Iron Fire
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,503
Iron Fire
Yes, while pressing my blocks, the cord to my old iron caught fire. Luckily I didn't get burned but a few cinders dropped on my new silver fabric cover of my ironing board. I kept trying to blow the flames out and it kept igniting even after I was able to bend down to unplug it. Why it caught fire will never be known as the cord was in good shape. I had left the iron on for 2 straight days early last week though so that might have been the beginning of the end to this old iron. It wasn't one that had the auto-off option. It got nice and hot, was small and did a great job pressing my fabrics and blocks. Am sad to see it go but glad I was there when it happened. Can you imagine if it had happened last week what might have been the end result? I have bolts of fabric right under my ironing board for lack of space on the shelves plus a trash can nearby too so lots of stuff that would catch fire quickly.
Needless to say all ended up well, no more fires, the iron will be tossed as I'm afraid to just replace the cord as it might have been something inside the iron that caused the fire.
Went checking out irons online, checked the reviews on a number of them and have decided on one made by Chi.............yes they make flat irons for the hair which I have one of theirs and have had it for years. This iron I've ordered has a ceramic titanium pressing surface, 2 types of auto-off and a powerful steam so will be able to use it when I need to steam out fullness on quilts attached to the frame. If this iron works as good as it claims I might just order another one just for the quilt frame room.
I'm just so glad I was home when this happened though as I live in a 118 yo wood house with lots of fabric down here so it would have been one heck of a bomfire. I've brought in a surge protector which I'll attach to the wall at eye level so I can turn the power off completely to the iron when I'm done for the day. Guess I'm still rattled. Funny thing is I have my fire extinguisher located right above the iron station and never thought to pull it down to use.
Someone on Facebook who had been a firefighter says that though you think your iron is off there is still power going to it so reason for the surge protector to shut the power off completely. The iron was the only thing not on a surge protector down here too.
As I mentioned a few cinders burned pinholes in my new silver fabric ironingboard cover I was afraid the cotton batting underneath might smolder and catch fire so I poured water down each hole to soak it plus I stayed downstairs for a couple more hours to make sure nothing ignited again.
Needless to say all ended up well, no more fires, the iron will be tossed as I'm afraid to just replace the cord as it might have been something inside the iron that caused the fire.
Went checking out irons online, checked the reviews on a number of them and have decided on one made by Chi.............yes they make flat irons for the hair which I have one of theirs and have had it for years. This iron I've ordered has a ceramic titanium pressing surface, 2 types of auto-off and a powerful steam so will be able to use it when I need to steam out fullness on quilts attached to the frame. If this iron works as good as it claims I might just order another one just for the quilt frame room.
I'm just so glad I was home when this happened though as I live in a 118 yo wood house with lots of fabric down here so it would have been one heck of a bomfire. I've brought in a surge protector which I'll attach to the wall at eye level so I can turn the power off completely to the iron when I'm done for the day. Guess I'm still rattled. Funny thing is I have my fire extinguisher located right above the iron station and never thought to pull it down to use.
Someone on Facebook who had been a firefighter says that though you think your iron is off there is still power going to it so reason for the surge protector to shut the power off completely. The iron was the only thing not on a surge protector down here too.
As I mentioned a few cinders burned pinholes in my new silver fabric ironingboard cover I was afraid the cotton batting underneath might smolder and catch fire so I poured water down each hole to soak it plus I stayed downstairs for a couple more hours to make sure nothing ignited again.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 11-28-2018 at 08:05 AM. Reason: shouting/all cpas
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Mableton, GA
Posts: 11,355
Such a scary story! Thanks for letting us know to be extra careful. So glad your damage was so minor - I can only imagine how rattled you were/are. If you remember the brand of the new iron please let us know
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Good thing you were home. As an aside, get one of these for the longarm room instead, you will be much happier in the long run. Works better and makes much more steam than any iron. https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-...-garden/510248
Additionally because steaming is all these units do you won't have the horror of it spitting up dirty water on a quilt as steam irons can do over time.
Additionally because steaming is all these units do you won't have the horror of it spitting up dirty water on a quilt as steam irons can do over time.
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,548
My old iron is still going strong at over 40 yrs. but I cut off the old plug and put on a new one. It sits on a fire proof pad but I do have to be careful to unplug it. So lucky it happened when you were there to put out the fire!
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 621
For those times I forget I purchased a timer that shuts off the power on my iron: https://www.amazon.com/Teklectric-Cu...ct_top?ie=UTF8
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,973
That is scary. I had a little purple Rowenta sizzle and pop, so I tossed it immediately with the cord cut off so no one else would dumpster dive and retrieve it. I'm so scared of leaving my iron on, I do that F&P thing of my iron is in a surge protector along with a night light. If the night light is on, the iron is hot. Even with an automatic off, I don't trust it.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,002
So glad you are ok! Very scary that you accidentally left the iron on for 2 entire days!
Stories like yours are why I cringe when folks here ask for recommendations for irons that don't have the auto-shut off. And even with that feature, you should always unplug the iron when you're not in the room. You never know if you're going to get distracted and forget to come back.
Stories like yours are why I cringe when folks here ask for recommendations for irons that don't have the auto-shut off. And even with that feature, you should always unplug the iron when you're not in the room. You never know if you're going to get distracted and forget to come back.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dgsmom
Pictures
16
01-13-2011 02:08 PM