Abstract: A steam iron including a heated soleplate and a vaporization cavity adjacent the soleplate. A shaped element forms a cowl, a forwardly projecting hollow handle and a rearward connection therebetween. A manifold with at least one manually controlled passageway for the measured delivery of water into the vaporization cavity is disposed above the vaporization cavity. A vertical reservoir is joined to the rearward connection and includes openings for fluid communication with both the handle and the manifold. The reservoir may be filled through the hollow handle.