All i can say is Rowenta!! Mine is almost 4 yrs old and no problems whatsoever.
Kathi

I have a Sapporo 120-A, it's a gravity feed model (not the highest quality, but adequate). The iron rests on a heat-proof "rubber" pad. You DON'T stand it on end. It has a solenoid and when you hold your finger on the switch that elicits steam it will steam until there is no water left in the hanging tank. It has an adjustable heat setting (1-5), but best steaming results are obtained with a relatively high setting (4-5). De-mineralizing crystals are poured into the reservoir and are replaced when they turn from blue to brown (frequency depends on the relative "hardness"/"softness" of your local water.

I would go through 2 "home" steam irons/year. I was TOO CHEAP to buy a good one... learn from me! Buy a quality commercial (or is that industrial? ;) ) grade iron if you like to sew alot. I've owned mine for 10 years now... it's going strong and I've done NOTHING but replace the crystals in the tank.

My Rowenta finally died after much use and many, many years. I replaced it with another Rowenta as I consider them the best IMHO.
I did some research on line as far as models & prices and ended up buying mine at Costco, I think it was the top of the line Professional model & cost $79.99.

I never had any problem with leaking and this new model has a little 'door' for you to close-just in case!

Pat

If you sew a lot and are sick of the problems with regular irons, look into switching to the gravity fed irons. Sussman has one and I currently have a Naomoto. They rely more on steam than weight to press and you will be amazed at the results you get. No more glaze marks, time consuming fusing, scorching, leaking. The cost is about twice that of a good Rowenta...but the benefits far outweigh the cost if you sew much.

Thanks for all the information. I did manage to clean mine and it's working okay for now but I don't think it will be long before I have to replace it so I appreciate the input.

Betty