199 of 215 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Auto-ShutOff is incompatible with sewing and quilting, May 1, 2006
This review is from: Rowenta DX-8800 1750-Watt Professional Iron (Kitchen)
The Professional label on this product is a big misnomer.
Ask frequent sewers and quilters what they hated the most about the last iron they replaced and they will almost invariably refer to leaking and the auto-shutoff feature if present. Typically, they press seams as a batch and go back to sewing... only to return to a iron that has shut off and requires a reheating cycle.
The auto-shutoff on this model makes it poorly suited for the sewing room where the 'professional' label should apply.
This (and other) Rowenta iron produces good steam and can burst steam to a certain extent. However, usually between 6 months and 1.5 yrs, Rowentas begin to drip. The valve design just doesn't hold up to water hardness that long. Failure number two.
For garment sewers and quilters, a professional system with a separate water boiler (tank) works far better:
* won't shut off on you
* since the iron doesn't make the steam (the boiler does), the sole doesn't have the 'hot spot' where household irons drip the water to make steam, which tends to scorch fabrics
* true professional models have a thicker sole which will maintain a more even temperature (still without the hot spot)
I teach sewing classes (garment, home dec, totes, etc.) and have completely walked away from household iron designs like this one. You will not see this type of iron in a commercial workshop. Noone there would have the time to wait for the iron to get hot again every time you've been away from it.
This iron is a better than average housesold model, designed for 'ironing' your laundry and not for pressing in a sewing room.
For general ironing duty (like laundry), check out the T-Fal 1759 Ultraglide Diffusion Iron for about half the price. My t-fal irons (i've had 2) have outlasted my Rowenta iron, with just as good a performance and with the advantage of the ultraglide sole, a ceramic-like sole coating that does not scratch, even over metal zippers (the stainless steal sole on the rowenta WILL scratch over metal zipper)
Rating this (and similar) Rowenta as a conventional household iron:
Performance 5
Durability 3 (before it begins dripping)
As a sewing room iron: 2
Overall Rating: 2 (because they label the product as professional, where it fails to the task)
P.S.: for any household iron, be sure to empty the water tank after use to prolong the life of your iron. Leaving water in the tank leads to premature wear of valves and seals.
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75 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I think this is a fabulous iron..., December 5, 2005
This review is from: Rowenta DX-8800 1750-Watt Professional Iron (Kitchen)
I have to admit before buying this iron I had the same old clanking cheesy iron I had used for 10 years ...that is when I used it. I usually just rewashed something rather than dragging that awful iron out....
It felt odd buying such an expensive iron (and I paid $10 more than amazon is charging) when I wasnt sure I would use it but I knew there had to be a better way... I have had it for six months and have had no mechanical issues. I see there are reviews with some various issues - I guess every single mechanical item has some individual lemons that come off the line ...it happens. Also unhappy customers are much more likely to voice their opinions that satisfied ones...
First let me say that yes, its heavier than cheaper irons but I think this actually helps 'press' out the wrinkles and pushing it back and forth isnt an issue for me with the weight - and I am not bench pressing it. However, if you need a light iron because you have minimal hand strength this wouldnt be a good choice. It holds a boat-load of water so you aren't filling it all the time. I just LOVE that. You can vary the steam and there is an auto-clean feature using the steam. The iron is also meant to use tap water, not anything special...
I have to say I iron now - and unlike my last iron where I would have to make pass after pass to get out a wrinkle, with this iron usually one pass is enough on regular weight clothes so ironing is actually quicker.
Rowenta is a very good quality name and a long standing company known for great irons... will every single iron come off the assembly line absolute perfection? probably not but I feel sure it is the individual iron and not the whole line because I think this has been a trouble free and great iron.
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29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I love my new Rowenta iron!, September 23, 2005
This review is from: Rowenta DX-8800 1750-Watt Professional Iron (Kitchen)
This is my third Rowenta iron and each one is more improved than the last. What I love about the DX-8800 is the larger water tank and the weight of the iron. I use steam a lot and hardly have to fill up the tank. The heaviness of it makes ironing easier. I also like that it has a strong burst of steam and the vertical steam option. The cost of it is higher than most, but I feel is well worth it. I hope to use it for many years to come. I would strongly recommend this iron to anyone.
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