I'm using my On-sale-at-Kohls iron and it has been fine. I'm not sure it has auto shut off? But I turn mine off immediately anyway. You know how you automatically retract your rotary cutter when you are done cutting? That is what I do with my iron. With 4 kids at home there are constant interruptions and I'm afraid I'll walk away, forget about it and burn the house down!

I took a class with Judy Irish last weekend and she uses a cheap model too

I just bought an Oliso Touch Smart Iron, the yellow one, 1600 watts. So far, I like it. Just have to get use to not standing it up. Haven't used it too much yet, but I like the steam features it has! My old Black & Decker didn't have that kind of steam and didn't have a button to push for instant steam!

It is amazing how many Rowenta irons you find at Savers. I just bought one for five dollars. You can test appliances at the testing station in the store.
It was leaking so I filled it with vinegar and steamed it till emty. No more leak, I think it was the steam shot or the spray that was pluged up.
Savers has many irons, all brands and I have found quilting books for three dollars.
I also bought a bread machine for ten dollars. They always have many of them because people dont know you cannot go by the recipe, you have to test the dough to make sure it is soft and wet. I have perfected it now and make a loaf as good and hand made. Savers is great and I check it once a week.

I just have a cheapie one from Shopko. Works great, I think it was 12.00!

I have the Reliable and it is a dream iron.

I have a shark, it has an extra long cord. I just love it

I keep a small Conair on my sewing table for pressing seams. It does not have the auto-off feature and gets plenty hot. Have never used the steam feature; if needed, I spray water or starch. My regular sized iron is a classic Black & Decker I've had for years, still works fine. It doesn't have the auto-off either. Guess I've had good luck with irons, although honestly I don't iron much except for pressing seams. ;-)

I've had two Rowentas die on me.

The instructions did say NOT to use distilled water.

Wish they would have said WHY not to use it.

I didn't want to use our well water, either, because that had a lot of minerals in it.

I paid $9 for my Protor Silex iron at Walmart, no shut off, good steam....just have to remember to unplug it when I leave the room. Have been looking at the Oliso Pro for several months now but just can not bring myself to pay that kind of money....

I go through at least 1 iron every 2 years!! Don't ask me why they break - I don't think I abuse them but do use them almost every day. I am on my 3rd Rowenta and I think it is on its last legs - the 2 before began leaking and I know one did this after it was dropped. I have used Tefal and liked it because it had lots of steam vents and was easy gliding.

I will be on the look out for a new one very soon.