Abstract: A steam iron with a valve for controlling the flow of water from a water reservoir to a steam generating chamber. The valve has a displaceable bridge-shaped member positioned outside the water reservoir and spaced apart from a shaft carrying member. A valve stem extends between the legs through the bridge-shaped member and through a contour cam attached to the top of the bridge-shaped member. The valve stem is attached to the shaft carrying member. The contour cam has a first slanted surface along its circumference upon which a shaft carrying member projection may rest.