Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-6 of 6
 Does a Real Man iron? May 2, 2005
Joseph Haschka (Glendale, CA USA)
32 out of 40 found this review helpful
Well, I'm here to testify that this Real Man does ironing - mainly because my wife lets me. As a matter of fact, it's one of my regular chores every weekend after doing the laundry.
When the power cord of our previous iron began to demonstrate a disconcerting hotness at its point of attachment to the device, my wife, alarmed at the prospect of my imminent electrocution, thought it time to toss it in favor of this SUNBEAM STEAM MASTER MODEL 4211, purchased with an agreeably small amount of my money only two days ago. I'm a lucky fella to be on the receiving end of such thoughtful consideration.
Weighing in at roughly 1.75 lbs, the Sunbeam is heavier than the last, a vintage Black & Decker. But since I've taken up working out in the Y's gym on weekends - after the Honey-Do list is completed, of course - I'll soon be able to lift it without grunting too much. The Teflon soleplate glides easily over clothing, mostly my cheap cotton and cotton/polyester blend shirts, though not with the same slipperiness as the old iron. (I don't understand why that should be. Maybe the fabrics have gotten too worn over the years.) The hole for the water reservoir is perhaps a bit small to pour into accurately, especially if you're dizzy from chore-induced fatigue, but Sunbeam thoughtfully provides a nifty plastic cup with a pointy spout, the 8-ounce capacity of which charges the reservoir to the "max fill" line. The heat and steam controls with little, protruding knobs are especially easy to finger manage even with digits worked to the bone. The "spray mist" and "shot of steam" buttons are large and prominent - perhaps too much so as even gripping the handle with my not-large hands accidently tripped the former button a couple of times, resulting in a spritz of water that'll one day scare the cat if she gets too close to the action. The power cord, reinforced at the end which attaches to the iron itself, enters the device through a swiveling do-hickey (the technical term), a feature that'll likely prevent the hot wire that doomed its predecessor. There's a "Motion Smart" Auto Off Indicator that ostensibly blinks when the iron is plugged in and in a horizontal position for 30 seconds, or 15 minutes upright. I timed the shorter interval with a stopwatch - 31 seconds on my unit. Someday, I may have the opportunity to benefit from and verify the longer if I pass out during a particularly strenuous stint at the board.
Finally, the restful aqua green color of the iron's upper body doesn't clash with my apron.
Now, you Neanderthal macho studs that think I'm a 21st Century Sensitive Male wimp, consider this. My wife is happy doing the outdoor gardening chores that I despise. So, while she (and you) are outside getting hot, sweaty, and filthy, I'm inside the air conditioned house and, while admittedly doing the sissy ironing, am watching the ball game on the tube - or maybe the film adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. Of course, there's enough room on the ironing board to balance a longneck - or perhaps my favorite yogurt smoothie. And occasionally, when my wife comes in and begs to press a garment or two, I say "No thanks, sweetie." Yup, this SUNBEAM STEAM MASTER fits in well with my lifestyle.
P.S. 9-11-06: Almost 17 months after writing the original review, I'm still as pleased with this iron now as I was back then. And, contrary to more recent reports, it doesn't leak!
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