Siemens has introduced an iron with an integrated steam generator. The appliance offers all the advantages of a larger and more expensive steam ironing station with a separate water tank. The innovation in the “slider steam generator,” as the system is known, is a motor inside the water tank that operates a pump.

The five-watt motor, which isn't much larger than a postage stamp, moves a small piston up and down to produce up to 40 grams of steam per minute. Even as the water level goes down, the power steam doesn’t taper off like it does in most conventional steam irons. A single push of a button on the handle is enough to release a constant jet of steam from the holes on the sole of the iron. The amount of steam also can be regulated as usual with a dial. Even upright steaming of delicate fabrics is possible without their coming into contact with the sole of the iron. This makes it easy to freshen up sports jackets or blouses. The sole is made of extremely hard material which allows the iron to glide across fabrics and makes it easy to clean.

The water has to be refilled more often than in steam ironing stations, but the steam is ready as soon as the iron heats up. Steam ironing stations, on the other hand, can take up to eight minutes to generate the necessary pressure of about two bar, and this procedure is repeated every time the tank is refilled.

The new iron can also be ordered with an automatic cut-off feature. If it sits in the tray or on its base for more than eight minutes, the heat automatically shuts off. And if a mother leaves the iron on its sole on the ironing board to attend to a crying baby, for instance, it shuts off after 30 seconds. The appliance costs €100 for the standard version, and €110 for the automatic cut-off version.