A waffle maker is a kitchen appliance that is used for cooking waffles and other delicacies like quesadillas, brownies, and banana bread. This appliance has two metal plates with iron attached to the bottom. The upper plate is connected to another plate with hinges and creates a honeycomb pattern on waffles.
If you love those breakfast treats you see at diners and restaurants, it might be time to start making your own. The waffle maker provides delicious home-cooked restaurant-like waffles right at your home comfort. Whether you’re looking for a gift idea or just want to save money on food costs, here’s what you need to know about waffle makers and waffle irons.
Preparing waffles in a waffle maker is easy and can be done quickly. The dough or batter is poured in between the plates, and once the iron is heated, the batter flows down into the cavities. This machine allows you to cook delicious waffles conveniently for your home parties or family gatherings.
Benefits of a Waffle Maker
A waffle maker benefits you in various ways. It is a cost-effective solution for making perfect waffles with the right flavor and appearance. You can prepare these waffles in just a matter of a few minutes.
This machine allows you to be creative with your recipes. You can add your taste to the batter and customize it as per your preference. It helps you make healthy foods and you can try a variety of dishes on this versatile kitchen equipment.
How to Use Waffle Maker?
A freshly made warm waffle is the best thing for a weekend morning. A good waffle machine allows you to make perfect waffles in your own kitchen. Although waffle makers can be complicated or confusing at first glance, they are extremely easy to use. Learn how to use a waffle maker and make your kind of waffles.
- Plug in the waffle maker and press the “on” button on the waffle maker.
- Close the lid of your waffle maker until you see a ready-to-use indicator. This could be either a small beep or a light. This indicates that the machine is ready to use.
- Spray the inside of the waffle maker with a nonstick spray.
- Pour your batter into the waffle maker. Make sure you only pour enough batter to cover the entire inside. You can spread the batter by using a palette knife, or the back of a spoon.
- After approximately 4-6 minutes, another indicator should indicate that your waffle has been cooked.
- Control the brownness of your waffle by using a waffle maker with a browning control dial.
- Use a non-stick tool to gently remove the waffle from the maker.
- Allow your waffle maker to cool down before you start cleaning.
Types of Waffle Maker
Waffle makes like top-ranking Presto 03510 Waffle Maker come in various shapes and sizes and the devices used to make them are also unique. Depending on your cooking level or baking skills you can choose the right type of waffle maker. Read on to know about the most popular waffle makers and their distinct functions.
Classic Waffle Iron
The classic waffle maker like the top-selling BELLA Classic Rotating is designed to make a traditional waffle. It takes only a few minutes to heat up and make the best waffles. These waffle irons are great because you can store and set them quickly. They are of stainless steel that allows you to clean them with a damp cloth easily.
Belgian Waffle Iron
Belgian waffles are delicious, no matter if you have them as a breakfast treat or as a dessert topping on your hot fudge sundae. A Belgian waffle iron is a great alternative to going to fancy restaurants for your sweet treat. This waffle iron is ideal for those who love a Belgian waffle and don’t want all those extra frills.
The Belgian waffle iron is designed to make it easy for users to cook delicious, filling breakfasts. We recommend you leave them in the iron for about 5 minutes to make your waffles crispier. This will allow the outside to brown properly. Make sure you allow it to cool completely before you drizzle maple syrup or butter on it.
Flip Waffle Maker
Flip waffle makers are elevated and come with handles that allow you to turn the waffle maker up to 180 degrees. Certain models automatically flip the waffle when the desired temperature is reached. Flip and rotation allow you to have more control over how the waffles are cooked. You can cook your waffles until they are crispy and crunchy or until they are tender and fluffy.
Flipping waffle irons are ideal for large waffles. This is because they evenly distribute the batter. If you like large, golden-brown waffles, the flipping waffle maker is a great choice. The flipping waffle iron is used by many restaurants and hotels that have to make a lot of waffles for breakfast. These waffle makers make it easy to prepare crispy waffles, without worrying about burning them. They are simple to use and require little clean-up.
Ceramic Belgian Waffle Irons
One of the most interesting facts about ceramic waffle makers is that they are healthier than non-stick versions. Ceramic is naturally free from heavy metals and toxic chemicals. Ceramic is the new non-stick and it is a healthier option for you and your family. One more advantage to ceramic waffle iron is that your waffles will release easily and will remain intact every time. The best ceramic waffle makers come in both variants- Classic and Belgian. These models like best quality Hamilton Beach 26031 are completely nonstick – without Teflon- and are easy to clean.
Mini Waffle Iron
Reviews of the Dash The Mini Waffle Maker Machine suggest that they are kitchen appliances that you can use to make bite-sized waffles. If you’re living in a small apartment, or college dorm; mini waffle makers can be a great cooking gadget for you. These models are lightweight and have got good reviews for portable usage.
A small waffle maker can be a great option for those who live alone, with one or more people, or are always on the move. This waffle maker can make two to three servings for an adult, depending on the size.
Many people add blueberries or chocolate chips to the batter. The heat of the waffle maker makes them melt in the batter, creating the perfect waffle. The waffles are small enough to brown quickly even with the addition of liquid. These mini waffle irons are a hit with customers, especially with kids.
4-Slice Waffle Iron / Square Waffle Maker
The 4-slice waffle makers can make four 1-inch Belgian waffles in a short time. These waffle-making machines are high-performance and feature ready-to-bake and ready-to-eat indicator lights. They also have multi-setting browning controls to ensure you create the perfect waffle. These waffle makers have deep pockets, that allow for more toppings and other add-ins.
The reviews of Waring WMK600 Double Belgian Waffle Maker show that it is one of the best-rated waffle makers in the market.
Waffle Bowl Irons
The waffle iron makes the batter into a bowl and you can add your favorite toppings. Simply bake a waffle, and fill your bowl with delicious breakfasts, desserts, or anything else that you love. The crispy exterior with the soft interior can be paired with almost any food. You can easily remove the waffle bowl mold to clean it properly.
Vertical Waffle Irons
The vertical waffle irons come in relatively new designs that are easy to use. You can prepare waffles that are uniformly cooked and have a perfect shape. The vertical waffle makers occupy less space, prevent overfilling, underfilling, or spilling batter. These features make them more manageable.
You can easily fill the batter in this waffle iron because it has a better pouring spout. The measuring spoon can be used to make sure that the batter is filled up to the desired level.
How to Clean a Waffle Maker
Cleaning a waffle maker can be easy while following the right steps. Make sure your waffle machines are not too hot while cleaning. Don’t forget to clean them after every use.
- Before cleaning, allow the waffle maker to cool
- To remove crumbs or oil drips from the grid plates, use a paper towel or damp cloth
- Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth
- Pour a few drops on the batter to remove any stubborn, baked-on batter drips. Allow it to sit for a while, then use a paper towel or damp cloth to wipe it off
- You can wash removable cooking plates in warm soapy water and rinse them clean with cold water. Then, dry them by air drying
- Before you put it away, make sure that your waffle maker has completely dried
How to Remove Oil From the Grid?
Follow the below-mentioned steps to remove oil from the grid of your waffle makers.
- Wrap a piece of paper towel around a pointy end of a chopstick
- Use white vinegar to slightly moisten it
- Wipe to clean the oil and residue within the grid
Conclusion
A waffle maker makes your waffle cooking task easier. It helps you prepare waffles in large amounts with ease. You can cook the entire batch of waffles for your friends and family. You can also buy packets of frozen waffles. There are different types of waffle makers in the market. Make sure you buy the type that best fits your cooking needs.
You can also browse through the infographic of waffle makers. Globalideas rates and reviews hundreds of Ice Cream Makers on the basis of build quality, size, and customer satisfaction.