The older Black and Decker Classic does not have the auto shut off. The Continental dry iron will not last over a year maybe two. It will just quit working. I have had two go out after a year. I dropped my new Rowenta and now it leaks so I use it for fusing. Most stores won't sell an iron without an auto shut off, they can be sued if the house burns down. No joke. DH has taken several irons apart and knows how the auto shut off works so I guess he could disable it for me but right now my Classic Black and Decker is going strong. I bought several of the $9 irons at General Dollar and they get hot but too lightweight for me.