What a lot of people don't understand is that you cannot fill ANY iron with water after it is hot. It causes the soleplate to separate and lose the seal. I use a regular household iron with auto shut-off. I drop them so often that buying an expensive one would be a waste! :)

I have a heavy RELIABLE iron I purchased through Atlanta Thread.
I use rain water and filter that through a coffee filter and keep it in clean recycled bottles in my sewing room.
I love this iron.
I also have a light wieght iron purchased form wally world
for things other than good material or clothing

I have a rowenta too - I hate it - it leaks all the time. I had a black and decker that I loved - so one of these days I'm going to go to walmart and buy another one.

You mean they actually make steam irons that don't leak? :thumbdown:

Rowenta - leaked
Braun - Leaks
Sears - Leaked

If you find a new one that actually works and does not leak pass on the good news.

I have a Rowenta too, actually I have two. My very first one I had leaked too and then I finally read the instructions. I was using my tap water (which is soft) and you are not suppose to. So now I buy bottled water by the gallon for my irons and never have a problem. I love my Rowenta's!! I have one for my clothes and one for quilting. Wouldn't buy anything else. Happy Birthday!

GLADGRAMS and Everyone,

I have a B&D Classic for longer than I have been in this house - 10 years. (Rowenta leaked from begining.)

My only problem with any iron is that the steam holes stick on the edge of blocks. I am looking for a "completely dry" iron. One that does not give steam at all. So the blocks do not bunch up.

Any ideas, please?
Quilter68

Happy Birthday!!! I use the $8.00 one from Walmart. It's the only one I have found without an automatic shut off !!! I hate that the iron is cold every time I need it!! Rumor is that they are going to stop making any irons without auto shut off so I bought 4 before they remove them from the shelf. I have 2 expensive irons and still like my Walmart one best !!

Thanks !! Never heard that. Maybe I should read the directions !

how was your oliso misbehaving? I've had no probs with mine yet.

Oh what a love/hate relationship we have with irons. Can't tell you how many I've had over the years. Right now I use a Rowenta that (knock on wood) has behaved itself. Have no idea why since I've had two others that were horrible. There's a brand new Oreck that's been sitting on the shelf for a couple years and hasn't been plugged in yet. But when to comes to ironing linens - real linen tablecloths & napkins, I rely on the Westinghouse my mother bought in the mid 50s. It's very heavy and puts out loads of steam. Had to have hubby replace the old woven cloth cord on it. Remember those big round black rubber plugs? hahaha