I've had two Rowentas... one for 5 years and the other for about 5 months. They both spit and leak (and I only use tap water as per their instructions... it says not to use distilled). I would not buy another one at all. Mine were about 80 dollars each. So.... I would say to stay away from Rowenta based on my experience with them. I know it's a prestigious brand, but I think their quality has gone down hill like so many other things.

TY vacuumfreak...I noticed at the store yesterday, that amongst the rowentas, some were made in china, and some in germany. Do you know where yours were made?

Mine both say made in Germany right on them. I've heard the steam generator is good, but that's a lot of equipment to fiddle with... especially if you have to break down the ironing board each time that you use it. The old one was called the Surfline. The new one is the black one... got it at Lowes. They sell it at Target too. It also constanly "farts" (acts like it is trying to expell steam though no water comes out) even when the steam is turned off and it's standing vertically. Drives me crazy!

This is the one that I have and it is a workhorse. I have even used it upright as a steamer for draperies!! HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: link