I know we talked about this topic before, but I can't find it :cry: I was at JA yesterday and all they carried was Rowanta brand. I do remember you all saying that was not a good brand. I don't want the little ittsy bittsy iron. I guess it's more the size of a "travel iron" and I want my $$ to buy an iron that will last. Thank you all!

I have a Rowanta Iron and have had no problems with it

I don't think I'll ever buy another Rowenta...I've had nothing but problems with them leaking. Kohl's is always happy to exchange them for me. I've had this latest one for about 5 months now and it's already giving me problems. I don't know what I'll buy next though. I'm curious how many other people have problems with theirs.

I had my first Rowenta for about 7 years and have had this one for about 3 years now.
I love it!

My Rowenta is probably 12 years old and I love it. Maybe the new ones aren't being made as well anymore? They used to be the best irons on the market.

I like my Rowenta just fine. It is about 10 years old. But I am going to try a Shark when this one goes, just because I have a travel shark that I love and not as expensive as a Rowenta.

I believe like Candace that things are just not made the way they use to be. I wonder where the Rowanta irons are made. I would be very surprised if they were made in the USA! Shaverg, I haven't heard the Shark brand before. Where did you purchase yours?

I think I'm going to try to get to our library and see if Consumer's Report ever did an article on Rowanta irons.

Aren't they made in Germany? I don't have the box it came in anymore.

Actually the shark was given to be by my MIL, she got it as a gift for buying a shark. But you can purchase them at Walmart. They use to be a catalog item, but are now carried in many stores.

Thanks, ladies! I'll do some more research and let you know what I find out!

i have the Rowenta that doesn't shut off automatically.

The first Rowenta that I bought, around 2 years ago, spits and leaks, but I purchased a second one (different MODEL) on clearance at JoAnns for around $15 dollars, and this one works like a dream! Must be certain models!

Spitting/leaking irons is the bane of my existence!!! No matter the iron, after 2 or 3 months they start spitting and soon leaking to the point where I couldn't put any water in them. Soooooo I made the decision to buy a cheap steam iron w/auto shut off and use it until it starts to leak then throw it away and go get another one. I'm talking cheap - $19.99 at WalMart.

BTW - the last iron that went in the trash was a Shark. I like the way it steamed. It just didn't last long.

I have used a rowenta for 4 years now, and have nothing bad to say about it. I like the automatic shutoff. The iron I had prior to this one did not get hot enough to do a good job of pressing.

I agree buy a cheap one. Mine don't last long, no matter how much I pay.

The best iron I've ever had is a Black and Decker Steam Advantage (I think it was Steam Advantage). Wal-mart has them for $20 - $25

My Rowenta Pro is 5 or 6 years old now and works fine. Love the powerful shot of steam for squaring up blocks, and the auto shutoff has me spoiled. I would need a while to get used to one that did not shut off.

The last time I was in Walmart I saw that they had the shark iron that I paid over a hundred for at my LQS.

Didn't have a chance to get to the library this afternoon because I was sitting in front of this computer! I went to a place: www.wize.com and put in: "steam irons for quilting". I am now TOTALLY confused!!

Are you satisfied with your Shark?

I have 3 Rowenta's and love them all.

I'm with Kitty. Have had the B & D Digital Advantage for years, recommended by Consumer Reports. It has consistant steam, which is very important to me, and a reasonable price. I only use distilled water and it has never 'spit'. Would buy another one.
Mary Ellen

I saw Mark Lipinski do an iron demonstration online, and the iron he recommended was the Reliable V100 Digital Velocity Iron.

A BIG "thank you" to all of you for your great comments and suggestions! I'm going to check out the several brands you recommended and I'll let you know which iron I get. Thanks again, you're all great friends :-D

Rowenta was my first iron... and I loved it until I wore it out.... It is still my first choice. It's pricey but sooooo worth it. You should lift up your prospective iron... and slide it over some fabric so you get a feel for how it would be to use it... there is a huge difference between irons. Good luck on your hunt! :mrgreen:

everything i ever had broke too soon. now i buy the cheapest and it breaks in the same time. i'm ahead of the game. oh, my current GE says 'no distilled H2O'.

I too have had nothing but trouble with Rowenta. They LEAK and they are expensive. Yes, the dealer will replace them but that's a bother and I have ruined a couple of fabrics with water spots.

I bought a vintage GE portable steam iron a couple years ago and it's my favorite iron for quilting. It gets really hot and allows me to decide when to turn it off. I use it with the pressing board I made and keep it close to the sewing machine. I only paid about 10.00 including shipping on Ebay. It looks like the prices are up a bit since then, but I'd buy another even at a higher price. Having said that, I also own a Black and Decker Digital Advantage which is proving to be a good iron, but I use it for other ironing tasks.

If you decide to buy Rowenta, you should know that Joann's price is high. If possible, do a price comparison. I am a member of Sam's Club and have bought my last 2 Rowenta irons there for quite a lot less money than Joann's was asking.

I was given an expensive Rowenta several years ago and hated it until I started using distilled water in it. It is much better now. For my quilting I have a $10 Perfection I bought at Walgreens on sale. It works just as well! I also use a small Conair for small pieces. The 2 big irons have auto shut off (which I need because I forget to turn them off!). The small one does not shut off and I ask my husband to check the quilting room every night to make sure I haven't left it on.

Every Rowenta iron I have - about 4 or 5 - has leaked. Definitely not worth the money as far as I'm concerned. I took a class where the instructor had one of the Rowentas that had the water tank and it was even worse than any of the other Rowenta irons I've had. I have a Black and Decker that I'm pleased enough with. It doesn't seem to get as hot as the Rowenta, but it doesn't leak, which I guess is more important to me. Not so much when I'm quilting, but when I switch over to pressing clothing.

If the Rowenta box says made in Germany it's a good one. Some Rowenta are not made in Germany, they aren't as good quality. Check the box before buying. The best domestic iron on the market right now according to the quilting reviews is the Reliable iron.

Check out my thrift store iron find in Links and Resources section!

I agree. I've gone through about 5 Rowentas in my lifetime and will not purchase another, either. Macy's is having a sale on the 27th, and i'm going to try the $17 Black & Decker. I've thrown away a great deal of money on the Rowentas.

i have had my7 black and decker iron for about 5 yrs. and it was purchased at a thrift stor no telling how old it is i have had to clean it with some iron cleaner you put it in let it stam and than emptie it but other than that i have had no problems i am thinking of gettin a neq one just to say i have a new iron or mably if i take this quilt class they wont laught at my iron again shure has done me a good job

I also gave up on my expensive Rowenta and got the Black and Decker Digital Advantage. I use regular water and it performs great. I do like to iron (vs. press for quilting) and it works great. I've had it about 5 years.

I have had my Rowenta now for over 3 years and I really like it. And when I take it with me to quilting retreats or just sewing with my sister or SIL they really like it also.

I had a Rowenta iron for 15 years and loved it - it finally started making funny noises, like something was shorting out where the lead met the iron, so it had to go.

Since I hated the thought of one that switched itself on and off, I purchased a new Rowenta, much fancier, which spit and leaked all over the place and the size of it overwhelmed my short arms and small hands (I'm only 4'11'!) It cost about $110. I returned it (I bought it somewhere online, can't remember where).

I then bought the Rowenta Effective from Bed, Bath & Beyond (in town) - it's more or less the same as the original one I had and I knew would be much easier to return if I didn't get on with it (and the assistant encouraged me to return it if that was the case) - I have had no problems with it at all.

The new generation of irons seem to be huge and heavy. I love my iron (I've had it about six months now). The only thing I don't like is that darned auto switch-off. I know it's a safety thing, and a couple of times I've found it still on the next day (no longer hot, of course) - still, it bugs me

DH bought me a Rowenta from Hancocks for Christmas. It has great steam and gets hot quickly. I am not fond of the auto shut-off and it is sooo heavy!! i am getting used to it and I hope it lasts for awhile.