Cool Tools: Reliable Velocity V50 Iron

Welcome to today's edition of Cool Tools. This is a feature in which I talk about the tools I like and recommend.  First off, let me tell you that I do not get any compensation for reviewing these or any tools. If I ever get compensation for anything, I'll let you know up front. OK?

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My friend Kelly Jackson over at I Have a Notion (IHAN) and I are tag-team posting about our Reliable irons. We're both posting about  Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator irons!

Here's a link to Kelly's review!

The Reliable V50 Compact Vapor Generator iron is one of my favorite tools

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I was visiting Kelly a few months ago, working on my Power Suit Challenge piece and used her Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator iron that was in her glamorous basement studio and it was literal love at first sight. I mean serious love... so serious that I bought one to take home right there on the spot. I was a long time user of another brand iron. We're talking 25+ years of that love. So if I switched my loyalty that quick, you know I was impressed. Heck, at the time I purchased mine didn't even need a new iron!

How did this romance start? One simple feature -- the continuous steam.

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We're not talking pokey little tea kettle steam...

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We're talking full-blown locomotive STEAM!

What makes the Reliable Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator iron super-cool is that the steam setting isn't only on just the cotton or wool settings, it's on every setting! This iron has a patented dual heating element to make steam not only on the higher temp settings, but also on the lower, more delicate settings. The second heating element pre-heats the water before it hits the heated sole plate. This is what ensures continuous steam at all temperatures -- and no spits or gurgles. And you know what rates this as super-cool? The steam vapor feature not only works when the iron is horizontal, it also works vertically! Now that's handy when you're dealing with curtains, apparel, etc.

This orange beauty heats up in no time -- about 1 to 2 1/2 minutes, and weighs in just a bit over three pounds. The temperature buttons are ergonomic, digitally accurate, and easy to use. The soleplate is stainless steel (very durable!). Three pounds is light enough that it won't over-tax your arm and shoulder muscles, but heavy enough to get serious pressing action. You just plug it in, fill it with water using the accompanying cup, and pick a setting. By the time you get your ironing together, the Reliable Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator iron is heated and ready to go.

Overly wrinkled fat quarter from the bottom of my purse. 

I only ironed the right half so you can see how it just pressed out all those wrinkles. 

I remember the first time I used it at home, I was so excited that I purposely wrinkled some fabric and ironed in the wrinkles so I could iron them out. Like I did here. See? I'm kinda geek like that.

Here it is with another fabric... See? I told you I was geek...

I love the auto shut-off feature. I'm easily distracted, moving from one thing to another. I like the fact that it shuts off automatically after 8 minutes, but then turns back on with a push of the button. No mistaking it, this iron is so easy to use and such a pleasure to work with.

And I loooove the Reliable Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator iron's happy orange color! But we really don't buy irons for color... We choose them for features... and this one packs a punch --

• easy to use controls
• comfortable weight
• super-duper pressing ability with digital temperature accuracy 
• major steam action. 

To purchase one of the lean mean steam machines, click here and Kelly will fix you up with a Reliable Velocity V50 Compact Vapor Generator iron of your very own. I love mine and it's now one of my "cool STEAMY tools."

Don't forget to head over to Kelly's to see what she has to say about this cool tool!