Black & Decker One Step Steam Iron with EvenSteam Stainless Steel Soleplates and SmartSteam Control

What stood out in daily use

I put the One Step iron through a week of real chores: cotton dress shirts, a linen table runner that had been folded for months, a pair of denim jeans, and a silk blouse that usually makes me nervous. The headline is simple: steam output is the story here. Once fully heated, the EvenSteam stainless steel soleplate spreads moisture evenly across its surface, which translates into fewer passes and less fiddling with angles to chase wrinkles. It’s a smooth glider, too—stainless steel tends to feel quicker and more durable than many nonstick plates, and that proved true here.

The design is straightforward and practical. At 2.8 pounds, the iron is light enough for longer sessions but not so light that it skips over thicker fabrics. The handle has a soft contour that stayed comfortable in my hand. Stability on the heel rest is solid, and the 3-way auto shutoff worked consistently: tip it over and it cuts power fast; leave it upright and it powers down after several minutes. I triggered it intentionally a few times and was glad to see quick recovery—set it back on the board and it reheats without fuss.

Heating and steam performance

Heat-up is quick to mid-range settings, and a bit slower to the highest. To avoid drips, I found it best to let the iron sit for an extra minute after the light indicates it’s ready, especially when the tank is full. After that warm-up, the steam becomes steady and predictable.

SmartSteam links steam output to the temperature setting, and you feel it. On cotton and linen, the continuous steam is generous, and the burst-of-steam button adds a useful punch for stubborn creases. The EvenSteam soleplate matters here—it distributes that moisture uniformly, so you’re not battling wet patches or dry corners. I could flatten a rumpled cotton shirt back and sleeves in one or two passes.

On denim, performance was respectable. I needed a few more passes than with a premium, heavier iron, but the burst function helped set seams and smooth thigh panels. For linen napkins and runners, the combination of high heat and ample steam delivered crisp results without scorching or over-wetting edges.

Silk and synthetics are the tricky part with this design. Because steam is tied to temperature—and there’s no independent steam off switch—there’s still some steam at lower settings as long as there’s water in the tank. I preferred two approaches: either start with the tank empty for truly dry pressing on delicate fabrics, or run the temperature lower and move quickly to avoid over-saturating the cloth. Both worked, but the empty-tank method is simpler and gives more control.

The spray mist is fine-grained and helpful for edges and collars. The burst-of-steam has a short recharge window; you can’t rapid-fire it indefinitely, but it’s strong enough to tackle deep wrinkles when used deliberately.

Controls and usability

The temperature dial is clear but slightly stiff, which has an upside—fewer accidental bumps—and a downside when you’re making frequent fabric changes. The steam regulation being tied to the dial is convenient for most tasks: select your fabric and the steam output adjusts accordingly. If you want total manual control, though, you won’t find a separate steam slider here.

Filling the reservoir is easy thanks to a wide opening. I could fill from a cup without dribbles, and the cap seals well once closed. The reservoir capacity handled multiple shirts before a refill. I used tap water for most tests and ran the self-clean routine at the end; if you have very hard water, mixing with distilled or sticking to distilled will keep internal scaling at bay.

The retractable cord is a real storage win. Press the button and the cord zips in—guide it with your hand so it doesn’t snap. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference when you’re putting the iron away in a closet or drawer. During use, the cord swivels freely enough not to fight your wrist.

Glide and soleplate care

The stainless steel plate is the right match for this iron’s steam-first personality. It glides easily, resists scratching better than many coated options, and cleans up well. Starch and fusible residue wipe off with a damp cloth on a warm (not hot) plate, and for anything stubborn, a bit of iron cleaner or a gentle rub with a microfiber cloth did the trick. The pointed tip navigates between buttons and around pleats with good precision.

I didn’t experience any snagging on delicate fabrics, though I was cautious and kept the plate moving on low settings. Remember that any iron can spit if you rush warm-up or overfill the tank; letting it reach full temp avoids most of that.

Safety and maintenance

The automatic shutoff is appropriately sensitive. On its side or face down, it shuts off quickly; upright, it gives you a grace period for repositioning or refilling. That balance strikes the right note between safety and practicality.

Maintenance is uncomplicated:
- Empty the tank after use if the iron will sit more than a day or two.
- Run the self-clean cycle periodically, especially if you use tap water.
- Wipe the soleplate when warm if you use starches or press fusible interfacing.

These habits keep steam channels clear and the EvenSteam distribution consistent.

Where it excels

• Everyday ironing on cotton, linen, and blends. The combination of plentiful, evenly spread steam and a slick stainless plate makes short work of typical household loads.
• Users who prefer light-to-medium weight irons. At 2.8 pounds, it’s easy on the wrist without feeling flimsy.
• Compact storage setups. The retractable cord and stable heel rest made it quick to stash between uses.
• Safety-conscious households. The 3-way auto shutoff is reliable and quick.

Where it falls short

• True dry pressing with a filled tank. With SmartSteam tied to temperature, there’s no independent steam off switch. For delicates, an empty tank is the cleanest solution.
• Rapid transitions between fabric types. The stiff dial and steam/temperature linkage make it less ideal if you’re constantly bouncing from silk to denim to synthetics.
• Heavy, deeply set wrinkles in thick fabrics. It gets the job done, but requires more passes than heavier, higher-wattage irons. The burst helps, but if you regularly press heavy linens or multiple pairs of jeans, you may want a more powerful unit.
• Fit and finish. While overall build feels solid in use, the water-fill cap and some plastic trim feel on the budget side.

Tips for better results

• Give it an extra minute after the ready light before you start, especially after a refill. This reduces drips and ensures maximum steam.
• Work in batches by fabric type. Do delicates first with an empty tank, then fill up and move to cottons and linens.
• Use the spray mist sparingly on synthetics to avoid water spots, and keep the soleplate moving on low heat.
• Guide the cord as it retracts to prevent snapping back into the housing.

The bottom line

This Black & Decker One Step iron prioritizes even, abundant steam and a smooth stainless glide, and it succeeds on those fronts. The SmartSteam system keeps operation simple for most tasks—set the temperature, start ironing, and let the iron manage steam output. The tradeoff is flexibility: you don’t get a dedicated steam off control, and you’ll need to plan around that for truly dry pressing.

Ergonomics are good, safety is well handled, and storage is thoughtful thanks to the retractable cord. It’s not a heavyweight powerhouse, but it’s capable across everyday fabrics and delivers crisp results with minimal fuss once it’s fully warmed up.

Recommendation: I recommend this iron for users who want strong, evenly distributed steam, a durable stainless soleplate, and easy storage at a wallet-friendly price. If you often press delicates and need absolute control over steam, or you frequently tackle very heavy fabrics, you may prefer a model with independent steam controls and more mass. For most households, though, this is a reliable, comfortable daily tool that punches above its price class.