New iron needed

[tamtam]

Hi everybody!
I know this has been discussed before, but from what I can see it has been a few years ago. It is now 2014 and I am searching for a new iron. I've been using Rowenta for years, but I'm getting really tired of paying $100 for an iron that starts peeing on everything after a year or two. I'm using the correct water, but for some reason the water tanks tend to crack over time and don't hold water at all. I need an iron that does not have auto shut off, is nice and heavy, and has great steam. Any new irons out there that meet those criteria?
Thanks!
Tammy
Michigan

[bbquiltmaker]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago and looked for suggestions. I am very happy with the Panasonic NI-S300TR that was recommended. I found it on Amazon, for less than $35. That one doesn't seem to be available on Amazon now but there are several other similar ones.

[rehak]

I have the Velocity. There are several models but this is the one that I have:

http://www.amazon.com/Reliable-V100-...=velocity+iron

It's expensive, but comparable to the Rowentas and Olisos. I used to use Rowentas, but like you said they leak pretty quickly. So I tried an Oliso and I absolutely hated it. The lifts would go wonky periodically where they wouldn't go up or down and it stopped heating at all after less than a year of use. I've been using my Velocity for over a year now and it doesn't leak, has incredible steam and you can override the automatic shut-off. I'm an obsessive ironer so my irons get quite a work-out! Ricky suggests not using the steam on the iron but instead using a spray bottle so that you don't have problems with the iron leaking, but I really like the steam better so I steam the heck out of everything that I make. (It's the OCD in me...)

As with everything, different irons will work best for different people so you sometimes have to just try different products and see what works for you. Right now, this one is working really well for me.

Nancy

[GigiWendy]

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2013/0...oning-station/

You might find this article of interest. (I use a Rowenta and have learned to live with leaks. :-) )

Wendy

[GigiWendy]

http://www.patchworktimes.com/2010/1...y-iron-review/

Whoops - I meant to include this link!

Wendy

[Peachykeen]

I've been using a Velocity Reliable V100 for over two years now and I love it. It does use distilled water but at 99 cents per gallon, I can't complain. GigiWendy's link to the review says everything I would say about it. I fought with my Rowenta for years because I paid a lot for it. It leaked constantly. The heat setting selector stopped moving so I left it on the cotton setting and had to constantly plug and unplug it to turn it on and off. I couldn't use it for anything other than quilting, not that I use the iron for anything else. I'm glad I switched. The Velocity does everything I need in an iron.

[djane]

I have a Reliable Velocity as well and I really like it. My favourite iron so far!

[djane]

I've been using a Velocity Reliable V100 for over two years now and I love it. It does use distilled water but at 99 cents per gallon, I can't complain. .

Alternatively if your freezer is caked up with ice, you could chip off some of this and let it melt and then use this, as the 'freezing' distills the water from the air. Or water that is collected in a dehumidifier is also 'distilled'.

[loise98]

Rosemary, I never cease to be amazed by the tidbits of knowledge you share with us. They always make me smile. I am thinking accomplishing the chipped ice task might cut into a good deal of my quilting time.

[loise98]

I remember my parents doing the freezer trick for distilled water for the car engine when I was little. And sometimes the freezer just needs defrosting, whether you like it or not! (like mine does now :roll: ) but with a bit of forward planning you can kill two birds with one stone :wink:

[tamtam]

Thank you so much for all your help! I will try the Velocity. Hopefully it will the be the last iron I buy for several years.

Tammy

[rehak]

I need to defrost my freezer on the next cold day (so I can put the food outside). I'll have to save the water. Thanks, Rosemary!

Nancy

[Peachykeen]

Thanks for the freezer tip for distilled water. My freezer does need defrosting. DH will be doing that job so it won't be cutting into my quilting time, thank goodness!

[lorra]

Rosemary, I can remember using the water from defrosting the freezer for my iron. I had forgotten about that when I went to a frostless freezer. Now I am using only a dry iron so it doesn't matter to me anymore. Thanks for the memory though!