Rowenta Effective DX1700 Iron with Auto Shut-off

Pros: It was a good iron... while it lasted.
Cons: It didn't last very long.
Rowenta's products suck overall.

My wife and I had to return this iron when, just days after the warranty expired, the auto-off system died. Rowenta allowed us to replace this iron by a new one (actually, another model, this model is no longer available... no wonder why). Here's when ...

Pros: Works good in the beginning, powerful steam.
Cons: Dies after a year of use, soleplate build-up, steam only works good on high setting.

I have been using Rowenta irons for about the last 10 years.  I've had some that only lasted a little over a year and then some that lasted 2-3 years.  I would always look for sales so I would have another one on hand when the other one died!  What's wrong with that picture?  Anyway, the one I bought in Oct. 2007 just died.  I iron alot but c'mon, even cheaper brands would probably last longer than that!  I have noticed also with the last two I purchased that you can only use the steam function when the heat is on the highest setting or it spits water all over your clothes.  Also, I get alot of soleplate buildup on it. I guess I didn't realize that it was made in China, so no more Rowentas!

Pros: If you don't replace it when it breaks you'll never have to iron again.
Cons: You'll most likely replace it with a cheap Sunbeam that will last forever.

Worked good for a year, then totally overheated and the red light wouldn't stop flashing. Smelled like it was about to burst into flames. Makes a good over-priced book end or paperweight; just cut the cord off.

Pros: Worked REALLY well for 7 months.
Cons: It broke after 7 months.

This was the most expensive and the best iron I ever had. It worked really really well and I thought it was worth the expense. Then it broke. The problem was, it would just shut off in the middle of ironing. Repeatedly. Unusable unless I was willing to unplug and replug the iron every 45 seconds.

Pros: Most decorative boat anchor I have ever seen! Very streamlined, and the color is superb!
Cons: Not heavy enough to hold even a small boat; perhaps as a paperweight.

Very simply, when you purchase a product, no matter where it was designed, if it was made in Chine, expect the worst, and be prepared to be surprised and pleased if it lives up to its claims.

My wife was confused when the variable lever continued to return to the 'off' position. Then, when it was set on max steam, it only soaks the fabric. Pretty stupid. The patent on the mechanism that they use for cleaning the 'hard water' deposits is amazing; I am surprised it is considered novel. Another exceedingly poor concept and design. Now we know what to stay away from. Marketing differentiation is not all it is cracked up to be. Just give me a bare bones vanilla iron, and I am happy.

Pros: Worked well within warranty period only.
Cons: Overrated, overpriced, brief life expectancy for the hype!

 I have owned two irons that both leaked within 18 months of use. Not worth the expense! Poor quality for the price and hype. Neither appliance was misused and I know many other former owners that concur including the sales staff at the local fabric store.

Pros: Looks fancy. Has fancy German brand name
Cons: It leaks! Failed just past 1 year warranty, after light usage!

My first Iron was a sunbeam...I used it rarely, yet it managed to start rusting on the steam holes - not good for Ironing. When it failed, after little use, I thought I'd make a moderate "upgrade" to Rowenta quality....HA! I realize the cheaper models are made in mexico and china...but I still hoped they would be made to higher specifications.

I bought the "Effective" and I have used it for about 1.5 hours per month, for one year. That's less than 20 hours. It now has a water leak. It still works great, if you don't mind creating water puddles all over your Ironing board and your garmets. So funny when these problems come up within the first month after the warranty expires! Even funnier when they expect you to pay shipping to send the Iron to their repair center (almost worth it to buy a new one right there!).

Bottom line? Maybe I'll cruise yard sales to buy some 30 year old GE iron...I remember using one of these "worn out" hand-me-downs without any problems, after it was at least 15 years old. Buy expensive, or buy old, but don't buy this thing!

Pros: Can use tap water in the iron-no need to purchase distilled water.
Cons: Vertical steam doesn't work, anti-drip doesn't work, ready/power lights are difficult to see in daylight

I wanted an iron that would neatly press my husband's dress shirts for work, so I bought this iron. I also liked the vertical steam and no-drip features.
I decided to try the iron out on a dress I needed to wear for a wedding, using the vertical steam. However, the vertical steam just didn't work! I tried everything. It would steam very well horizontally, but not a bit of steam would come out vertically. I returned the iron and exchanged it for another of the same model, figuring it was just a malfunction with that particular iron. After all, it said right on the box that it does vertical steaming. I brought the second iron home, but the vertical steam only "worked" for about 20 seconds. When I say "worked", I mean steam came out. But it did NOTHING for those wrinkles on the dress! And what's worse, this iron began leaking all over the place! (Another lie by the company-not only won't it vertically steam, but the "anti-drip" function seems to work only if you're lucky enough to grab one of the irons that works!) Needless to say, I will not be purchasing another Rowenta.

Pros: None
Cons: always breaks...

wow i thought i was the only one.. but yea failed just after a year.. red light on top started flashing and no heat after a min or so.. bought a new one and returned the defective one.. now same thing... after a year.. red light on top flashing again and no heat.. jeez

When it DOES work it works pretty good.. steams up real nice and works vertically. but with this problem happening annually i think i'd better go with another brand.

i will buy a new one and return this one again.. its on sale again.. anyway.. i hope they worked out all the bugs.. and maybe the third time will be a char,

Pros: NONE!
Cons: Steam won't stay on and now the iron won't stay on!!!

Rowenta Effective Iron should be named Rowenta DEFECTIVE
iron. It will NOT stay in the Steam position and now after using it for approximately 4 months, it will NOT stay ON. Even while it's being used, the automatic shutoff kicks in and it stops heating and begins dripping.

Pros: Can use tap water
Cons: Doesn't stay heated, auto off kicks in while in use! Controls awkward to reach.

I recently replaced my 10 year old cheapo Black & Decker iron and decided to "upgrade" to a Rowenta. What a mistake!
Worked fine for the first couple of weeks and now the iron won't stay heated due to the auto off feature kicking in every 30 seconds or so. This is while I'm using it, the little red light starts flashing and it stops heating. I've tried everything, I either have to unplug it and start over or tap it with my hand several times and it might work for another 30 seconds. Of course now I've tossed the box and receipt. I'll be tossing the iron too and going back to a "cheapo" one again.

Pros: Uses tap water.
Cons: Drips; won't stay in the steam position; and will not steam in vertical position.

I have exchanged my iron already. Will not steam in the vertical position.

The "steam to no-steam" button NEVER stays on steam. It continuously goes back to the "no-steam" position.

Started dripping!!!

Pros: lots of steam, no drips, can see water level
Cons: non yet

Nice looking, good price and with good features. Weight is just right. Not to heavy. Iron is much better than previous reviews. They must not have read manual.

Pros: Nice looking iron. Probably designed by German engineers.
Cons: Way too many problems. You are NOT getting a German-built iron.

I received a Rowenta DX1700 as a gift.
Lots of problems.....

The "Steam-NoSteam" lever doesn't stay where you set it. It keeps moving back (by itself) to "No Steam" position.
The operating light is hard to see and mine never goes out when the the iron is "ready" like it's supposed to.
The temperature set dial is in an awkward position and hard to read.
Filling the iron with water can get messy, do it over the sink unless you want spilled water on the floor.
The steam output is skimpy and keeps shutting off (see above)
The appliance is overpriced. It's not made in Germany but in China.

Pros: Heavy iron, when it opts to work, it works great
Cons: The controls are awkward.

The auto kick off kicks in while ironing. No box and no receipt, fearful to upgrade. Rowenta wants me to mail this piece of garbage to a service center and pay for the repair. This isn't fair.