Abstract: A steam iron having a soleplate and a steam generator comprises a heater circuit (40) having two parallel loops (44, 45), wherein a main soleplate heating element (41) is arranged in a first loop (44), and wherein an auxiliary soleplate heating element (42) and a steam generator heating element (43) are arranged in a second loop (45). In the second loop (45), a selector switch (46) is arranged, for either connecting the auxiliary soleplate heating element (42) or the steam generator heating element (43) to an electric power source (50). A position of the selector switch (46) is determinative of an operating condition of the heater circuit (40). In one possible operating condition, both soleplate heating elements (41, 42) are connected to the electric power source (50). In this operating condition, the soleplate is heated up fast, as all available electric power is used for heating the soleplate.

Abstract: A steam ironing device (1) comprises a steam generator (20) for heating water to steam, a steam outlet (25) for letting out a burst of steam (27) from the steam generator (20), a device (30) for supplying water to the steam generator (20), a hose (40) connecting the water supplying device (30) to the steam generator (20), and a controller (50) which is adapted to operating the water supplying device (30) during a period of time in a situation in which there is hardly any need or no need at all of a supply of steam in an ironing process, while keeping the steam outlet (25) closed. In this way, a reserve amount of steam is generated, which is stored in an internal space (21) of the steam generator (20), and, as the occasion arises, inside at least a portion of the hose (40). When a burst of steam (27) is required, the reserve amount of steam is released through the steam outlet (25).