Sponsors
Sponsors
Which is best? (Moderated by Sharon1952)
Posted on: 11/17/14 3:19 PM ET
Can anyone suggest which of the many brands available is the best? I don't want a gravity fed, but a boiler type. I am interested in your experience, maintenance, life of iron, etc. What features do you especially like about the one you are recommending...or maybe I should reword that question to say which feature is important?
Posted on: 11/18/14 9:51 AM ET
In reply to Sharon Rose
I wish you the best of luck in finding one!!! I have owned at least three Rowenta steam generators. They are wonderful at producing masses of steam. Easy to clean, do not have auto shut off (which I do not want) and the instructions say to use tap water. All that said, they cost a lot and last 2-5 years. At the most. The newer ones appear to be even worse. So my suggestion is don't buy a Rowenta! I'll let someone else tell you about other brands, I finally went with a gravity feed iron. No, it does not produce the masses of steam that a generator does, but it works well, didn't cost as much and can be repaired.
Just my opinion.
Nancy
------
Just my opinion.
Nancy
------
Nancy
Posted on: 11/18/14 9:52 AM ET
Janet Pray uses one that she raves about. I don't remember which it is but I'm sure you could email her and find out.
------
------
Linda
Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
Bernina 830LE - Brother Dreamweaver VQ3000 - Bernina B-770QE - Janome 6600P - Pfaff 1209 - Babylock Evolution - Babylock Sashiko2 - Babylock BLCS-2
Posted on: 11/18/14 9:53 AM ET
I have a Rowenta Steam Generator sitting in my closet because it blows the power in my house when it's turned on. Watch out for the wattage on these. I'm very happy with my Naomoto gravity feed.
In PA I have a Velocity V200 which I believe has an internal generator. Won't last as long as the tank with refilling but it's a wonderful iron.
------
In PA I have a Velocity V200 which I believe has an internal generator. Won't last as long as the tank with refilling but it's a wonderful iron.
------
So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss
At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution
http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss
At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution
http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
Posted on: 11/18/14 11:01 AM ET
In reply to Sharon Rose
Thanks for your question. It gave me the push I needed, and I finally posted my review on the Hi-Steam SVP-24. It's a mini-boiler, and I have been very happy with it (had it over 3 1/2 yrs). I like that it doesn't have automatic shut off, never runs out of steam, doesn't dribble or drip, and isn't plastic! Hopefully my review will give more helpful info.
Posted on: 11/18/14 12:23 PM ET
Seamstress Claire Kennedy talks about her Reliable on Youtube
------
------
I'm finally a blogger!
sewming.blogspot.com
sewming.blogspot.com
Posted on: 11/19/14 12:06 PM ET
In reply to Sharon Rose
Well drats! My answer was going to be "a gravity feed iron". 
------

------
I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Posted on: 11/19/14 6:44 PM ET
I suspect it's no longer available in the US anyway, but just in case: on impulse (it was on sale) I tried a T-fal this summer & I mostly liked it... except that it started deciding, at random times, to spew large amounts of hot water, with no way to make it stop other than switching it off. I figure the pump was connected wrong or clogged somehow, but it didn't seem to have any mineral deposits in the part that was supposed to collect them. I decided to just return it and get a refund, rather than investigate further and risk making it both useless AND un-returnable. (Fortunately it didn't burn anyone or ruin anything.) So I don't have personal experience with any *good* brands — I just bought a gravity-feed instead — but that might be one to avoid.
Posted on: 11/19/14 7:58 PM ET
In reply to Sharon Rose
Great topic and timely for me. I currently have a Kogan 2000W steam iron and it just dribbles water constantly. I am talking to their technicians about it at the moment as I thought if I put up with it I will be out of warranty! My dislike with this iron is it's very lightweight and doesn't seem to sit securely enough on it's bed. For $100 what do you really expect though?
I previously had a Tefal and that was a fairly good steam generator iron...although I had a new casing at one stage. The tip of the iron casing just deterioted to the point that it crumbled away, I ended up with a new casing and then replaced the sole plate too as (my fault) I scratched it. The sole plate was expensive. Finally the iron died after about 6 years and I didn't send it in for repair again. Likes about this iron were it was very sturdy, produced lots of steam, it came with a hose that you could attach to the kitchen tap and use to flush out the base every few weeks. It probably helped reduce the calcium build up. It also had a safety catch so that when locked in place you could move the iron safely knowing that the iron and base were attached to each other. Very good feature.
I would love another Steam Generator Iron but I'm sceptical that even spending big $$$ they probably only have a certain life span?
Sue
------
I previously had a Tefal and that was a fairly good steam generator iron...although I had a new casing at one stage. The tip of the iron casing just deterioted to the point that it crumbled away, I ended up with a new casing and then replaced the sole plate too as (my fault) I scratched it. The sole plate was expensive. Finally the iron died after about 6 years and I didn't send it in for repair again. Likes about this iron were it was very sturdy, produced lots of steam, it came with a hose that you could attach to the kitchen tap and use to flush out the base every few weeks. It probably helped reduce the calcium build up. It also had a safety catch so that when locked in place you could move the iron safely knowing that the iron and base were attached to each other. Very good feature.
I would love another Steam Generator Iron but I'm sceptical that even spending big $$$ they probably only have a certain life span?
Sue
------
Bernina 770QE, Brother NV 410 Babylock BLCS2, Bernette 1100D, Bernina overlocker L460
Posted on: 11/19/14 8:23 PM ET
I have a Reliable J490A that I purchased probably 5 years ago that is still going strong. The tank is removable and uses tap water so you can fill it while it is on. The steam is great and I think it is the best iron I've ever owned. It is the same one that Janet Pray shows in her latest Craftsy class.
I bought mine on-line at Allbrands and I think it is available from several on-line sources. It is pricey, but I think it is about the same cost overall as the higher end regular irons over time. Before I got the Reliable I replaced my irons every one to two years.
They have a vacuum table as well that I covet ... but it's not on the budget radar yet
-- Edited on 11/19/14 at 8:25 PM --
I bought mine on-line at Allbrands and I think it is available from several on-line sources. It is pricey, but I think it is about the same cost overall as the higher end regular irons over time. Before I got the Reliable I replaced my irons every one to two years.
They have a vacuum table as well that I covet ... but it's not on the budget radar yet

-- Edited on 11/19/14 at 8:25 PM --
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics







