I wouldn't buy another Rowenta either. I bought one ($79) and had it almost a year to the day it started leaking. They replaced without a problem but almost a year later, this new one is doing the same thing (leaking) and now the steam option doesn't work very well either. I've heard good and bad things about the Olisso (spelling) brand so would be reluctant to buy that brand too. I had a Hamilton Beach iron decades ago and it lasted almost 20 years. But thought I'd try the Rowenta...sorry I did. Looking for a new iron too that's reliable. Any suggestions?

My favorite iron was a Norelco. No longer made and could not get parts for it when it quit. Next I bought a Rowenta and really disliked it. Now it's on the shelf and I have a Black & Decker digital that has worked really well. Think I bought it at Lowe's.

I have had my Rowenta for about seven years now with no problems. I have heard some complaints from others, but as for me I love this iron. The life of the iron may have something to do with the water in your area, I just use tap water and we don't have a high mineral content in our area which may account for the long life on my iron.

I have had (3) Rowenta Irons. Love them all but like you said after having for a while they start to leak. My 3rd one just would not get hot enough and the water leaked out the bottom. Tonight I bought a sunbean one wasn't as expensive as the Rowenta... will see how this one work out...

I love my Rowenta and have had no problems with it. It is the best iron I have owned and have had it for years.

Check out http://www.vermontcountrystore.com for what they call the Classic Steam Iron. It is $39.95 and doesn't mention an on/off feature. In the ad it says "Reliable Steam Iron . . " but can't tell if that is the name or an opinion. It looks just like the iron we used in the 60's like the old Sunbeams.

I have had three Rowenta irons. Never again. Leaking is the biggest problem. Seems I have a lot of company. I thought it was me. A high price tag doesn't seem to mean quality.

Rowenta is a highly rated brand, but my one experience turned me off to their regular sized irons. Leaked and sputtered all the time.

Now I have a T-fal, have had it for about three years and really like it. I thought T-fal was only for pans, who knew??

Were you using distilled water? It sounds like your water may be heavy with minerials if you are using tap water in different brands and they all start to spit,sputter and leak after a while.
Just a thought....
I have several irons for quilting, I like the one that Sharon Schamber recommended and uses in her classes. It is the Rowenta travel iron with the long handle. It is a steam iron, but I use the cotton setting and keep it next to my machine on my ironing pad. I turn it on the side when not using it. This type of iron is not heavy and does not put strain on your hands/wrist in the event you have arthritis. I have never had a problem with my Rowentas. I have one in my laundry room( reg. size) and two of the Rowenta travel irons for use in sewing room and for quilt classes. Di in TX

re: sam's club.

i heard they were closing. have you heard that also, or is that only a rumor?

I use the Reliable V100... it's an awesome iron. If you saw me on the Quilt Out Loud episode at QNNTV I was using it.. and it's what I have in my studio. Email if you want more info.. I work with an engineer at the company and I"m going to have him on my show to chat about the iron. They are made differently than other irons, so they don't spit or leak! And they have great weight to them.

Can you deactivate the auto shutoff feature on this iron?

you can deactivate the auto shutoff feature (so sweet for those that want to do that!).

I have all the info about it on my site, but not sure if I'm allowed to say that here.. I'm new to posting here and don't want to do the wrong thing!

it's really a great iron, i think the company is fabulous too.

What problems are you having? I know they say in the directions to not use only distilled water in them. Either tap water or half distilled and half tap or spring water. For some reason all distilled water will make it leak!

Read your instruction booklet. It probably says to not use only distilled water, but tap water or half tap and half distilled if your water has lots of minerals in it or half distilled and half bottled spring water.

forgot to say the V100 has a filter in it for the water, very cool option

I have a couple of Rowentas and really like, my only problem with them is that I turn them up too high and keep burning my husband's gold shirts

I meant golf shirts not gold shirts, that would be weird if he had gold shirts

I bought the top-of-the line Rowenta some years ago. It always leaked, etc. Called the company....they told me to ship it to them to be repaired.....never heard a word from them...ever!! After hearing so many bad stories about leaking, I never even bothered them about it again. Just forget it!!

I have been thru 2 Rowentas, even sent one back cause it was under warranty. But it took weeks to get it back, and then it didn't last too much longer. While I was waiting for my Rowenta to be returned, I bought the GE $19.95 model at Walmart, with a 2 year warranty...it pooped out b4 2 years, so I took it back and got a new one. I have done this twice, and so far no problems at Walmart. I think I'll just stick with the "cheapy joes".

Sue (this is my first posting)

I have a Rowenta too and it leaks and the dial that tells you how hot it is keeps falling out. Also, when I want steam it doesn't give me any and it's full to the top with water.

I love the "Shark" Irons. Best steam ever from any iron and you use plain tap water, not distilled. Has a self cleaning feature which is wonderful. I had two Rowentas. NEVER AGAIN! Good luck in your search. Hope you find one you really like.

What's bad is the Rowenta wasn't cheap either!

About the Rowenta irons: I've had mine for 20(?) years or so. Early on, I heard about the water tank leaking. Seems to be a problem that many people complain about. Well, instead of removing the tank to fill it, I use an emptied dishwashing liquid bottle to fill the tank while still on the iron. Have had NO problems with leaking!!

Then the other day I was watching a video of Ricky Tims. He stated that he NEVER uses the steam in a steam iron - any brand. He said that they will ALL spring a leak. So, he uses a spray bottle, sprays his fabric, then irons (or presses) his fabric. I have started doing that.

What a great idea Abacus!

I have a Rowenta Sew & Press, hey, about 6+ years old. Leaks like a sieve, but it still gets really hot. Don't know if they still sell that model, but it still works even after being dropped several times. I usually spray my fabrics and use the dry iron.

I just went on Consumers Report and they only had 2 irons that they stated were europeon made.

1) Rowenta Focus DZ5080 was recommended
2) Rowenta Effective DX1900 was not recommended

I have Rowenta Model# DM160 made in Germany. I've only been using it for about a year, but no problems. Did'nt pay that much for it. Maybe $35. I couldn't tell you about the 2 previous irons, as the managed to walk to my son's house...Maybe they didn't like working conditions.... :hunf:

Wow look at this I found:

make sure the model Rowenta you are buying says "MADE IN GERMANY ". At one time all the Rowenta irons were made in Germany, as a reduction in costs, the business is manufacturing many of its lower-priced models in China. The difference in quality between models made in Germany and China is quite dramatic.

The Rowentas used in the clothing industry by employees all seem to agree that the Rowenta Pro Maser DW-8080 made in Germany is the best Rowenta iron.

I just looked at mine and it's a sew n press and was made in Mexico.

I use a Rowenta iron that visited a concrete floor several times when I knocked it over. My dh had to glue it back together and duct tape it! Still works great and it's been over 10 years!

Meanwhile, just in case this iron ever bites the dust, I check out thrift shops when I have time. Have picked up two additional Rowentas that way, plus several older non-steam irons (get hotter than new irons and don't have holes, so are supposed to be great for making photo transfers; haven't done it yet, though), and several perfectly good irons I couldn't pass up at garage sales ($3 to $5). Apparently lots of people don't iron enough anymore to keep them around.

I have heard that the Rowentas with the removable water tank are bad, as they tend to leak. I have stayed away from those.

I have had to clean out my Rowenta from time to time. My method would void any warranty, but my iron is so old it's not on warranty anyway. I use "Iron Out" (same stuff you use in hot water heaters). I also sometimes have to take a pin to the little holes in the bottom because they get crusted with calcium from our water. (Just be sure the iron is cold when you do this!) I have also used vinegar and water in the iron to try to dissolve the mineral build-up from the water.