Abstract: The invention relates to a steam iron comprising a water reservoir having a front part which extends into the front of the iron. The water reservoir has an outlet opening situated in the front part of the reservoir, which opening opens into a metering space. The metering space opens into the steam chamber via an inlet opening. When the iron is placed into its rest position it is brought from a horizontal ironing position into an inclined position. To stop the steam production as rapidly as possible the iron comprises a water buffer reservoir situated in the heel of the iron, which buffer reservoir opens also into the metering space. When the iron is placed in an inclined position the water flows directly from the metering space into the buffer reservoir so that the water can no longer flow to the steam chamber. Advantage: no moving parts such as ball valves are required; steaming stops even in the case of a small inclination angle of 15.degree.