Black and Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Stainless Soleplate Iron
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
When using your iron, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING
- Only use iron for intended use.
- To avoid the risk of electric shock, do not immerse the iron in water or other liquids.
- Always turn the iron to MIN setting before plugging in or unplugging from the outlet. Never pull on the cord to disconnect from the electrical outlet; instead grasp plug and pull to disconnect.
- Do not allow cord to touch hot surfaces. Let iron cool completely before putting away. Gently wind the cord back into the housing by pressing the cord reel button when storing.
- Always disconnect iron from electric outlet before filling with or emptying water, cleaning, and when not in use.
- Do not operate the iron if it has been dropped, if there are visible signs of damage to the iron or its cord, or if it’s leaking. To avoid the risk of electric shock, do not dissemble the iron take it to a qualified service person for examination and repair, or call the appropriate toll free number on the cover of this manual. Incorrect reassembly can cause risk of electric shock when the iron is used.
- Close supervision is necessary for any appliance being used by or near children. Do not leave iron unattended when plugged in or on an ironing board.
- Burns can occur from touching hot metal parts, hot water, or steam. Use caution when you turn the iron upside down – there may be hot water in the reservoir. Avoid rapid movement of iron to minimize hot water spillage.
- The iron must be used and rested on a stable surface.
- When placing the iron on its stand, ensure that the surface on which the stand is placed is stable.
- This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
- Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
- To avoid circuit overload, do not operate another high wattage appliance on the same circuit.
- If an extension cord is absolutely necessary, a minimum 10-ampere cord should be used. Cords rated for less amperage can result in a risk of fire or electrical shock due to overheating. Care should be taken to arrange the cord so that it cannot be pulled or tripped over.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
This product is for household use only.
POLARIZED PLUG
- This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is intended to fit into a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug does not fit fully into the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to modify the plug in any way.
TAMPER-RESISTANT SCREW
- Warning: This appliance is equipped with a tamper-resistant screw to prevent removal of the outer cover. To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not attempt to remove the outer cover. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Repair should be done only by authorized service personnel.
Note: If the power supply cord is damaged, in order to avoid a hazard, it should be replaced by qualified personnel or in Latin America by an authorized service center
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VITESSA IRON
- Soleplate
- Spray nozzle
- Water-fill cover
- SmartSteam dial
- Spray mist button
- Burst of steam button
- Power/auto shut-off light
- Auto-Clean button
- Cord reel button
- Water tank
- Heel rest
Product may vary slightly from what is illustrated
HOW TO USE
This product is for household use only.
GETTING STARTED
- Remove all labels, tags and stickers attached to the body, cord, or soleplate of the iron and the plastic band around the power plug.
- Remove and save literature.
FILLING THE WATER TANK
- With the iron on a flat surface, with the soleplate down or tilted at 45° angle, open the water-fill cover. (A)
- Using a clean measuring cup, pour water into opening until water reaches the “MAX” level mark on the side of the water tank. Do not overfill. Close the water-fill cover securely.
Tip: This iron is designed to use normal tap water. If your water is very hard, you can use a mixture of 50% tap water and 50% distilled water to avoid build-up. It is not recommended to use water with perfumes or scented additives. - Stand the iron on the heel rest.
- To refill at any time during the ironing process, unplug the iron and follow the above procedure.
USING YOUR IRON
- Gently pull the cord out of the housing, being careful not to pull past the warning tape
- Plug the iron into an outlet. The red Power/auto shut-off light will illuminate on the handle, indicating that the iron is heating.
- Read the manufacturer’s fabric label for clothing care recommendations to help select the correct temperature setting.
Tip: Since it takes an iron longer to cool down than heat up, organizing your clothing from Low to High temperature can cut down your ironing time. - Select the temperature and steam level on the iron by turning the SmartSteam™ dial until you’ve reached the desired setting. A fabric guide is printed on the water tank for easy reference.
- Allow the iron about 2 minutes to heat up to the desired temperature.
Tip: To dry iron on low heat use SmartSteam™ settings 1–3, or for high heat simply empty the water tank and follow the normal directions. If emptying the tank, once preheated you may need to press the Burst of Steam button a few times to fully empty the water tank - Iron as long as needed. Note that if the iron is left inactive, the 3-Way Auto Shut off Safety feature will activate. Please see Additional Features section for more details.
- When finished ironing, turn the dial to the MIN setting and unplug from the outlet.
- Stand the iron on its heel rest and allow it to completely cool off before storing.
SETTING GUIDE
- For best results it’s recommended to use the manufacturer’s garment tags for heat and steam instructions. When in doubt, always start at the low heat setting.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
- Even Steam Soleplate Design
- Your Vitessa Advanced Steam Cord Reel Iron features our Even Steam soleplate design. This soleplate was engineered to provide a more even flow of steam from heel to tip, enabling you to quickly tame wrinkles anywhere on your garment. (B)
- SmartSteam Technology
- This technology gives you the control of both soleplate heat and steam level in one dial. On traditional irons the controls are separated, making it difficult to know what settings are right for each fabric. These simple controls take the guesswork out of ironing and ensure optimal results every time. (C)
- Burst of Steam
Press the burst of steam button to generate additional steam. For best performance, leave several seconds between bursts. This feature works on settings 4–6 on the SmartSteam™ dial. - Spray Mist
Press the Spray Mist button to generate a light spray of water. Spray Mist is used to dampen tough wrinkles while dry or steam ironing. This setting works at any SmartSteam™ dial setting. Do not spray silk. - 3-way Auto Shut-Off
The iron will automatically switch to Auto Shut-Off mode and stop heating after being left inactive for 30 seconds on the soleplate or side, and 8 minutes on the heel rest. When the iron is in Auto Shut-Off mode, the red light on the handle will blink. Simply move the iron to resume ironing and the soleplate will automatically heat to selected temperature. - Vertical Steaming
Skip the ironing board and use your iron like a garment steamer for small touch-ups. This can also be used for curtains or drapes.
- Start by following the instruction 1–4 in the “Using your Iron” section to heat the iron.
- Once the iron is preheated, place your garment on a hanger and hang it in a location that would not be impacted by the steam
Tip: Shower rods in your bathroom are a great location. - Hold the garment tight from the base or side (being careful to keep your hand away from the steam) and hold the iron in the other hand.
- Place the heated soleplate about an inch away from the fabric and press the Burst of Steam button on the handle. Allow a few seconds between bursts to avoid water dripping.
Tip: If water dripping occurs, that means the soleplate isn’t hot enough to create steam. Just allow the iron a minute to reheat and then resume steaming. - When finished steaming, turn the dial to the MIN setting and unplug from the outlet.
- Stand iron on its heel rest and allow it to completely cool off before storing.
CLEANING AND CARE
This product contains no user serviceable parts. Refer to qualified service personnel.
CLEANING OUTSIDE SURFACES
- Make sure the iron is unplugged and has completely cooled.
- Wipe the soleplate and outer surface with a soft, damp cloth. Water and small amounts of gentle household soaps, such as dishwashing liquid, can be used. Never use heavy-duty cleaners, vinegar or abrasive scouring pads that may scratch or discolor the iron.
- After the iron has been thoroughly dried, turn the iron back on and lightly steam over an old cloth. This will help remove any reside left in the steam holes.
- When finished cleaning, turn iron off and allow time to cool before storing.
AUTO-CLEAN SYSTEM
Use this feature to keep the iron free of build-up. For optimal results over time, it is recommended that you clean your iron every 2-4 weeks. Homes with harder water should clean their iron more often, every 1-2 weeks.
- Fill the water tank well below the MAX fill line. Plug in the iron.
Tip: When pulling the cord out of the housing, be sure not to go past the warning tape. Pulling the cord too far can result in damage. - Select the Wool Fabric setting (Number 5) on the SmartSteam dial and stand the iron on its heel while it preheats.
- Allow the iron to heat to desired temperature for about 2 minutes, then turn the dial to the MIN setting and unplug from the outlet.
- Hold iron over a sink with the soleplate facing down. Press the AutoClean button. Be careful, as hot water and steam will come out of the vents.
- Continue to hold the button down until all of the water has emptied. If necessary, slightly tilt the iron from side-to-side and front-to-back to aid the process.
- When finished, release the AutoClean button and place the iron on its heel rest. Allow the iron to completely cool before storing.
STORING YOUR IRON
- Check that the iron is on the MIN setting, unplugged, and completely cool.
- Press the cord reel button on the heel of the iron to start retracting the cord into the housing. Slowly reel in the cord, being careful to avoid cord bunching. (D)
- Emptying the water tank is recommended after use. Any water left in the tank could discolor and cause staining. Simply open the water tank door and hold the water upside down over a sink until the tank is empty.
- Always store vertically on its heel to prevent water from leaking from the soleplate.
IRONING TIPS AND TRICKS
- This iron is designed to use normal tap water. If your water is very hard, you can use a mixture of 50% tap water and 50% distilled water to avoid build-up. It is not recommended to use water with perfumes or scented additives.
- Since it takes an iron longer to cool down than heat up, organizing your clothing from Low to High temperature can cut down your ironing time.
- Whenever temperature settings are changed, allow the iron to stand a minute or two to allow heat up or cool down. Test the garment by pressing a small hidden area to make sure temperature of iron is correct.
- Whenever ironing a garment with mixed fabrics, read the garment’s tag for detailed directions or select the fabric setting for the most delicate fabric. For example, when ironing a shirt that is 65% cotton and 35% polyester, use the polyester setting.
- If you’re unsure of the fabric’s content, test a small area (on the inside seam or hem) before you proceed to iron the entire garment or cloth.
- If water dripping occurs, this means that the soleplate isn’t hot enough to create steam. Just allow the iron a minute to reheat and then resume ironing.
- To prevent iron marks on your fabric, iron the fabric inside out.
- Putting on your clothes right after ironing can actually create wrinkles. Always allow your clothing to cool for about 5 minutes after ironing to set the press.
- Did you know that you can use your iron like a garment steamer for touch-ups? See the vertical steaming section for more details.
- Did you know you should be cleaning your iron at least once a month? See the Auto-Clean™ section for more details.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem | Cause | Solution |
The iron is plugged in, but the soleplate is not heating. | Power supply issue. | Check that the plug is properly inserted into the outlet or try plugging the iron into a different outlet. |
Not enough steam or no steam is coming out of the iron. | SmartSteam™ setting selected is too low. Lower heat levels are not intended to have steam. | Turn the SmartSteam™ Dial to settings 4–6 to iron with steam. |
Not enough water in the water tank. | Follow the instructions under the “filling the water tank” section and fill to Max level marker. | |
Iron is not preheated. | If the iron isn’t fully preheated to the desired setting, the anti-drip feature will prevent the iron from creating steam. Allow the iron additional time to heat. | |
Discolored water is coming through the holes and staining the fabric | Residue build-up in the soleplate cavity or in the soleplate holes. | Empty the water tank after each use and use the Auto-Clean™ function to clean your iron regularly. |
Use of descaling agents, perfumed or scented additives. | Use the Auto-Clean™ function to clean your iron and refrain from using descaling agents, perfumed or scented additives. | |
Use of Starch. | Always clean your soleplate after using starch and use the Auto- Clean™ function to clean your iron regularly. | |
Pure distilled water or softened water is being used. | Use only untreated tap water or a mix of half tap and half distilled water. Use the Auto-Clean™ function to clean your iron regularly. | |
Iron is leaking or spitting | Overuse of the Burst of Steam button. | Allow more time between bursts of steam for the iron to get back to desired temperature. |
SmartSteam™ setting is too low. | The lower temperature settings are not meant to steam. Either turn the SmartSteam™ dial to settings 4–6 or use spray mist instead for additional moisture. |
NEED HELP?
For service, repair or any questions regarding your appliance, please call our Customer Service Line at 1-800-231-9786. Please DO NOT return the product to the place of purchase. Also, please DO NOT mail product back to the manufacturer, nor bring it to a service center. You may also want to consult the website listed on the cover of this pamphlet.
Warranty Information
(Applies only in the United States and Canada)
What does it cover?
- Any defect in material or workmanship provided; however, Spectrum Brands’ liability will not exceed the purchase price of product.
For how long?
- Two years from the date of the original purchase with proof of such purchase.
What will we do to help you?
- Provide you with a reasonably similar replacement product that is either new or factory refurbished.
How do you get service?
- Save your receipt as proof of date of sale.
- Visit the online service website at www.prodprotect.com/applica, or call toll-free 1-800-231-9786, for general warranty service.
- f you need parts or accessories, please call 1-800-738-0245.
What does your warranty not cover?
- Damage from commercial use
- Damage from misuse, abuse or neglect
- Products that have been modified in any way
- Products used or serviced outside the country of purchase
- Glass parts and other accessory items that are packed with the unit
- Shipping and handling costs associated with the replacement of the unit
- Consequential or incidental damages (Please note, however, that some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of consequential or incidental damages, so this limitation may not apply to you.)
How does state law relate to this warranty?
- This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights that vary from state to state or province to province
Black and Decker Vitessa Advanced Steam Cord Reel Iron-FAQs
What is the temperature range of the Black & Decker Vitessa iron?
The Vitessa iron heats up to an average of 298°F, with the highest heat around the middle and the lowest around the bottom at 274°F.
How do I clean my Black & Decker Vitessa iron?
To clean, press and hold the self-clean button. Move the iron gently over a basin, allowing water and steam to flush out scale and dust. Release the button once the reservoir is empty.
Which soleplate is best for a steam iron?
Stainless steel soleplates are ideal, as they are durable, scratch resistant, and provide smooth, efficient gliding over fabrics
How do I turn on my Black & Decker steam iron?
Ensure the water reservoir is filled, plug in the iron, and press the “PUSH ON” button to activate it.
What does the steam setting on an iron do?
The steam setting helps remove wrinkles quickly by continuously producing steam while the iron is on, allowing for faster ironing
How do I remove the scale from my steam iron?
Fill the water tank with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, set the iron to medium heat, and let it steam for 5-10 minutes to clear out any scale.
What is the soleplate on an iron?
The soleplate is the flat metal part of the iron that touches fabrics during ironing. It determines how smoothly the iron glides over clothes, affecting the ironing results.
Can I replace an iron’s soleplate?
Yes, if the soleplate is damaged or scratched and leaving marks on clothes, it’s possible to replace it.
What temperature can iron reach before burning?
Iron particles can reach temperatures up to 2,835K in high oxygen environments, though consumer irons operate at much lower temperatures.
How can I remove scratches from the iron’s soleplate?
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the scratched areas, rub gently with a cloth, let sit, then wipe clean for a smooth surface
Why does my iron’s soleplate leak water?
Leakage can occur if the iron is set to a low temperature. Allow the iron to fully heat before using the steam function to avoid drips
How do I store my steam iron properly?
Empty the water tank after each use, set the selector to “Dry,” and store the iron in an upright position to prevent water from damaging the soleplate.
What is the temperature range of the Black & Decker Vitessa iron?
The Vitessa iron heats up to an average of 298°F, with the highest heat around the middle-right and the lowest around the bottom at 274°F.
How do I clean my Black & Decker Vitessa iron?
To clean, press and hold the self-clean button. Move the iron gently over a basin, allowing water and steam to flush out scale and dust. Release the button once the reservoir is empty.
Which soleplate is best for a steam iron?
Stainless steel soleplates are ideal, as they are durable, scratch-resistant, and provide smooth, efficient gliding over fabrics.
How do I turn on my Black & Decker steam iron?
Ensure the water reservoir is filled, plug in the iron, and press the “PUSH ON” button to activate it.
What does the steam setting on an iron do?
The steam setting helps remove wrinkles quickly by continuously producing steam while the iron is on, allowing for faster ironing.
How do I remove scale from my steam iron?
Fill the water tank with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water, set the iron to medium heat, and let it steam for 5-10 minutes to clear out any scale.
What is the soleplate on an iron?
The soleplate is the flat metal part of the iron that touches fabrics during ironing. It determines how smoothly the iron glides over clothes, affecting the ironing results.
Can I replace an iron’s soleplate?
Yes, if the soleplate is damaged or scratched and leaving marks on clothes, it’s possible to replace it.
What temperature can iron reach before burning?
Iron particles can reach temperatures up to 2,835K in high oxygen environments, though consumer irons operate at much lower temperatures.
Does a steam iron remove stains?
Use a 1:3 stain remover-to-water solution, spray on a clean cloth, and place over the stain. Press the iron over the cloth, using steam to lift the stain.
How can I remove scratches from the iron’s soleplate?
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the scratched areas, rub gently with a cloth, let sit, then wipe clean for a smooth surface.
Why does my iron’s soleplate leak water?
Leakage can occur if the iron is set to a low temperature. Allow the iron to fully heat before using the steam function to avoid drips.
How do I store my steam iron properly?
Empty the water tank after each use, set the selector to “Dry,” and store the iron in an upright position to prevent water from damaging the soleplate.