Replies

1. 
   kjp | May 14, 2005 04:47pm | #1

   I love the Rowentas.  I actually bought two - one for my sewing room and one to iron my clothes in the bedroom.  They're not cheap, but I've had mine for over 10 years and still going strong. 

1. 
   kath | May 14, 2005 05:07pm | #4

   Thanks- that seems to be the consensus. Katherine

2. 
   alotofstitches | May 14, 2005 04:52pm | #2

   I'm on my 3rd Rowenta because I keep knocking them off onto ceramic tile!  I've used them for 15 yrs., the Professional DM-886 is my favorite.  I'll never own another brand!  I sew professionally and use my iron every day, most all day.  An electrician told me to turn my iron off to save elctricity and I do that but it heats so fast it's not a problem.

1. 
   kath | May 14, 2005 05:06pm | #3

   Thanks-I'll check that one out! Katherine 

2. 
   ChristineM | May 19, 2005 11:15pm | #10

   Liz, the notions companies sell a bracket that holds your iron on the ironing board. This has saved both my iron and my hardwood floor from any number of knock-off disasters. I use one from the Clotilde catalog called an "Iron Caddy" (cat no 285801) available now for $13.48. You might be able to find this at a big fabric store. Another one is an iron rest" which attaches to the end of the board (rather than taking up space on the board itself). Anyone with small children or rambunctious dogs should really consider this kind of safeguard as a MUST-HAVE. My Rowenta is at least 8 years old, and another one before it lasted more than 10 years. I wonder if they moved their manufacturing to a lower-cost, lower-quality factory, which would explain why recent purchasers are not so happy.

1. 
   alotofstitches | May 20, 2005 05:48am | #13

   Thanks Christine.  I figured the irons were spitting because of the water they used in them.  Because I have a water softener on my well I buy "Drinking Water" from W-Mart for my iron., but my large steam press, Euro-Pro, required regular water at first then switching to distilled water.  All irons are different and require different waters.  I have a good sturdy place to set my iron, I just get in a rush and don't do it!  But I intend to do better!  My sewing m., serger and ironing board form a "U" with the washer and dryer behind the ironing board--all I have to do is raise my arm to set it there, which I do.  It's when I leave the area, I frequently forget to move the iron back from the edge and if the washer or dryer are running it vibrates off much to my dismay.  I've got to do better!

1. 
   HeartFire | May 20, 2005 11:31pm | #15

   regarding the water you use in irons, most that say NOT to use distilled water is because the boiling point is too low, and the water sort of "bursts" inot steam too rapidly/violently, as there are no minerals in the water to lower the boiling point (at least thats waht I read somewhere) so tap water or bottled drinking water is good
   Judy

3. 
   softfurn | May 15, 2005 01:45am | #5

   I just got rid of my Rowenta. Just a little over a year old and it wasn't heating up, and the water was spitting out all over. Alot of people have had this problem, so the consesus is probably split between those that love them, and those that hate them. For such an expensive appliance, it should be more reliable. I wrote to Rowenta and their answer was one of denial...we have never had this problem! I went back to using my good old Black and Decker Classic. If you prefer to use a dry iron with your own water spray I would highly reccommend this one...you can buy 4 of them for the price of one Rowenta. I had looked at epinions .com, and four other sewing forums, and this question keeps coming up with alot of division.

1. 
   HeartFire | May 16, 2005 08:05am | #6

   I won't use rowentas any more either, I've had several, they all semm to die at about 1 yr. and, they spit water, otherwise I was pleased with them while they worked. I paid at least $100.00 for each. I now have a silverstar gravity feed commercial iron for $140.00 the tank holds almost 1 gal. of water, only gives me steam when I ask for it, is nice and heavy and gets plenty hot - the downside is that it takes about 5 min. to heat up.
   From many other discussions on irons, Rowentas are either very good and last for years, or they crap out on you at 1 yr, I don't know if perhaps some are made at different factories to have this happen, I wasn't lucky enough to have one that lasted.
   Judy

1. 
   raven99 | May 18, 2005 12:32pm | #8

   I'll second Judy's recommendation of the Silverstar gravity feed iron. I've had one for about 6 or 7 years and its great! No spitting steam and you get good solid bursts of steam when you need it, and no endless runs to the water tap to refill the iron. I had a Rowenta before this one, I had a Black and Decker before that, and one of those Europro (?) irons with the separate tank that's supposed to operate by pressure, forget it! The Silverstar is a little pricier but I think its so worth it!Marion

2. 
   DClemens | May 19, 2005 12:16am | #9

   So where do you buy the Silver Star iron?  Donna

1. 
   HeartFire | May 20, 2005 01:34am | #11

   I got my iron at Atlas Levy: http://www.atlaslevy.com/gravity_irons.htm. also, from what I have been told T-Fal makes rowntas (or is it the other way around?)
   Judy

2. 
   raven99 | May 20, 2005 02:04am | #12

   I bought my Silverstar at a local Singer retailer which is nice because they will also service it should anything go wrong with it. BTW, another nice thing about the Silverstar (and maybe all gravity feed irons?) is that when at rest, instead of having to set the iron down in an upright position, you lay the iron flat on a silicon pad (comes with the iron). No more worries about accidently knocking the iron over and sending it crashing to the floor! Marion

1. 
   FitnessNut | May 20, 2005 05:40pm | #14

   Another vote for the SilverStar! I've had mine now for over five years, which more than makes up for the two previous $150 Rowentas that died in their second year. And after using a professional iron both at school and work, coming home to one just made sense. Home irons don't do anywhere near as good a job, especially if you want to fuse! I can't even conceive of using anything but my SilverStar to tailor a jacket.

2. 
   kath | May 18, 2005 12:07am | #7

   Hmm, well I went out and bought a Rowenta yesterday for a ridiculous sum of money. So far I love the weight and smoothness of it. But it does need to last at least 10 years for the price I paid! So we'll see. If it doesn't, I'll take your advice.  Katherine

4. 
   wench34 | May 22, 2005 11:17pm | #16

   I have just purchased a CONAIR iron that is to die for!  IT is made specifically for crafters.  It is digital and has a detachable water tank.  You need to check it out sometime as it is highly rated.  I had Rowentas for years and even had a pressure ROWENTA but they always end up spitting.  I create wedding gowns and so that is the worst!