Had nice steam when started, then no more steam. I am using distilled water. It is heating up . The hose is hot to the touch. The light is on. I hear gurgling type noises. Just no steam. I tried emptying and rinsing out with some white vinegar. And tried again, same symptoms. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Have a look at the steam holes in the bottom, they should be nice an clean with no blockage. If they are blocked up you will need to remove the calcium buildup inside the iron. Get some LimeAway at HDepot, pour it into the water reservoir, let sit overnight. Next day turn the iron on and try steaming on some old papers covered with an old rag or towel, once it starts working steam for a few minutes, then unplug, drain it, put in clean distilled water and flush it out until the steam comes out clear. Use distilled water not tap water, it has much less mineral content and will be less likely to plug it up. Most pharmacies and Walmart sell distilled water. ! gallon about $1.25.

Check the hose for something clogging it. It will be past the flattened area (by that I mean further from the steam cleaner). It sounds like something got stuck in the hose, and as the steam cleaner kept sucking on the hose, it caused the hose to flatten.

Believe it or not, distilled water is quite corrosive, more so when hot. Distilled water doesn't contain any dissolved ions but the water is ionic in nature, the ions of every water molecule tend to dissolve away other elements. Steam generating plants and steam ships as well as steam heating systems treat the water with chemicals to keep the water from eating away the metals of the system and test the chemical makeup several times a day while operating. [I spent 4 years in the Navy on a steam powered ship.]
The same holds true for smaller steam appliances like espresso machines and steamers. A very thin coating of calcium carbonate [limestone] is a good protector but too much makes for inefficiencies and burned up elements.
Somewhere I read that Chrystal Geyser spring water is approximately the correct ion balance for espresso machines and I have been using it for years in my espresso machine. In any case you still need to occasionally de-scale your steamer per the manufacturers recommendations.

There is most likely a build-up of minerals around the steam holes. Minerals are in ordinary tap water. The coat the heating surfaces, act like an insulator and prevent iron from getting hot. Clean the hot plate with a fine needle or other fine object and then put in a mixture of vinegar and water and let it steam out. To prevent future mineral build-up, use half distilled water and half tap water. If you can't get distilled water, use ordinary drinking water you can buy from your supermarket (it also cheaper). Don't use 'all' distilled water as it boils (steams) at higher temperature and could ruin your iron. Good luck.

follow this steps and fix it.
GOD BLESS YOU
Clean an iron:

1. Unplug the iron and make sure it is cool before cleaning.
2. Use a toothpick or pipe cleaner to remove buildup in the steam vents, making sure the debris doesn't fall into the vents.
3. Use a fine sewing needle to carefully clean the spray nozzle of mineral deposits.
4. To flush sediment from a steam iron, pour 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vinegar into the water tank. Place the iron on a rack over a broiling pan and set the iron to steam until the tank runs dry. Repeat if necessary. Or follow the instructions for using a commercial iron cleaner.

Service the steam and spray mechanism:

1. Unplug the iron.
2. Use a fine sewing needle to unclog the steam valve assembly. Also, check the valve spring and replace it if it is broken or has lost tension.
3. If the spray pump is accessible, remove it and check for leaks by placing the spray tube in water and squirting the pump. Clean or replace as needed.

Clean a metal soleplate:

1. Unplug the iron.
2. Use a sponge and commercial soleplate cleaner or baking soda and water to remove dirt buildup on the soleplate. Rinse well with water and dry. Don't use harsh abrasives or immerse an electric iron in water.
3. Use very fine steel wool (0000) or an emery cloth to remove scratches and burns on the soleplate, then clean the soleplate.

Are you using distilled water? May be clogged with chemical residue that shows up by the residential water treatment process if using tap water from your faucet. When tap water evaporates (i.e. steam) it will leave deposits. Try mixing a solution of a small amount white vinegar with water to see if it breaks up. Heat until hot and then turn off. Be sure to 'flush' by pouring out and refilling with fresh distilled water after heating it up and letting it sit a little bit first. If successful only used filtered water from now on.

see this causes and fix it. God bless you

If the iron heats but steams improperly, inspect the soleplate and clean the vents (see below) and flush sediment out of the steam chamber .

If the iron produces too much or too little heat, test the electrical cord . Also test and, if needed, adjust calibration of the thermostat .

If the iron does not spray properly, inspect and clean the nozzle.

If the iron leaks or spits, clean the steam vents, nozzle, and tank.

If the iron sticks to fabric, clean or repair the soleplate. If the iron stains fabric, clean the soleplate, clean the tank with a commercial cleaner, and use distilled or filtered water.

Things to try:

1. Fill iron with tap water ... distilled water may cause leakage.
1a. If you have very hard water, dilute with 50% distilled.
2. Fill the iron while upright, then allow to fully heat before using.
3. Use higher steam setting ... lower settings can cause leakage.
4. Allow your iron to "recover" (i.e. build up steam) if you have a spray or "steam burst" button. Trying to use it too rapidly can cause leakage.


Be sure to clean your iron according to your manufacturer's directions. Chances are, that means using a vinegar-water solution to break up any mineral deposits. You can find a helpful video, here: http://laundry.about.com/od/productreviews/qt/vincleaniron.htm

SAFETY FIRST. Try not to work on a hot iron, or one that is plugged in to a power outlet. Water and electricity do not play well together.

To eliminate mineral deposits and prevent corrosion on your steam iron, give it an occasional cleaning by filling the reservoir with undiluted white vinegar. Place the iron in an upright position, switch on the steam setting, and let the vinegar steam through it for 5-10 minutes. Then refill the chamber with clean water and repeat. Finally, give the water chamber a good rinsing with cold, clean water.
-From Reader's Digest 150+ Household Uses for Vinegar

Can you remove the steam button if you can fill with water heat to maximum and holding over sink remove steam button rod this will clean the steam traks but be careful this gets very hot.

Thanks J