Black & Decker Allure Steam Iron

Why I reached for the Allure

I’m picky about steam irons. I want reliable steam, predictable temperatures, and an iron that doesn’t fight me through a stack of shirts. After several weeks with the Allure, I was able to press everything from everyday cotton button-downs to linen napkins and polyester blends. It’s a capable iron with strong steam and thoughtful safety features, but a few design choices hold it back from being an easy, universal pick.

Design and controls

Out of the box, the Allure feels substantial. At roughly 3 pounds, it’s on the heavier side for a household iron, and that extra mass helps flatten seams and stubborn creases without forcing me to bear down. Balance is good: it feels planted when horizontal and stable when stood up.

The control layout is a hybrid. Steam functions are handled by buttons—separate on/off for continuous steam and an easy-to-reach surge button for quick bursts—while temperature is set via a traditional dial tucked under the handle. The upside is that steam and heat can be controlled independently, which is exactly how I like to work when I’m moving between fabrics. The downside is visibility. On the darker colorway, the markings for both the water level and the temperature dial can be tough to read unless you’re under bright light. I found myself tilting the iron to catch a reflection or relying on muscle memory for the common settings.

There’s a clear power/ready indicator light. There isn’t a numerical display, and I don’t miss it; once you get familiar with the five preprogrammed settings (from synthetics through linen), the dial is sufficient. I do wish the temperature icons and the water-window were higher-contrast.

Filling the reservoir is straightforward. The front-fill port is accessible when the iron is flat on the board, and the cap snaps shut securely. There’s no included fill cup, so I used a small measuring cup at my ironing station.

Steam performance and heat-up

Steam is where the Allure earns its name. Continuous steam output is generous and, crucially, consistent when the iron is up to temperature. On cotton and linen, I rarely needed more than mid-level steam. When I did, the surge button delivered a powerful burst that cut through deep, set-in wrinkles. Pressing heavy denim pockets and linen placemats was quicker than I expected for a 1,600-watt appliance, and the iron kept up with multi-pass pressing without sputtering.

I did notice a gentle “cadence” to the steam at higher heat: as the thermostat cycles, the steam output pulses slightly. It didn’t affect results, but if you’re sensitive to that rhythm you’ll hear and feel it. Used correctly (give it 10–15 seconds to re-stabilize after big temperature changes), the Allure avoided the common pitfalls of drips or spitting.

Heat-up is brisk. From cold to a synthetic setting took under a minute, and to the top linen setting took roughly 90 seconds in my tests. Recovery after heavy steam use was also quick enough that I didn’t feel like I was waiting on the iron to catch up.

Soleplate and glide

The stainless-steel soleplate is smooth, durable, and forgiving of less-than-perfect ironing board covers. It glides cleanly over cotton poplin and doesn’t grab at polyester. The tip is moderately pointed and navigates around buttons and plackets with decent precision. Steam holes are well distributed, and I got even moisture across the plate without wet spots.

As with any stainless soleplate, you’ll want to avoid ironing over zippers or decorative metal elements. After a couple of weeks, a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth returned the sole to a near-new sheen.

Water handling and maintenance

The reservoir is mid-sized; in real terms, I could press three or four shirts and a pair of chinos before refilling at medium steam. The front-fill door is drip-resistant in practice. The only frustration is the tinted water window—on the darker body color it’s hard to judge the level at a glance. Holding the iron near a bright light or window makes it readable, but it’s a small, everyday annoyance.

Maintenance is straightforward. The auto-clean function flushes mineral buildup through the steam passages. If you live with hard water, using distilled or a 50/50 mix with tap water will keep the internals cleaner and extend the intervals between cleaning cycles. Running the auto-clean monthly was enough for me to maintain strong steam.

Safety and usability

The three-way auto shut-off is spot on. Leave the iron untouched on its heel or side and it shuts down after a short interval; face-down triggers a faster cutoff. The indicator light clearly communicates status, and reheating after auto-off is reasonably quick. This is the kind of feature you never think about until you need it, and it gave me peace of mind when moving between rooms mid-session.

Ergonomically, the handle is comfortable and well-shaped. Over longer ironing sessions, the iron’s weight can catch up with you, but the balance helps. The buttons have firm, positive clicks that are easy to actuate without changing your grip.

Real-world results

• Cotton dress shirts: With medium heat and steam, one pass per panel was usually enough. The surge button helped with yokes and cuffs.
• Linen napkins and shirts: High heat with generous steam produced crisp results. I used a pressing cloth on delicate linens to avoid shine.
• Polyester and blends: Low-to-medium heat with steam off, then brief pulses, kept fabric relaxed without water marks. The separate steam toggle is genuinely useful here.

The Allure didn’t leave drips when used at appropriate temperatures for the fabric. If you crank up steam on low heat, any iron will be prone to condensation or sputter; letting the plate reach the selected setting before engaging steam avoided that.

Where it falls short

• Visibility: The most persistent frustration is the low-contrast markings on the water window and temperature dial. If your ironing station isn’t brightly lit, plan to reposition the iron to confirm settings.
• Bulk: The weight is helpful on heavy fabrics, but if you’re ironing for long stretches or prefer a featherweight iron, you’ll feel it.
• Documentation: The quick-start materials are thin. You’ll figure out the control scheme quickly, but I’d like clearer charts on fabric/temperature guidance printed somewhere visible on the iron itself.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they are recurring friction points.

Tips for better results with the Allure

• Give it a minute: After changing temperature settings, wait 10–15 seconds for the thermostat to stabilize before engaging steam.
• Use the separate steam toggle: Turn continuous steam off for synthetics and spot-use the surge button to avoid water marks.
• Light the station: A small task lamp makes the water level and dial markings easier to see on the darker body color.
• Maintain monthly: Run the auto-clean cycle regularly, especially with mineral-rich water.

Who it suits

If you value strong, adjustable steam and want straightforward safety features, the Allure fits the brief. It’s a good match for users who iron weekly and handle a mix of everyday cotton, heavier fabrics, and the occasional delicate. If your priorities are ultralight handling or at-a-glance visibility of settings, you might find its weight and the low-contrast markings less friendly.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Strong, consistent steam with an effective surge
- Stainless-steel soleplate glides smoothly
- Separate steam and temperature controls
- Reliable three-way auto shut-off
- Simple, effective auto-clean system

Cons
- Water level and temperature markings are hard to see on the dark model
- Heavier than many household irons
- Basic documentation; fabric settings aren’t labeled on the dial as clearly as they could be

Recommendation

I recommend the Allure for users who prioritize steam performance and safety over absolute lightness and flashy displays. It heats quickly, presses crisply, and the independent steam control makes it versatile across fabrics. The visibility of the dial and water window is the main usability miss; if your ironing area has decent lighting and you’re comfortable learning the feel of each setting, it’s a strong, reliable daily iron. If you prefer an ultra-light tool or need high-contrast markings due to your workspace or eyesight, consider alternatives with clearer on-body labeling.