zozee

I'm not brand loyal, but the last time I shopped, I put a $40 budget on a new iron. Having bought $4 Sunbeam at Goodwill that lasted 4 years, I was fine with another thrift store iron, if the soleplate was good, no cracks, good wire, not too heavy or too light (I'm deathly afraid of burns). I've had $20 ones last a couple years. Never wanted a Rowenta or Oliso enough to risk the money (besides, the Rowenta reviews soured me). We use the $40 B&D I bought for ironing clothes, and I use the older B&D for quilting. I like quick heat-up, auto shut-off, long cord, stainless sole plate and transparent water reservoir.

staceybard

Almost all irons , even expensive ones have bad reviews. So I googled best inexpensive steam irons. I bought the black and decker allure and i am very pleased for the price, which was under $30 I think . Walmart online. Puts out good steam. Hard to see temperature dial, but overall so far a great iron .

staceybard

Be careful if you buy an old one from a thrift store. They get much hotter than the ones now. The olip d g.e. travel iron is plentiful in thrift stores. No steam, but works good. I turned down the setting on it when it melted my polyester thread in my quilt blocks.

Mariposa

I have b & D Classic. Love it!

tranum

yes, wattage is the secret.

tranum

I use a spray bottle, hot dry iron then occasionally lay a heavy wood breadboard on top until piece cools. Really flattens it out. I actually use 2 boards so first block is in cooling stage while I iron the second.

My time

I volunteer at our local thrift store in our village. I test all the irons. They work great get nice and hot and only cost $5. Well Wednesday is seniors day and everything is half of so it would be $2.50. My point is it might be worth checking out.

SewingSenior

I usually buy cheap irons from Wally World and don't pay a lot of attention to the name brand or the cost. What is most important to me is how heavy the iron is and how large or small the face plate is and I buy the lightest one I can find. If they only last a year or two I'm okay with that. Thanks to everyone that mentioned using a spray bottle instead of the steamer as that is what usually causes me to go looking for a new iron.

Trixie77484

I have 2 Rowenta's. The 1st one I bought had auto shutoff and was really aggravating because I practically had to iron in circles to keep it from shutting off all the time. Then I bought the purple Rowenta that doesn't have auto shutoff and have never used the 1st one again. After reading a lot about different irons leaking or getting clogged with hard water I decided not to use water in it anymore because we do have hard water. I just use a spray bottle instead.

dorismae904

I had to dispose of my B&D after 40 years of use. Something was wrong with the cord and the heat did not turn off. Before I could replace it, my son bought me the Panasonic cordless which I really like except for the auto shut off. That is really annoying.