An electric iron is heated by a stream of electricity passing into the heating element in its base. This element may be cast into the sole plate of the iron or clamped to the plate in a herring-bone pattern.
Hand irons have an electric loading up to 1,000 watts and weigh from 3-6 pounds. Many of them have thermostatic control so that the correct heat is maintained. Steam irons contain reservoirs of water which release steam through holes in the sole plate directly on to the article being ironed. In this way they produce, at the same time, the moisture, heat and pressure needed to make the fibers pliable and remove the creases.
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