Wal-Mart that I can find.

~Skeetersmom