Question 1

why should  I not use distilled water in my rowenta iron

Accepted Answer

#1: Short answer: never use tap water in any appliance. Always use bottled water. #2: Don't believe any manufacturer that says it's ok to use tap water because they have some sort of miracle device that allows it. Any such claim is a blatant lie they are forced to tell because they know that people hate hate hate to waste $10 a year on bottled water. Ignore such claims and use bottled water. For proof of such lie you need look no further than Rowenta's own manual that says to use bottled water if you have over 12 grains of hardness. So then even they admit that their miracle device only works under ideal conditions.  #3: Saying that distilled water is bad for the iron is hogwash, pHDs in psychology not withstanding. The reason Rowenta doesn't recommend pure distilled water is not that it's bad for the iron, but rather because distilled water has a higher boiling temp than other waters and therefore tends not to steam as easily, causing drips and spits. Your altitude and other factors may cause this to be more or less of a problem. If distilled water works well in your iron, and chances are good that it will, that's the way to go. #4: Tap water has calcium and that stuff is the hardest, stickiest, nastiest stuff known to mankind and will kill any appliance in short order. If your iron gets contaminated by calcium, throw it away and start over with bottled water, the iron will never be any good again. Any tap water will kill any appliance in short order...don't do it. #5: I was surprised about Rowenta's "inexpensive spring water" recommendation, thinking that spring water would have more problematic minerals in it than distilled or other waters. However I've been using it for years and it works. It's obviously not "spring water" but rather "purified spring water." However the ultra-cheap 66 cents/gallon at Walmart doesn't work as well. Much better than tap water, but after a year or two I do see evidence of calcium. So, better to use a reputable brand like Ozarka. #6: Compared to distilled water, spring water isn't "inexpensive," it's the same price, somewhere around $1/gallon.  Rowenta says "inexpensive" spring water because they know how much people hate spending $10/year on distilled water.

So just use Ozarka spring water, or better yet try distilled water and see if that works for you. To those people that hate buying bottled water to put in their iron, I say "really??????" With a single cup of coffee costing over $5, you can't buy $10 worth of bottled water in a year? GET A GRIP!

Question 2

is this iron made in Germany or China

Accepted Answer

Mine says Made in Germany on the iron. But don't do like I did and think it's an excellent product because it's not made in China. Wait till it starts leaking water out of the bottom. I can only use mine as a dry iron anymore. Read all the online reviews for this model. Leaking seems to be a common problem with these Rowenta's.

Question 3

Are the lower heat settings gentle enough for jersey/stretch knit fabrics but still hot enough to get the job done right?

Accepted Answer

There is a 'nylon' setting on this, but I haven't tried it, as we use this iron primarily for cotton/linens. If there is any doubt about certain fabrics, use a press cloth just to be safe, and you won't melt the fabric.

Question 4

buy extra warranty or protection plan

Accepted Answer

Add me to the group!  I purchased this iron a year ago.  A year and TEN days ago.  I know this because this morning when water started pouring out of my iron, I had to look up the date of purchase, so I could use my spiffy one year warranty.  So much for that!!  One year, and this pretty expensive iron is broken, ten days after the warranty expires.  I am beyond frustrated, reading that this has happened to others who purchased one of these irons.  My last iron was $12 at Walmart and lasted 15 years, four moves, 2 children, and a serviceman who wore BDU's, which needed to be ironed, five days a week.  Get the warranty!!

ASIN	B004ILTH1K
Base Material	Stainless Steel
Best Sellers Rank	#4,576,409 in Home & Kitchen ( See Top 100 in Home & Kitchen ) #912 in Irons
Brand	Rowenta
Brand Name	Rowenta
Color	Taupe
Customer Reviews	4.5 out of 5 stars 15,681 Reviews
Frequency	50 Hz
Global Trade Identification Number	00014501162358
Item Dimensions L x W	11"L x 5"W
Item Weight	3.4 Pounds
Manufacture Year	2011
Manufacturer	Groupe SEB
Model Name	Steam Iron, Stainless Steel Soleplate with Auto-Off
Model Number	1110030632
Model Year	2011
Part Number	1110030872
Product Dimensions	11"L x 5"W
Recommended Uses For Product	Steam Iron
Special Feature	Auto Shutoff
Special Features	Auto Shutoff
Style	1700-Watts
UPC	703570094898 659438995879 703570463168 014501162358
Voltage	110 Volts
Warranty Description	1 year.
Wattage	1700 watts

DW5080 Focus Steam Iron

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