Rowenta DG5030 Iron

Pros: Fast, Efficient Iron/Steamer
Cons: Pricey

Rowenta has emerged as a major player in the small appliance market. While I have heard dissenting opinions on their products, generally most folks are pleased with their irons and steam generators. I first came upon their steam generators years ...

Pros: Effortless ironing, Reliability, Cuts down on ironing time, LOTS of steam for a long time
Cons: Expensive, Can't take water tank cap off while it is hot, No water level indicator

The DG5030 is the newest model in the line of Rowenta steam generators. It replaces the older model numbers DG580/980. I have never owned a steam generator before, but I always wanted one. They seemed to be a bit too much money to spend on an iron. ...

Pros: 'Long-haul ironing' Cheaper than other steam generators - and works! Good Rowenta design cord/base
Cons: No water level view window No refillable reservoir

....and after using one for the past 3 years I CANNOT stand to iron with any other type of iron. I tried...twice...ACK! I've been using the Rowenta DG980 until this past week when it suddenly decided to stop pumping water from the detachable reservoir ...

Pros: Cheaper than Reliable's model. Adjustable steam pressure. Lots of steam vents on sole plate.
Cons: Toxic fumes. No cord support or water level. Cannot add water while iron hot.

Rowenta replaced the old--and terrific--580 model with the 5030. The difference? The old one had a stainless-steel boiler and the new one has a PLASTIC boiler. Rowenta saved themselves a few bucks, but the consumer gets a product that: (a) will wear ...

Pros: Nice appearance
Cons: Need to press steam button continuously to get water. Not as powerful as I expected.

I visited my brother in France and happened to
use his Delonghi steam and pressure Iron. I have never
seen such powerful iron before. It straightened out my
cotton shirt and skirt effortlessly. It took me only
minutes to finish the job.
I was so impressed and happy with the thing that I decided to get rid of my old iron. I searched and saw
Rowenta DG 5030 which was very closed to the one I used so I bought one.
To my disappointment, although this is a good iron compared
to my old one but the performance is only half with what I experienced with Delonghi. I should have bought the one from Delonghi instead.

Pros: Cheaper in price.
Cons: Bad product.

I have tried 2 now and am getting ready to return this one!

It spits all the time and not at all as good as the Rowenta DG-980 - I have a custom drapery business - Please, Rowenta go back to the better, older model.
Karen in Phoenix

Pros: Maximum steam on command
Cons: You wouldn't use this to iron one shirt, set-up time 5-10 minutes to generate steam.

I read the reviews of this iron before buying and decided to give it a try.  I've always been frustrated that regular irons, at any price, don't give me enough STEAM.  A few years ago I decided to begin ironing all of our shirts at home instead of sending them to the laundry because they always would come back with wrinkles.  After a bit of a learning curve, I am very pleased with this iron.  First of all the directions say to set it on high steam for cottons and linens, which I found made the clothes too wet and it would take longer to iron them dry.  Now I set it on a much lower steam level and it works much better.  Per instructions, I also hold the iron off to the side and expell steam when excess moisture in the cord creates drips.  This doesn't have to be done very often.  This iron offers steam on command, at the push of a button.  Great for pressing when sewing too.