Do you love your ironrite?

[karmann]

I've looked for a mangle for years. I like ironed sheets, cup towels and table linens. I purchased an Ironrite model 85 a while back. I got it for $50, and it was in working condition. I had to do a little work to it such as a new grounded cord, change the oil in the transmission and unstick the thermostat. I love this thing. My teenagers and my husband think I've gone batty with the ironing. My dad just laughs and keeps telling me I need to buy another one to use for parts, should I need to replace anything on mine.

Is anyone else out there crazy about their ironrite?

This is a picture of the model I have. Mine isn't quite as pristine, but it doesn't look too bad.

Oh, I will say my 18 y.o. daughter doesn't give me a hard time about my ironer anymore. She likes her sheets ironed, and now that can be done in about 5 minutes......now she understands....

 

[laundromat]

I know George Edmondson in Aroro Grande, Calif loves his.I had FRIGIDAIRE's version of one years ago.It was a two speed model!

 

[michaelman2]

I love them as well. I have 10 of the things. My addiction started when I said the same thing " I need to have another for parts" in case my unit breaks down. Well my partner and I collected these things all over the country and once time went on a "mangle triangle" from Atlanta to Michigan, Ohio, TN and back to Atlanta..IN ONE WEEKEND....lord the things I put that man through. The problem is getting someone to work on the machines when you have the parts. I have looked for several years and no one has ever been able to work on any of my units.......Love them!....write me and I will give you my email. I have some cool Ironrite books and collectables.

 

[launderess]

Only have one Ironrite, and it is the smaller portable "890" model, and do love the little guy. However for my money prefer my larger Pfaff ironer, which is based upon the Ironrite design.

Like being able to adjust speed via foot control on the Pfaff, besides it's longer (85cm) roller.

Still Ironrites are streets ahead of other ironers with only one open end, IMHO. If one does only flatwork, then having two open ends probably won't make a difference, but for fitted sheets (which one really hates), shirts and other items, it works a treat.

Have only one vintage Ironrite part stashed in my spares cabinet, a MIB heating element.

Maybe we ironer users should get together and start an ironer blog or chat, there are so many of us out there but since Ironrite.com went away, no central meeting place.

L.

 

[ironrite]

Good Ironing is Dry Ironing

Due to space limitations, I had to sell my Ironrite a few years ago. So, now loving the Rowenta Steam Press. After a year, it's still going strong. I received a very nice service manual a couple of years ago from one of the members here. Also included was some literature on the gas fired Ironrites and Ironrites for use in self serve laundries. Think of the liability problems of that today.

There have been links in the past to that website that has both parts of the Ironrite video. It shows how to iron just about anything!

 

[launderess]

Gas Ironrites

Appear on eBay and other sales now and then, as do the 220v models. Both as stated above were for commercial use, though from the start of offering domestic ironers, many brands such as Simplex offered gas versions for domestic use. Remember gas used to light homes on both sides of the pond long before it was used for just cooking, so connections of that nature would not have been out of the ordinary. Indeed until reliable electric power heating elements came along, most all ironers ran on steam or gas heat.

One probably could arrange to have a small gas powered ironer installed today, such items are still sold for commercial use, and long as the thing was done properly there is no more risk than say using a gas range or tumble dryer.

Did you know?

Ironrites were so popular the federal government slapped an excise tax on each unit? It was one of the reasons for their demise.

L.

 

[launderess]

The Late Mike Arnold

Was a wizard at reparing vintage ironers, but sadly he is no longer with us. There was also the little matter of getting behemoth appliances like vintage ironers to upstate New York.

If properly maintained, Ironrites, and indeed most vintage ironers tend to keep going and going with little or no problems. The only thing one does not like about Ironrites is the whole business about transmission oil changing. Never understood why Ironrite did't go with permanent oiled and sealed gears boxes.

L.

 

[sudsmaster]

Transmission oil changing

"The only thing one does not like about Ironrites is the whole business about transmission oil changing. Never understood why Ironrite did't go with permanent oiled and sealed gears boxes. "

My guess is that at the time the Ironrite was originally developed/manufactured, available lubricating oils and/or metal alloys for gears, bearings, etc. were not quite up to being sealed for life. So the unit would last longer if periodic transmisison oil changes were done. A lot of early motors have little oilers for their bearings, similar story there, I guess.

I had some old Ironrite parts - they were part of the probate sale for the house/garage. But I tossed them a few months ago after nobody seemed to want them. Heavy heavy stuff. Don't know if they would have been of any use to anyone here, anyway, though. I kept the name plate.

 

[laundromat]

Michaelman2,

You need to get in touch with C.B.S. and see if they'll have you show those beauties off on their award winning show-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Meet the Press"! LOL

 

[Maytagluver]

Love my Ironrite '85'

Got mine a couple years ago from Ebay, the seller was very close, gave $1.00 for it.

Not a week goes by that I don't use it for my shirts. Does an AWESOME job.

I can remember my grandma ironing her 'starched' sheets on her Ironrite. I don't go to that bother. Sure am happy to have my IRONRITE !!!! Hope that it hangs on for many more years !!

Best Regards

 

[michaelman2]

Michaelman2,

You need to get in touch with C.B.S. and see if they'll have you show those beauties off on their award winning show-"Meet the Press"! LOL
LOL is right Laundromat...you are a hoot.....and they could send another "working stiff" to do the interview maybe?....I wish I had a space to show all of them..I have (I think ) almost every model that was produced. I also have several GE flat ironers..that are just too cool. They were mechanical and look similar to a cross between an ironrite and the new flat type presses.

 

[maytagbear]

Uh,

"Meet The Press" has always, to my knowledge, been on NBC.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[toggleswitch2]

He's actualy a great guy! *WAVES*

 

[easyspindry]

I love my Ironrite

I've had mine for 3 years now. Grew up with neighbors who had one, but I never got to use it -- too dangerous for a 6 year old.

I do all my shirts on the Ironrite. My washer spins fast enough that I can iron shirts straight from the washer -- no sprinkling. And it can put a crease in a pair of pants sharp enough to use as a razor. It's a great machine.

I've never changed the oil mainly because I don't know what kind of oil to replace it with. Anybody got any suggestions? I'd love to hear from you.

Jerry Gay

 

[karmann]

Easyspindry,

You need to use a 20 or 40 weight non-detergent oil. I managed to find some non-detergent oil at an old hardware store. The non-detergent is the most important part, or so I've been told. I think you need to put 5 oz. in it, but no more.

 

[laundromat]

Sorry Maytagbear,I was having a 60 Minutes relapse!! I hope that's not a permanant press release.I'd hate to see anybody get all steamed up about my mist take!I didn't want to mangle the idea of someone who has so many wrinkle removing objects.You see how iron ic things get sometimes? Did I tell you I have a date with Mary Proctor? SHE"S HOT!!! LOL

 

[dalangdon]

Speaking of Ironers.....

A lovely PINK Kenmore ironer is available here in Seattle. The price is certainly right...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/for/788576682.html

 

[easyspindry]

Thanks Karmann

I'm going to get to work right away searching for non-detergent oil. In fact, there's a "old" hardware store not far from me.

Thanks again.

Jerry Gay

 

[jbuscemi]

I was amused to see that there are other people out there who recognizethe value of a good ironer. as a kid growing up , we had a Conlon Ironer. It was quite the machine. It diedhowever somwetime in the early 1970s. The heating element wentin it and that was that . I think that my folks bought it around 1947 or so.