Hi Dink,
Thanks for the question on Rowenta irons. I own a Rowenta and have
been ironing since I could reach the ironing board so I'm somewhat of
an "expert," should ironing suddenly be declared a science. Several
years ago I had researched the 880 as I thought I had indeed achieved
"professional" status as an ironing guru. I even had the 880 in my
cart at Bed, Bath, and Beyond when the checkout guy said, "Whoa!
That's one *heavy* iron ya got there, ma'am." I hate it when people
call me "ma'am" and detest it when I'm tossed into a
spur-of-the-moment purchasing dilemma.
Since I have a shoulder problem, I heeded the clerk's warning and
swapped the 880 for the Rowenta PowerGlide. I've been very happy with
it but it's been gnawing at the back of my mind if I made the right
decision. Being that I tend to hang onto my appliances forever, I'll
just have to live vicariously through your purchasing decision, Dink
Weighing the pros and cons of these two irons, I have come down on the
side of the 991, although I don't think you could go wrong with either
of them. There were two of the major improvements with the 991.
Since I fill my iron with tap water, rather than distilled water,
there's a tendency toward mineral deposits. The 991 has a
neutralizing system which eliminates harmful minerals, thus extending
the life of your iron.
The second selling point was the anti-drip feature. Who hasn't had
their iron drip on a cotton shirt resulting in that annoying water
stain? This seems to have been a problem with many of the 880 models,
according to several reviews at epinions.com.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Small_Appliances-All-Rowenta_Professional_Luxe_Iron_DM_880
There are a total of nine consumer reviews on the 880 but none yet for
the 991.
The 991 also has a laser hardened vs. a stainless steel soleplate on
the 880. Laser-hardened just *sounds* so much better, doesn't it?
Dink, I would be careful on the model numbers and the manufacturing
location for each iron. I have a Rowenta PowerGlide and mine was made
in Mexico. My sister has a very similar PowerGlide and hers was made
in Germany. I prefer hers!
I mention that as there seems to be a price, weight, and model number
discrepancy for the 991. Prices range from $110-130. Weights vary
from 4 pounds, 13 ounces; 3 pounds, 3 ounces; and 3 pounds. Model
numbes are Model: HA-I-DM991, IPRDM991, DM991RO. There is a
lightweight version of this iron which might account for this, but I'd
look at the information very closely -- especially if you're
purchasing this item over the internet.
From the All Brands site, here are the features for both irons:
http://www.store.allbrands.com/rowsteamirdm6.html
----------
991
----------
1440 Watts of Steam Power
3-Way Auto-off, Anti-drip
10.5 Oz Water Tank
Self-cleaning feature
Laser Hardened Stainless Steel Soleplate
Made in Germany
Popularity: 4 Stars
Warranty: 1 Yr Parts and Service on defects in materials and
workmanship
* Long-life system neutralizes harmful minerals with a special resin,
extending the life of the iron
* Anti-drip technology prevents water spots on silk, cotton, or
polyester
* Unique anti-drip device prevents water from leaking when the iron is
too cool to generate steam
* New internal coating also helps to prevent "spitting," a common
cause of water spots
* Handle is easy to hold and offers convenient, fingertip selection
for a range of fabric care options
* The strongest Rowenta burst of steam available penetrates even the
heaviest fabrics
* Features 3-way auto-off for added safety and convenience:
In 8 minutes if left vertically
In 30 seconds if left horizontally
In 30 seconds if tipped over
* One of two new Rowenta models with the comfort handle
1440 watt power ensures faster heating and precise temperature
control, providing more constant steam and a more powerful burst of
steam
* Allows you to steam your fabrics vertically
* Variable steam control allows you control the steaming pressure from
little to full power
* Covered filling inlet keeps contaminants from entering your iron
* Self-cleaning saves you time and money
* Steams at any angle, to handle all types of ironing challenges
* Uses tap water, and its larger, high visibility water tank
eliminates the need for frequent refills
* Burst of steam to handle the thickest of fabrics
* Cool mist spray to prevent damage of delicate fabrics
* Weighs only 4 lbs and 13 ozs.
* UL Listed
Call me biased but I also gave a little extra weight to the nun's
recommendation here. I've ironed a few of their garments and they
know of what they speak!
"Sister Elisa for All the Carmelite Sisters on December 24th, 2001
We received the two new Rowenta irons and wish to express our deep and
heartfelt gratitude to you for replacing our irons. We love the Ultra
irons - and with the amount of ironing we do, especially this time of
year with so many Altar linens, we are grateful to have them! A
blessed Christmas to all of you, and again, thank you."
----------
881
----------
* 1440 Watts
* Burst Of Steam Setting For Difficult Wrinkles
* 3 Way Auto Shut Off
* Airglide Stainless Steel Soleplate
* Anti Drip System
* Variable Steam
* Self Cleaning
* Steam Iron
* 12.5 Oz Water Tank
* Made In Germany
Popularity: 4 Stars
Warranty: 1 Year Parts and Service on defects in materials and
workmanship
For additional reviews on the 991, you can check here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/kitchen/B000062UH5/customer-reviews/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/102-1267449-9261702
http://simplest-shop.com/kitchen/product/510240/B000062UH5/0/1/Rowenta%2520DM-991%2520Ultra%2520Professional%2520Iron.html
This one looks to be the lightweight model of the 991 at 3 pounds:
http://store.yahoo.com/trishops/ha-i-dm991.html
**************
Please know that the 881 is now slouch of an iron. It has a larger
water tank than the 991 (12.5 v. 10.5) and it's $30 cheaper. Also, in
September 1991, it was the highest rated iron by Consumer Reports and
here are a few comments from the article:
Rowenta Professional Luxe DM-880 $98
"Outstanding steamer, but expensive and heavy. Large tank capacity and
antidrip feature. But fabric guide cluttered, cord may get in way,
auto shutoff light hard to see. 3 1/2 lb. excellent steam."
In the same article, they gave the Sunbeam Steam Master their "best
buy" ($25) rating. It also had a longer warranty than the Rowenta.
Sunbeam Steam Master 4055
"A CR Best Buy 25"
"Very good performance at a low price. Anticalcium feature. 2-yr.
warranty. 2 1/2 lb."
**************
Now, Dink, if you want to go complete top-of-the-line nuts, you might
also consider the Rowenta Steam Generator. There's probably no
turning back once you've crossed over into the "Steam Zone." Be very
careful, Dink, we don't want to lose you to the dark side!
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Irons-By_Brand-Rowenta-Rowenta_Steam_Generator/display_~reviews
http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml;$sessionid$D3PJEOAAAAER0P4SY5FBHOR50LD2WEPO?CATID=24842&PRODID=54441
Well, I hope I've made your purchasing decision a little easier and
you can rest assured you're getting a quality product with Rowenta --
which ever your choice. Best of luck on your sewing and hobby
projects and lots of steamy action with your new iron!
Happy holidays,
V |
Clarification of Answer by
voila-ga
on
15 Dec 2002 12:05 PST
A gracious "thank you" for the 5 stars (okay 6, I'll take 'em), and
your very generous tip.
I really hate recommending merchandise I haven't personally test
driven, so I'm going out on a limb here. A person can always get a
lemon no matter what the product. It seems the good sisters did and
they received replacement irons. I meant to include to be cautious if
you're considering a 886 or a 990 as I think they were a little buggy
and are in the process of being discontinued.
If I weren't so acromioclavicularly challenged, I'd give birth to that
4-pound 13-ounce baby "991" in Germany. I'm very hard on my irons,
nay an iron abuser, and recently dropped mine, soleplate first, on the
carpet and really grunged it up badly; but a couple iron cleaner kits
later, ye olde PowerGlide is working like brand new! Still, I think a
heavier iron might indeed last me a lifetime. It's a trauma when I
have to buy a new appliance so I try to buy the best that's out there.
Hopefully, Dink, you'll buy the 991 and write the first review at
epinions.com. That site has great Joe Consumer advice and many
people's reviews can be extremely helpful -- none of mine, mind you!
--but a normal product review.
Apologies for all the text bloopers in my answer. I see them and they
annoy me, too.
Thanks, once again, for visiting Google Answers. Please let us know
if we can be of further service.
Namaste, /bow\
V
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