I've always had good service like that from Tower. Take the defective iron and either mark it, or better yet pitch it so you don't get it mixed up with the new one. I don't even remember how old my Tower iron is, but it keeps on working. I like to use a very hot iron with Monokote and my socks turn brown also. I just keep using them until they get a whole worn in the or just to grody to use.

Hogflyer