What kind of waffle iron should I get?
Posted by lotus42 on Feb 26, 2010 · Member since Mar 2007 · 3081 posts
Like the topic says....what should I get? I've read mixed reviews about a lot of different ones, so I figured I'd ask you guys what kind you use. I don't need anything "fancy," but I want good waffles.
I have this cheapy one that my uncle gave me: http://base1.googlehosted.com/base_media?q=http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/400/d7/d7e64531-3610-490e-afc1-0dc0064cafb9_400.jpg&size=20&dhm=785e718e&hl=en
I've liked it. It just took a little bit of time getting used to what settings, and such, but I haven't had any real problems. Different batters work differently, though. I just have to perfect my timing, so I NEVER have the waffle splitting.
eta: it's Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Round Waffle Maker - Brushed Stainless
I've had equally good luck w/ the expensive (over $100 kind) as with the cheap (under $20) kind!! So I just go with cheap - it's the one appliance (aside from toasters) that I do this with.
You'll need to decide if you want standard or Belgian-style waffles. If you prefer the Belgian-style, I've had very good experiences with this model: http://www.amazon.com/VillaWare-V2002-UNO-Belgian-Waffler/dp/B0007SXISG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1267340041&sr=8-5
I have the Oster waffle iron that can flip:
http://www.amazon.com/Oster-3874-Nonstick-Belgian-Waffle/dp/B0012S8OWA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1267340398&sr=8-2
I tried someone else's cheapy iron and could never get the waffle off. This one works well, but it's hell to clean (as I imagine most are).
If I had to do it all over again, I'd shell out the dough for one of those electric grills with multiple, interchangeable plates - so I could make waffles and other stuff, and so I can take out the waffle mold and wash it.
I had a crappy looking old waffle iron that I inherited from a previous housemate. I don't know what kind it was but I'm sure it was cheap and it worked great as long as the batter had enough oil in it. But yeah, I think that good waffles depend on the batter more than the iron. I like fb's thought on interchangeable plates though. It would be great to be able to take it out to clean.
Thanks everybody! Yikes, I've read a lot of reviews. I just have nightmares of my mother's waffle iron...it's a really really cheap one and I can't ever get the waffles out in one piece. I've decided to go with the one Willwolf recommended. It's not *too* expensive and had lots of good reviews. I guess we'll see in a week or so! Thanks!
I FUCKING WANT WAFFLES. I'M COMING OVER, LOTUS
I FUCKING WANT WAFFLES. I'M COMING OVER, LOTUS
Sweet! Wait until next week though...I ordered it from amazon. ;)
I hope my recommendation works out well for you. I always set mine on the highest temperature setting. I never have issues with sticking. Just make sure you spray oil on the iron between each waffle. As far as cleanup, there really isn't much since there's no sticking. Once cooled, I wipe off the inside of the iron with a paper towel. If I need to get in the nooks and crannies, I use a q-tip. My favorite waffle recipes are Waffles I from JOVB and any of the waffle recipes in VWAV or Veganomicon. I've also made the Apple Waffles from the PPK recipe section, which are also tasty. Good luck!
Sounds good, Willwolf. I read tons of reviews online, so I won't blame you if it sucks. hehe. I have JOVB and Vcon, so I'll try one of those when the iron gets here.
Get this one. For reals.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/06/hello_kitty/image/waffle_maker.jpg
Hello Kitty!
You'll need to decide if you want standard or Belgian-style waffles. If you prefer the Belgian-style, I've had very good experiences with this model: http://www.amazon.com/VillaWare-V2002-UNO-Belgian-Waffler/dp/B0007SXISG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1267340041&sr=8-5
Thumbs up on the VillaWare! I used it for the first time on Friday. The first waffle stuck, but the others came out beautifully! I even forgot to spray before one of them and it didn't stick. Thanks for the recommendation!
Get this one. For reals.
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/06/hello_kitty/image/waffle_maker.jpg
Hello Kitty!
My daughter wants that one badly. We were looking for Hello Kitty stuff one day, and she spotted it.
I know you already ordered it, but I have a recommendation. my parents have the George Foreman grill that has the plates that can pop out (which are then so easy to clean), and it has a waffle iron, a panini press (I think), a flat skillet and something else. They love it, and it makes good waffles. That way it does more than one job. I think it's fairly expensive, but they bought theirs "broken"--the light doesn't work that tells you it's on. They got it half price or something. What a deal!