Should you buy the Reliable Maven 140IS?

[@ccmyers42]

Thank you so much for making such a detailed review! I need a new iron so badly, mine is like a brick and leaks water everywhere. This is definitely going on my list when I have the cash.

[@matantequilting]

You're so welcome! I love this iron and can say that I've never seen it spit or leak. 💦

[@MollyCatsMom]

I just purchased this iron. Thank you for the fantastic walk-around. I was wondering most of all about the water, and if you really have to empty the tank when you're done. You answered that question and many more. Thanks again!

[@matantequilting]

You're very welcome! The tip of emptying the water was something that I just recently learned. Meaning: I never did this with my years-old Reliable 230IR, and it's still going strong. Still, I do think you'll prolong the life of your iron if you do take the time to empty it out.👍

[@Aspiringquilter]

Great video! Very informative! And love the way you’ve laid out the topics by chapter, very useful.

[@matantequilting]

Thanks so much!! And chapters are a MUST - I use them so much when I'm watching KZbin videos that it was a no-brainer when creating these reviews. 👍

[@SuzyReno]

Excellent review, Shelly! I appreciate your honesty about the product. I, too, get frustrated with the auto-off “feature” on meany irons. Definitely my pet peeve when it comes to ironing. I think the interval should be longer (say 30 minutes) before the iron turns itself off. Other than that, it looks like a great unit! I am very much looking forward to your review of the 270IR as well. I bought one for my daughter this past Christmas.

[@matantequilting]

Thanks so much! I love the idea of having an auto-off function *that I can override* if desired. Spoiler alert: the 270IR has that function, which makes me love it even more! Next video is coming right up!

[@wendycurrie7695]

Great review! I have wondered about this model, I do have and use 3 reliable irons and they are fantastic. I agree with you regarding the use of steam and all of my reliable irons are great in this regard…I only use distilled water in my reliables. Do you press widebacks for your clients and if you do how do you find this model for getting the really ingrained creases out?

[@matantequilting]

I don't actually press client backings. When I load them on the frame, I spritz them with water and then (if needed) use a hair dryer to dry them. It's fast, effective, and fits nicely with my loading process. 👍

[@andreatsangjackson1721]

Hi Shelly! The steam trigger - is it a touch button? How much resistance is there? I have some issues with repetitive strain. Thanks! 😊

[@matantequilting]

Hey Andrea! 👋 The trigger is easy to press and hold - it felt really comfortable for me to hold it in while pressing, and it takes very little pressure to engage it (at least in my opinion). Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@paintchip1]

You have shown the iron on top of a table throughout the entire presentation. What is it like in actual use? DO you put that giant thing on the end of the ironing board or do I need a separate table for it and where do you place that separate table for most convenience?

[@matantequilting]

This iron would be a great choice for those with an ironing board that has an iron rest attached at the side. I've seen folks at Retreat set theirs up this way and it worked very well. When I placed the Maven at the end of my ironing board (which doesn't have an iron rest) I found that it took up valuable real estate and was sad at my limited area for pressing.

[@PSK0325]

@@matantequilting My solution to this was purchasing a sturdy stool to place under my ironing board - seems to work fine. Thanks for the review by the way!

[@fanmommusicismedicine7035]

Do you also find though that the outcome of a pressed seam also relies on the base people are using. I am curious how well this iron works on different bases. Like just using an ironing board, or using a wool mat. I wonder how well other irons press if people use a wool mat. I actually use a Cricut heat press mat and find my seams get pressed and its like night and day when I don't use the mat, with or without steam.

[@matantequilting]

I've used my Reliable iron on a variety of surfaces (my thick and padded ironing board, a slim portable pressing board, other ironing boards at retreats, and now a wool mat on top of my wooden workbench), and I haven't notice a huge difference - my seams were flat in every instance. My biggest pressing revelation came when switching from a department store brand iron to the Reliable. The outcome was night and day, and I was a total convert!

[@pauladimattei6434]

I loved my very first Reliable iron. I replaced it with a Reliable Velocity sensor 2301R. You can’t over ride the auto shut off which I could do on my older model. And the beep that goes on every time it is shutting off is so loud and annoying.

[@matantequilting]

I also have a Reliable 230IR and agree that the beep is the WORST! It's so loud, it will wake up my shift-working partner in the next room! 😬 However, you should be able to override the auto-shutoff on this model. I do it by holding down the steam button for five seconds. 👍

[@pauladimattei6434]

@@matantequiltingI finally got the override to work. Thank you for the nudge to try again. ❤

[@SamTricoteuse]

Flat seam: Reliable... and a clapper when you piece...

[@matantequilting]

I've heard so much about clappers that I had to try one out for myself! I didn't notice much of a difference, so mine now sits in a closet. Maybe it was user error? 😆

[@SamTricoteuse]

@@matantequiltingdry iron, followed by a steam iron then the clapper. It will absorb the extra steam I find

[@arabellalunkes4532]

I used a couple of large, old quilting books instead of a clapper. Works great!