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.

http://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.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/laundry/msg011421358265.html

 

[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

 

[frigilux]

The manuals for my last few irons said not to use distilled water. They recommended tap water or bottled spring water. Since I have mechanically softened water, I've always used bottled spring water in my irons.

 

[xraytech]

I must say I have never used a modern ironin years. We had a light weight Hamilton Beach iron and it was to light for me so I found a NIB General Electric iron from early 60's it was model F-92 I love it it gets hotter than new irons and I feel the weight is necessary too. I gave my iron to grandma to replace her GE which was the same model as mine, hers the cord was all taped and the steam and spray buttons were gone and the heat regulator switch broke off and it was always on the cotton setting. Her Proctor Silex iron that she had in a closet from the mid 70's was too light for her. I now am using a self cleaning Hoover steam, spray and dry iron which is okay until I can find another GE. If anyone has an older GE steam and dry iron I would love to buy one.

If I were to buy a new iron I would go for the Black and Decker Classic series iron or a panasonic.

Sam

 

[zipdang]

I received a fancy schmancy Rowenta as a gift several years ago. I'm at work now and don't know exactly which model, but I think it's a Professional Luxe or something like that. It irons beautifully, although the electronics are misbehaving and it likes to shut itself off after 10 minutes of use. Last year I bought a new T-Fal Aquaspeed iron that was the top pick on Slate.com. I couldn't be happier with it! Cranks out the steam, glides smoothly over fabrics, and is easy to use. I think I paid under $40 for it at Bed Bath & Beyond.

At one point the Rowenta had some gunk on the sole plate. Not having the patience to go out and purchase one of their cleaning kits, I just cleaned it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponge which worked perfectly.

http://www.slate.com/id/2152086/

 

[ironrite]

Steam Generator

I bought the Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steam about two years ago and it is doing great. I also bought the matching ironing board as it has a place for the base unit. The plate does not heat up that much, but what gets the wrinkles out is the steam and this thing will glide across the ironing board. I bought mine at Macys on sale at $150.00 and about another $100 for the board. If it should go out, I would get another one. I do a lot of sewing and I do iron all my clothes and this thing really is a timesaver. You can also use it as a garment presser. Here's a link to it.

http://www.artofironing.com/

 

[tlee618]

I have to agree with Mike, a good friend gave me the Rowenta Pressure Iron and I love it!!! It really makes a difference!

 

[cleanteamofny]

DG5030 Pressure Iron & Steamer

Never again will I buy another iron.
This is a absolute must have for those who hate to iron but makes pressing King Sized sheets and pillow cases a breeze!

http://www.artofironing.com/demo.php

 

[launderess]

"Pressure Irons"

Are the domestic versions of commercial steam boiler irons.

There are two basic models:

One gets steam from a true steam boiler, though the boiler is small, it none the less is boiler. Such an system requires setting up and installing by a qualified person.

The other are industrial versions of the Rowenta and other models. These are designed for "light" commercial use such as drop stores and perhaps seamstresses/tailors who do not a constant supply of steam all day.

Had an Italian made steam boiler system, but the boiler finally went and got rid of the thing, but kept the iron.

Beauty of the commercial steam boiler systems (Reimers and Sussman were big in this area), is they produce true "dry" steam, much like what one gets from a steam boiler system. Though cannot remember what PSI indicates dry steam, it does wonders with pressing,ironing and the like.

Vacuum Tables,

Again, systems such as the Rowenta, Laura Starr, and the like are domestic versions of systems used in commercial laundries and dry cleaners.

Steam boiler irons, and to a lesser extent gravity irons produce so much steam that it quickly overwhelms standard ironing boards, especially when doing many items in sucession. The padding becomes wet with moisture and that excess moisture wicks bac, up to the garments, slowing down the ironing process.

Vacuum tables/ironing boards pull the steam through the garment and exhaust it out elsewhere. This drys and sets whatever is being ironed much faster, and again is a boon when using the amount of steam generated by boilers and generator systems. Because the item is dried not by relying on evaporation only, one's ironing tends to look neater and more professional, then when steam ironing alone.

Many vacuum ironing boards also contain built in heaters to keep the padding and cover dry, again this is done to cope with all the steam generated by high steam ironing systems.

L.

 

[ronhic]

I have a preference for Tefal and Braun...

Tefal are effortless to use with their wnderful soleplate, but I don't like the way the new ones fill from the irons heal...just asking for a leak...

My current daily driver is a Braun that we have had for 4 years thanks to my partner who decided to iron across some hemming tape with the original Braun...still irons, but is now the back up iron...

At 1400w it isn't a particularly powerful iron, but it hasn't failed to remove or set a crease and the steam is strong (whilst acknowledging their are stronger ones)...one benefit is that because the wattage is low, I tend to iron everything on a fairly high setting without any issues at all....

http://www.braun.com/global/products/irons/steamirons/optistyle/models/si3120.html

 

[panthera]

Rowenta

like Miele refrigerators, can be but need not be the 'real' thing. Unfortunately, much of Rowenta's fabled quality is a thing of the past and most new Rowenta irons are really just cheap Chinese built shit.

I paid a small fortune to get my mom one of the last of the 'real' Rowenta irons in 2000, it is still perfect. And yes,it also says not to use distilled water. Times change, RTFM is a natural law.

Just as the new owners of a Miele refrigerator in the UK might actually have just paid several times what they would have paid for the exact same unit from a cheap B/S/H brand, so it goes with Rowenta products. Sad. My first Rowenta was agift, it was already over 30 years old and I used it for another 12 in happiness. Died in the move what done in my first Miele dishwasher.

As we used to say about Grundig, Außen hui, innen pfui!

 

[vacuumfreeeke]

Thanks for coming to my rescue, guys! I was starting to question whether or not I could actually read! I was going to scan and highlight the manual and post it here just to prove that I'm not crazy (though I am, just not for that reason, and proud of it!).

I considered the steam generators.... I've seen them at Khols and Bed Bath and Beyond, but I couldn't justify the cost and space it would take up in my small apartment.

I know I could have made a lot worse choices... and for the first couple weeks ironing will be fun and new again!

 

[petek]

Bobby did you see that post I made a week or two back on the Maytag cordless iron I got cheap. I haven't tried it yet but will eventually. I did like my old cordless iron years ago, they take a bit of getting used to because you have to keep putting them back in the cradle, and have a place for the cradle. But overall I preferred it.