Abstract: Appliances for the preparation of hot drinks are described herein. The appliances include a water container having a container outlet from which, via a heating device and a riser, water heated by the heating device can be supplied to a mixing device. A specific water level height in the riser can be kept at least largely constant by a constant level holding device.

Abstract: Appliances for the preparation of hot drinks are described herein. The appliances include a water container having a container outlet from which, via a heating device and a riser, water heated by the heating device can be supplied to a mixing device. A specific water level height in the riser can be kept at least largely constant by a constant level holding device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a steam iron (1) equippped with an electrically heatable soleplate (9) and having a residual heat warning device (16) which operates preferably independently of the line voltage and issues a flashing warning signal via a light emitting diode (17) when the temperature of the soleplate (9) exceeds a threshold temperature of about 60° C. Due to a capacitor which is chargeable during operation of the iron, a preferred warning system is operable also when the iron is disconnected from the supply after use.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a steam iron with a water reservoir for the supply of water to an evaporation chamber in which the fed water is convertible into steam and which is connectable to at least one first and one second steam discharge port (18, 15), with a heating element (14) for heating both the evaporation chamber and a soleplate (1-12, 46), said soleplate having an ironing surface (39) and a nose (20) at its forward end when viewed in the direction of movement, and said first steam discharge port (18) being arranged in such close proximity to the iron's nose (20) that the steam propagates in the area adjacent to the iron's nose (20). The first and the second steam discharge port (18, 15) are formed in the soleplate (1-12, 46) such as to be at a height of less than 10 mm relative to the ironing surface (39). Further, the first and the second steam discharge port (18, 15) are in balanced pressure communication with each other. Provision is made for distinct steaming and drying zones.