I've trained myself to do the "fake it" trick every time I think it's getting ready to shut off! I pick up the iron and rock it forward once on my pressing surface as if pressing, place it upright again and continue sewing. The iron stays heated. I'm a very impatient individual and waiting for it to reheat does not work for me. I do like the fact that I can walk out of the room and leave the iron on since I know it'll shut itself off. I certainly shut it off when I'm done but there are plenty of times when I have to jump up from my sewing to throw in some laundry, get the mail, turn off a pot on the stove, etc. If you can get in the habit of "faking it" (we're talkin' irons, not the bedroom please) you will be a happy and SAFE sewer. Sandy, if you're reading my reply that one is for you! Hahaha!