New Iron Advice Please

[Clareew]

My current iron is not brilliant and also is filled with green algae due to me leaving it on the window sill 

I sew mainly garments and bags and would appreciate thoughts on what would be a good route to go down.  I see steam generator irons, gravity fed irons as well as the usual steam irons and would like to know what is best for fusing interfacing and general pressing.

I look forward to views.

[Surest1tch]

@Clareew. Personally I prefer a generator for pressing seams etc and a normal steam iron for fusing, some fusings dont need steam.
You could try cold soaking the tank of your current iron for a few hours in bleach and water, rinse it several times in clear water then clean with iron cleaner. Unless of course you either can't be bothered or just want a new iron like I would  .

[Clareew]

The iron is well used and I must admit to looking forward to replacing it.   I look forward to researching once I've decided on a type.

[Ploshkin]

I can't get excited about irons but one is a necessity for sewing.
I have a Bosch Sensix motor steam and I find it excellent. My reasons for getting it were that it switches itself off if left and it's not a hulking great heavyweight. 

[Ouryve]

Mine's a Bosch, too. Easy to use, long cord and belches the steam out when I need it.

[So Chic]

I have a steam generator for everyday ironing but I prefer my steam iron for dressmaking etc.  I also have an ironing press which is great for fusing interfacing or something that needs a heavyweight press.

[HenriettaMaria]

@So Chic What is this 'everyday ironing' of which you speak? 

[So Chic]

@HenriettaMaria   I'm a bit anal about ironing as I hate un-ironed clothing, I think it always looks scruffy and not very fresh.

[toileandtrouble]

@So Chic  ditto. Right tool for the right job.

[Clareew]

I find it interesting that some of you don't like the steam generator for sewing pressing - I have used one at a sewing club and found it great for applying interfacing.

 I don't do a lot of everyday ironing in the winter because I wear mainly knits but do I find my summer dresses and trousers need an iron.  Long gone are the days of school and work shirt ironing thank goodness.

[Puzzler]

I use a steam gen for general ironing and a £12 steam iron from Tescos for dressmaking. I have had the latter for about 8 years. One of the reasons I don’t use the steam gen for dressmaking is because I had it drilled into me by my former MIL that I needed to empty the tank as soon as I finished using it. That would be a pain with dressmaking because I am back and forth at the ironing board and didn’t want to keep dumping the water out. I may be misinformed. Can’t always trust what the X-MIL says but it works for me.

[Bumblebuncher]

I have a proper steamer/iron thingy gathering dust on a shelf that I rarely use because I don't have a full size ironing board anymore. I just use a common or garden iron that I bought because it was pink and turned itself off if left unused (which says more about me than I care to admit).
If I happen to buy something that needs everyday ironing, I am afraid it soon finds its way into charity bag!  Life is too short to iron clothes to wear that will get crumpled as soon as you put them on.

[Sara-S]

I love my Panasonic cordless iron for the maneuverability.

[Ohsewsimple]

I have a Philips steam gen for ordinary ironing.  Only wear natural fibres so clothes generally have to be ironed.  I hate the thing as I made a mistake and bought one that you can’t change the temperature on.  For dressmaking I’ve got another Philips steam gen but it’s small, temp controllable and only cost me £60 at the time.  I love this one.