New iron needed
 

Mine is driving me rather crazy...spits out lots of water; stains my fabric on occasion, does not heat evenly, etc. I asked at a local sewing shop, but their irons are comps given to them by the Singer company and are not for sale since they are made for their customers. Does anyone have any preferred brand or suggestions on a new one? I would appreciate it.

I often read the posts about irons and it seems like even the expensive ones have issues. I generally buy cheaper ones and replace them as they go. I could buy 10 irons a year for the equivalent of one of the pricier ones. My next one is going to be the dry iron from Vermont Country Store. No water, no steam holes to drip and it gets good reviews.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/s...Dry_Iron/42277

I just bought a new iron because on the old one the auto turn off was spuratic. I really like Rowena irons. The old one lasted about 10 years. Got it at Jo Ann's. This time, I got one from target (middle of the road style/cost) and it was on sale. Some of the dept stores also have them and their coupons/sales really bring the cost down.

I have seen that one at the Vermont Country Store and wondered about it!

Mine is a Rowenta. It is not the top of the line one though, and the steam feature went out about eight months along. It was very disappointing. Perhaps I will lok at the one at Joanne's adn see if they are any better than the one I have. There are many models in the line.

Thanks to both.

There are many recent discussions on irons if you use the search function. I ditched my leaky Rowenta for a black and decker digital advantage which I do like a lot.

I would like to know too. 2 yrs ago I bought a Shark for $79, was pretty happy with it. A couple of weeks ago it started to shut itself off. It would work if I wiggled the cord a certain way. I never wrapped the cord around the iron, because I had heard that is not good for the cord.

So, I opened it up to see if there was a loose wire. No loose wires. I never realized that there were so many different wires and connections inside an iron. sheesh!.

Anyways, after reading comments about people on this board buying cheap irons, I went out and bought a $20 Black & Decker. Big mistake. This iron does not have a cover where you pour in the water, and everytime I set the iron down on its rest, water splashes out the hole. It sputters and spurts. It also seems to "grab" the fabric, it doesn't glide like my shark did. I even tried cleaning the faceplate off.

I tried to use it as a dry iron on my sheets, but it didn't iron out the wrinkles. I really miss my shark, but I don't want to buy another one, and wind up with the same problem again.

I am not driving 40 miles to return a $20 iron. I guess I will save it for emergencies, after I buy a new iron. I will be watching this thread too, to see the answers.

I have been looking for a new iron. Several I have found need to be unplugged to shut off. They do not have an on/off switch. I know with my memory I would not remember to pull the plug. I will be watching this post as I need one bad. Mine is leaking and spotting also.

I have the black and decker classic. It is not expensive and it works great. I am alway tempted by the expensive ones, but do not want to spend that much on an iron. I guess I am just to cheap LOL

Makes me remember the comment: all steam irons can be incontinent!

Personally, I like my Black & Decker. I've had it for years. It wasn't the cheapest one at the store nor the most expensive.

I've had expensive ones and cheap ones and they all eventually die. I think quilters use their irons a lot more than normal folks and that's why they die. I now have 4 irons--a Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steamer for use when I need a lot of steam for big projects, a regular Rowenta Master made in Germany (on recommendation from this board that the ones made in Germany were made better) another smaller Rowenta that got passed down to me when my brother passed (had a crack in the top of it--I guess he dropped it but it's still going strong (also made in Germany) and the Continental mentioned above. I've had them quite a while, I guess they've lasted so long because I alternate using them.

I have bought expensive ones that don't last any longer than the cheap ones. Now I buy all of time at the thrift shop and always have a back up.

Another Rowenta fan here. Have had 2 over the last 20+ years. Also have a EuroPro that I really like and use primarily for quilting. My personal opinion...I think the most important factor with steam irons is to read and follow the directions as to type of water recommended. Some of mine are designed specifically for tap water, others specifically designed for distilled water. Use which one is recommended. And steam those puppies clean once in a while!

I'm with you on that katier I just got some great reviews on that store the iron is one of many many things on my list

Highly recommend the dry iron from the Vermont store:thumbup:

The same dry iron cost less here:http://www.always-free-shipping.com/...-dry-iron.html
I have had this iron for about six years and it still works great. Of course no water to mess it up! I use the Black and Decker Classic metal iron for steam. Lowe's has the non auto shut off model. For the perfectionist or for show quilts this is the only way to iron: www.reliablecorporation.com/Products/Home-Tables/C81_2 Several guild members and most of the LAs in the area have this board. I don't iron anything but quilt blocks so I'm waiting for a smaller table top version.

Check out thrift stores and Goodwill. They seem to always have a large selection" no one irons anymore". I'm using a cordless Oreck{.50 cent yardsale find}. It has been used almost every day for the last 18 years. I also use a Haier{$2.99 from Goodwill} love it, has a removable water tank. It was still in its box, same as new, and that was 3 yrs ago. It is used everyday also! I also have a vintage 1940s GE iron, given to me by my Mother in 1960s. I've replaced the cord three times over the years. It is truly amazing how well older things were made and you could almost always fix them yourself. This iron lasted thru my Mom and 5 kids and me and 5 kids!

Like others have said the expensive irons seem to sometimes have the same problems as the cheaper ones. I have a cheap Black and Decker that works perfectly. If it starts acting up I'll buy another and still will have spent less than 1/2 of the expensive types.

I have the Reliable V100 - and an older Sunbeam that I can use for dry. I also have a B&D with a teflon soleplate. Thing must be 20 years old. It still works, but I only use it for stuff that sticks.

The Sunbeam and the Reliable both have automatic shutoff. You can override the shutoff on the Reliable for quilting.

I bought a dry iron from Amazon.com for about $35 a few months ago (I think the brand is "Champion"). I love it. No more leaks, spitting, or rusty drips. I keep a spray bottle of water or Best Press nearby in case I feel I need it.

I had 2 Rowenta irons and did not like either they both started leaking water every where . Now I went with a cheaper one and it is working fine

You know, you are totally right, I have more than one sewing machine, more than one ironing board, a dozen seam rippers, half a dozen rotary cutters, and probably 8 or 9 mats, so, why not have more than one iron?

I think I will just go out and buy that same Shark again, (if still available), and have no hard feelings towards my B&D, as I am sure it will find it's place soon enough. I liked the nice long cord on the Shark, it must have been at least 12 feet long.

I use to use an old iron, cut the cord off, to hold a long ruler in place when cutting fabric. It worked great with a few sandpaper dots on the bottom.

I bought a Rowenta, it started leaking soon after purchase. Then one day it started steaming like mad, then pop, it died. It was 2-3 years old. I have another Rowenta, I bought it at a charity silent auction at work for $1.00. The sole plate was all brown and cruddy but I cleaned it and it's been great since, about 3 years now. However, I will not buy another Rowenta. Probably a cheap one I can throw away with no regrets when it dies. Nothing lasts anymore things are made too cheap.

I always buy an iron at Walmart because the Rival, Panasonic and Black & Decker models are lighter weight for my arthritic hands--tried my SIL's Rowenta and could hardly lift it without water and it didn't do any better job than my cheaper ones.

I can't say enough the Oslo Iron. Got one several years ago, I think they had just come out, at the sewing & quilt show in Puallup, WA. (I'm sure I spelled that wrong, sorry WA folks) Anyway, the iron is wonderful, gets hot fast, doesn't spit, but most important it has legs that come out when you take your hand off of the iron. It stands up an inch or so off the ironing board. Such a blessing with my unhappy hands!

I have been reading about those Oliso irons. I understand that they can vary greatly; but then, what can't? It would depend upon the individual iron and the model one bought, I suppose. The ones recommended though are more than I would pay for an iron. Almost two hundred dollars for an iron is a bit much for me!

I don't think I would buy another Rowenta, either.

Thanks all. I am leaning toward a B & D or a Sunbeam, which seem to be around an acceptable price and somewhat reliable.

I love my Rosetta with the water tank. It was pricey but does a great job

My Rowenta starting leaking and spitting about 6 months after I purchased it. When it was about 1 1/2 years old it overheated while I was ironing. Burned the fabric and the burn-resistant ironing board cover. I now have a Reliable Digital Velocity that's been really great so far.

I have a Shark that I bought at Costco. It worked great for a while. Now it spits water everywhere, doesn't heat up well, and I have to poke at the turn on/turn up button about fifty times to get it on. Stupid iron! It replaced my Sunbeam that we received as a wedding gift 24 years ago that still worked. Costco doesn't carry it any longer, so that must tell you something. I need a new one too!

Actually, Nancy, you only missed a "y" in Puyallup...so for a non-native, you did great!

I own an Oliso, a Reliable and a Delonghi iron. Out of the three, I love the Delonghi. It has a huge separate tank that lasts forever and it steams very well at any heat. The handle is very comfortable - made out of cork. It doesn't spit ever! It was very reasonable for this type of iron. It will last forever! The Reliable controls are at the top of the handle and I keep hitting those when I pick it up and turning it off by accident and then when I go to use it again, I have to turn it on and wait for it to heat back up. If I remember to hold it at the bottom, it works great and the steam is very good and it doesn't ever spit and has a way to make it not shut off. The Oliso works great, but shuts off after so many minutes of non use, but heats up fast - no spitting at all.

Wow!! The gremlins must have been busy going after our irons the last few months!! I need a new one also!!!
I have a Rowentta and the cord is having issues at the iron base - the rubber extension that is supposed to protect it has separated about 3/4" from the base so needless to say the cord looks like it is getting a lot of wear and tear on it's covering. I tried to tape the rubber back together with duct tape but it really isn't doing the job.

This is my 2nd Rowentta and I had a lot of issues with the first but thought that I would try again - The 2nd one has lasted longer but I think that I may opt for a cheaper brand the next time.

I buy a new iron every 4-5-6-7 years... I find one I like the *heft and feel of* in the store, and in the $20-25 range in price, either regular pricve or on sale. I dont put water in them, but use a spritzer bottle. Sometimes they just *quit working* and i get another one.

I had a Rowenta with the retractable cord. The iron leaked a lot and water ran into the base part and pretty soon I was getting spots on my fabric. It was from the rust coming out where the cord retracted. I bought a B&D and have had very good luck with it. I inherated another Rowenta just like my first one but have not used it yet. Don't know if I will. I got so tired of the water leaking all the time.

I use a very old iron I got at an estate auction or yard sale when I got married. (gotta be frugal!) The steam function no longer works. I use a spray bottle with water so I can gently mist the fabric and then iron. IMO, it works better than a regular steam iron anyway!

I have a Panasonic that I have had for several years. I like it because it does a good job ironing and it isn't extremely heavy.It has been bounced off the floor and it still works.

I just buy the cheap ones in Walmart work real good.

My Rowena made in Germany problem is now that I am recovering from major surgery its too heavy. calla