Well, my Chi iron didn't last as long as I would have liked, but then, I am awfully hard on irons apparently. I bought the one on the left in May 2022 and the one on the right arrived this week.
The "older" one is still working, and not leaking unless I try to use it before it has heated up all the way. What it is doing is shutting off unexpectedly, which is annoying. I thought this sign was a heads-up that it wasn't long for this world. I ordered the new one to have on hand for the day when the older one goes belly up. I should try cleaning the old one to see if that corrects the issue.
The new model is essentially the same, the only difference being the method of filling it. The little red pop-open door is an improvement from the more fussy method of having to turn the cover to the side to expose the fill hole. Other than that, every other feature seems to be the same.
What I like about this iron, and which caused me to repurchase it, are the 400+ steam holes, fast heat-up time, and a 30-minute shut-off time. Most other irons shut off within a few minutes, and I like to keep my iron on while I sew. This is probably why they don't last me very long.
My original Chi iron cost $99 in 2022 and the new model cost $82 in 2024. I am not quite ready to toss the older one, and will give it a good cleaning and see how long I can limp along with it before switching over to the new one. Up until a couple of weeks ago the first one has never leaked (unless I jumped the gun and used it before it was ready) or caused me any issues.
In my last post I mentioned that the dance Eva had been looking forward to had been canceled. Well, the evening was salvaged after all. The thoughtful mom of one of her friends suggested having the girls dress up in their party dresses and she would take them to a local restaurant for dinner. The sushi place near us has a private dining area that was available for the girls to use. As you can see by their joyful expressions, they are having an amazing time.
She spent the weekend selling her Girl Scout cookies. She set up her booth in front of the historic hotel in the little town of Murphys, down the street from where her family has its wine-tasting shop. Evidently, sales were good as tourists passed by on their wine-tasting excursions. I have always known that shopping comes easy to those who have consumed a glass or two of chardonnay.
Hope you all had a great weekend!
30 responses to “Iron Update”
Could you share how you clean your iron, please. Mine leaks occasionally. Fortunately, it hasn’t ruined anything; but I have a feeling it will happen eventually.
Could you share how you clean your iron, please. Mine leaks occasionally. Fortunately, it hasn’t ruined anything; but I have a feeling it will happen eventually.
Could you share how you clean your iron, please. Mine leaks occasionally. Fortunately, it hasn’t ruined anything; but I have a feeling it will happen eventually.
On your recommendation, I bought two CHI irons for myself, two for my quilt guild and one for my HOA sewing group. The sewing group lead, on her own, purchased this one that was cheaper and opens up instead of sideways. Of all of those irons, the only one now with problems is the cheaper, open up one. The others are all still working very well. No leaks; I often overfill one of mine and no leaks yet. I think these two irons are like the Rowenta’s – never buy the one made in Mexico, always the one made in Germany. If I were you, I’d return that cheaper one and get another one that is $100 and opens sideways. Just my opinion.
On your recommendation, I bought two CHI irons for myself, two for my quilt guild and one for my HOA sewing group. The sewing group lead, on her own, purchased this one that was cheaper and opens up instead of sideways. Of all of those irons, the only one now with problems is the cheaper, open up one. The others are all still working very well. No leaks; I often overfill one of mine and no leaks yet. I think these two irons are like the Rowenta’s – never buy the one made in Mexico, always the one made in Germany. If I were you, I’d return that cheaper one and get another one that is $100 and opens sideways. Just my opinion.
On your recommendation, I bought two CHI irons for myself, two for my quilt guild and one for my HOA sewing group. The sewing group lead, on her own, purchased this one that was cheaper and opens up instead of sideways. Of all of those irons, the only one now with problems is the cheaper, open up one. The others are all still working very well. No leaks; I often overfill one of mine and no leaks yet. I think these two irons are like the Rowenta’s – never buy the one made in Mexico, always the one made in Germany. If I were you, I’d return that cheaper one and get another one that is $100 and opens sideways. Just my opinion.
I hope you can get extended service from your hard working iron. Quilters do ask a lot of them. I bought a Chi on your recommendation and have loved it.
I hope you can get extended service from your hard working iron. Quilters do ask a lot of them. I bought a Chi on your recommendation and have loved it.
I hope you can get extended service from your hard working iron. Quilters do ask a lot of them. I bought a Chi on your recommendation and have loved it.
Oh, the iron ordeal! I love love loved my Rowena and it lasted for years. The first one. Subsequent ones not very long. So frustrating! Now I use an Oliso which I really like, but I’m on my second one of those now.
Oh, the iron ordeal! I love love loved my Rowena and it lasted for years. The first one. Subsequent ones not very long. So frustrating! Now I use an Oliso which I really like, but I’m on my second one of those now.
Oh, the iron ordeal! I love love loved my Rowena and it lasted for years. The first one. Subsequent ones not very long. So frustrating! Now I use an Oliso which I really like, but I’m on my second one of those now.
I am weighing in on this Iron Dilemma, I never purchased an expensive iron and believe the cheaper ones are the longest lasting. My first iron was a black and decker and it lasted 30+ years, I think I paid less than $20 for it, all I had to do was replace the electric cord as it wore out. then I purchased another one and I still use it, 20 years still going strong. However I have received two (cheap) irons from my mother after she passed and have use one of them occasionally when sewing in the family room. I rarely use water and only a hot dry iron and a newer wool pressing mat but before I had the wool mat it was just the padded ironing board. So I have two back ups and really have not had to use then often. My blocks are as flat at ever and I am satisfied with the pressing. I use best press! I love this product. The main thing I do is press and hold not iron! I had my husband make me two clappers and they are amazing.
I am weighing in on this Iron Dilemma, I never purchased an expensive iron and believe the cheaper ones are the longest lasting. My first iron was a black and decker and it lasted 30+ years, I think I paid less than $20 for it, all I had to do was replace the electric cord as it wore out. then I purchased another one and I still use it, 20 years still going strong. However I have received two (cheap) irons from my mother after she passed and have use one of them occasionally when sewing in the family room. I rarely use water and only a hot dry iron and a newer wool pressing mat but before I had the wool mat it was just the padded ironing board. So I have two back ups and really have not had to use then often. My blocks are as flat at ever and I am satisfied with the pressing. I use best press! I love this product. The main thing I do is press and hold not iron! I had my husband make me two clappers and they are amazing.
I am weighing in on this Iron Dilemma, I never purchased an expensive iron and believe the cheaper ones are the longest lasting. My first iron was a black and decker and it lasted 30+ years, I think I paid less than $20 for it, all I had to do was replace the electric cord as it wore out. then I purchased another one and I still use it, 20 years still going strong. However I have received two (cheap) irons from my mother after she passed and have use one of them occasionally when sewing in the family room. I rarely use water and only a hot dry iron and a newer wool pressing mat but before I had the wool mat it was just the padded ironing board. So I have two back ups and really have not had to use then often. My blocks are as flat at ever and I am satisfied with the pressing. I use best press! I love this product. The main thing I do is press and hold not iron! I had my husband make me two clappers and they are amazing.
What a smart mom to think of dinner out in their party dresses! The girls look like they’re having lots of fun at the sushi restaurant! Good save! As to the iron discussion…I’m Team Black & Decker here. They’re heavy, get super hot & have lots of steam. I don’t panic if one fails after a couple of years & simply grab another at Walmart. They do shut off automatically after 10 or so minutes, but heat right back up quickly. I think irons boil down to personal preference with so many choices & price ranges.
What a smart mom to think of dinner out in their party dresses! The girls look like they’re having lots of fun at the sushi restaurant! Good save! As to the iron discussion…I’m Team Black & Decker here. They’re heavy, get super hot & have lots of steam. I don’t panic if one fails after a couple of years & simply grab another at Walmart. They do shut off automatically after 10 or so minutes, but heat right back up quickly. I think irons boil down to personal preference with so many choices & price ranges.
What a smart mom to think of dinner out in their party dresses! The girls look like they’re having lots of fun at the sushi restaurant! Good save! As to the iron discussion…I’m Team Black & Decker here. They’re heavy, get super hot & have lots of steam. I don’t panic if one fails after a couple of years & simply grab another at Walmart. They do shut off automatically after 10 or so minutes, but heat right back up quickly. I think irons boil down to personal preference with so many choices & price ranges.
1) dinner out sounds fantastic and they got to dress up!
2) like all the others I bought a Chi bc of you. my iron died and Target had a Chi. It’s been excellent.
3) I usually buy GS cookies and have the troop donate them to a food pantry. this year I brought 2 boxes home and donated the others. I had never tried Samoas. those were really good.
1) dinner out sounds fantastic and they got to dress up!
2) like all the others I bought a Chi bc of you. my iron died and Target had a Chi. It’s been excellent.
3) I usually buy GS cookies and have the troop donate them to a food pantry. this year I brought 2 boxes home and donated the others. I had never tried Samoas. those were really good.
1) dinner out sounds fantastic and they got to dress up!
2) like all the others I bought a Chi bc of you. my iron died and Target had a Chi. It’s been excellent.
3) I usually buy GS cookies and have the troop donate them to a food pantry. this year I brought 2 boxes home and donated the others. I had never tried Samoas. those were really good.
Are you using distilled water only in your irons? Helps prevent build up issues.
I happened upon a Girl Scout booth, set up inside JoAnn’s, on a very icy night. I felt so sorry for the girl, no shoppers, so I bought one box of each variety. I put them in the freezer, it might take until next year to get thru them all.
Dressy dinner, fabulous idea.
Vickie
Are you using distilled water only in your irons? Helps prevent build up issues.
I happened upon a Girl Scout booth, set up inside JoAnn’s, on a very icy night. I felt so sorry for the girl, no shoppers, so I bought one box of each variety. I put them in the freezer, it might take until next year to get thru them all.
Dressy dinner, fabulous idea.
Vickie
Are you using distilled water only in your irons? Helps prevent build up issues.
I happened upon a Girl Scout booth, set up inside JoAnn’s, on a very icy night. I felt so sorry for the girl, no shoppers, so I bought one box of each variety. I put them in the freezer, it might take until next year to get thru them all.
Dressy dinner, fabulous idea.
Vickie
I’d be interested in knowing more about steam in the iron vs. a spray bottle. I’ve used a spray bottle and a dry iron for years and have been happy with that (same iron for 20+ years!)
I’d be interested in knowing more about steam in the iron vs. a spray bottle. I’ve used a spray bottle and a dry iron for years and have been happy with that (same iron for 20+ years!)
I’d be interested in knowing more about steam in the iron vs. a spray bottle. I’ve used a spray bottle and a dry iron for years and have been happy with that (same iron for 20+ years!)
Love that they got to do a fancy dinner with their dresses, way to go mom! Love GS cookies! I also like wine so will have to check out your i laws place!
Love that they got to do a fancy dinner with their dresses, way to go mom! Love GS cookies! I also like wine so will have to check out your i laws place!
Love that they got to do a fancy dinner with their dresses, way to go mom! Love GS cookies! I also like wine so will have to check out your i laws place!