Abstract: A steam iron comprising a housing (1) containing a removable water supply chamber (7), a distribution chamber (6) containing a drip feed device (15) and having an opening (16) connected to the water supply chamber (7), two valves (18 and 19) provided at the opening (16) and the water supply chamber (7) respectively, and two reciprocal valve actuation members (20 and 21) for actuating the valves (18 and 19) when the chamber (7) is secured within the housing (1). One valve (18) comprises a movable plug (22) and a stationary seat (23), while the other valve (19) comprises a stationary plug (24) and a movable seat (25), and the two reciprocal actuation members (20 and 21) are designed to engage both the movable plug (22) and the movable seat (25) when the chamber (7) is secured within the housing (1).

Abstract: The electric cooking appliance has a casing for receiving a removable vessel in which food to be cooked is placed. An electrical heating element is provided in the casing for heating the vessel. The supply of electrical power to the heating element is controlled by a control device including a supply switch and a manually settable control circuit arranged during the normal cooking phase to intermittently place the supply switch in its conducting state so that power is supplied to the heating element intermittently. Prior to the normal cooking phase, the control circuit maintains the supply switch continuously in its conducting state for an initial period of time which is independent of the manual setting of the control circuit.