Customer Reviews

Smartek 1200 Watt Self Cleaning Steam Iron

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Originally bought this iron to have a lightweight one at my sewing table. I like it so well that I've

almost abandoned my heavy, expensive one. The steam works fine and I am totally satisfied with this product. (I'm 87 years old.)

After nearly 20 years my trusty heavy duty Sunbeam assumed room temperature, full time. Since I bought that one my ironing needs have moved from an extensive business wardrobe to touching up and starching a couple of dress jeans and some denim shirts. I wanted something light, inexpensive, that steams and gets good and hot. The SmarTek ST-1200 meets all those and made quick work of it's first job, a heavy Levi shirt. For less than twenty bucks I can continue to avoid the very popular "look what I slept in" look. FYI: though smaller than average and only 1.6 lbs. this can't be considered a travel iron.

The two-prong eight foot cord and its 360° ball swivel are definite pluses. The the shape and contour of the non-stick sole plate make for smooth and precise ironing. And as another reviewer noted, it does heat up fast. Very fast!

However, the manual is amongst the most pathetic I have ever encountered; there's no excuse for that at any price point. I know the ST-1200 is just a steam iron, but it does have features unique to its design. In addition to the "temperature control dial" there is a "variable steam control." Most frustrating to the user is that the writer confused the two calling the temperature control the steam control and vice versa.

The steam control is mysteriously marked and indexed, none of which is explained save for a reference to a '0' (sic) position. Rotating the control fully CCW, it passes a detent and the knob... pops out. Is that the '0' position? And what are those icons? One looks like a pretzel!

I couldn't help but chuckle at the tongue-in-cheek Components Identification chart on page five, the arrows needing to be followed with some kind of pointer. All of page ten is the 12-step process for the "Self Cleaning" function. Step nine needs you to "Move the iron forwards and backwards..."

Most disconcerting is the warning on page seven for setting a control to 'MAX' (sic) "...otherwise water will leak from the sole plate."

Very handy is the included 3 oz. beaker due to the position of the water fill hole. The beaker has a "Max" mark, but it requires two fills to get the iron itself to its Max marking. While filling is done with it horizontally, the iron must be tipped vertical to view the water level. I wonder how long it'll take me to loose that beaker?

Idiosyncrasies aside, this fine little iron will serve me quite well. With rare exception all I need is max temp and full steam ahead. But those with a large fabric diverse wardrobe might be perplexed by the ST-1200's controls and end up in frustration getting settings right - though at this price one should be able to live with that.

Minus one star because of the manual.

When my old iron recently self destructed on me, (I didn't even know they had a self destruct switch) I popped onto Amazon and ordered up a new one. The first thing you'll notice is the nice price and the free shipping. That shipping I found out is also fast, I ordered it on a Wed morning and Thurs night it was waiting for me. It's a great basic iron for anyone who doesn't do a great deal of ironing. It's very light weight, although maybe a little too light, I've already knocked it off the counter a couple of times and the little arrow you set the temperature with is a little hard too see (picky, picky) but if you really only have to do a few shirts for work, it's perfect.

Original Review: I'm not an iron expert. I usually buy fairly inexpensive irons and have pretty good luck with them. This is no exception. I use this often for pressing while piecing quilts. The dial is accurate....when I want really hot it gets hot, when I want it on a lower setting for applique that works just right too.

I have used it a lot in the past couple of months and have taken it to a quilting retreat where it got a lot of 'shared' use. It is not a really large iron, but not small either. I have had no problems at all with this iron, I love it and would buy it again.

Edit: Well it is 12/20/11, and this iron no longer works. It simply fails to heat up now. I have switched outlets and it still doesn't work. I only took away one star, because I did use the heck out of it for ten months, and the price was good. Im not sure what the warranty is, but it wasnt worth the trouble for me so iended up getting a little better one at our local hardware store.

I've had this iron for over a year and it works great. I don't do a lot of ironing, but for what I do need ironed - iron does a good job. It's inexpensive, lightweight, and durable. If you don't do a lot of ironing then this iron is for you!!

I'm impressed with this iron because the price is so reasonable and the product is reliable. It's easy to spend more money on something that may seem to be better because of it's BRAND name but why pay more when this iron is just as good or better.

I got it on February 9th which was pretty quick delivery, and so far I've used it twice - on a silk blouse and a wool coat, both turned out lovely! Also, when you press the steam button, a subtle floral fragrance is emitted onto the fabric. The clothes seemed as though they were cleaner after ironing them! It's also a really nice light machine, and super easy to fill water with the handy little spouted cup provided. I like it!

No complaints...it works perfectly! I haven't had a problem with it. I love that it is lightweight and on the smaller side so its really easy to work with and store.

A good, reasonably priced iron. I have no problems with it and the steam function works well. I'm a bit confused about all the different knobs though. They're kind of hard to decipher (maybe because I'm kind of new to this ironing thing :D) but they haven't interfered with the function of this machine...which is to make me look presentable for interviews and special events. Woohoo!

Buy with Caution -- They charge a 15% restocking fee on all returns (other than for defective merchandise) and you must contact them within 3 days of receiving your order. There is no phone number anywhere on their website and they have two bad grades from their local BBB (they've only been in business a couple of years). Perhaps this is why:

I bought this based on good reviews and price; unfortunately the iron I received was defective. I emailed Stuff4Scrapbooking twice for return instructions, but received only automated responses both times. When they received the iron, they apologized in one sentence but were snotty in the next one. They did refund all of the original purchase price but NOT the $7.14 it cost me to return the item to them.

So while the iron may be terrific if not defective, the customer service is awful - at least in my experience with them.