favorite "new" iron

[vacuumfreeeke]

I know some of you here prefer vintage irons or automatic ironers... but what about modern irons? If you had to go out and buy one today, what would you get?

I've had a Rowenta Surfline for about 6 years. I paid 69 dollars for it at Target 6 years ago... I bought it new after the Black and Decker I had previously gotten from a thrift store fell apart on me. I knew that Rowenta was a "prestigious" name in irons and I wanted something that was good quality. Well... I've been pretty underwhelmed with its performance. It was OK when new, but over the years it's been getting worse and worse. Granted I've dropped it MANY times, and it still "works" (turns on). Lately, it's been producing steam and leaking all over my clothes even when I have it set to dry iron and maximum heat. The only way to dry iron is to pour the water out. Plus, it's hard to fill... the opening is just inane and I usually use a small kitchen funnel to fill it... and still spill water all over the iron and ironing board!

So, last night I got fed up and went to Lowes (it was either that or Wal-mart, I didn't want to drive very far). I bought a new Rowenta for 69 dollars. Not the top of the line model, but a Rowenta nonetheless. I have always said that I wouldn't get another Rowenta because I haven't been impressed by my current one. However, when comparing them to the junk made by Black and Decker, Sunbeam, and Euro Pro (Shark), I really didn't have a choice. I had hoped my next iron would be cordless or have a retractable cord, and have a removable water tank... but I didn't see those features on any of the irons available. I have a friend with a Panasonic and it has the retractable cord and removable tank... very nice! The the the iron quality doesn't seem so great... it creaks and groans when you really press down with it.

The new one seems to have a pretty powerful blast of steam, though it's different than the old one was when new. The old one would actually rise up off the ironing board a little bit when I hit the steam burst button. This one is more evenly distributed and does not do that. It seems to heat up quicker. The fill hole is bigger. It also has a cover so the water doesn't slosh out when ironing (a common problem with the old model). This model also came with a pitcher for filling, I like that. The handle is much more comfortable as well. Plus, it's black and silver instead of white... so it matches the paper shredder, computer and peripherals, electric stapler, and alarm clock!

I'm impressed with the quality so far, even though I didn't get any features I wanted. But many appliances are nice right out of the box. We'll see how it holds up over time.

So.... if you had to get a new iron, what would you get? If there's a better option out there for the money, I still have time to return this one. I hate ironing as much as I love vacuuming so having a quality appliance is very important... I don't want to fool around with a toy that is going to frustrate me. I have to iron khaki pants and Columbia button up shirts for work regularly. My grandma could iron like nobody's business... but she used an OLD iron that had a cord with LAYERS of tape on covering the bare spots! And never used steam! She just pressed really hard! Personally, I'd rather let the heat and steam do the work!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

sole plate

Old on left, new on right

I remember the first time I saw the QVC segment that featured Rowenta. They said the iron had "dimples" on the sole plate to help it glide on a cushion of air and be easier to push. Well, that was a gimmick... the new one doesn't have them and it is just as easy to push!

 

[petek]

One thing you really should be doing is using distilled water in your iron, never use tap or regular bottled water because they both contain minerals that eventually clog the machine up. Get yourself a gallon jug of it and you'll be set for a couple of months or more.

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

The manual specifically forbids distilled water!

 

[ptcruiser51]

Distilled Water

No matter WHAT the instructions say! I have never used tap water and my irons have lasted 12 years or more without a leak or a spit! In the summer, I use the water from my sister's basement dehumidifier=free! I iron a lot. Currently I'm using an Everstar (Home Depot's brand) that I got for ten bucks at work. Works great - lots of steam and even heat. Prior to that I used a Sunbeam SteamMaster for 15 years until the swivel cord shorted out.

 

[frigilux]

I had a pricey Rowenta and loved it, except for the 'spitting' spots on my dress shirts. I finally picked up CR's top pick, a Black and Decker digital model, for about $50. The B & D doesn't glide quite as effortlessly as the Rowenta, but it out-steams it and it never spits/leaks/drips.

 

[petek]

Wow that's a first about NOT using distilled water? Every iron I've had also said it was preferable to use distilled water.

 

[dogboy44]

Black and Decker Classic

In our 26yrs together, this is the only iron we have used I think we have had 4 or 5 of them and they get daily use. I think the first couple were GE before Black and Decker took over. The only times I have ever had to replace it was went it was dropped. They don't like that. It got kind of sputtery a couple years ago, and I ran white vinegar thru it, followed by a couple tanks of plain water. The Brita water seems to work fine. The fancy irons always look nice, but they are too light, and have alot of extra controls that are more than I want to deal with.

 

[sudsman]

my favorite new iron

is a Chicago

 

[iheartmaytag]

HIJACK

I was just wondering if anyone has ever used those garmet steamers that are being advertised, and if so do they work?
I was thinking of getting my mother one, but not sure if it's worth the money.

 

[petek]

Steamers

I got a Tobi stand steamer from the GoodWill looking to have never been used and still in box for $20 or $15 can't quite remember. Actually it does work quite well. I'm using it for all my golf type shirts instead of ironing them, right on the hanger. There are a few different brands around like Conair etc and then there are some handheld ones too like Billy Mays sells on tv.

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www.tobisteamer.com

 

[sudsmaster]

Read your manual again. I'm pretty sure it would say that ONLY distilled water should be used in your iron. There is no mechanical, chemical, or electrical reason why distilled water would be far better for a steam iron than tap water.

I've had a Rowent Pro steam iron for about 10 years or more now. It's very reliable and works well. It does have those "dimples" but I ignore them. I think the Pro was or is the top of the line. It's quite powerful - the steam burst will lift the iron off the table, and the spritzer works pretty good as well (although the first time you use it, you have to pump it a few times). The only thing I don't like is filling it up. The fill flume has a labryinth, which prevents water from spilling out, but it also makes filling it sort of tricky. I've settled on using a large squeeze bottle (like one might put ketchup in) filled with distilled water, and tilting the iron back a bit. Then the water can be added fairly rapidly without it gurgling and backing up. The other minor complaint is that the resevoir isn't that big, so if I have a lot of shirts to iron it can take several refills. Another minor issue is that I've never found an iron wall holder that fits the Rowenta - it's too beefy around the mid section. But other than that, it's the best iron I've ever owned. Heats up pretty quickly, automatically shuts itself off if you leave it for more than about five minutes as well. Good safety feature IMHO.

But really, please put distilled water only in your irons, and don't drop them at all. A steam iron has sealed passages for the water/steam that could crack and/or separate with the shock of dropping - outside of the damage to the plastic and metal that hitting the floor could cause. I wouldn't blame any iron for malfunctioning after such abuse.

 

[launderess]

Don't know why people refuse to believe someone has read their owner's manual correctly.

Has been years since one purchased a "modern" steam iron, as mostly irons damp laundry dry, and for the rare occasions when one does need steam, have a commercial gravity iron; however my old T-Fal steam iron from the 1990s clearly states NOT to use distilled water. Indeed the iron comes with it's own little doodad to soften water and otherwise deal with mineral deposits.

There is a wealth of information out there on why one is not supposed to use distilled water in modern steam irons.

Loading…

ths.gardenweb.com

 

[ttuee2006]

Rowenta Irons

I have a Rowenta travel iron, and it too strictly FORBIDS the use of distilled water in the iron. My main iron is a Black & Decker and it too suggests against using distilled, and says to use a bottled water instead. The B&D actually says why....because of the lack of mineral content, the distilled water doesn't boil away as regularly as the mineral-laden water from the tap or the bottle. As a consolation, it does suggest running iron cleaner through it when it starts to spit.

I've used bottled water in mine since I bought it new in 2002, and I've still yet to have a problem. As far as I'm concerned, irons are certainly cheap enough to where if it quits, chunk it and replace it. It's not worth the BS and bother to fiddle with trying to clean a gunked up one.

 

[launderess]

Anti-Scale Systems

Found in many steam irons today are designed to deal with all but the most mineral laden water. In case of really crusty water, spring, deionied or spring water can be used. Some irons do allow use of distilled water, but one must read the owner's manual carefully.

Personally would be ticked off if spending what one pays for a good iron these days, to have to spend more each month purchasing store bought water as well. Yes, distilled water can be inexpensive, but it can also be dear for what one gets, depending upon where one lives.

 

[aquarius1984]

Rowenta specify to USE TAP WATER,

Their irons are designed to withstand the calcium content aslong as you use the self clean function in accordance with the manual.

Rowenta is my choice of daily iron - 3 years old and still going strong. I love it

 

[aquarius1984]

2

 

[aquarius1984]

3 SOle plate.

Will eventually get around to cleaning off the gunk but its not sticky so never bothers me.

 

[countryguy]

I have an Oliso iron and the manual also states NOT to use distilled water.

Gary