That seems like it should be such a simple thing. How hard can it be to make an iron that will last a couple of years or more? Of course, I tend to use my irons quite a lot, almost every day in fact. Probably most iron manufacturers don't expect them to get such heavy use. But even the ones marketed directly for quilters aren't much better.
My most recent iron was a Reliable Velocity V100. It was easily both my favorite iron and my most expensive one. Late last year it simply stopped heating up. It lasted the longest of all my irons though at around 21 months. I would love to just buy another one; however, they no longer make this model (which costs $139) and the next one up is of course even more expensive. And if it's not going to last that long, I just don't know if it's worth it.
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| Reliable Velocity V100 |
In the end, my iron choice came down to practicality. I had a gift card to one of the big box stores and used it to buy a Rowenta Professional Iron. The thing that sold me on it this time is that I was able to purchase a 2 year service plan to go along with it. Since I've never had one last that long, I'm fairly certain I'll be making use of that in the future. It's a nice heavy iron and gets really hot. I wish I could bypass the auto shutoff, but I'll just have to learn to live with it. Considering the iron was free and if it dies anytime in the next 2 years, it's replacement will be free as well, it's a trade off I'm willing to make!
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| Rowenta Professional Iron |
I haven't had much to share quilting wise for a while, but I am working on a small project right now that I hope to finish before too long. Right now I'm doing a bit of Diane-shiko.
Never
stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's
will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thess. 5:17-18 (NLT)
I know the feeling. My favorite Rowenta died, but I found (coincidentally) a near-identical replacement at a thrift store for $2. It didn't last a year, but for $2, I was over it. Now I'm using an iron that my in-law's gave me for my birthday a couple of years ago, and I must admit I'm surprised how well it's held up (it's a T-Fal ultraglide). Good luck with the new iron!
ReplyDeleteIron's are a "hot topic" (sorry) for me. I totally know where you are coming from. I seem to want to have steam, but I think that is because otherwise the iron doesn't seem to get hot enough. I KNOW that is because of gov't regulation or safety liability issues. So modern irons don't seem to be hot enough. I've tried them in all price points and I've settled on just a cheap iron from Walmart. Meanwhile, I found a vintage iron at an estate sale (the kind with the stiped-like cord?) and it is HEAVY and gets hot. Ever since, I've been searching for other vintage irons and have two travel-size ones now as well. Neither have steam, but get hot enought that I don't miss it (I keep a spray bottle nearby if I do want steam.) My last, favorite modern iron I loved until the day it burned out--and it burned out by getting way too hot and scorching my pieces. Others leak. It's so frustrating. I hope yours works out!
ReplyDeleteI'm probably the kind of customer Rowenta loves, because I keep buying their irons despite the fact that they never last very long. I haven't been able to find any other brand that doesn't have an auto shutoff. That is really annoying when I'm quilting! I really do like the Rowenta irons, but they never last very long. I think you're smart to buy the extended warranty. You'll probably get a new iron ever 18 months the rest of your life!
ReplyDeleteI got a Rowenta travel iron when Primitive Gatherings did their Christmas sale a couple years ago, and it came in January and died (rather spectacularly by popping and smoking) in March. I sent it back to them since I still had the receipt, and they sent a replacement. It had a one-year warranty.
I wish I had some good suggestions for you, but as you can see, I don't! I think I'm going to start looking for old ones at Goodwill, too.
My Oliso has lasted almost three years. It started leaking, but I contacted them. They gave me some suggestions and so far it is working.
ReplyDeleteI understand your frustration with irons.........I am there with you! I hope I am not jynxing myself by saying........I have had my current iron the longest, and it is a Rowenta.
ReplyDelete