It's only 30W and it takes time to warm up. It seems, although I haven't tested it, that there is a temperature cutoff because suddenly it takes longer to melt the solder and after a minute the solder starts to melt again. A higher switch-off temperature is required. IMO.CLEANING: Disassembly is very easy. Grab your thumb, cock the plunger and keep pushing until you move the yellow tube 1/16 inch towards the heater tip and push it up. The knob assembly has two notches that mate with two tabs on the frame to hold them together. Look at the picture (do this with the iron unplugged and cold. This was for those who are not thinking straight)