So... I recently had another 21st Century iron go out on me. This is 3 now that have burnt out... I actually own 4 of them. I pondered it for a bit as I'm tired of spending money only for an iron to go out after a few uses, so I did a Google search on possible repair, and up popped this thread... and low and behold I'd posted in it about 4yrs back apparently.. totally forgot about it until I saw my post.

I reread the thread, and I did just what the original poster did, and my iron came back to life! It was exactly what was suspected. I have 2 more of these irons that burnt out, but I'd not thrown away, because the shoes are still in good shape, so I will commence on fixing those as well... if the element is in fact the problem.

The element seems like a weak link no doubt. I have a spare TopFlite iron that's probably 30yrs old that still works fine, and I use it when the 21st Century iron goes down. For what they want for one these days(I'm seeing near $40 or more), these should be bullet proof... but looking at the element, it just looks frail... oh well.

Thanks to the original poster, my iron is back in biz, and I'll probably have a few more going again soon. After swearing by them for 20yrs, I don't know if I'll buy another 21st Century though.. I mean they work well when they work, but I don't want an iron going cold every year or so.