Rowenta (irons).

[Mrs-M]

To Rodeosweetheart or any one else.

Would love to hear your reviews and opinions on the Rowenta line of irons.

[CathyA]

I bought one because I heard they were the best. It quit spraying after awhile, but that might have been because my kids knocked it off the ironing board a few times. But......I bought another one and it quit spraying too, and nobody knocked it off this time. I'm starting to think they aren't what they are built up to be. I do like a heavy iron though.

[sweetana3]

I am a quilter and know lots more quilters. Those who follow "name" brands get Rowenta but they have proven only a name and not good or long lasting irons. We investigated the reviews on Amazon for irons and I got a wonderful Black and Decker with over 300 positive reviews for around $34. It is the perfect weight and does a nice job. Inoticed that the iron I liked best at our latest retreat was a Sunbeam. It heated up fast and had 4 steam settings. We used it for around 12 hours a day every day.

[loosechickens]

I have a Rowenta iron from back in the days when I was a seamstress....it's about 30 years old, and is a WONDERFUL iron, and just as nice as when I bought it. However, it was purchased before Rowenta irons were the "in thing", and were mostly the choice of professional seamstresses and tailors. Once they were popular with the home sewing market, I'm sure quality took a dive.

If you want one, I'd look on EBay or in thrift stores for an old one, as they were probably made much better then......

[jania]

I bought a Rowenta, maybe 8 years ago (?) and have loved it. I wanted a heavy iron. I haven't had any trouble with the spray mist or steam. I use it about every two weeks.

[Mrs-M]

Oh you guys, this is great! You don't know how helpful this is hearing from you all. Seldom do I spoil myself i.e. buy myself anything, but when I do I take the buying aspect serious, and I like doing my homework to ensure I'm getting all that I am getting, and everything I want.

My old iron is, well, old, and the surface of the iron itself (the stainless part with holes) is kaput. It's pitted, well worn with scratches, and I've even had to take an SOS pad to the surface to help make it smooth again, so it's time.

I'm not crazy about buying another heavy iron, but the heavier irons really do make for easier ironing. One thing I've always wanted to have in an iron, is the "shot of steam at the push of a button" feature. Such a bonus that is when pressing heavier and more wrinkled items.

I've been keeping my eyes open and dropping by the thrift and secondhand stores for a good quality used one, but nada, however the Ebay idea is a good one! My SIL is Ebay'ing all the time, so I'm going to get her started on the hunt.

Will also be keeping all of the names of irons in mind as to what all of you have suggested and spoken about, in my hunt for a new/newer one. (Steering towards a brand spanking new one as it stands).

[Rosemary]

I was given a Rowenta a few years ago. It's not an upper-end one. It's just another iron as far as I can tell.

With most things, I figure that everything is made in China and brands don't mean much anymore.

[Mrs-M]

Originally posted by Rosemary.
With most things, I figure that everything is made in China and brands don't mean much anymore.That's a fact, and a depressing one at that. With all the research I've done on the Rowenta line, I was positively sure they were made in Germany, but now after reading your post I have my reservations. Nevertheless, the experience and advice you share is much appreciated. Looks like I have additional homework to do.

[Rosemary]

Even if the appliances sold here were made the same as they are made for Germany, and still made in China, at least they would be better built. My cousin in Germany was appalled to learn that many things sold in the U.S. have only a 30-to-90-day warranty, or a maximum of a year. Everything sold in Germany, she said, had to have a minimum of a 2-year warranty.

[Mrs-M]

There sure is a heap of dirt involved when it comes to the import/export trade business isn't there. (Interesting tidbit Rosemary). Thanks for that. Sickens me...

[rodeosweetheart]

Hey Mrs. M--just saw your post today--I love my Rowenta./ It is my second, as our Great Pyrrennees knocked it to the floor one too many times, romping by the ironing board. Now that no one knocks it over, this second replacement (a Christmaspresent from my DH) is just as wonderful as the first.

Honestly, it's worth it. Mine were purchased new, and made in Germany.

Good luck!

[Mrs-M]

Rodeosweetheart. So nice to hear from you. I recall you mentioning your Rowenta in another forum thread which prompted me to start this topic. I located a telephone number for the authorized Rowenta dealer and plan on calling them tomorrow to ask where exactly their irons are made. I've also been researching several other name brands courtesy of the others who dropped by here to voice their experience. Will definitely let you all know what I decide on, as I really do want to make a move on a new one ASAP.

[IshbelRobertson]

I used to buy Rowenta irons, but it got to be a regular 'hobby'! So, about 4 years ago, I swapped to Bosch. From memory it cost me about 60 GBP - but it is a great iron, does a great job and hasn't caused a moment's trouble since I bought it. (Watch it now konk out, just to prove me wrong!)

[rodeosweetheart]

Hi Mrs. M, good idea about calling Rowenta directly and asking. When I was on my first year of not buying anything from China, which was in 2003, I think, I found the first iron, made in Germany.

Which is reminding me to get serious about doing another no-buying from China year. I already turned down a couple of things this week, so might as well take it all the way. It was a real eye opener.

[Mrs-M]

Originally posted by IshbelRobertson.
(Watch it now konk out, just to prove me wrong!) And isn't that just the way. :) I appreciate you running the Bosch line by me. One more name for me to look into.

[Mrs-M]

Hi Rodeosweetheart. My fingers are crossed in hopes that they are still made in Germany. P.S. I hear you on the no China made/buy thing. This is one area I never let go, always conscientious about checking before buying.

[Mrs-M]

Well, good news is, Rowenta, at least their hand-held pressing irons are still made in Germany! Great news!!! Just another piece of the puzzle to ponder in my quest for the prefect iron.

[rodeosweetheart]

I think you should go ahead, or ask for it for Christmas. But I haven't tried the Bosch iron, either.
I just looked at Rowentas at Macys online and gosh, they have so many models! Mine was not more than 70 dollars, as I recall.

[Nella]

I love my Rowenta. Purchased it probably 15 years ago and it's still working like a champ. I'm always careful to use only distilled water in it, and I think that helps keep minerals from building up and causing problems. I'd buy another in a heartbeat, but I really only need the one.

[Mrs-M]

Originally posted by Rodeosweetheart.
I think you should go ahead, or ask for it for Christmas.I LOVE your way of thinking! You're reading my mind! :) I've been visiting and revisiting the Rowenta site multiple times each day, drooling over the Stemium model.

Nella. Do you distill your own water for use in your iron? I had something funky happen to my iron recently. I finished ironing, emptied the water out of the iron, let the iron cool, then put it away as I always do. (Upright, standing on the shelf). A few days later I pulled out my iron again to do a little pressing and noticed that the sole plate was covered in a sort of opaque milky white material. I figured it was a little calcium/mineral content that had seeped out of the iron itself, through the steam holes, yet I couldn't scrape, scratch, or wipe the material off, so I ended up resorting to using an SOS pad to clean off what I could and still, the sole plate is stained with whatever oozed out all over it. Hard water?

[Nella]

Mrs-M, I buy the large gallon sizes of distilled or reverse osmosis water at the grocery store. That way I know there aren't any minerals that will clog up the iron. Don't confuse it with the large gallons of drinking water. That water still has the minerals in it. Any possibility you may have run your iron over something that "melted" on it just before you put it up? Might not have solidified on the sole plate until the iron cooled down. There is something made for getting gunk off sole plates. I think, I'm not certain, it's name is "Goo Be Gone." Check with your local fabric store. Let us know.

[Mrs-M]

So happy to see your post this morning Nella! I've seen the distilled water you speak of, but a couple of years ago we bought a new fridge and it has that reverse osmosis water filtration feature built right in, so I'm thrilled right now (to say the least) knowing I can safely use that, instead of the distilled alternative.

Re: running my iron over something plastic or rubber that melted to the sole plate of my iron, no possibility. I'm always so careful about that. What I do is (after I'm done ironing), is empty out the water from the iron, leave the iron standing to cool (on the ironing board), then put it away on the shelf.

My mom thinks it's the result of years of use with hard water, so she suggested mixing a little vinegar with water before filling it, then bringing it to operating temperature, then draining. Repeat if necessary. Problem is, the damage is already done. My worst fear is buying a new iron and having the same happen, but the reverse osmosis water should (I'm hoping) prevent such from happening.

I've been so excited to post about my new iron but am still at a crossroads as to which model to get. I'm down to two models, the Rowenta DW9080 Steamium, or the Black & Decker D6000 All-Temp. The B&D is half the price of the Rowenta, and I like the styling of the B&D better, but... Decisions, decisions.

[Mrs-M]

Gosh, when I love a certain topic (what an understatement that is, as I love all simple living topics), there's just no keeping me away from it! LOL! Anyhow, the thing about the Rowenta is, it's steam reservoir is large enough to steam it's way through three wrinkled shirts and three pairs of pants! And, apparently, a small motor inside the iron is what drives the steam at such a rate.