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Recommendations on buying an iron

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#22 ·
#23 ·
Some time ago, Alex recommend a Nomex ironing board cover, which i have not found locally.

I have found many boards shaped like these below, (with or without the vacuum). I use the corners and can not take this racks that are riveted on, am I doing something wrong by using the corners so much or are these boards limited?
 
#25 ·
Read Consumer Reports Magazine Recommendations about irons

If you want to know about the best irons, read one of the most recent Consumer Reports articles on steam irons. There you will find there is no inherent correlation between price and quality. I bought the recommended Black and Decker iron at a Black and Decker outlet store and it is the best iron I have ever owned. It puts out so much steam that it has to be filled often although there is an adjustment to control the amount of steam released. And yes it is moderately heavy. I see a notable difference between how my dress shirts look after ironing (after finally having learned the Alex K technique on shirt ironing) now compared to the old iron which was rather expensive. I thought , probably like many of you, Rowenta was the best but after reading Consumer Reports I found out that it was not true. By the way the Black and Decker iron was on sale for $45 and as mentioned it is the best iron I have ever owned. drrobert
 
#27 ·
Throughout my better than 10-year history with the Rowenta Professional, I'd be willing to bet it's been abused more than all the CR test irons combined.

I long ago lost count as to how many times it's been knocked off the ironing board, or shaken off the dryer. The water-spray button (and a pilot light bezel) broke out years ago. I've never put a drop of distilled water in it.....Ohio's hardest tap water only.....and I don't think I've cleaned the non-stick soleplate more than maybe once. And, with all that, it steams/heats pretty much like the day I took it out of the box, and it leaks only periodically/slightly (and strictly when the tank is absolutely full).

I'm not CR's biggest fan, though I admit to reading on occasion. But, that's one comparo to which I'll pay little attention. Personal experience tells me Rowenta is by light-years the best iron I've ever used.....and while there's no guarantee the next will work as well when my Pro finally craps out (maybe after the NEXT time I knock it off the board)......there's no question whatever as to what brand I'll buy next time.
 
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#28 ·
I use Reliable products in my shop:

and


This company makes consumer and pro-sumer grade equipment, as well.

I like intense steam that I control, and the vacuum table is highly recommended to wick away the excess moisture and speed drying. With the addition of a teflon shoe, you reduce the risk of shining fabrics.

I'm partial to boiler irons rather than gravity feeds. Don't get me wrong, I used several brands of gravity feeds in my day. I just find the quality of forced team to be better for my application.
 
#29 · (Edited)
drrobert said:
If you want to know about the best irons, read one of the most recent Consumer Reports articles on steam irons. There you will find there is no inherent correlation between price and quality. I bought the recommended Black and Decker iron at a Black and Decker outlet store and it is the best iron I have ever owned. It puts out so much steam that it has to be filled often although there is an adjustment to control the amount of steam released. And yes it is moderately heavy. I see a notable difference between how my dress shirts look after ironing (after finally having learned the Alex K technique on shirt ironing) now compared to the old iron which was rather expensive. I thought , probably like many of you, Rowenta was the best but after reading Consumer Reports I found out that it was not true. By the way the Black and Decker iron was on sale for $45 and as mentioned it is the best iron I have ever owned. drrobert
Click to expand...
The model number of the Black and Decker is D2030, I purchased it through Amazon. It is by far the best of any of the half dozen consumer grade irons I have used over the years, more steam than a Russian bath. It was less than $50.00, 6 months ago. I don't have any experience with the professional models, I am strictly amateur, but it meets my needs admirably well.
 
#30 ·
I've been very happy with my Rowenta DZ9080 Advancer iron.

I like the fact that it can also be used as a steamer.

I think the list on this is about $160, but it's $129 at Amazon and you can get another $25 off using the code CLEAROUT.
 
#32 ·
Consumer Reports Ratings of Steam Irons

From the November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports magazine on page 9, the actual ratings of steam irons: #1) Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030 ($60) #2) Bosch TDA 8340UC ($120) #3) Hamilton Beach Professional 14970($35) #4) Rowenta Professional DM890 ($100) #5) Sunbeam Professional 4238 ($50) #6) Bosch TDA 2445UC($100) #7) Rowenta Professional DX8800 ($125)
For those of you who are Rowenta lovers, as I once was, note that they are rated the worst for durability of all these steam irons while the top 2 rated, the Black & Decker and the Bosch ,were rated the best. drrobert
 
#34 ·
Several months ago, my Rowenta died and I was forced to find another. Based on reading many forums, I realized that there was no clear cut consensus other than the uber high end irons that Kabbaz recommends. I nearly purchased one on Ebay but figured I would look around a bit more. As I searched for dry irons, since I never put water in mine, I found a GE dry iron from 1958, still with the box and original receipt. It had been used but for $5, I figured what did I have to lose? It came, I cleaned it up with a solution of salt dissolved in vinegar, bought some beeswax to keep it sliding smoothly and it has been great for 3 months now. It's heavy, irons great and was cheap and if it dies I won't be upset as if I had spent $100 or more on a new rowenta...
 
#35 ·
drrobert said:
From the November 2006 issue of Consumer Reports magazine on page 9, the actual ratings of steam irons: #1) Black & Decker Digital Advantage D2030 ($60) #2) Bosch TDA 8340UC ($120) #3) Hamilton Beach Professional 14970($35) #4) Rowenta Professional DM890 ($100) #5) Sunbeam Professional 4238 ($50) #6) Bosch TDA 2445UC($100) #7) Rowenta Professional DX8800 ($125)
For those of you who are Rowenta lovers, as I once was, note that they are rated the worst for durability of all these steam irons while the top 2 rated, the Black & Decker and the Bosch ,were rated the best. drrobert
Click to expand...
I had a chance to take a look at this iron at Wal Mart. Nice look and feel. It's on the heavy side I also like the large water recepticle. What worries me is the computer control for this iron. It's just something else that can go wrong. I think sticking with the good old mechanical settings would better serve the consumer. Let's see circuit boards + water + heat sounds like a combo that's going to have problems in the future.

However it's only $46 at Wally world. I can see the potential value in this iron. And since Wally World has a great return policy I may just give it a try.
 
#36 ·
I have a Black and Decker and a Rowenta professional. The Rowenta is vastly superior. The burst of steam is excellent, much more effective than the B & D.

Also have a Conair steamer. The steamer is great for trousers and jackets. Eliminates wrinkles from the crotch and knee areas very quickly, also very gentle. Steams wrinkles from jackets immediately, much easier than ironing.
Also has an attachment to renew the crease in trousers.

The steamer is also great for all types of knitwear, such as polos and sweaters. Wrinkles disappear without ironing.

In summary: I use the Rowenta iron for my shirts, but evrything else gets steamed.
 
#37 · (Edited)
Here's a link to probably more info than you wanted to know: https://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/steam-irons/index.html

Looks like I'll have to give the Rowenta Advancer a try (thanks to the poster who included Amazon's coupon code).

CR is a great source of info, but as usual their choice of review models was somewhat bizarre. The link above covers irons you'll actually find in most large retail chain stores.
 
#38 ·
Reliable i500 Professional Steam Boiler - Iron System

Does anyone have any experience with the Italian-made Reliable i500 Professional Steam Boiler - Iron System? I am considering the purchase of one so I can iron my clothes like a professional. Any help, ideas, suggestions, comments will be appreciated. Thanks!
 
#40 ·
jsprowls9 said:
I use it in my shop. It's an excellent piece of equipment. Though, it really needs to be paired with the C88 vacuum board for optimum results. The down-draft vacuum wicks the steam through the fabric.
Click to expand...
If the board pulls steam through the fabric, where does it condense? My problem with usuing a lot of steam is it ends up dripping onto the floor and rusting the board.
 
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