Steam iron

This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 102 24 549.5, filed May 31, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Steam iron having a sole plate with a steam chamber, and a sealed liquid reservoir. A drip valve supplies the steam chamber with liquid from the liquid reservoir. One or more one-way gas valves between the liquid reservoir and ambient air let air enter the reservoir in response to local negative pressures within the reservoir caused by movement of water within the reservoir, such as during reciprocal ironing motion. A pressure-equalizing passage is formed within a manually operable rod of the drip valve, such that only one opening is required in the lower wall of the liquid reservoir.