Steam Irons
 

I have had two irons and many times asked people what iron they use and is it hot enough and do they like it. Not once did anyone (professional or otherwise) mention that I might want to check the wattage before buying. I was in Walmart the other day and watts stuck out at me and it dawned on me I didn't have a clue what mine was and maybe that is why I didn't like it. Long/short - mine is a Rowenta 1400 watt. No wonder it doesn't get hot enough for me. I saw them up to 1800 watts... lots of money though.

Just mentioning this so when asked about how hot an iron gets maybe the answer should be in watts?

I'm down to one iron. My Black and Decker that I thought was 'ok' wouldn't work after I cleaned it. I threw it away before checking the watts so I don't know that answer. :-( It was better than the Rowenta.

Just something to chew on. LOL

Just realize that an iron is one of the biggest guzzler of electricity. I bought mine Rowenta at Costco for around $60 and it is a 1650 watt. I never leave it on unless I am using it.

Actually, anything that 'heats' is an elec guzzler. I always shut mine off between uses. So, how do you like your 1650? Does it actually iron material good? My 1400, even when sprayed, doesn't completely get the material right. I'm not talking heavy creases - just normal folds. Wondering just how high to go for my next iron and if its necessary to go high. :-)

I learned to check wattage for a different reason. I used an hourly timer for the iron. Set it for 2 hours, and if I forgot to turn it off, the timer turned it off. Took a good look at the Rowenta steam generator and it was only supposed to be used for 1400 watts.

What happens if you spritz your fabric with a spray bottle, then iron? If the iron works then, your spray may be wonky.

It could also be your steam pattern, how and when, not how hot the iron gets. Check the wattage on some of the Rowentas since they seem to be the most common, and then check the reviews and ratings. Amazon should have a few of those, plus other iron mfg.

I find my Reliable Velocity working far better than a Rowenta steam generator. You have to fill it more and the Reliable doesn't feel like it's heavier than the Rowenta.

Thats interesting because my rowenta gets hotter than any other iron I own and it was not the most expensive one either. Its the only reason I haven't tossed it since its so old it leaks like crazy now. Now I use it as my dry iron

Yes! I learned to check wattage. One tip I picked up from this board and it works for me. When I have to iron wrinkles out, I have a spray bottle. I use white distilled vinegar and distilled water. 1/4 cup vinegar to 20 oz bottle of water. If you need more then so be it. One thing I've done for years and picked the habit up when I worked in the salon, I unplugged the power strip and the cord was where I could see it. Don't have to worry if anything is on when you're not in the room and if anything gets knocked over you're in good.

What is the watts?

I don't use water in the iron - haven't for a long time. I use a spray bottle. I'll try it with vinegar and water next time.

Owned 2 Rowentas, didn't last long. Replaced with Black & Decker and it's going strong. Not sure of wattage but will keep it in mind when time to replace. My B&D turns off after maybe 10 minutes.

I love my Rowenta Pro Master 8080. It is 1700 watts, gets really hot quickly and has tons of steam. I have had it about 2 years, still no leaking. On the heavy side however.

I bought a Shark Professional (box says - #1 most powerful steam). It's a 1600 watt (which I had to look for in the owner's guide) and I don't think it gets hot enough. I hate how they all have the auto shut-off after what seems like only a couple of minutes (guide says 8 minutes). I keep my iron set up in the bedroom next to my sewing room so I have to walk more (on purpose) to do my pressing.

I have a Digital Velocity V100 Steam iron, 1800 watts. I looked for a higher wattage when purchasing the iron. It gets plenty hot, and produces the best steam of any iron I've ever owned. It's designed so that it can't leak. I usually use it dry, but I like knowing that the steam is there when I need it.

I use my Black and Decker Classic, non auto shut off, it is 1100 watts. It gets hot enough for me. It's stamped on the bottom of the heel rest. It's not just for irons also electric mixers. Ever wonder why some counter top mixers are cheaper but look the same? It's the wattage. Same with the hand held mixers. Wattage does make a big difference in performance. I use the cheap $6-$9 irons for fusing. They get hot enough to fuse but not to hot to burn the adhesive. When I find a new one at Walmart for $6 I buy several, makes a nice but inexpensive door prize for guild meetings.

I bought a Shark from Walmart. Heats quickly (to me anyway) and has an auto shut off after not being used for maybe 5 minutes.

I have the Panasonic NI-L70SR Cordless Iron and I love it. I don't think it gets as hot as the corded iron that I had before but I love, love, LOVE not having to fiddle around with the cord. It is 1500w and does a good job with steam. I've had it for about five years now.

It does have an auto shut off but a warning light blinks before that happens. Since I'm usually in the sew, press, sew, press mode it has never been an issue for me. Also, even when it does go off, it reheats very quickly.

I have been through SO many irons trying to find one that was hot enough, heated up quickly and stayed on longer than a nano second!!! Currently I'm happy with my Hamilton Beach 1500 watt from Walmart that I've had for two years. It doesn't leak, has decent steam and stays on for 30 minutes which is a biggie for me because I constantly press when sewing. Plus, it has a retractable cord...yeah!

I have a rowenta and a dry iron. Find myself using the dry iron more than the rowenta. I use a spray bottle with home made Best Press. The dry iron also does not shut off like the rowenta and it only cost me about $20

Recently purchased a Rowenta 1800 w. off QVC, it works great, a bit heavy, steams well around $60, they were showing this iron as I was scrolling looking for something to watch and hubs ordered it for me....Love it so far...

(Don't tell anyone, but I bought a cheap "Rival" iron form a big box store, and believe it or not it is great.). Mine is a nice weight, makes the seams lie flat, and has a Teflon sole plate. It works just fine for me, and after replacing several after they were dropped or knocked off by one of the cat people, I just buy inexpensive. Never had a problem with them. I also have to iron dressy western shirts for BIL, since DS can't do a decent job of ironing. Works fine for that too. I do hate the shut off, but it reheats very quickly, usually while I am still preparing to press an item.

I use a Continental dry iron purchased from Amazon for around $45. No steam (I use 50/50 Best Press/water), never shuts off, and gets and stays HOT. I bought it primarily to use with fusibles; since it has no steam holes, there are no little unfused spots, but liked it so much it became my go-to iron. I have one of the new Panasonic cordless irons (the sole plate is shaped like a football) and really like it, too, but the auto-shut off is aggravating, even though it does heat up quickly.

I really read up on the comparisons of irons, and decided that the Black and Decker was what I wanted, I love it, it stays hot enough to do the job. My only gripe is that the auto shut off is too quick to suit me and I am always waiting for it to heat up again. Guess we are never perfectly happy with what we have

I purchased a Tfal about 2 years ago. It is 1700 watts and gets very hot. I don't think this iron is mentioned much, but has been great. It has an auto shut off after 8 minutes but heats up in seconds.

I bought it because it was red! :D

I've been happy with my inexpensive 1200w Sunbeam.

Just received a small Black & Decker travel one. Haven't tried it out yet.

I went to a all day sew in and my friend had a procter silex and it was pluged in allday it seamed and light weight she bought at a yard sale for 50 cents I came home got one amazon for about 12.00. love it does not go off auto so plug it into strip with red light so know if iron on .