I also have Black and Decker that I have had for years, still going strong.

The surge protector sounds like a good idea. It will protect the electronics in any iron that has newer features like auto shut-off. I have surge protectors on my sewing machines...way less expensive than new ones.

I had a T-Fal iron with a non stick plate, 59.99, lasted three years, died last week, bought a 29.99 Shark....hate it!

Judy try the Dry Iron from Vermont Country Store. No water used, $30, and they stand behind their product.
www.vermontcountrystore.com - search dry iron

Also agree with the surge protector idea - power flucuations can play games with appliances.

Along this line with irons, I made a jacket and lined the front with interfacing to give it more body. Well, now that I have worn the jacket and washed it ( I made it to be washable0) The interfacing has separated from the fabric and leaves bubbles on the outside. Any idea of how to press it so it will stick?

I agree -- I have a very inexpensive Procter Silex and it has lasted forever -- not an issue if it dies because it didn't cost a fortune.

I buy one at walmart that is lightweight and dont use water if need it use a spray bottle

I use nursery water in cheap iron and so far so good....2+ yrs. I usually just finger press or if I'm doing a mega session I will plug in my little clover thingy....and just use the iron for the completed block or if it's a place where lots of seams "meet"........but I seriously think, like everything else, irons are not made to last...another throwaway thing.

I get the best results with the 20 ones. I just got a Sunbeam from Big Lots for 20 and I've had good luck with the Black and Decker ones. I like the ones with the auto-shutoff as long as it's easy to get to come back on; the Sunbeam is like that you just shake it to get it to instantly reheat. I had one that would shut off after only about 5min and that wasn't good. I like the ones that automatically lifts it self up but cost a fortune and I've heard people have problems with them and I've heard a lot of problems with Rowenta so I wouldn't recommend them. Mine is light weight weight so you shouldn't have any problems.

I've had several Rowentas. And while I like the weight and the pointed end, they all ended up leaking water like crazy . Now I get whatever's on sale and uses it till something happens, and haven't invested much.

I found a ton of irons at my trip to two goodwills last weekend. I bought a really nice Rowenta for $5 but they had all kinds. I'm still thinking of going back for the vintage one with cloth wrapped cord. It was in its box and I bet it would work great. So my suggestion is 2nd hand store, so when they go out its no big deal.

I have 2 oldies but goodies circa 1950's that I love but they seem to be putting on weight so while out browsing the 2nd hand stores I found a lighter iron -2$- brand new in the unopened box called "Perfection"and it is -perfect...it is lighter but it still has enough wgt to remove wrinkles without wearing me out first.I figured it came from Wally World -the old neighborhood had more WW's than churches.

I also have a hard time with heavy irons because of arthritis. Never thought of buying a dry iron and spraying with water or Best Press. Thanks for the suggestion. After all, our moms (if you're old enough) never had steam irons.

I also use distilled water and haven't had the problems that I had using from the faucet. My have lasted alot longer and that is if I don't bounce off the board to the floor (done that a couple of times). I have purchased one for $9.00 about 12 years ago from Lowes' and then the last one from Walmart for about $30 about 2 years ago. Use one for classes (always packed and ready to go) and the WM one at home. But my main thing is to use Distilled Water.

I use an old Black and Decker too.

I have the same problem with toasters.
Can't find a good one that actually toasts rather than turn it a pale tan

I use a Black & Decker Classic iron. :)

Have you tried irons for Goodwill or some other thrift store? One of our church irons is from a rummage sale. Works quite well.

What is "the receipe".......I too find that best press is too expensive to use? Thanks for sharing!

I put surge protectors on all my outlets. Living in an apt. bldg., we have frequent slight surges. They're horrible on anything plugged in to wall outlets. Now I had to replace 2 surge protectors in last 5 years - no appliances were damaged. Just make sure you don't turn off the surge protector's button. That disables the protection-not the electricity.
I suggest you get a cheap iron and plug it into the surge protector. It might last longer and be safer too. Good luck!

I love the "dry iron" I bought from the Vermont Country Store. It cost about $30, has no holes in the sole plate, and works beautifully for fusible applique. Good luck with your search!

Go to the Dollar Store that way they won't cost very much.

I have a Sunbeam that my DH bought for $1 at an auction that does wonders. Has a nice cord length that allows for pressing large sizes. This particular one does not do steam, but I'm ok with that. I have others for steam if I want it.

The next best iron is a Black and Decker that is small in size, does steam well, is moderately heavy was cheap $$ and still goes like a champ. I travel with it to workshops and vacations. It just didn't have the automatic shut off. Now I'm glad it doesn't as I hated the one that did. Kept turning off if not moved in 15 minutes.

Because I have left an iron on when I didn't intend to, I now have my iron plugged into its own power strip surge protector with a light bulb plugged into the power strip also. Now if the light is on, so is the iron. I haven't left it plugged in since this set up my DH came up with. Has to be safer too. It really is hard to miss the light bulb glowing on the floor!!

I have a Sunbeam that's over 15 years old and gets used a lot. The only thing I don't like about it is that it has an automatic shut off, which bugs me. On the other hand, it heats up very fast, so I don't have to wait if I've been sewing and then have to press something and it's shut off in the meantime. I don't honestly know what I'll replace it with, so I just keep it. I also have my grandmother's flat iron, no steam, very heavy, no auto anything, still in great shape. I just use a spritzer when I want steam. When I do a lot of back and forth to the iron, I use that. It was built in the 1940's. I'm sure I'll never find another iron that will last that long!

I don't know if someone has mentioned an Oreck, but I have had one for approx. 8 years. It turns off automatically after a time of non-use, and I really like that! I don't have to worry about unplugging it.
Kathy P

I have two "cheap" irons from Wal*Mart and have had no problems. Have had them for about a year.

Try the Press 'n Sew by rowenta - lightweight enough for my rotor cuff issue it has a black coated bottom. I have had it for years, don't know if they still make it. The trick is to unplug it after each use, even it you are doing sew then iron. I use a surge protector by my foot, so I just click on the little red light and shut it off. It doesn't have auto off, so I just bought a black & decker that does and the bottom drags on the fabric and makes those crunchy wrinkles on the small pieces. It is okay on the larger ones, but life is too short for me to deal with it. It is in the donation pile for the women's shelter (unknown locations). I make scrap quilts and tie them in all sizes and donate for them too.

I have a Rowenta that I paid $129 for. I used to love it. I have had it about 1 1/2 years and it leaks like a sieve. Every time you tip it to iron water pours out of the back of it. It leaves a huge wet spot on the ironing board. I emailed the company and they told me I am SOL. I will never, ever buy another Rowenta. My sister is having the same problem. I am going to try taking it to Bed, Bath and Beyond where I bought it and see if they can do anything.

I bought a Rowenta Powerglide 2 about 11 years ago. It's still going strong. They don't make this model anymore, but it doesn't automatically shut off. A couple years ago I bought a Rowenta Focus, thinking my Powerglide 2 will probably be dying soon. Then last year after having issues with tendonitis in my thumbs, I bought a Rowenta Travel Iron. I use the Travel Iron all the time for pressing seams while piecing. It's smaller size and less weight is much easier for me to use. I only use it dry. Even though the instructions for my Powerglide 2 said to use tap water, I've always used a half/half blend of my well water and distilled water. Maybe it's my combination of water that has kept it going for so many years, who knows? I certainly don't clean it as often as they suggested. This is just my two cents. I know others who've had nothing but problems w/ Rowenta.

paintmejudy, this has nothing to do with your question about irons.... I LOVE your avatar!!! What is the name of the pattern? I would love to make that!

I got my last one in a thrift shop. I never put water in any of my irons but I like this one because it stays hot and doesn't turn itself off. I gave $4.00 for it.

I have come to the conclusion that as much as I sew; an iron from my local second hand shop does me just fine.I had the same problem with them not lasting very long and decided I wasn't going to keep throwing alot of money away in the trash .So now i go to the local thrift shop and pick one up and use it until it dies and I've usually only spend $5-10 on one.Get more bang for my bucks that way!!

Hi ya, what about the travel Rowenta? Lighter weight than the traditional.........and beware does get so very hot..........would be good for seams in piecing but hot really big enough for pressing a quilt top..........calla who's sewing buddy and pal moved to Laveen...............poop

i also have had several rowentas and none of them seem to last..i went to target and grabbed a 25 dollar black and decker, and i love it it has great steam.. and it stays on eight min. before it automaticly shuts off gives you more time to go cut or sew then come back to iron again good luck!

I buy mine at Walmart and they last for years , also i think i paid around 15.00 or less

[QUOTE=paintmejudy;5146748]Irons - can't live without one, can't find one to last!

Since I have been quilting, I go through an iron in less than a year, usually 8 to 10 months. Tried many different brands but nothing seems to last. Is it the reduced quality of irons, or is it because when you quilt, they are on for hours at a time. And I quilt almost every day.


Judy...I'm with you! I am in my sewing room 8-10 almost every day. I have tried all kinds of irons through the years, from expensive to inexpensive. The only thing I look for is an iron with NO automatic shut off...drives me nuts! None of mine last any longer...doesn't matter how expensive or not. I have come to the conclusion to just stick to the inexpensive ones as long as there's no shut off. Currently, I am using one that I got at a yardsale last year (paid $3.00). So far it's lasted 9 months now & knock on wood, is still going strong.

I have bought electric knife, mixer and crock pot (probably from the 70's) at resale shops and they work so much better. Probably and iron would, too.

I won't recommend Rowenta--I've had 2 and they aren't worth the money. I now have a Reliable but that would be too heavy for you. I have a cheaper Hamilton Beach that I revert to all the time. I'd like an Olisio but again it is heavier to pick up.

I have tried numerous irons too & am now using a travel iron, Black & Decker I think, that we have had for years, & never used when we did travel, lol. I use it dry, although it has a small water tank for steam. If I wanted water I spray my fabric & iron dry. Love it, best iron I have tried using for quilting! Tried a small one, designed for quilters, but the cord you plug into the iron keeps falling out, so I seldom use it now. I like this one & just unplug it when I am not using it.

My first Rowenta stopped getting hot and the 2nd one started to spew and spit after 6 months (I found out I was not the only one having this problem). I used the recommended water the entire time and still had the problem. I have not had that problem with the Reliable but I still like my Hamilton Beach.