An Iron is an Iron, Right?

[Snip Snip]

I don't really mean that, so don't yell at me. But, really, can you tell me what makes an expensive iron good? I saw a video recently where the lady was flattening out the seam just ahead of the iron--I swear she was touching the iron with her finger! I would be burnt to a crisp if I tried to work that close to the front of my iron. Is there something special about the iron--maybe not heating up at all on the upper part, just the bottom of the sole? Educate me, please!

[Juliet Taylor]

Interesting question! I hope to see some helpful answers! I sometimes ask myself the same, especially when I see Jenny using hers... I have a very simple iron for clothing and since I've switched off the steam works well for quilting but sometimes I wonder what I could find with a more professional one!

[Pandabear]

I have a Black & Decker... $16.00 it cost me. Works great and has for awhile. I, too, don't understand the appeal of expensive irons and wonder what I'm missing.

[cindirae]

For me, personally, it's how hot it gets (and if it HOLDS that hot temperature!), how much water it holds, the amount of steam it will put out, and - absolutely the number one reason - if it spits. Yes, I've got an expensive iron. It has every single thing I was looking for, and I'm more than happy to put out the money for it. It's not that I need the cadillac of irons, it's that the iron does what I need. Everyone is different and has different requirements and needs, and that's why we have these boards, LOL!

[jjkaiser]

What cyndi said. Unfortunately you will have to look up customer's reviews to help you decide if a certain iron is a good match for you, as the things we like/dislike are not usually on the box--ex. Does it hold the heat, does it feel too heavy after ironing awhile etc. I have the Oliso blue. Rave rave clap clap clap, but don't let that influence you!

[K. McEuen]

I have a Black & Decker... $16.00 it cost me. Works great and has for awhile. I, too, don't understand the appeal of expensive irons and wonder what I'm missing.

What you're not missing is the extra $100 to $150 out of your bank account!

My B&D is 25+ years old, gets hot fast, irons well and is in no danger of being replaced until it dies.

[Bubby]

I like an iron that has some weight to it and steams without spewing water on my fabric. I also like a long cord. Other than that I don't care what brand it is. Right now I have a Rowenta Professional that I've been using about 7 years and it still works perfectly. Whatever iron you buy, make sure you read the instruction booklet. My iron uses drinking water, not distilled water.

[Iris Girl]

I love my cordless panasonic , best thing I ever did. I tried the fancy Rowentas and they all leaked , spit and did not last for the money. Not sure How I managed before with the crazy cord always in the way...I think with a lot of pirate words. Cordless is my hero!

[cyndiofthevortex]

What you're not missing is the extra $100 to $150 out of your bank account!

My B&D is 25+ years old, gets hot fast, irons well and is in no danger of being replaced until it dies.

I'm a B&D fan, too. Mine was about $5 at a thrift store. I've never had an iron work so well. I do hope it lasts a good long time!

[Carrie J]

I'm of the "use it til it dies and not out a lot of money" ilk, and found a Rival at WalMart the other day for 10 bucks, lightweight, gets hot fast, doesn't spit and irons beautifully. It's all up to the user and their preferences.