When I got a certain iron last spring, I was thrilled with it. It got truly hot and produced more steam than I had ever experienced. Ironing clothes or fabric was a breeze. It was treated with kid gloves, never dropped, never abused, never left on for hours on end. I followed the manufacturer’s instructions, did the self-clean every month, was very careful.
How did it repay that treatment? In under 8 months it became incontinent. It needed Depends for irons! On top of that, even when drained of all water and set to no steam, it refused to get hot enough to press anything.
When it worked, it was a great iron but farewell, incontinent, cold iron. It was nice while it lasted. A new Sunbeam iron is now awaiting its first use.
Smudge saying, “Are the catalympics starting soon?”
And Lester, contemplating the lounge event:
Quilt Obsession 
haha funny iron…..and those cats, how precious, however if i were in the same room as the cats i'd be good as gone
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I bought a replacement Rowenta Steam generator that pours water out while steaming and doesn't get hot enough for me. I have resurrected the old Rowenta for now. What's with the incontinent irons?Cute Kitties as always…
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I have yet to find the perfect iron or vacuum for that matter!I see gold metal winners in those photos!yf,shell
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I never wanted to mention that problem during that time. I felt certain your joy did not deserve my story although we shared the same, ya know? Anyway, I also love my Sunbeam. Cheap and hot and never leaks. I'm almost on my 3rd just because you CAN afford to replace them even if they don't really need it.
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I've had three different Rowentas do that to me. After the third, I bought a cheap sunbeam. It works great and has yet to leak all over my pressing table. So much for getting what you pay for!
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Oh I just hate it when an iron I love dies on me. I buy 'em cheap so replacing is easy but the next one is never as good as the old one.Crispy
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I bought this iron not for quilting but my mother insisted on a heavy duty iron (she irons EVERYTHING with LOTS of starch) last July – in October it died – would not heat up at all – replaced it (thank god it was still under warranty) and the replacement iron – yup – died right before christmas! The cheap iron I've used for 10 years – yup it's still ticking and doing just fine. I hate to even call back to have this other one replaced (again) but I will – however only if it's still covered. For me – I will never succumb to that hype again.
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I kept buying Rowenta irons because I like a heavy iron and lots of steam but like yours, they kept leaking and leaking and I finally said forget it and bought a Black & Decker. Works great! Lots of steam and no leaks so far. I makes me crazy how appliances aren't made well anymore and are seen as "disposable". The kitties are in top form for the Olympics! Lester is a shoe in for the long stretch!
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I have finally gone back to a plain old dry iron. If I want moisture, I'll use a spray bottle.This new dry iron has a solid sole plate, nothing to catch as I press a seam……sometimes the old things are the best. Like me.*S*
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LOL. Delightful post, but I am truly sorry about your incontinent iron. Very difficult to find diapers for an iron! I have had a Rowenta for many, many years and never had a problem with it. From my perspective I gave up on those inexpensive irons ages ago. But I have used "dry" irons at retreats and would love to find one to buy! They press very well!SewCalGalwww.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
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I share your pain. Alas my iron is also incontinent and I'm afraid it's headed for the big junk yard in the sky.
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Wow, can I relate to this. I've tried expensive and inexpensive irons, and they all leak. They also all last about one year. I am convinced that the only good iron is a vintage, heavy one.
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My iron for quilting is a steam iron but I use it without steam. I only steam on the final pressing before sandwiching. Even so I still get through quite a few irons. They only seem to last about 18 months.Love and hugs Gina xxx
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LOL – incontinent iron! I feel your pain. It's every quilter's dilemma, isn't it?! I just bought the Reliable Digital Velocity iron and love, love, love it! It has an internal steam generator so it doesn't spit. I used it last week for 4 hours and not one spit or drip. Cindi
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Oh boy, it sounds like you and Stephanie, from Loft Creations need to commiserate. She had an incontinent iron as well. Tons of problems. Hope the new one works well!
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Incontinent iron? I have one of those too. lol I had my Rowenta for at least 12 years before it started to leak like a sieve, but the inexpensive Sunbeam I replaced it with kept shutting itself off for "safety". Grrrr! Drove me NUTS. I went back to using my hot, heavy and probably hazardous Rowenta with a spray bottle and have never looked back. I hope it lasts forever.Happy quilting,Susanhttp://www.susanintexas.blogspot.com
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Me LUVS ur kittehs! xxoo Bhu
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Oh, Cathi! I laughed so hard at the title of your post and laughed even harder at the picture. Sorry your iron isn't doing well, but thanks for giving us all a good laugh!
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This is definitely a case of iron-incontinence…LOL! I had the same experience, but… (knock on wood)… the last iron I bought is working very well for quite some time now.
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Sorry for your iron trouble. I've been there in the past and found it frustrating and expensive. Currently, I have a Rowenta which is now 2 years old or so and so far so good. But, I will remember your comments on the Sunbeam. Hope it works well for you!
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Oh Cathi – I laughed til I cried at your iron in a diaper – hope the new one works well for you. I use steam generators – find them to be well worth the expense!
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I understand your problem… I've had 4 Rowenta irons; all did as yours did, dribble, dribble, dribble and lost their heat. I like the machine because of it's weight but boy you sure do invest alot of money over the years replacing them! Wonder if any one has told the company???
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I have had that problem with Rowenta irons as well. But I keep going back and get another Rowenta – go figure!
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