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Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Pressure Irons

I don't know how these slipped onto the market without me noticing (oh right, I don't really love to iron), but they sound great.

I used to use an industrial version of this type of iron (Sussman?) for my tailoring classes in college. Since then, though, I have suffered through with low quality commercial irons. It kinda took the fun out of ironing (if there ever was any).

So, does anyone have one of these and what do you think about it?
I am very seriously considering buying one of these so I would love to hear any input.

On a related note, when I go on a big trip that will include Milan I always iron just enough shirts to get there - and then have the shirts pressed at my hotel, the Hotel Principe di Savoia. They do the most incredible shirt pressing ever. Incredible to the point that I had to go down to the laundry room and have them explain how they did it.

Their secret is that they have a big industrial steam iron (in the manner of the irons below), BUT after the steam iron passes over the shirt a blast of cold air comes up from under the shirt and quick sets the pressing.

I have worn shirts for almost a full day with barely a wrinkle anywhere except for high movement spots.

This concept is related to why I keep my aftershave in the vegetable crisper of my refrigerator - but that is a whole different post.


Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steamer $169.99
Continuous high-powered steam is available at the touch of a button making ironing fast and effortless. You'll be smoothing out the toughest of wrinkles and pressing the sharpest of creases. For the sewing enthusiasts, you can easily press seams, smooth fabric and pre-shrink fabrics that can't be washed. The vertical steam option enables you to remove wrinkles from hanging garments or drapes, while the variable steam allows you to adjust steam output based on fabric type. Features an extra-large water tank that holds up to 33 ounces for up to 1 1/2 hours of ironing. Stainless steel soleplate glides easily over clothes and has high scratch resistance. The stable compact base fits on most ironing boards and has an iron rest for convenient storage of iron. 1800 watts. One-year limited warranty.


Rowenta Expert Steam Generator $299.99
Ironing system is perfect for the home, yet provides all the efficiency of commercial ironing systems and the professional quality results. A 6-foot steam hose provides pressure steam on demand, and the compact base and 12-foot power cord provide convenience. Extra-large continuous fill water tank holds up to 33 ounces for up to 1 1/2 hours of ironing autonomy and can be filled any time while in use. The continuous high powered steam is available at the touch of a button and makes ironing fast and effortless. Allows you to smooth out the toughest wrinkles and press the sharpest creases with ease. Vertical steam is ideal for removing wrinkles from hanging garments and drapes, and the stainless steel soleplate provides high performance glide with high scratch resistance. The stable compact base fits most ironing boards. Also features variable steam control.

posted by The Sartorialist at 9:00 AM

Comments on "Pressure Irons"

 

Blogger Mo said ... (10:25 AM) : 

i will admit, i hate ironing:
since i'm 15 and live with my parents, i'm usually able to talk my dad into ironing my clothes for me : )

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:33 AM) : 

i've never used one, but it looks like a fabulous idea!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:34 AM) : 

I too miss the large steam irons we used while I studied Fashion Design in university! 11 1/2 hours of CONTINUOUS ironing! Iron-happiness...! (I may actually take up custom work again!lol...)

 

Blogger Aaron Brown said ... (10:36 AM) : 

I sew and have been using a cheap iron that really doesn't do the job. however while visiting my parents, I used their black and decker iron which they got for around $30. It worked great and my pants stayed crisp until I washed them.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:46 AM) : 

yes, but how does one generate the final blast of cold air at home?

 

Blogger The Sartorialist said ... (10:49 AM) : 

for Anon 10:46

you can't do it at home

maybe with a cold blowing hair drier?

or maybe by a meat freezer just for your shirts but that might be going over board.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:01 AM) : 

I've been seeing commercial/industrial iron hybrid type things like that at fabric stores and the like for years. Perhaps check somewhere like that. For another avenue, would be very surprised if e-bay or google shopping couldn't find you the fabulous industrial press of your dreams.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:05 AM) : 

Other factors that will affect wrinkling:
Fabric
One-ply vs. two-ply
Starch/Sizing
Weave

I'm sure there are others...

Does the manufacturer of these irons suggest using distilled water? Mineral content in tap water can be problematic.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:12 AM) : 

Sart,

I don't know if you have ever used the Black & Decker Classic but it really is pretty good (I assuming this is the same model that the prior post is talking about).

It is a darn good solid iron it is steel with very few bells and whistles. I don't know if you have tried it/what were your thoughts on it. However, the vertical steam option does seem life changing. I have considered purchasing one.

IF YOU DO BUY ONE PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:13 AM) : 

Haven't used these new Rowenta pressure irons, but I'm a long-time fan of Rowenta and have three of their irons, including a travel sized version. They're the only iron I've ever found that gets hot enough to adequately press clothes.

Both Amazon and Epinions have a good database of reviews for Rowenta irons.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:37 AM) : 

My mother has a Rowenta iron like this and when I visited her it was the best Iron I had ever used. It went faster and smoother and the shirts always looked better when they were done. I would recommend them.
I also think that you should post your reasons for keeping your aftershave in the crisper. It sounds interesting.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:39 AM) : 

I am concerned that the "stainless steel soleplate" featured on both of these would lead to the ever-dreaded wool-shine if you tried to use one of these to press a pair of suit trousers. Any thoughts?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:39 AM) : 

Doesn't everyone keep their scent in the refrigerator...? That's just good sense.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:43 AM) : 

What a picture that would make! A meat freezer with only shirts hanging in it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:51 AM) : 

The home shopping channel QVC has the first model available. Just go to qvc.com, type rowenta into the search engine, and scroll down the page. Clicking on the product name takes you to another page which includes customers reviews. Twelve out of fourteen reviewers give it 5 stars; the two remainders fret about spitting. Each user has left comments. I've never ironed anything in my life--nor do I wish to-- but several of these users are (dare I say it?) orgasmic with the pleasure of it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:13 PM) : 

I can't believe you posted this!

We've JUST recently (over Xmas) acquired this exact pressure iron!

We've yet to open the box and test it out, however I hear it's the best thing. Ever.

Will definitely get back to you on it's awesomeness.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:15 PM) : 

I love ironing and the big steamers we use in display - wish I had a room at home for just the washing and ironing equipment!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:19 PM) : 

Have you heard of the ITAL STEAM?

http://www.italsteam.com/

I picked one up on holiday and it's great for steaming suits and getting smells out of vintage items.

I'll be reviewing it on my blog this week.

-Dennis

 

Blogger relax said ... (12:19 PM) : 

I never used an iron anymore ... since I burned my arm and destroyed the iron .... when I first tried ironing, but I was told that these are the best for home use: www.laurastar.com/en/home/

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:26 PM) : 

I use an old vintage iron as it's over 5lbs. and gets real hot. It's a dry iron, though, as I don't use steam. I just spray bottle to dampen if need be. I have a Jiffy J2000 steamer for steam jobs. I agree that you get much nicer presses in cold air, but have no idea how to recreate it. If anyone comes up with a brilliant idea, I'm all ears.

 

Blogger Allen - East Hampton said ... (12:27 PM) : 

i love the obsession! we all have our things, don't we!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:28 PM) : 

I sew and have owned several Rowenta irons (I literally wear them out) and love them! I've been using a Rowenta Steam Generator model DG980 for over 4 years now and it's fantastic! Over the years I've learned that you must follow the Rowenta instructions that come with each iron in regard to cleaning and the kind of water to use to get long term good results from their irons. A lot of people have had problems with leaking, etc. but I suspect that they never read, much less used, the instructions. I highly recommend Rowenta irons -- if you're good at following directions.
Peg

 

Blogger Deveraux said ... (12:29 PM) : 

I am a wanna-be milliner who has used the Rowenta Pressure Iron & Steamer for a year now. Amazing steamer for at home hat making in my tiny flat. I also use this for pressing all of my husbands shirts, AMAZING results with little effort. A cool shot with my blow dryer does the trick to set in the press.

 

Blogger Jack Daniel said ... (12:38 PM) : 

oh, why so expensive.

my dad has an old fashion orange one. I always use it when I'm staying at my parents houst.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:43 PM) : 

My wife irons for me. She says it's relaxing. Go figure!! I'm a lucky guy!! Well anyway, I bought her one of those, and I had specific instructions from her, to buy one with a refillable tank while in use. I've used the iron on occasion, and I understand why. If you don't shell out the extra bucks, when the water runs out, you have to wait for the boiler to cool down, before adding water and wait for it to heat up again before having steam. Sounds like a drag, right? They're practical and easy to use, although not very easy to storage, regardless of what they say. I'd go with the Expert steam generator, or any other similar product from another brand.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:54 PM) : 

I use a cast iron iron. I just put in on the range and us water. Im a iron irons kinda a guy

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:56 PM) : 

Quite a few reviewers for the same iron at Amazon here and here are dissatisfied. It sounds like this new Rowenta model has problems with water drips that the old one didn't. I hope you keep us updated on what you try.

How cold is the air blast they use at the hotel? Maybe an air conditioner set to high would help?

 

Blogger Bini said ... (1:06 PM) : 

They're brilliant! Half the time, better result than when ironing with an ordinary domestic iron! The one we've got is an older version which isn't that practical because it has to be cooled down before you can refill any water! And they generally don't like heavy water. So filter the water first! It'll be very grateful.

 

Blogger Madeleine said ... (1:46 PM) : 

When I lived in France, both of my host families owned a pressure iron. It made ironing a breeze and - I'll go out on a limb here - even fun. They are huge hunkers and in both houses were set up permanently in the laundry room. I don't think it's something you'll want to continuously be setting up. But if you're into clothes sans wrinkles like the French (both families ironed their underwear for goodness sakes), I highly recommend a pressure iron!

 

Blogger Angelica said ... (2:03 PM) : 

Pressure irons are the best. I use a Tefal that's around 5 yrs old, and a more rustic (and even more reliable) model that I got in Spain a while ago. As a costume designer, I can't live without them - they shorten the time it takes to iron a shirt with like 90 percent. Very worth it, especially if ypu're not very into ironing.

Important: the one you choose should be refillable during use. And it has to be stable and hold together well. I carry mine around a lot (in a bag), and redundant little plastic details have been known to break off of and disappear from the generator. Plus, I usually upset motorhome drivers with the high wattage (2200) of my irons - something to think about if you're ironing in small spaces.

Good luck!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:12 PM) : 

Hello!
I've used a couple of those (since they are fairly widely available in Germany)? and have gone back to a regular iron with high/vertical steam, actually.
My major complaints are:
- the steam cord is often too short and becomes less flexible with time
- the filters are very sensitive to water hardness and start to crumble and come out with steam fast - nooot nice on dark at all. Using distilled water doesn't improve the results drastically.

Possibly, the technology has advanced since the my last experience with one.:)

Best of luck,
Yulia

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:44 PM) : 

Great post! My Sunday night chore growing up was ironing my Catholic school uniform and my dad's work shirts. I actually found it relaxing! Will these pressure steam irons work on delicate fabrics like silk? If not, can you or your readers recommend a garment steamer?

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:53 PM) : 

Sounds good but would need to be at that price. i was given a professional steamer by a friend of my mother's who owned a dress shop. It's great for certain fabrics like silk and velvet but nthing beats a good iron for cotton, especially shirts. There's a lot to be said for technique. i was taught at Central St Martin's. After four years and thousands of dollars of tuition my poor fee-paying father says at least i know how to iron his shirts...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:59 PM) : 

I sew and tailor, and get reasonable results with an expensive Phillips Iron (set me back $50). I would love one of these though!

 

Blogger morgan said ... (3:25 PM) : 

it's like Iron Porn. love it.

I am one of those people that LOATHES ironing but maybe it's because i've not had the proper equipment.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:33 PM) : 

my grandmother has one of these irons and i always ask her to do my ironing for me- because my shirts always look amazing. I highly recommend that you purchase one, it will be well worth the investment.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:43 PM) : 

I saw an ironing demo at El Corte Ingles in Barcelona (the Saks of Spain) and it drew a crowd. The iron hooked up to a big tank in the legs of the ironing board so you could iron all day. Europeans are sticklers for ironing. They even do their sweaters. And sheets. I have a real weakness for men in perfectly ironed dress shirts, which is probably one reason I married a Belgian who irons.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:51 PM) : 

I have a Rowenta steam generator in my sewing room, I love it! It is AMAZING for run of the mill ironing as well. Now for that blast of cold air... You need a suction/blow ironing board... this is what I lust for these days. Laura Star and Reliable are two companies which sell these. Good luck in your quest.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:23 PM) : 

you could get a gravity feed/industrial iron... seams (ha ha ha) like a better idea. one way to get nicely pressed, crisp edges (especially on wool) is to use something called a clapper. also a dressmakers ham helps in sleeves and curved areas...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:08 PM) : 

I iron all my own clothes. and have since I was 12.(now 40, If you want it done right do it yourself) I have had cheap and expensive irons. I'm on my 5th Rowenta iron. I had the model they discontinued to come out with "Expert Steam Generator" you are showing. It broke a month outside of the warranty. When I went online to see about buying another one I found out my model was discontinued and read post after post of people that all had my same story. I decided to just buy the top Rowenta regular steam iron and not one of the pressure irons. This is the 3rd one of the same model. The other 2 broke but were still in warranty. I will not buy another Rowenta if this one breaks after warranty. My mom uses a Black and decker she has had for years and the steam still works great. What I would do if I were you is buy it from Bed Bath and Beyond. They replaced the broken ones with no questions asked and I didn't have my receipt with me. They almost seemed happy to do it for me. I was not much of a BB&B shopper before this. Now I am happy to tell people about their service and return policy. But am wondering why Rowenta is so expensive when I feel they make a substandard product.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:28 PM) : 

not sure about the specific irons shown here, but i have the rowenta professional grade upright steamer (retailed around $499 i think) as well as a regular rowenta iron. i have had both for several years and though i'm not a big fan of ironing (or steaming for that matter), i've been VERY happy with the results. rowenta is the only way to go really...

 

Blogger Raikha said ... (6:55 PM) : 

I always hang shirts at the window after ironing. Not for any real reason; it's just how my mother taught me to iron, and she can tell when I haven't done it. Now I know why.

It's a funny world sometimes.

 

Blogger Gorgeous Things said ... (10:23 PM) : 

I sew and press, a lot. I had several Rowenta irons. I went through three in less than 8 months and decided to invest in a gravity feed iron (similar to the old Sussmans). It's a Consew ES-300. I think it now retails between $99 and $150, and the water reservoir holds 5 liters. You need to hang the reservoir from the ceiling, so you can't move your ironing board around too much, but it is a workhorse, and my husband loves it for ironing his shirts. I've had it for 3 years with no problems.

The iron is pretty heavy (4 lbs), and it sets a beautiful crease and has great fine steam.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:43 PM) : 

I love Rowentas, I use it at home and at my work. However, I would recommend that you change your recommendation of the first Rowenta Pressure model. The previous model, the Rowenta DG580 had a front water tray that was removable and had large plastic opening to fill. For some reason this was changed when the 5030 came out, putting it to the side with a small cap closure made of metal. What happens when you twist open the spout? 9 out of 10 times you get a shot of steam. The older model is what I used when I was at parsons and a friend of my that is currently there now has told me that they switched to the new model and many kids have been burned.

Bad bad design! DG580 is the way to go, even though its discontinued I got mine off ebay. They pop up every so often.

http://www.amazon.com/Rowenta-DG580-Master-Steam-Generator/dp/B0006DOZBG

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:50 PM) : 

You would be better off using a gravity feed iron. The price is much cheaper and you won't need to worry about the pump breaking down. You can purchase a special ironing board that has a vacuum action, I think. I use a gravity iron myself and am very satisfied with it. For a long discussion on irons and gravity feed irons, etc. check out PatternReview.com

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (11:50 PM) : 

Check out Laura Star steam irons, they are Swiss made and the original makers of domestic steam generator irons. I've had one for years and they making ironing less of a chore. laurastar.com

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:35 AM) : 

May I suggest using a steamer instead. Copy and paste this link and you'll know what I'm talking about:- http://images.surlatable.com/surlatable/images/en_US/local/products/detail/569244v1.jpg

All you need to do is hang your shirt (or pants, or whatever it is you want ironed) and voila!

 

Blogger Carly said ... (12:57 AM) : 

I am a seamstress and use an industrial iron. The rowena is not quite heavy enough to get super crisp creases but probably more than enough for your needs. I prefer gravity feed water tanks, where the tank is larger capacity and hangs above the iron to get more steam. Always remember that fabric will stay however it cools not how you iron it. Hence the blast of cold air. Don't move a garment until it's cool. You can also get a tailors clapper which is nothing more than a chunk of wood that you press the crease with after you iron. This cools the fabric quickly while applying preSsure. This is a good trick for home pressing. Good luck, ironing is the secret heart garments. Have fun exploring.

 

Blogger Eric.Granwehr said ... (1:04 AM) : 

my roommate showed me that he irons the collars of his dress shirts with his flat iron.... after he straightens his hair of course. i'm assuming most guys don't own a flat iron... but that could be all the more reason to obtain one.

 

Blogger SparkleQueen said ... (1:07 AM) : 

This looks pretty awesome, I do iron pretty often but my cheap commercial iron from Target works just fine for me! You should try it out, it might even be FUN for you! :)

-Emily

 

Blogger frisson said ... (1:53 AM) : 

honestly, and i'm not even embarrassed to admit, i have the first iron and it's THE BEST THING EEEEEVVVERRRRRR.

seriously.

it not only irons AMAZINGLY.

it makes ironing fun.

FUN.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:33 AM) : 

Both of these pressure irons from Rowenta are great. Just be careful they are very powerful and this takes a little getting used to. Highly recommend.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:45 AM) : 

Thank you for the input about iron. It is a great subject! I use the Rolls Royce of pressure irons: Laura Star. It is a Swiss brand, I live in switzerland but you can find it in many Countries. It is absolutely the best (I have no stock options and unfortunately, I have no interest in the company). There are some models which work continuously, when the water in the reservoir is finished, you can add it without waiting that the pressure decreases. So,you don't waist time and you can iron as long as you like. Happy New Year to everybody! Ciao Cristina

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5:07 AM) : 

I work in the fashion industry and I've had the opportunity to use various types of steam irons(including the Rowenta model).
I've found that the Rowenta steam irons are just as good as any other industrial steam iron, but it is much more compact than the usual industrials. Does it perform better??,,,, No, it's just as good, but the space saving feature of the Rowenta might make it a better choice for some.
A steam iron I have found that does perform better was one that had a vacuum ironing board. You steam iron with it as you would normally and after each blast of steam, you activate the vacuum(by stepping on a lever with your foot) to hold down the garment and also suck away all the steam and heat!!
It truely is effortless and was astounding how perfectly it works.
However with all industrial equipment, it comes with a huge price tag,,,approx. $2000.00

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:47 AM) : 

I bought the ELVIRA 540 steam iron at a department store in Bangkok, of all places...was embarrassingly expensive. BUT, it is perfection. The steam pressure is so strong that it glides over the clothing. My maid was scared of it in the beginning because it hisses like an overheated car but she quickly got used to it.

I hate starch and I hate industrial cleaning liquids...the bed linens are perfect and the shirts, crisp. It will pay for itself in cleaning bills and it's chemical free. :)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:50 AM) : 

where does the blast of cold air come from????

Please pardon the multiple question marks.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:09 AM) : 

My parents have one similar to those. A LOT better than cheap low quality things but I have never used an industrial iron so can't compare to them...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:41 AM) : 

TIP:
one tip i learned from a master tailor while i lived in london is to iron your dress shirts while they are still completely damp from the washer. it works great with both steam and dry irons. this process also cuts down on drying time and associated costs.

LA architect

 

Blogger indigo warrior said ... (11:51 AM) : 

Sartorialist, you should really go to a quilt show. First of all, you'd see some really amazing things done with textiles. Including wearable art. Secondly, you'd get to see some fancy-schmancy high end tools like irons *and* you'd be able to try them out. I've seen quilters lose their minds over irons like these. Personally, I have a lower range shark. I only iron as much as I possibly need to, and have been known to finger press my seams open (shhhhhh).

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:18 PM) : 

Here is the secret from a real Milanese, a "guardarobiera", meaning you get someone to do the cleaning of the house, no matter her ironing abilities because for the ironing you have an older lady, usually known by your mother since ages, that is particularly good with clothes, she might cost more, but it is worth since she saves and keeps perfect dresses that can last much longer

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:29 PM) : 

I'm interested in this aftershave theory/practice. Can you tell us what type of aftershave you use and why in the crisper?

 

Blogger jm said ... (12:29 PM) : 

i work for a large shelter mag and we have these in the studio as we're prepping clothes and home goods for camera and i LOVE them. had to get one at home my first month on the job. life changed.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:38 PM) : 

i'd been using this kind of iron about 6 month ago for just 2 weeks and i've sold it. it was totally unconfortable and before start ironing you have to wait for about 15 minutes! for me it's definatelly too long, especially when you're already late....;)

 

Blogger parisjetaime said ... (12:59 PM) : 

1. i just moved back from paris to nyc last year and the picture of that uber french guy is making me depressed.
2. can anyone please tell me who that girl is wearing? her shoes and sandals are amazing.
3. i give serious props to anyone who can travel with an iron. i stick to the hang your clothes in the bathroom and steam them while you shower trick.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:45 PM) : 

This kind of pressure irons, phillips also has one model, but this new one from rowenta looks very powerful. I use the phillips one, and since the water supply is not on the iron, you don't need to be always filling with water, which i find very comfortable (never used an industrial one), but I think and concerning suits, what makes the real difference is the board, specially if you can afford one that uses vacuum... which I would love to have the space and afford one.
But the pressure iron already makes a huge difference… specially in time consuming. The only advertence is the maintenance, concerning the water deposit and the iron surface.
About the water I don't use distilled, just filtered (like a Brita filter) tap water. It's easy.
Cheers!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:56 PM) : 

As stated above, these are very widely available and popular in Europe. I've got the Philips GC6430 and it's absolutely perfect.

http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/g/gc6430_02/gc6430_02_pss_aen.pdf

 

Blogger JP said ... (2:38 PM) : 

Using cold together with heat has many applications, this one I did not know about! great blog. I love the story about the Principe Savoia laundry room. Very typical Italian creativity and technical knowledge.

I am now looking for a Rowenta disti here in Milano, or maybe i will order one on Amazon and have it shipped.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:23 PM) : 

As a heterosexual man who loves to iron, I can't tell you how exciting this post is for me. I love you man!

 

Blogger M said ... (5:39 PM) : 

i use a steamer from time to time!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:27 PM) : 

NO NO NO. Rowenta is a home appliance.

The Sewing Divas recommend a gravity feed iron; these are the same irons used by designers in their sample rooms. You can see one here:
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp08316-0083.html

These babies weigh 5lbs, they heat to 1000 watts and they produce a TON of steam. They are not expensive for what they do: $125

Mine came from A. Feibusch:

A Feibusch Corp 27 Allen Street New York, NY 10002. Tel: 1-212/226-3964

Feibusch Web site: http://www.zipperstop.com/

 

Blogger Audrey said ... (10:03 PM) : 

I much prefer a steamer to an iron, since gravity does most of the work. Of course, this only works for casual looks and a professional press is much better for something crisp!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:10 PM) : 

I've owned the top Rowenta model for over a year, having bought it for sewing. I bought it because it received rave reviews on Amazon. It drips. The last time I looked on Amazon there were some other complaints. The company was supposed to be improving it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (10:13 PM) : 

lot of people have had problems with leaking, etc. but I suspect that they never read, much less used, the instructions. I highly recommend Rowenta irons -- if you're good at following directions.

--I read the instructions VERY carefully. It spits.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:44 AM) : 

Just to help the person who decided to sold the iron… that delay in starting depends on the model/brand… it's always advisable to check all important characteristics before buying, they aren't as ship as currents irons, nevertheless mine takes less time, never counted, but far less...

 

Blogger thirty1seven said ... (8:02 AM) : 

I have one and I love it! It was hard for me to switch from the regular steam iron to this..its now a favorite of mine. Especially with the option of doing the steaming or quick iron vertically..and it somehow cuts the time of ironing a regular shirt with by half of what I would do with the regular steam iron.

It is worth buying and I would highly recommend it :) happy ironing!

 

Blogger ES said ... (10:52 AM) : 

Damnit. I didn't even know I wanted one of these.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:01 AM) : 

I love this whole discussion! Life is improved, I think, when you know how to take care of yourself(and possibly those you live with) whether it is keeping your surroundings uncluttered and clean, cooking healthy, satisfying food, or knowing how to take care of your clothes. Thanks for an interesting and useful dialogue.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (12:56 PM) : 

I appreciate the post -- especially as a reminder. I've needed one for a while and the other morning, spilled coffee on my skirt 10 minutes before I needed to leave the house for a client meeting. I had to quickly choose a pair of trousers that were, while they had been hanging up rather than folded, less than ideal pressed-wise and resorted to quickly running a hair straightening iron over them. Awful, I know. The things we do in desperation.

That said, I've just ordered a pressure iron on amazon.com

Thanks so much!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:01 PM) : 

Until L.A. Architect's comment, I was wondering when somebody would reveal thr trade secret of ironing shirts as soon as they come out of the washing machine. That's precisely how Chinese laundries did it in the old days (when there were no steam irons) and, in my opinion, still is the only way to iron oxford cloth shirts.

 

Blogger Dunford said ... (1:47 PM) : 

I don't mean to be a piss, but I wonder: why do you keep your aftershave in the veg crisper?

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (2:04 PM) : 

we have the top model rowenta - it's really good and makes a major difference to ironing. However, it does drip a bit sometimes, and I think it's probably best used with distilled water - too expensive to fur up with calcium

 

Blogger Jaime Randle said ... (3:17 PM) : 

Pressure irons are aaaaamazing. I currently live in The Netherlands and we have one where I'm living and I actually don't mind ironing at ALL because it is so quick and the results are phenomenal. I visited home (NY) for the holidays and instead of ironing my clothes that I washed, I packed them so that I could iron them when I got back to the Netherlands. Now THAT, my friends, is devotion.

 

Blogger VJS said ... (3:34 PM) : 

i swear by the rowenta steamer. my mother gave it to us as a gift and it does wonders in seconds. i HATE ironing with a passion, but this actually makes it fun -- like the dyson for vacuuming.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:35 PM) : 

Have been using Rowenta Steam Generator irons for 7 or 8 years. Could never use anything else. It would be like watching black and white TV. To avoid shine on wool and dark clothing, Joann.com, http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3582&PRODID=prd3110 sells a teflon plate that will fit most Rowenta irons. I had to hammer out the back of mine a little to make it fit, but it does the job.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:02 PM) : 

hi. i have the top model: rowenta DG5030. it changed my life. I LOVE ironing with this thing. i was never much of for ironing before. now i iron twice a week. even my sheets! like others, i find ironing kind of relaxing and effortless with this stream iron. but more important, my family's clothes have never looked better.

one day i will buy a laura star.

 

Blogger secondvurss said ... (7:53 PM) : 

these irons look pretty cool- unfortunately i have an aversion to ironing. or maybe i haven't met the right iron yet...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (3:45 AM) : 

I have a LauraStar iron that is in-built onto the board and it has continuous high pressure steam and has the steam coming up from the ironing board surface...was worth the $1,800 AUS price tag. i can iron anything and steam clothing on the hangers. Is an amazing piece of equipment. We used to have the LauraStar iron that has the tank attached; that was great, but not a patch on the iron/iron board combo.

 

Blogger katya karaca said ... (1:26 PM) : 

Rowenta is a great brand and the tank really helps if you find yourself pressing a lot. The fact that it has a stand is better too because it is less likely to fall and break....But I have started using a steamer on my clothes because there is less chance of scorching...

 

Blogger Habitually Chic said ... (5:58 PM) : 

I think I've died and gone to heaven! As an interior designer, I often have to iron linens and steam draperies and I had no idea this type of iron was available! I am going out tomorrow to buy one! Thanks!

 

Blogger Cat Wong said ... (7:24 PM) : 

That's so funny that you posted this! We use the Rowenta irons at Parsons and unfortunately I've never had a positive experience with them (and from what I know, everyone else tries to avoid using them)! They spit and are made VERY poorly (the plate jiggles and wiggles and the plastic seems wimpy). I personally recommend the Black and Decker Classic Industrial iron.

Loves!

 

Blogger andrea.at.the.blue.door said ... (12:56 AM) : 

Apparently Eric Clapton irons his suits before he goes on stage; says he finds it relaxing. It can be, if you've got the right tools, and I'm very curious to read more comments on this topic, since I've never learned to love my plain vanilla Rowenta steam iron, which was admittedly designed for, well, I don't really know who, but it just doesn't have enough heat, steam, or weight to really work for me. (And my attitude probably isn't helped by there being a dead spider in the water tank...)

Now, for those of you who have to iron sheets, tablecloths, napkins, etc., google Ironrite. I have an IronRite 50 and it is one of my *favorite* toys!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:29 AM) : 

from using one of these while working 12 hour days in a costume department i have come to this conclusion:
vertical steam = GOD
:)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:11 PM) : 

I work in Santa Fe NM doing tailoring and alterations for film, theater and private clients. I have an industrial model simular to the Rowenta. I also use a vaccum board as well. I have used the Rowenta in other shops and it does a good job. If you want to buy one look at Joannes,Handcock,or other national fabric stores. They usually offer a coupon of up 50% off on one item. I usually buy all of my higher priced sewing items this way. I would recomend buying a teflon plate to use with the iron. It makes all the difference. You don't have to use a pressing cloth if you have it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:45 PM) : 

I have one as well. It's no joke about using 1/2 distilled water on these puppies. A good investment however, no more crushing your silks and velvets...

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (11:16 PM) : 

I have the floor steamer and it does not double as an iron...its a straight up steamer. Its great!!! I don't iron and the steamer takes care of anything I would need ironed anyway. You can get it at frontgate.com Its semi-professional with the container for the water located on the floor and the hose is vertically attached. Good luck!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (1:14 AM) : 

I have the Rowenta Advancer and it is God's gift to ironing. I will never use another iron.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:49 AM) : 

I have one :-D
Hate the work, but this one at least makes it bearable. My one is from Tefal or something french, and it's quite okay. Still, I do sometimes struggle with "overdry" hard cotton or linen mixes - and have to re-dampen them for a perfect result. I'll try the Principe di Savoia tip, with the cold blast: Living in frozen Norway I'll just hang every shirt out for a minute after ironing ;-)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (2:26 AM) : 

I have a Rowenta steam generator. I can't say enough good about it. Worth every penny. I send a lot to the cleaners, but when I have to iron something at home, I am so glad I have it. I have had other Rowenta irons over the years, and they were fine, but this is a whole 'nother level.

 

Blogger Mumei said ... (2:58 PM) : 

my friend has one of these irons. i had to use it while we were getting ready for a wedding and it was by far the best iron i have ever used. i like ironing. i iron my shirts almost every morning whether they need it or not and for a while i was bringing my clothes to work so i could use the industrial steamer. i was obsessed.

sart, these things are great and quick and well worth the money.

 

Blogger Michael Layton said ... (4:44 PM) : 

We have the Rowenta Pressure Iron and Steamer. I love it--it's so much better than a regular iron. The only negative is that on the low steam or temperature settings, water tends to come out instead of only steam . . . so it can be frustrating to use with a low-temp fabric like linen, for example. For high-temps like cotton, it's fabulous.

 

Blogger Relyn Lawson said ... (12:27 AM) : 

So let's have that other post. The one about the aftershave in the crisper.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (7:14 PM) : 

no person likes ironing. But these Rowenta's make you want to iron EVERYTHING. You'll be ironing your sheets! Then is will be just like the bed at the Principe de Savoia. Those lovely hotel sheets get the same treatment as your shirts, I'm sure.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:53 PM) : 

As far as I know,the cold air blast comes from a special kind of ironing table that you can also buy... I sew a lot and my sewing machine dealer has shown me one a couple of years ago... It was too expensive for me to buy back then, but I might just do it now!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (8:41 PM) : 

My SIL and brother have one and I LOVE to use it when I go visit them. She adores it - makes the ironing much easier.

Just need to have a place for it. You can't just take this out of the cabinet and use it when you need a quick seam press. It needs "pride of place" in a laundry room. But it's totally worth it.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (6:40 PM) : 

I'm probably a bit late with this, but since I work in textile, I just wanted you to know. There are professional systems that consist of both an iron unit and a table unit. For pro results you'll need an iron that can also work without steam (for delicates like wool, or even silks or viscose). The tables can either blow air (this will make your shirt "blouse" up on the table), or either "suck" in air, to keep textiles attached to it during ironing. One of the best amateur systems is by Laura Star, but these take a lot of room. If you're looking for an easier and smaller version, you'll be happy to find out great small steamers at other consumer brands. Only make sure that you can cancel out the steam to "dry" iron, descriptions as "continuous" steam probably mean that you cannot iron without it.
Hope this helps. Bonne chance!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (4:32 PM) : 

I just want you all to know that every time I iron now, I think of this post. In hotels I get the blast of cold air by turning the air conditioning on for a moment and hanging the shirt by the vent. You've changed my life, and I look much better for it.

 

Blogger izzit said ... (2:39 PM) : 

My mother had a steam iron from the 50's. You could not go fast; you could not be interrupted or distracted; you therefore set aside a quiet hour with the ironing board and the 'hissss' of the heavy iron pressing the shirt, and upon lifting it away, the 'Ahhhh!' of the iron sighing in pleasure at a job well done.
When I went to my first meditation class I thought the rhythm seemed familiar... it was the Zen of ironing.
Now my 80-year-old mother uses a Black & Decker iron, and the shirts come out looking the same. Though I miss only ironing for an Event.

 

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