Waffles are a breakfast classic and a favorite for many. They have also become part of the celebration. You may prefer fluffy Belgian-style waffles, while others prefer thin, crisp classics. A waffle maker makes it easy to enjoy homemade delicious waffles every day. It’s bliss to enjoy this golden fluffy treat with fruit, whipped cream, or maple syrup.
Different types of waffles are made with different waffle makers. When you have the right waffle maker, every day can be extraordinary. There are so many waffle makers to choose from, so how can you find the best one for you? Continue reading if you want to learn more about waffle-making and other helpful features. You don’t need to be an expert on waffle making, but you do know what you want. Take a look at our suggestions and find the right match for you so that you can buy one today.
Best Waffle Makers
1.Oster Belgian Waffle Maker
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Amazon.com
- Allows you to make large round waffles with deep pockets
- The non-stick plate is easy to release waffles and clean.
- With adjustable temperature control
- Durable stainless steel exterior and cool-to-touch handle
- Easy to clean
- A bit small for some people. It’s better to check the dimension before purchasing.
- The exterior is a bit hot in use.
2. DASH Mini Individual Waffles Maker
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Amazon.com
- Dual non-stick cooking
- Heat up quickly and evenly
- Various color and shape options
- Take up a little space
- Great gift idea
- Not for a large family
- Require efforts in cleaning
3. Presto Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker
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Amazon.com
- Has pro-style rotating and space-saving design.
- The digital countdown timer is hassle-free.
- The interior ceramic baking plates are easy to wipe clean.
- Cool-touch handles
- With overfill channel around the plates to catch the excess batter.
- The plates are not removable.
- The timer is battery-operated.
4. Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker
2 used from $71.37
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Amazon.com
- Cook 2 waffle at a time with speed and fun.
- Provides multiple browning settings for different preferences.
- Deep batter pockets for thicker waffles
- Convenient and easy to use with indicator lights and audio beep alarms
- Durable and easy cleaning stainless steel housing
- Some parts are made of plastic.
5. KRUPS Belgian Waffle Maker with Removable Plates
5 used from $57.55
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Amazon.com
- Removable trays for convenient washing
- Cook 4 square Belgian waffles evenly at a time
- Adjustable browning settings for different preferences
- With indicator lights and audible beep
- Sleek stainless steel housing
- The trays may not be washed in the dishwasher.
6. Chefman Anti-Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker
8 used from $22.28
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Amazon.com
- There is a wrap-around channel to catch excess batter. This feature makes cleaning easy.
- Easy flip and easy cleaning non-stick iron
- Space-saving design
- 7 settings for different tastes
- Cool-touch handle
- Measuring cup included
- Only cook 1 waffle at a time
7. Dinosaur Mini Waffle Maker
1 used from $40.76
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Amazon.com
- Adorable and cool dinosaur shapes
- Welll-made and heat up great
- Easy to release waffles and clean
- The plates are not removable.
What to Consider When Choosing A Waffle Maker?
Waffle maker types
According to the energy source of waffle makers, there are two main types of waffle makers on the market: stovetop and electric.
Stovetop waffle maker
A stovetop waffle maker is basically a hinged pair of cooking plates that can be fastened together. You cook waffles by placing the batter in the waffle maker, then flip it over on the stove to cook both sides. This is how waffles were cooked before electric waffle machines existed. Some people may prefer to use a stovetop waffle maker.
However, stovetop waffle makers are less popular than electric ones, because it takes more effort and is harder to make perfect waffles.
Stovetop options aren’t very common today so this guide will concentrate on electric waffle makers.
Electric waffle maker
An electric waffle maker is a standalone appliance that allows you to cook waffles on the metal plates inside a metal or plastic housing. You can easily plug this compact appliance into a wall outlet, place the batter on the plate, close the waffle maker, set the temperature, and wait for a few minutes. Your delicious waffles are done! You can also control the browning level. This must be the most convenient and easiest waffle maker.
Waffle types
According to the type of waffles, there are two main waffle makers styles: Belgian and standard. Depending on what type of waffles you enjoy, you can choose which one you prefer.
Belgian waffle makers are the best choice if you want a fluffy, fat waffle with large segments and craters. This appliance has deeper and larger pockets in the grilling area. Standard waffle makers have shallow segments and produce crispier, thinner classic waffles.
Waffle shape
Most waffle makers make square, round, and rectangular waffles. Some waffle makers make waffles that look like cartoon characters, animals, heart-shaped, triangles, or other fun shapes. There shouldn’t be any noticeable differences in texture or taste, so pick the one you like.
Size and speed
Home-use waffle makers are compact appliances in the kitchen. They take up very little space on your countertop and can be kept in a drawer or cabinet to help keep your counters clean. You can save space by choosing one that is tall enough to stand on its own and has cord storage.
Also, consider how much work and how much time you will be doing with your new waffle maker to complete your cooking. Some models need to be reheated between batches, while others can cook continuously. A model that can make multiple waffles simultaneously is a good choice if you entertain frequently or have a large family. This will allow you to cook faster and get your breakfast on the table quicker.
There are two options: you can make four square waffles or two large Belgian waffles at once. A single-waffle maker is sufficient for most people. You can use your waffle iron for many purposes.
Material and ease of cleaning
If any appliance is hard to clean, you won’t use it as often.
A waffle maker’s cooking plates are the grid-like surface on which your batter is placed. The majority of waffle makers are made from aluminum with a nonstick coating.
Nonstick grill plates will make waffle making much simpler and reduce the effort required to remove waffles from the waffle maker. To avoid scratching nonstick surfaces, you must always use silicone or plastic chopsticks or tongs to lift your waffles.
Nonstick coating waffle maker plates can only be hand-cleaned with a soft cloth because they can get scratched easily. Scratches can cause your batter to stick, making cleanup much more difficult.
You can also choose a waffle iron with removable plates that are dishwasher-safe to make cleanup easier. However, you only need to clean the iron with a damp cloth at the sink once it is cooled.
Spillover channels and plates are other useful features to capture extra batter. This means that you don’t need to clean the whole waffle iron or surrounding areas.
A few waffle makers come with a measuring cup that helps you portion the batter and prevents overflows.
Cast iron stovetop waffle makers are available for those who don’t want to use nonstick cookware. This may result in tears, torn waffles, and difficult dishes to clean because waffles stick to plates.
The waffle maker housing can be finished in stainless steel, coated metal, or plastic. The plastic housing is easy to clean and cool to touch in use. The metal housing is more eco-friendly but maybe a bit hot in use. You can choose it based on your preference.
Temperature control and browning settings
Some waffle irons have temperature control that you can adjust depending on the waffle texture and color. Variable temperature settings in waffle makers make it easy to accommodate different tastes. A higher temperature will result in a crispier waffle. On the other hand, a lower temperature will result in a more delicate waffle.
A thermostat is a great feature to ensure that waffles cook evenly.
A waffle iron with a browning setting will produce crispy, golden waffles.
Indicator lights/beepers
Indicator features for waffle makers are very useful, especially if you are new to waffle making and don’t know how long it takes to cook them.
This feature is usually found on models that have beepers and/or two indicators lights. One that indicates when the appliance is ready to be used and one that informs you when the waffles have been cooked. You don’t need to look at the appliance to know when it’s done cooking.
Safety settings
Choosing a waffle maker that has safety features can reduce cooking burn accidents, including a lockable lid to keep kids out of the hot plate, auto-shutoff when the gadget is not in use for a certain time, a cool-to-touch handle, etc.
Why does my waffle maker stick and how to prevent it?
Here are some reasons waffles stick to the waffle maker’s grids:
- Too much or too little oil.
- The batter is undercooked. Raw batter will stick to the plate, it’s best to wait until the waffle is fully baked.
- It is not a non-stick coating or the non-stick coating is badly scratched.
Here are some tips to prevent waffles from sticking to the iron:
- Spray some non-stick products or vegetable oil on the waffle iron before cooking. Or brush some melted butter or fat to grease the iron grids before cooking. If it’s a ceramic baking plate, you should avoid spraying non-stick products.
- Change your recipe. Add more fat to your batter. If the batter is not egg yolk, it may stick. You must use egg yolk or oil to prevent your batter from sticking.
- Release the waffle until it’s fully cooked.
- Wipe the non-stick coating waffle iron with a damp cloth after it’s completely cooled down. Never use a harsh brush or metal spoon to clean a non-stick waffle maker.
- Complete cleanup and dryness after use.
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