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danemodsandy

danemodsandy

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Joined
Dec 6, 2006
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I had my first decent score in FOREVER today- a General Electric iron. I'm wondering if any of our iron experts (like maybe Launderess) might know a bit about it.

The model number is H1F115. It's chrome, with a black Bakelite handle and a turquoise cord. It's a steam model, with a surge-of-steam feature. It looks like it might be early-to-mid '70s (and I seem to remember surge-of-steam being introduced around that time). It's about six or seven pounds of metal and real Bakelite, nice and substantial. Oddly, there is no spray, just surge-of-steam. It looks very similar to the photo below, similar enough that mine looks like an updated version of this one. The only differences are the turquoise cord, the buttons for steam and surge, and the ironing guide label on the handle.

Four bucks, and working pretty well, though a bit "spitty" for the moment. Anyone know more about this beauty (sorry, no pics)? I'd love to know when it was made.

1-3-2008-18-22-41--danemodsandy.jpg
 
The iron in the photo above is GE's first model STEAM and SPRAY iron. This model was actually from 1958. The SURGE of STEAM version made its debut in the late 60's along with GE's SELF CLEAN feature introduced just a little later. The above iron featured a drip type of steam action in a sealed chamber that became pressurized and allowed for the POWER SPRAY feature. GE and PROCTOR SILEX were the only two manufacturers to feature a pressurized power spray. They worked very well and it was an ingenious design. Hope that helps!
 
Three of my favorite irons, NEW IN THE BOX, never used......Ive always been in awe of the PRESTO iron on the left, a very stunning design with enclosed body, unique steam feature and padded handle. And its a wonderful color too...........

1-3-2008-18-41-0--FilterFlo.jpg
 
FilterFlo:

Thanks! Given that this is a vintage unit, what would your thoughts about using it be? It's working fine, but I hate to be the one who takes a vintage find and runs it into the ground. It was so great to iron a shirt with it and have the weight I remember! Makes ironing much easier.

Or am I being too concerned? I've been through so many of today's electronic wonders, all of which eventually have their electronics short out, and there goes your iron, whether it's a $10 Proctor-Silex or a $150 Rowenta. Is it possible that I could use a vintage iron without contributing to its demise? I iron a couple of loads a week- I likes me my razor creases.
 
I would certainly go ahead and use it. It will last a long long time if you take care of it. What usually does them in is either they get dropped or they get clogged up from water deposits. You can ease that problem by using distilled water in them.......... I use all of my irons, Im sure they will outlast ME! They were built to use, so go ahead and enjoy they. BTW, these are not hard to find at either estate sales or thrift shops. Ebay has them on from time to time, they are just expensive to ship........ Each design is unique to itself. I love them all.........(see Mike, no Aspergers here! HA HA!!) Jimmy
 
FilterFlo:

ZOWIE!! Wotta collection! I can see why you're so fond of that Presto- neat, neat design. Thanks for sharing!

My "new" GE looks very much like the GE next to your Presto, except that mine has a round turquoise button for the surge where yours has a rectangular light blue button for the spray. Mine also does not have the water window.
 
Since Im snapping photos, I found this not long ago. Another new in the box never used item. I had this exact opener many years ago in my parents house and they work great. GE sure made quality small appliances too........sigh, looks like those days are over! .......

1-3-2008-19-13-22--FilterFlo.jpg
 
Close up, it sure is interesting, the amount of time spent to put detail into these items....... Its so sad to see designers moving away from this sort of design......The color and texture of these 50's and 60's items is amazing

1-3-2008-19-15-12--FilterFlo.jpg
 
Jimmy,
I didn't see any blenders on your shelves, but would you be interested in this Iona blender? It seems to work, but I have not put any food into it. Made locally in Connecticut. I'm undecided about whether or not to keep it, but if someone is interested, I would let it go to a good home.
Fred.

1-3-2008-21-40-1--Blackstone.jpg
 
Hi Fred, Happy New Year. The blender dept in my showroom is on the opposite side of the room! So I didnt take any pictures of it. I only have about 15 blenders (so far). Well, maybe 20! Thanks for the offer on the Iona blender, but maybe someone else could use it instead of me. Iona is not my favorite brand.......but it sure does look neat....I appreciate the offer just the same. Now if it was the elusive Hollywood Blender! Ever seen one of those?
 
Love those Hollywood blenders. I haven't got one yet either. Occasionally one will show up on ebay but have resisted so far. I think I'm at about 40 give or take which is probably enough for now because collecting them just got me going collecting all the other stuff which has overtaken everything LOL
 
Definitely,

you should enjoy this iron. I remember using one in the 1970's. Heavy enough to feel 'right' in your hand, decent steam output and just plain pleasant to use.
Distilled water was a must for those irons in Colorado, though. Something about the water just ate up their guts. So you might want to be careful there.
Seems like their thermostats kept the temperature more accurately then the current irons, or maybe it was just all that mass. Anyway, I can remember ironing the last of the Nytest shirts with one and not melting it.
 
HI FilterFlo

I have a Westinghouse iron just exactly like the one that you have shown. I bought it for my mother in 1962 at the local Jewell T for $15.00. I still have the box for it and is on display in my kitchen. I believe the thermostat may have a regulation problem? It heats up way to high and doesn't seem to shut off soon enough. Is it possible to have it looked at and get it repaired?
My grandmother had a Mary Proctor iron with a really neat plastic(I believe)transulcent red and yellow handle on it. Have fun. Gary
 
Sandy, it'd be a shame not to use this iron. I'm quite fond of the next generation GE version that I believe uses similar internals but is slightly more sylized. The beautiful thing about these GE's is that they're completely repairable. I've been using one as my daily driver for the last couple years- everyone that tries it can't believe how nicely it works. If you run into trouble just let us know, I might have one in your model in the basement for parts- Cory
 
Cory:

That's the most reassuring message I've read here in a long time!

I have some things to do to this one before putting it into real use. I think it really needs a descaling inside, and I need to get busy with the emery paper and 0000 steel wool on the soleplate- there was a dark, rough patch on it, near the heel. A Brillo pad smoothed it, but it's still ug and lee.

I can't wait to run this baby over a dress shirt! Thanks to you and to Jimmy, I'm greatly reassured about using this iron. I hate it when someone runs a neat vintage item into the ground, so I was trying to make sure I got the scoop before proceeding. I really appreciate it.
 
Must Find Some Vintage Fabrics!

I just took a close look at the ironing guide on the handle- it shows several synthetics I haven't thought of in years:
- Acrilan
- Creslan
- Orlon
- Dacron
- Fortrel
- Kodel
- Trevira

All of these are acrylics and polyesters, but I haven't seen these names in a long, long time.
 

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