My Rowenta Iron Caught Fire!!!
 

I purchased a Rowenta Focus DZ5080 several years ago. I absolutely loved my iron. It started leaking, but was way past warranty, so I just lived with it. I spent a lot of money for this iron and couldn't just throw it away. Yesterday, the iron started smelling funny and I got up to check the garage, thinking my husband was doing something. Then I decided that I had scorched some synthetic ribbon when ironing some quilt blocks. The smell was strong, so I unplugged it to cool and clean the face plate. While sitting on my kitchen counter, I plugged it in and it caught on fire at the base, inside the iron! Wow, I hate to think of what could have happened if I had stepped away waiting for the iron to heat up.

I did some research and found that many (115 so far) of the Rowenta irons have been reported catching fire. I could not find a recall notice on the Consumer Safety website. I have emailed the Rowenta corporation about this. I don't expect any financial compensation, but I am very concerned that someone could get hurt or worse. Has this happened to any of you?

YIKES!!! Didn't someone else just post, not too long ago, about an iron catching fire? Can't remember the brand but do remember it was one of the "nicer" ones (also Rowenta?). I always unplug my iron, when I leave it . . . but even still, that should never happen!!! :thumbdown:

No, but I'll be keeping a VERY close eye (and nose) on mine. Mine is a different model - Professional Luxe DM 880. Yikes! So glad you were right there!!

Huh. I have a Rowenta that recently started leaking rusty water (after years and years of good service) so now I use it dry, and occasionally I smell something odd as well. Wonder if mine is getting ready to blow. Mine has an auto-turn off switch, so it's always plugged in...

My rowenta travel iron exploded and blew out the circut

There was a post just the other day about irons. I have two Rowenta's, both cost over $100.00 and both less than 6mos. old when I started having problems. One spits, sizzles and leaks everywhere and the other just leaks all over the ironing board and whatever I happen to be ironing at the time. Someone suggested I use them dry but with the sizzling I wouldn't take a chance. Again.... the problem is no one repairs them so what do you do..... toss them?

I unplug my iron when not using it. Even though it has a auto-shutoff thingy. My iron is a Black and Decker model I bought it at Wal Mart for less than 20 bucks.

Sure makes me happy to have a new late 50s/early 60s GE dry iron. No fancy anything. Even though it's a good 50 years old it's only been in use about 6 years so I figure it'll last the rest of my life!

There have been way too many reports of Rowentas catching on fire for me to even entertain the thought of purchasing one.