Operating an evaporator of a domestic appliance

A method (S1-S9) is used to operate one with a heating (9) evaporator (1) provided a household appliance (H), wherein the evaporator (1) at least a portion of a liquid level detector (16) for detecting a predetermined level (L1) and at least a portion of an overheating detector (9) for detecting an overheating of the heating (9), said method comprising the steps of at least: (S1) filling of the evaporator (1) at least up to the predetermined level (L1); (S2) Emptying of the evaporator (1) by means of an emptying device (22); (S3) starting a time measurement (Z0), when the predetermined level (L1) is not reached, (S4) switching on the heater (9) of the evaporator (1) when the predetermined level (L1) below; (S5) stopping the time measurement (Z0), when overheating of the heating (9) is detected; (S6) calculating a flow rate for the emptying of the evaporator (1) from a means of the time measurement (Z0) certain period of time for emptying. A steam treatment apparatus (H) is adapted to perform the method.