LOL! Great choice of words!

I got the Shark from Wally World. Sorry I can't remember the price, but it has a button to increase the heat. HEATS FAST!!

I do not like irons with automatic shutoff because I hate waiting for them to heat up again, so to make sure I remember to turn it off, I put a rubber hair band on my wrist, then if it still there later in the day I know I forgot to turn off the iron. Works for me.

My iron has a steam feature. I don't always use steam. Sometimes I just use a spray bottle and let sit for a few seconds.

Great question and I love all the info. I, too, thought I needed the top of the line for my sewing. Not true. Have had a Rowenta for years, it spits, it leaks, it is an iron, nothing more, nothing less - it just cost big bucks. No rational reason this iron is "so great". I know a lot of the ladies are looking at that iron that you don't have to put upright, can't think of the name, it is close to $200. I can't see the plus to that either, now that I am smarter, lol. Afraid I would forget to put a normal iron up right after using one of those.

I purchased my iron before I was into sewing & quilting - just because I wanted a good iron and this one had the features I liked. THEN, when I went searching for a sewing machine, I saw many dealers selling the same iron. It's an Olisio itouch - best feature is it never has to sit up - just touching the handle lifts & lowers the iron. No more leaks when I use the steam feature! Long cord, heats up FAST, steam on or off, no leaking or spitting, itouch feature, hefty enough for pressing quilt pieces - LOVE IT!

Consumer reports compared the Rowenta Iron (expensive) to the Black and Decker (very reasonable) and said the Black and Decker was a better product all around. I got one of them and I love it. It is heavy enough to do the job, and also steams and has a self cleaner. My only complaint is the auto shut off is set to just a little too quick for me. Should stay on at least 5 minutes while I get a piece or two sewn together

I own two Reliable brand irons. I love them both. The great bright orange Velocity I use for quiltng. It has an Auto off bybass so it can be used with or without the auto off. It has great steam when you want it and has never dripped one drop of water through the steam vents.

I got this through 'Allbrands' and it was $60.00. The body had a blemish on it so it was returned and I got it cheap cause they cost about $150.00

My first Reliable is the Digital Velocity. The higher quality and heavy duty, For my clothes. I bought this years ago when I got sick of paying for cheap throw away irons that last a year. These two irons are one of the best investments I have made for my quilting and home use.

Worth every penny.
peace

EDIIT: A lot of people have had rowentas catch fire, mine did. Never buy one of those again.

I had a Rowenta for about 10 years -- it never spit, but I had to give it up when it smoked and caused the smoke detectors to go off (DH took it up with him after finding out what caused the problem). I bought a Black and Decker at Target -- I quilt using the steam because it spit, but it is a great iron overall.

I, too, have a Black and Decker with a simple sole plate. I love it and it works very well.