Abstract: A lightweight plastic electrolytic steam iron has a soleplate with steam distributing means therefrom and a casing of electrically non-conducting material forming the walls of an internal water tank coextensive with and extending over the soleplate. Spaced electrodes are supported in the tank to generate steam from the water therein and an insulated steam conduit extends from the soleplate upwardly into the tank to direct saturated steam from the tank through the steam distributing means to the surface being ironed. The spaced electrodes comprise a pair of adjacent parallel electrode plates disposed in the tank and spaced from the tank walls and from each other with the plates generally being vertical to the soleplate of the iron. A structure is connected to control the spacing between the plates from the iron handle and separate spaced stop posts are provided to limit movement of each plate to avoid contact therebetween.