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 rear of 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. To this general combination, an improvement for minimizing condensation of moisture on the soleplate adds a thin chamber disposed between the tank and the soleplate and parallel and coextensive with them to separate the tank and soleplate over substantially their entire facing surfaces.