Help me choose a new steam iron

November 15, 2015 8:51 AM

I sew and do a lot of fabric crafting. I've had cheap plastic irons (that broke) and I've been using a 60's vintage heavy-weight metal Sunbeam from the thrift store, but after my last round of all day sewing and ironing, it seems that I have worn the sole plate down to whatever the base metal is and it's leaving marks on my fabric. Yes, I will try cleaning the sole plate, but perhaps it's time for an upgrade. Do you sew a lot and have a heavy-weight iron you can recommend?
posted by sarajane to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (8 answers total)

Rowenta seems to be the go-to brand. I have one for about a year now and like it very much. That said, I don't have much experience with anything else.
posted by wwartorff at 9:00 AM on November 15, 2015 [1 favorite]

This is the best one! Lasts forever...I've had mine for about 5 years and works great.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 9:00 AM on November 15, 2015

If you have the ability to set up a gravity feed iron . . go for it.
posted by Medieval Maven at 9:21 AM on November 15, 2015

I have a gravity feed iron. It is AMAZING. I think this Is the one I have.
posted by mollymayhem at 9:27 AM on November 15, 2015

I don't do a ton of sewing but I've been happy with my Rowenta. I've had it for a few years now. It is well made, heats up quickly and has a narrow tip for ironing small areas.
posted by Beti at 11:05 AM on November 15, 2015

The Eurosteam is the iron you want. Seriously. It has a pressure boiler tank, so if you want steam, you get steam. (Although that uses up the water in the reserve pretty quickly.) The magic behind this iron, however, is that it JUST DOESN'T BURN. Let me say that again. It's (virtually) impossible to burn your items. And since nothing burns, nothing sticks the the plate either. You can literally turn the iron on, place it down on top of whatever material you want--it doesn't matter if it's cotton, silk, poly, rayon, etc.--and walk away and not worry about it. I don't do that, mind you, but you can.

For a cheaper option, I've loved my Black and Decker (see tipsyBumblebee's link) for years. But when I have to eventually replace it, I'm getting the Eurosteam. (I've fallen in love with the one my mother has.)

Weight-wise, the Eurosteam may not be the heaviest out there (it's not light weight by any means) but the steam pressure and the way it heats more than compensates for having to muscle your way through the ironing chores.

It's also really simple to use. It's on or it's off. The only adjustment is for the amount of steam you want. Just remember, there is a lot of pressure so when you go to empty the iron and you unscrew that cap, a ton of hot steam can come shooting out, so stand clear.
posted by sardonyx at 12:59 PM on November 15, 2015

My sewing instructor also recommended the black & decker linked above. I will get that one next.
posted by vunder at 2:20 PM on November 15, 2015

I have this one - DeLonghi Stiromeglio Compact PRO 300 Ironing System with Pressurized Boiler.

I sew a lot. I like this iron because I can use steam even with the iron temperature set quite low. The iron itself is compact with a nice heft and a comfortable cork handle. The tip is nicely pointy, which is useful for getting into corners.

It doesn't heat up quickly. It has no auto off. I know those things are important to some.
posted by hilaryjade at 2:35 PM on November 15, 2015