retromania
Well-known member
Yaaaay!
Can't wait!!!!!!!
Thanks Pat!
Can't wait!!!!!!!
Thanks Pat!
Vintage Steams Irons
- Thread starter retromania
- Start date
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Within reason all steam irons did the same job, some better than others but most got the job done. Also as we can see from the vast offerings at estate sales, thrifts, FleaPay etc... they tended to last the duration especially if properly cared for, so the question then becomes how to get Madame to purchase new?
Appliance makers have been onto gimmicks ever since wide spread electric use came to homes and the era of modern appliances began. Stream Lining was the first big craze and things seemed to pile up from there.
There were big irons, small irons, heavy irons, light irons, travel irons, compact irons, irons with more surface area, and so forth.
You notice that once irons started making their own steam internally without separate water tanks they began to grow in size. Compare a Westinghouse or Proctor steam iron from say the 1940's to later versions from the 1950's and 1960's. All that heft is the water tank above the soleplate. Because the more water an iron held the longer it could steam and thus save Madame trips to the faucet, the things grew to the common sizes we see today. I've got a Bernette steam iron (made in France) that holds the most water one has ever seen. About one and a half to two cups or more I reckon.
Appliance makers have been onto gimmicks ever since wide spread electric use came to homes and the era of modern appliances began. Stream Lining was the first big craze and things seemed to pile up from there.
There were big irons, small irons, heavy irons, light irons, travel irons, compact irons, irons with more surface area, and so forth.
You notice that once irons started making their own steam internally without separate water tanks they began to grow in size. Compare a Westinghouse or Proctor steam iron from say the 1940's to later versions from the 1950's and 1960's. All that heft is the water tank above the soleplate. Because the more water an iron held the longer it could steam and thus save Madame trips to the faucet, the things grew to the common sizes we see today. I've got a Bernette steam iron (made in France) that holds the most water one has ever seen. About one and a half to two cups or more I reckon.
Pat's right..
This is my Sunbeam dry iron. This pic should probably be rated.
This is my Sunbeam dry iron. This pic should probably be rated.
Lets face it
Awww come on Wiskybill this is the angle that does this iron the most justice LOL......Honestly this ironis the most phallically designed small appliance in the history of small appliances LOL PAT COFFEY
Awww come on Wiskybill this is the angle that does this iron the most justice LOL......Honestly this ironis the most phallically designed small appliance in the history of small appliances LOL PAT COFFEY
What was the designer smoking
when he came up with a profile like this? PAT COFFEY
when he came up with a profile like this? PAT COFFEY
Here are 4 more irons from my collection
From left to right: 1941 Waring (yes the Blendor people) Steam Iron, 1948 GE Steam Iron (the second and last generation of GE Steam Iron to use the Waring design), Circa 1952 Westinghouse Dry Iron, 1957 Westinghouse Steam Iron....PAT COFFEY
From left to right: 1941 Waring (yes the Blendor people) Steam Iron, 1948 GE Steam Iron (the second and last generation of GE Steam Iron to use the Waring design), Circa 1952 Westinghouse Dry Iron, 1957 Westinghouse Steam Iron....PAT COFFEY
I think my favorite Iron is the Waring Aluron Steam Iron
from 1941...PAT COFFEY
from 1941...PAT COFFEY
It is called an Aluron
because as the tag says on the iron It is "For All You Iron"....PAT COFFEY
because as the tag says on the iron It is "For All You Iron"....PAT COFFEY
Pat...you're so bad....and so right! LOL
That Waring iron is very fetching. Don't have one, haven't seen one until now.
Will be on the lookout for one.
Thanks... Bill
That Waring iron is very fetching. Don't have one, haven't seen one until now.
Will be on the lookout for one.
Thanks... Bill
Right There!
That is what bothers me as mentioned before about some older steam irons. They only made steam in a rather limited range.
In the case above the Waring iron seems to stop at "Wool", what about "Cotton" and "Linen"?
That is what bothers me as mentioned before about some older steam irons. They only made steam in a rather limited range.
In the case above the Waring iron seems to stop at "Wool", what about "Cotton" and "Linen"?
You would think it would be the other way round i.e. steam on cotton and linen but not on cooler settings, which would not heat the water enough to make steam. My mother never possessed a steam iron and would only use mine if she was sure there was no water in it. She always said "Water and electricity don't mix".
In UK, Morphy Richards was the main brand for irons and they made the same model dry iron for several decades:
In UK, Morphy Richards was the main brand for irons and they made the same model dry iron for several decades:
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retromania
Well-known member
Pat
In your photo of the four irons on the chest freezer, I have the Hoover in the back right hand corner. Like to never figured out how to put water in it. It heats up, but sometimes it steams and sometimes it won't!
In your photo of the four irons on the chest freezer, I have the Hoover in the back right hand corner. Like to never figured out how to put water in it. It heats up, but sometimes it steams and sometimes it won't!
retromania
Well-known member
A Question
On my Sunbeam Ironmaster iron. It works great. Steams great, but like a couple of vintage electric skillets I have had, the plug get very warm. Is this anything to be concerned about?
On my Sunbeam Ironmaster iron. It works great. Steams great, but like a couple of vintage electric skillets I have had, the plug get very warm. Is this anything to be concerned about?
retromania
Well-known member
Pat
I take that back. I believe it's a Westinghouse. I just went and got mine out of the cabinet where it has been for some time. I thought mine was a Hoover, but it's a Westinghouse. It's exactly like the one in your photo.
I take that back. I believe it's a Westinghouse. I just went and got mine out of the cabinet where it has been for some time. I thought mine was a Hoover, but it's a Westinghouse. It's exactly like the one in your photo.
If the plug is getting warm
according to my appliance guy that is an indication that the plug needs changing. Of course you can still get the old style attaching plugs or you can just replace the cord. BTW Andy I am sorry I have not got back to you yet with the shipping charges for the cords but I have been ill. I will be able to let you know what the costs are tomorrow ok? PAT COFFEY
according to my appliance guy that is an indication that the plug needs changing. Of course you can still get the old style attaching plugs or you can just replace the cord. BTW Andy I am sorry I have not got back to you yet with the shipping charges for the cords but I have been ill. I will be able to let you know what the costs are tomorrow ok? PAT COFFEY
retromania
Well-known member
Thanks, Pat
For this information. Also, I sent you an email that I won't be needing the cords. Please see one of the emails I sent you. Thanks. Hope you feel better.
For this information. Also, I sent you an email that I won't be needing the cords. Please see one of the emails I sent you. Thanks. Hope you feel better.
Hey Andy I read your email
and I think that is awesome you found a guy who is willing to teach you to do it congrats...oh and thanks for the good wishes.... I'll be fine it is just the pollen........PAT COFFEY
and I think that is awesome you found a guy who is willing to teach you to do it congrats...oh and thanks for the good wishes.... I'll be fine it is just the pollen........PAT COFFEY
Warm plug
Another reason for the plug getting too warm is a defective or poor quality receptacle. Cheap residential grade receptacles lose their ability to firmly grip the blades of the attachment plug, resulting in poor contact, causing them to heat up.
You may want to replace the receptacles with specification (approx. $6/ea.) or hospital (expensive) grade devices.
Another reason for the plug getting too warm is a defective or poor quality receptacle. Cheap residential grade receptacles lose their ability to firmly grip the blades of the attachment plug, resulting in poor contact, causing them to heat up.
You may want to replace the receptacles with specification (approx. $6/ea.) or hospital (expensive) grade devices.
retromania
Well-known member
GE Travel Iron
I have a GE travel iron from the 60's. Been stored for a while. Took it out. Plugged it up and it won't steam! It steamed the last time I used it. Does anyone know a trick to getting a steam iron to steam when there nothing wrong with it. Or at least as far as I can tell.
I have a GE travel iron from the 60's. Been stored for a while. Took it out. Plugged it up and it won't steam! It steamed the last time I used it. Does anyone know a trick to getting a steam iron to steam when there nothing wrong with it. Or at least as far as I can tell.
