I wonder if our iron problems are more related to how we use them, vs. how our mothers used their irons.
And the iron makers are still building them for our mother's use habits.

Mom did wash once a week, followed by an ironing day once a week. The first iron I remember was a flat sole and she used a sprinkler to prep before pressing.
The next was a Black and Decker steam, which I inherited some 20 years later, she decided being retired meant she didn't have to iron anymore.

But ... When she was finished ironing she always emptied out the remaining water. Always. Always.
We on the other hand leave our water in the iron and refill and refill and refill. And I've never heard anyone here (except in the starch in the iron thread) talk about iron maintenance... Letting it steam out on a rack over the sink. Most commonly with a splash of white vinegar.

Personally, I'd forgotten all about this step, and I'm thinking the way we use our irons, doing this once a month would probably eliminate the dirty bubbles that sometimes come out. Is that way you all mean by leaking?

It is a thought anyway, I'm going to give mine the sink spa treatment today.

Black and Decker
 

I too had problems with a Rowenta leaking so I purchased a Black and Decker and have been happy since.

When I had my LauraStar steam generator they recommended rinsing out the generator every so many hours. Since I could never figure out whether that was hours on or hours used, I just did a thorough rinse according to their instructions every time I had to refill. The iron worked for 10 years with a lot of heavy usage. You're probably right about the way our mother's used their irons vs the way we do. I mostly sew on weekends now and I think I'll start emptying my iron on Sunday night and letting it dry. I think I"ll try steaming it out, too.

I have had both. The rowenta leasks and the Oliso doesn't hold enough water and it can spit.

I love my Rowenta, but I'm on my third. My dials have been the problem. I also have an Oliso, which is much too heavy for me.

Buying an iron is more problematic than buying a sewing machine these days. There doesn't seem to be any manufacturer that you can depend on for a consistently good experience. Every positive story has a corresponding negative one. Sheesh.

I needed a new iron for my NC home. I have a Rowenta at our NY place that I've used for yers and really like. I don't put water in my irons so leaking isn't a concern for me. I just want heat and lots of it. I researched and bought a Rowenta Steamforce, which was rated #1 by Consumer Reports. It was hot but weighed a ton. My elbow started to ache after using it a while so I bought an Oliso. Still heavy but I don't have to lift it much. So far so good, but it's only been a few months.

I did look at the Rowenta website today and they tell you which irons are made in Germany. I think I will steer clear of any that aren't specifically labeled 'Made in Germany' in the future. Maybe that's the key.

The German Rowentas are better. Where the iron is made is on the box. The only China made Rowenta I have is the travel iron and that one has worked well. I actually wore one travel iron out and had to buy a new one.

I never put water in any of my irons. I prefer to spray, since there does seem to be a lot of leakage with any iron.

However, I recently purchased a Panasonic Cordless and have been very happy with it. Again, no water in the iron. I do have to remember to put in the cradle properly, but otherwise it has been great.

I just buy a procter silex from Walmart. (Approx. $10) Last one lasted me twelve years and no issues!

I love my cordless Panasonic. Does the job great and no cord hassel