Looking for the Perfect Iron...
 

Aren't we all?!?!

My current iron, a Rowenta Pro made in Germany, is on the outs. It doesn't deliver burst of steam reliably and has leaked brown water. It steams vigorously until the water tank is down to half full, then nothing. I cleaned it last week with a mix of water/vinegar and it seems to be better but I no longer trust it, especially for ironing quilts that aren't mine.

Before that, I had a Black and Decker D2030 Digital Advantage which I loved. But I ruined it after moving to a house with softened water. Purchased another to replace it and used water from the outside spigot that wasn't softened bit it leaked so returned it. The beauty of this B&D is that it doesn't require that you empty the water tank after every use. I loved the iron but it only delivered 1500 watts and I've become accustomed to a hotter iron.

So I'm on a quest and would love your feedback on irons that might meet my desired requirements:
- 1800 watts
- easy to fill directly from a gallon milk jug
- can leave water in the tank after use
- on/off switch/button
- stainless, preferred, or ceramic soleplate - no Teflon
- not a Rowenta, have had two disappointments
- not a dry iron
- holds about 10 ounces or more of water

I'm sure there are other things I'd like but these are the biggies. I've searched pretty extensively but never know if I've missed anything. A new one that I just found Beautural 1800 by 1byone.com is interesting but the manual says to empty water.

Thanks,
Cathy

I wish I could help you but my iron is about 40 years old. My ironing board is about 55 years old (a bridal shower gift.) I’ve replaced the pad and cover several times.

Hi Iberna, nothing like the old ironing boards. When I built a big board and needed an ironing board base to put it on, I found a 45 year old ironing board on Craigslist. It was strong enough to hold it. Thanks for your reply.

Honestly, the best iron I've purchased is a Proctor Silex I got from the hardware store, of all places, for $10. It gets hot hot and best of all, doesn't turn off until I tell it to. However, this is my preference in an iron.

I was gifted a wonderful iron years ago, it was a Reliable Digital Velocity and I loved it. But it eventually quit working and when I went to replace it, I discovered it was out of my budget. Then I found the hardware store iron and have been happy since.

I finally just gave up on steam irons. I went on a similiar search several years ago and do believe that using/leaving water in any iron is a recipe for future failure. Therefore I bought a Rowenta 1600 in 2014 and have never put a drop of water in it. It is still going strong. I use one of those misting spray bottles and a wool pressing mat and that has been my solution to this ongoing search for a perfect iron.
I wish you much success. And please post what you finally find.

Take a look at yard sales/thrift stores for an "old" iron. You won't pay full price but those old irons were made of better stuff. Maybe you'll get a clunker but you won't have much invested either. Maybe look for one in the box that looks "new". Seems anything new nowadays has a short life expectancy and is made of lesser quality materials.

I'm currently using a Black and Decker that had been left here at the house by either a ex wife or former girlfriend before I married Steve. It was my last resort after two of my own irons failed and were tossed away. Using it as a dry iron and have a water mister from Quilt in a Day that I use with it... works great!!

i have an Oislo iron that i use spring water in and haven't had a problem.

I have 3 different irons all for different uses. All are steam irons. One the Swateck, is for my clothing or anything that needs starch. The second one is a black and decker. I use this for quilting and it works very well for glue basting and larger quilt making needs. I then have a small Sunbeam That is a travel size that is used on my ironing pad along side my cutting board. None of them are high end irons but work well. For me the key is always using distilled water for the steam. The B&D is more than 20 years old and has been a dream come true for me. Easy to fill, though I always use a funnel and no cleaning from rust or anything in the water. Also for me it is very important to keep my clothing iron away from my quilting irons.

I have had 3 Rowena irons. The 1st was wonderful but was broken when I moved. I replaced it and it leaked like a faucet. I bought another because I love the weight of it and I have never added water. I use a spray with it. Then I went to a retreat and another lady had a Hamilton Beach iron that was great. It never leaks, has the weight I love and cost less than $40. I will never pay for another high end iron!

I have tried just about all the brands. I bought the iron brand Donna Jordan uses and so far it's fantastic. Lots of steam and no leaks, because no water in the iron. Cost about the same as the top brands of irons. $179 on Amazon Rowenta 400-Holes, Green DG7530 Compact Steam Station 1800-Watt, Advanced 40-Oz Water Capacity

I bought a rowenta..finally realized it was not hot enough. I was disappointed for the price..never buy again. Would not iron applques down well..found out the hard way.

My 20 year old Rowenta finally died. I had all kinds of problems with it at first, but once I started using distilled water in it, it worked fine. My back-up iron is a Sunbeam Turbo Steamaster. It gets very hot and has never leaked. I also have the Panasonic cordless that I like using with quilt blocks because it isn't too large. It doesn't get as hot as an iron with a cord, but it's easy to take to retreat and works well enough. Will never by another Rowenta.

I never put water in my irons, I prefer to use a spray bottle of water. I have a small iron I purchased at WalMart for $12.88. It gets very hot quickly. I also have a Rowenta that I have had for years and a Panasonic that I never put water in that I got for $7 at Walmart. I just find a spray bottle of water or Best Press more convenient.

I bought a Chi Professional from Walmart. It has 300 steam holes. I searched and did research before buying. I love this! And it was $59.

I have the Duetta and love it.

My friend has the Maytag iron and said it was the best so far.

What an interesting conversation. I have a Rowena Accessteam Iron. I like its long cord. I also have a Zero Water Filter. Which gives me the equivalent of distilled water that I put in my iron. I think I got it on discount, maybe from Ace Hardware, don't remember where. I don't think I paid more than $30 for it, but it was on sale. When it steams it is plenty hot enough for anything.

I have 3 irons also...Two B&D one lightweight w/Teflon bottom, the other old fashion heavy stainless steel base both purchased at Walmart for under 20.00. I recently purchased a Panasonic cordless 360 and with ceramic bottom and love it. The only one I put water in is the Old fashion Heavy one since I know it's cheap enough to replace. Otherwise I use a spray bottle.

I had a Rowenta that I thought was the perfect iron. It began to leak brown water and be unreliable. For the price you pay, I was very disappointed. Did some research and found that 'catching on fire' was a big problem with those reviewed. I got rid of the Rowenta right away. I now have an Oliso and love it for many reasons. Mine is the yellow one and I don't have any complaints at all after 2 years so far.

I have the olios that Jenny Doan uses on her show. Love it with my wool pressing mat

I can’t seem to get the correct mane to stay. It is the Oliso

I bought an Oliso a few months ago. I love it.

Yes, I was going to recommend that one, too! Can't see spending money for any iron.

Wow wee, I’ve been looking at the price of some of these fancy irons. I’m 75 years old and I hope my 40 year old iron keeps on chugging.

Before buying an iron I would suggest you go to a couple places and lift them up and see how it feels in your hand. And check for the watts. If there isn't enough weight, you will have to push it harder. And if there is not enough watts it won't get hot enough. I really like to use steam but found the new irons just leak if they are full and because if you wait for them to heat up - but don't move them they turn off. So I use a good spray bottle if I need it. I usually starch so don't need the steam and I also have a wool pressing mat. For me I have the Shark Pro - it is 1800 watts. I have used inexpensive and very expensive - it's almost the luck of the draw if you get a good one.

I'm at a retreat in Texas with 50 quilers, so many different irons here! The weirdest one...whe it shuts off automatically you have to unplug it and replug it in. Still scratching my head over who'd design one that way, and why the owner puts up with it :)
Don't think there is a perfect iron, but I wonder if all the leakage problems is because they aren't emptied after use. Like many here, I've just quit using water in mine, spritz instead.

Good luck with the hunt.

The only iron I have that works like it's suppose to is an old Black & Decker Steam iron. Must be 30+ yrs old now and it has never failed me. I've had two Rowenta's and both leak like a sieve. Worthless as teats on a boar. The 2nd was a free replacement from Rowenta. I just do a spray with a bottle and then use the Rowenta. I think we're just doomed to replace our irons every couple of years as they don't make them to work much longer than that.

I gave up on putting water in my irons. I go with the ol' spray bottle of water on the side. Works perfect everytime.

Thanks for all your replies. I've looked at some of the irons mentioned and other I haven't seen so far. So more to research!

I contacted a manufacturer to ask why they recommend emptying after use. I *had* thought it was too relieve pressure on the tank. But they told me that emptying the water keeps the steam clean and reduces buildup of calcium deposits. IMHO, these issues can be resolved by regular use of the cleaning function. So maybe this doesn't have to be a factor.

I hear you all about using a spray bottle but my room is so tight that I am reluctant to do so because of overspray getting on furniture or the back of my sewing machine. I occasionally use Magic Sizing and recently noticed rusting on the hinges for the drop leaf on my sewing cabinet which is right behind my ironing board.

I'll keep looking and update once I've made a decision. Thanks again!

I have had 2 Rowentas, both have gone on to iron heaven after heavy leaking. I put water in them and left it in. I had bought both second hand. I tend to buy all my irons at thrift shops for my studio. I have a black and decker for my work clothes, and have been happy with it,however, after much reading on here, I have not put water in it, a mister sits beside it. I happen to find a nice teflon base iron about a year ago at a thrift shop that I currently am using for my sewing. It to has a mister sitting beside it and I have been very happy so far. I've done a lot of reading on here about many that do not put water in their irons, I figure since my two Rowentas that died, died with leaking issues, I figure there may be something to not adding water to an iron and I actually like the mister better.

I really like this iron too. I ordered mine from Amazon a couple years ago, leave it plugged in (it has auto shut-off) and use tap water. I especially like the point of the iron, it is a little narrower than other irons I've had. Well worth the extra steam and few dollars more than I've paid before .

Way back when quilt magazines had a lot of great articles there was one called Ironing 101. It explained why so many irons spit and sputter yucky water. The main reason was filling the iron with the steam on, a big no no. And having the steam turned on when bringing the iron up to temp. With the new irons having auto off and on the steam dial has to be off until you are ready to use it and the iron has to be at stream temp before you turn it on. You can't leave the steam turned on with auto shut off while it cools down and heats back up.