Can anyone recommend a good steam iron?

...and with enough gold bars, I could pay someone else to do the ironing! Ho-hum. That was a nice dream.

Think how many irons you could buy with gold bars Scribbles!!

I've owned several big name branded steam irons, some good and some useless. About a year ago, I bought the best steam iron I've ever owned. It's Sainsburys own label and cost about £12. Wouldn't swap it for gold bars!

I get through about one iron every two years. I have had Tefal recently but when the sole gets gunged up with stuff, you can't scrape it off or use anything aggressive like oven cleaner or it ruins the surface.

After about 10 years I have finally done all the ironing and am now trying to iron the same day as things are washed. This should ease up the strain put on the iron.

My biggest mistake was that when I bought the current iron (always have one with the separate steam tank) it only had a capacity of 3/4 litre - not enough to do a washing machine-load of ironing (say, half a dozen shirts or blouses). Make sure you get one that takes a full litre!

Irons don't like me, they leak, explode, or just refuse to work. The one I've got now is useless, that's why, I suppose, it's still working after approximately 6 months. It's an AEG.

I'd vote for a generator too - I JD a Bosch years ago when they were first becoming popular but that had a pressurised valve which had to be undone to refill the water tank. To do it safely the iron needed to cool down. I then got a Philips which has a see through tank which can slide out to be refilled - no hissing steam valves to deal with. I think there was little to choose between them for ease of ironing etc. I think my Philips probably has a larger water tank. My current one is over ten years old.

Steam generator all the way, could never go back to ordinary iron. I swear it cuts ironing time in half !

I love my Tefal steam generator, would never go back to an ordinary steam iron. I also love my extra wide ironing board which cuts down the time spent, which for me isn't much as I mainly only iron my starched bed linen.

Bosch steam generator is the best.

My steam generator iron is very good. You don't need to alter the temperature for different materials (no,I don't understand either) I've had it for a few years,which makes the initial expense more bearable. The only drawback is it's bit awkward to carry round,if you want to enjoy the pleasures of ironing(!) in another room.

Steam generator every time.

actually

You can mention specifics as far as I'm aware.

I second the steam generator irons option. I _ actually_ enjoy ironing now!

I swear by the steam generator irons and have bought 2 Morphy Richards ones. They are great and make ironing much easier and quicker. They are also great for vertical steaming lighter garments while on their hangers.

I don't think any of them last more than a few years. If you really like it I would buy another but just expect it not to last.

Sorry, didn't realise I couldn't ask for recommendations.