Deep from within the secret location of a little know quilting test laboratory the results are in as to the vexing question,"How hot is this iron"? After extensive research (15 minutes) I have come to the conclusion that the printed range of the label on the two irons I inspected are wildly optimistic. The cheap dry iron set on it's hottest setting (linen) produced a high of 356 degrees(F). Placement of the digital probe was in as close to similar position as I could get. The B & D classic steam/dry iron set on dry registered 325 as the highest reading when set on the Linen or highest setting. The heat tended to drop from the highest to about almost 100 degrees lower between cycles of on and off. This may have been due to the material in the sole. Steel on the B & D and Aluminum on the dry iron. If anybody has a Rowenta that is working, sorry about that, they might try the experiment by using a digital thermometer and placing it between a block of wood and the sole of the iron. I placed the probe toward the front directly beneath the dial assuming that is where the thermostat is probably located on these irons. The conclusion I came to is that you probably get what you pay for in irons. Inconsistent heat that can be remedied by placing the setting on the highest point and hoping for the best, or spending over $400 on the only commercial Dry iron that I could find but that is claimed to having accurate thermostatic control. This concludes this test, and if anybody has any other irons they could duplicate this test on they can inform curious public desperate for further information as to the "True" heat range of the iron they have. Or even people who are casually interested in the readings and are happy with their irons. Inquiring minds are a terrible thing to waste, now back to quilting, (with a less than stellar performing iron).
John