Steam iron that doesn't spit

September 2, 2005 10:57 PM

Recommend a steam iron that doesn't spit and leak.

I don't do a lot of ironing, but when I do, I want it to go smoothly (pun intended). My current iron makes it impossible to press a single garment without water spitting and leaking, no matter how I fiddle with the temperature. Within reason, I'll spend what's needed, in the hopes of keeping the new iron for a good many years to come.

posted by Joleta to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

Are you using distilled water? If the water in your area has a high mineral content, it could make you iron spit even though the manufacturer said to use tap water.
Alternately, if you have a water softener, the residual salt might cause spitting. If you got a booklet with the iron, see if there is any info about cleaning out minerals with vinegar.
posted by Cranberry at 11:57 PM on September 2, 2005

Response by poster: The booklet that came with the iron says: "Most ordinary tap water can be used in this iron. In extremely hard water areas, distiled or demineralized water should be used. Do not use water processed through home water softening systems, because this water contains minerals that may be harmful to the iron." The booklet also says, "Never use steam iron cleaners in this iron, since they may damage the inside of the iron." It doesn't say anything about vinegar. The water that spits out when ironing doesn't leave white mineral spots, and there are no spots on the sole plate of the iron. We don't have a home water softener, but I believe our village water is pre-softened.
posted by Joleta at 5:57 AM on September 3, 2005

When it comes to irons, spending more = shorter life. I've gove 2 years with a $10 Sunbeam from Target and it rocks.

How long have you had your current one, and has it always been doing this? It might just have a lot of gunk in it. Cranberry says vinegar, that sounds like it would work well- I've heard that CLR works well on irons also.
posted by baphomet at 6:43 AM on September 3, 2005

Response by poster: This is a $30 Panasonic iron, purchased 2/02. It didn't always spit. I suppose if I'm going to replace it anyway, it won't hurt to try the vinegar treatment. Do I use the vinegar straight, or dilute it with water?
posted by Joleta at 7:49 AM on September 3, 2005

For good irons there is but one name: Rowenta. The Professional and Perfect Steam lines seem to be the ones to look at. They'll probably set you back $100-$150, though I see Amazon has some good sale prices going on.

A $30 iron is going to spit and be crappy, even if maintained perfectly. I've got one of those now and we swear at it regulary. A Rowenta is on the wedding registry.
posted by mendel at 9:18 AM on September 3, 2005

Not quite what you asked, but my mother taught me not to use the steam function in the iron, because it always wrecks the iron. Instead, I use thin, wet handkerchiefs or tea towels. I keep a basin of water at hand while ironing so I can keep my ironing cloth wet. It's probably a little more time consuming than using the iron steam function, but it does work and it preserves the iron. I've had my (first!) iron nine years, and since I sew, I use it quite a bit. My mother is only on her second in 43 years of marriage.
posted by orange swan at 1:42 PM on September 3, 2005