Whether you're ready for a waffle iron that doesn't stick and overflow, need a replacement for an old waffle maker that stopped working, or want the perfect way to make your favorite Chaffles, use my buying guide to help grab the perfect new waffle iron to make breakfast great again.
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Why You Should Trust My Opinion On How To Choose A Waffle Maker
- Cookbook Author: I've written 5 Instant Pot Cookbooks and 2 Air Fryer Cookbooks so I've spent more than my fair share of time in the kitchen.
- Efficient: That's the only way I know how to do things in the kitchen. Who has time to waste when you're trying to get food on the table? I'm known for my ruthless efficiency and use the pot in pot cooking method every chance I get.
- Gadget geek!: I'm a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review) just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.
How Many Different Styles Of Waffle Makers Are There?
When you think of waffle irons, you probably think of the delicious round breakfast dish. But if you've been shopping around, you're probably familiar with the fact that they come in a surprising amount of different shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Classic round
- Square
- Mini
- Specialty
- Flip Waffle Makers
Why Was The Waffle Iron Invented?
The waffle iron dates way back to the times of the ancient Greeks. They used to have a cooking gadget similar to the modern-day waffle maker that was iron pans held together to cook over an open fire.
Over time the modern waffle iron was developed for safer and easier cooking. The current grid-shaped design was developed to more easily hold delicious toppings such as syrups, berries, and whipped topping.
Why Do Waffle Makers Need To Flip?
Not all waffle makers need to flip to adequately cook a waffle. Waffle irons that require flipping are generally for thicker or Belgian style waffles.
Since gravity pulls the batter down to the bottom of the cooking plates, flipping the waffle iron halfway through the cooking cycle forces the side of the waffle that was not already pressed firmly against the cooking plate to make complete contact. This guarantees a quick and completely cooked waffle.
How Much Power Does A Waffle Iron Use?
Are you energy conscious or are thinking about buying a waffle iron to put in your camper or RV? You may be curious how much energy it takes to power a waffle iron.
Depending on the brand and model you purchase, the amount of energy it uses can vary significantly. Generally, a waffle iron will use between 800-1500 Watts per cooking cycle. For comparison's sake, this is somewhere between the energy needed to power a blender (300-1000 watts) and a microwave (1000-2000 watts).
What Is The Best Waffle Iron To Buy?
Best Waffle Irons
Classic Round Waffle Iron
This is one of our all-time favorite waffle makers. The Breville waffle iron is the top of the line for waffle makers. It is a very sturdy and durable machine that is easy to use and clean.
With a near five star rating, this Cuisinart waffle maker offers five different browning settings for the perfect waffle every time. You'll love how compact and easy to store it is when it's not in use.
This Oster waffle maker is a top pour waffle maker to reduce the amount of seeping and overflow during cooking. It has a durable nonstick surface for easy clean up. I do have to say that the top pour waffle irons are the least favorite design out of all of them because of the mess they can make if you accidentally pour too much batter in them. However, if you take care to pour the proper amount every time, you shouldn't have too many issues.
The All-Clad waffle maker has six different cooking settings to customize your waffle's cooking time to fit your texture preference. It has an LED indicator light to let you know when the iron is hot and when the cooking cycle is completed. The steam release cooking system will ensure that your waffles are fluffy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside.
If you want breakfast done in a flash, pick up one of these Chef'sChoice waffle makers. They cook the perfect waffle in as little as 90 seconds. It has an easy to clean overflow channel for any batter that may leak during cooking and beeps to let you know when your waffle is ready.
Square Waffle Makers
The All-Clad Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle Maker is the perfect waffle iron for anyone that prefers a square waffle. It has seven different cooking settings and alerts you when the cooking time is finished. It has an easy to clean nonstick surface. If you like waffles with deep pockets to fill with your favorite toppings, you'll love this choice.
Think this is just your average waffle maker? Think again. Make any grilled bite-sized snack from paninis to pizzas. It has extremely generous overflow compartments and nonstick plates for easy cleanup. It comes with a one year manufacturers warranty to guarantee it's durability.
Mini Waffle Iron
The one and only original Dash mini waffle maker. If you are eating low carb, this is a must-have. It's one of the best ways to make your favorite chaffle recipes to keep on track. Not eating low carb? Make adorable mini waffles for a breakfast sandwich or a perfect breakfast portion for your toddler.
Who says waffles have to be boring? Make them into sticks! Perfect for small portions and dipping. This is very affordable, lightweight, and easy to store when not in use.
Flip Waffle Maker
The Bella Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker produces amazing restaurant quality thick Belgian waffles. With all flip-style waffle irons, this one cooks incredibly fast without sacrificing quality. The durable nonstick coating helps your waffles slide off like a dream without sticking.
For a beautiful and sophisticated breakfast or snack, use this Euro Cuisine heart shaped waffle maker. It makes deliciously thin and crispy waffles for even your most special guests. It has PTFE and PFOA free plates that are incredibly easy to clean and is ideal for storage in small spaces.
You'll fall in love with waffles all over again after you use this waffle maker. The Presto FlipSide waffle maker has flip-style functionality so that you can cook waffles quickly and easily. It creates extra-deep pockets to hold tons of your favorite toppings and locks in to place on end for easy storage.
Specialty Waffle Irons
How To Clean A Waffle Iron
Not all waffle irons are created equal when it comes to how easy they are to clean. The thing that makes all of the difference in the world when it comes to cleaning a waffle maker are the presence of removable cooking plates.
No matter if the waffle iron has removable plates or not, the best way to safely and completely clean a waffle maker is to wait until it has completely cooled.
How To Clean A Waffle Maker Without Removable Plates
If a waffle maker doesn't have a removable cooking plate it is substantially more difficult to clean. Here's how to clean it the easiest way possible:
- First, wait for it to cool completely
- Then, take a paper towel and wipe away any leftover crumbs
- Next, gently wipe the plates down with a damp towel
- Lastly, use the clean part of the rag to wipe down any drips or splatters off of the exterior
How To Clean A Waffle Maker With Removable Plates
If you aren't a fan of an involved cleaning routine for your kitchen gadgets you'll enjoy how much more simple it is to clean a waffle iron with removable cooking plates. Here's how you do it:
- First, wait for the waffle maker to cool
- Then, pop the removable plates off and wash them in warm soapy water (careful not to scrub, as it will scratch and remove the nonstick coating)
- Finally, use a damp cloth to wipe down any batter that may have splattered on the outer casing
More Helpful Buying Guides
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Originally Published October 21, 2020
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