Broken iron

[drcmk]

My iron is only about four or five years old--and iron's have gotten expensive so I don't want to buy a new one. But it doesn't get hot enough any more. The indicator light does go on when I plug it in and it gets a little bit warm, but not hot enough to make steam and I can press my flat hand against it without it hurting.

I've tried filling and emptying the water chamber, plugging and unplugging, turning it very low and very high--nothing seems to matter. My manual doesn't have a "trouble-shooting" chart, so I don't know what else to try.

Do I just need to buy a new iron? I really can't live without one.

 

[tvguy]

I hate that everything is disposable now, but
$12 to $24 is expensive?

 

[drcmk]

I hate that everything is disposable now, but
$12 to $24 is expensive?

My last two irons cost more like $50. There are clothes irons at Amazon for as much as $95. I don't buy the $12 versions because I want the iron to last more than a few years.

 

[Southernmiss]

I splurged on a Rowenta at Bed Bath and Beyond. Not a big ironer, but I really like it and it will last a looong time. Had a Sunbeam brand for 23 years and it was fine except that we had dropped it so much it was falling apart.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I have had 2 expensive Rowenta irons and both of them leaked like crazy. I finally bought a $40.00 Black & Decker D2030 which was a lot cheaper, never leaks, and works much better.

 

[drcmk]

So, is the consensus that my iron is just broken and I need to buy a new one? No ideas for how to tinker with it or trouble shoot?

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

contact the manufacturer and see if they will do anything??

 

[DizMe]

My thought is that everything is made cheaply overseas and not meant to be fixed. Sad, but that's the way of it.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Did you try putting some vinegar in it. It cleans out the sediment build up from the water. I would put the vinegar in it and iron an old towel using the steam option till all the vinegar is out of the water chamber. Then fill the chamber with water and continue ironing the towel till water in the camber is gone. This step will help remove the vinegar from the iron.

I never use tap water in my iron because of all the minerals instead I used distilled water.

 

[tvguy]

So, is the consensus that my iron is just broken and I need to buy a new one? No ideas for how to tinker with it or trouble shoot?

I think the heating element has failed, but where would you get parts?

 

[tvguy]

I have had 2 expensive Rowenta irons and both of them leaked like crazy. I finally bought a $40.00 Black & Decker D2030 which was a lot cheaper, never leaks, and works much better.

Just looked Rowenta up on Amazon, boy, people either love or hate them.

All our clothing is Permanent Press, so we only iron a few times a year when we wear our fancy "get married-get buried" clothing.

 

[Eastern]

Rowenta irons have been on sale at BB&B. I got one for my son, normally $50, on sale 40, with coupon, $32. They had cheaper ones, and more expensive ones.

 

[Eastern]

My thought is that everything is made cheaply overseas and not meant to be fixed. Sad, but that's the way of it.

I agree. I'd rather buy a new small electrical appliance than risk a malfunction.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

?......

I never use tap water in my iron because of all the minerals instead I used distilled water.

You are not supposed to use distilled water in Rowenta irons. In fact, most iron makers say tap water is fine. There is a good explanation here (see Use in Steam Irons section):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distilled_water

OP, just buy a new iron.

 

[scrapquitler]

My iron is only about four or five years old--and iron's have gotten expensive so I don't want to buy a new one. But it doesn't get hot enough any more. The indicator light does go on when I plug it in and it gets a little bit warm, but not hot enough to make steam and I can press my flat hand against it without it hurting.

I've tried filling and emptying the water chamber, plugging and unplugging, turning it very low and very high--nothing seems to matter. My manual doesn't have a "trouble-shooting" chart, so I don't know what else to try.

Do I just need to buy a new iron? I really can't live without one.

If it's not getting hot, it's probably shot. If you've had it 4 or 5 years, it's probably lived out it's usefulness. Just go to Target and buy a new one, it's only going to set you back about $30 for a non-fancy one.

I love the iron I currently own, but it is a fancy expensive one. So far it has lasted my almost 4 years (which really is a record for me). But I use it all the time when I quilt.

As an aside, if you don't want to spend even that $30 at Target, check out your local thrift store. I have a collection of OLD irons (the ones that are so old they have the fabric type cord and no auto shut off) that I paid about $3 or $4 for. Those old irons are really great because they get much hotter than most that are sold today and they don't have the auto off that I hate so much.

 

[pryncess527]

I bought a $20 iron off Amazon and it's worked very well for years. I think an iron is pretty simple technology, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good product.

 

[scrapquitler]

My last two irons cost more like $50. There are clothes irons at Amazon for as much as $95. I don't buy the $12 versions because I want the iron to last more than a few years.

My experience is that a more expensive iron is not necessarily better than a cheap one. I've had a $12 no name iron that I got at Home Depot that was great and lasted a couple of years, and I've had a $100+ Rowenta that didn't make it for a full year.

 

[wiigirl]

Rowenta irons have been on sale at BB&B. I got one for my son, normally $50, on sale 40, with coupon, $32. They had cheaper ones, and more expensive ones.