Opinions about gravity fed steam irons

Google is sometimes good, and sometimes not so hot.The search got lots of steam irons, but not gravity fed,lots of gravity fed stuff that were not steam irons,lots of golf irons and the usual eBay stuff that has no usage comparisons. I have looked at Allbrand where we bought the Consew. There are lots of makes on the market. What I really want is some information from someone who is happy with what they have or even from someone who is not happy. Just looking at advertising is not heart warming.

Charlie

You might look at a place that sells to the industrial sewing companies, like

or Sew True: -- I'm sure there are others.The only gravity fed iron I've used is an old Sussman. Naomoto is another brand I've heard good things about.

replacement is

Consew is pretty BOL as far as gravity irons are concerned, made more for light commercial use and mainly domestic use than anything else. Naomoto, Cissell, Sussman, and Hi-Steam are the brands found in most commercial settings such as laundries/dry cleaners, tailors and so forth. Naomoto irons in particular are considered top dogs of the lot.

You can usually find decent commercial gravity irons, often MIB at good prices on eBay. Older models, those with thumb switches versus new models where the steam switch is part of the handle tend to go quite cheaply. Have an older Naomoto HYS iron which worked a treat, but was VERY heavy. Falling on the floor damaged the unit so now use a Hi-Steam gravity iron which is more modern and weighs less, love it as well. Am debating on weather to send the Naomoto off to be repaired, or just chuck it, as replacements are always on eBay for give away prices. Well must less than what it would cost in terms of repair plus two way shipping.

Candide

"Never keep up with the Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper." Quentin Crisp 1908 - 1999 _+_+_+_+_+_+__+_+_+_+_

replacement is

Should add that most gravity irons are most happy and produce best steam when set to medium to high heat. Lower heat setting such as "silk" or "polyester" may cause weak steam and the iron to spit, dribble and leak water. Calling for steam too often under those conditions can lead to the unit becoming "flooded" with water. Older gravity irons came with Teflon "shoes" which allow one to set the iron to "high" no matter what was being ironed. These shoes act almost like pressing cloths in that they offer a layer of protection between the iron's hot soleplate and the material. They also keep gunk, material and so forth from sticking to the iron's soleplate.

Many modern gravity irons have employed various new surfaces for their soleplates that claim to eliminate the need for ironing shoes, and still offer all the benefits. You must experiment to find out if the iron will put out enough steam on "low", otherwise the above remedy applies.

Candide

Charlie, I have had a Sussman Pro for over 10 years. Have had nothing but pleasure from using this iron. It has never given be any problems and it presses and irons like nothing I have had before. It's not cheap - but then you get what you pay for.