Gadget Review Of KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker
KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Maker Versus the Competition
Funny how doing one hub will lead to doing another hub - that is exactly what got me started on this hub! I did my Walnut Waffle hub the other day and on reviewing the video I used of the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Maker, I began to wonder about it.
I need another waffle maker like I need a hole in the head, but I decided to just check it out because it intrigued me simply by the fact that you could make not 1 but 2 perfectly shaped Belgian waffles at the same time!
As I mentioned in my Walnut Waffle hub, I have several waffle makers already. I have a small Belgian waffle maker, a turn upside down single Belgian waffle maker, and a George Foreman Grill with interchangeable plates that makes waffles.
However, I went a step further to just satisfy my own curiosity and did a bit of research into waffle makers in general - the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker included - and here are my findings with a little help from the Internet and consumer research, etc.
I should add here as well that I am NOT employed by KitchenAid nor do I receive any kickbacks from the company for hyping their products! By and large, I always believe in selecting the best tool for whatever job you are doing. I have many appliances and kitchen gadgets that are NOT KitchenAid - just for the record! But on the other hand, I do have some - the ones that I have personally deemed worth of being #1 in their class - also adding the disclaimer that if I could justify the cost!
Photo Credit: WikiCommons DvortyGirl
KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker
I also have to insert this disclaimer - I am not promoting the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker as the #1 choice for waffle makers. I am simply listing this brand first because it is the one brand that I was interested in. I was thinking that if I was going to replace my current waffle makers, I would probably go with this one. But that would be after I talked myself into the price tag. That could take a while!
On consumersearch.com you can find some of this information or on waffle makers in general. I personally have found that some of their picks are not necessarily the ones that I would pick. Oftentimes, I've come up with models that I found more durable than their choices and at a more reasonable cost - or that had features I wanted but that theirs did not.
That being said, consumersearch gives this waffle baker high marks. Some of the best points about the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker are the following:
- It makes 2 waffles at a time (see video below) You load the top side, flip over and load the bottom side and voila - 2 waffles at once - so it is a rotating waffle maker
- Sturdy construction
- Makes two 7-1/2 inch waffles - cook time about 5 minutes
- Makes fluffy and crisp waffles
- There is a built-in digital timer that counts down time to done
- Easy to clean
- This waffle maker/baker has received rave reviews on most sites that I checked and on a star scale at least 4.5 to 5 stars across the board (Good Housekeeping gave it the nod for best waffle maker)
- Another poll rates it 'almost perfect'
- Tested 'professionally' meaning that the waffles are 'restaurant comparable'
- Constant baking temperature
- Automatic shut-off
The downside of the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker are:
- Most important to many of us - the price - it is about $200 for this waffle maker! There are cheaper prices quoted on the Internet, namely Ebay - at around $189 - still not much of a savings!
- The above price is at least twice what most other waffle irons cost! (Yes, I realize that I used 2 bullet points for price but that is a significant factor sometimes)
- Some people find it clunky - not small and portable to lug around or set up
- No temperature adjustment - one temp only - so you can brown, etc. but you have to make sure you watch it or reset the timer
Trivia - Why the Flip on Waffle Makers?
It is said that the 'flip' style waffle makers allow more even distribution of the batter!
Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker
The Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker was also rated on consumersearch.com and is another flip waffle maker.
Note: There is no proof that flip waffle makers make any better waffles than non-flip models but they appear to be the rage from time to time and the reason that they are popular? Because they are 'fun to use' and the 'even distribution' factor!
The Pesto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker's points of honor are the following:
- It is a 'flip over' waffle maker - although in this particular model, the flip is side to side
- Much cheaper than the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker running about $45
- This waffle maker has a built-in timer
- It is said to make tasty waffles
- Many more reviewers on this particular waffle maker because of the price and received roughly 4.5 in stars from most people
- Durable
- Makes a single 7-inch round waffle
The downsides to the Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker are said to be the following:
- The timer requires a battery so you have to make sure it is functional
- No temperature controls - so for whole grain waffles, you may end up under-cooking unless you leave in longer
- The 'flip' part of this waffle maker is really left to right and it is more cumbersome than simply flipping the waffle over - but it also is said to distribute the batter more evenly
- Not tested 'professionally'
VillaWare UNO Classic Round Waffler
This waffle maker was listed as the best value on consumersearch.com - yes - above the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker!
This model is a Belgian waffle maker and is not a flip model as the other 2 above models are.
The most-valued attributes of the VillaWare UNO Classic Round Waffler are the following:
- 7 temperature settings including browning! (holy waffle, Batman)
- This waffle maker makes one 7-1/2 inch waffle in 3-4 minutes
- It makes a 1-1/4 inch thick waffle
- It is at least half the cost of the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Maker
- It is sturdy and durable
- It is also compact!
- Easy to clean
- People loved the fact that there were browning settings
- Consistently made high quality waffles
The downside to the VillaWare UNO Classic Round Waffler are the following:
- There is a ready light which has a beep associated with it. This beep was extremely objectionable to many people who bought it - they feel it is too loud.
- There are settings that are printed on the waffle maker itself which wear off in time and are not readable
- This waffle maker was not tested 'professionally'
Overall, this waffle maker seems to be the best deal and the most 'get your money's worth' choice! There were few if any complaints about it - except for the timer beeper and you can see on the video below that VillaWare has many clever waffle irons and styles!
Black & Decker G48TD Grill and Waffle Baker
The Black & Decker G48TD Grill and Waffle Baker is not a Belgian waffle maker but it was listed in this group because it was thought to be a good choice for people with larger families or if you are serving larger groups. I decided to include it and the George Foreman grill for the same reason.
If you have ever tried to make waffles for a group of people, time is of the essence so to speak and it can become very frustrating making waffles to serve a crowd. This style of waffle maker is a great thing to have on hand for larger groups and this brand (and the George Foreman) I think are superior products for the money.
The Black and Decker G48TD Grill and Waffle Baker was chosen for these attributes:
- This waffle maker makes 1 large and thin waffle and though not a Belgian waffle, it is ready to be split into 4 pieces thus serving 4 people while making more!
- It makes four 4-1/2 inch waffles at one time
- This waffle maker is not only a waffle baker but is also a grill
- You can remove the plates and change them out to make pancakes or eggs
- The waffles are not Belgian but are American style waffles - thinner and not round
- It's inexpensive clocking in at around $50 as opposed to the high price of the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker
The downside points about the Black & Decker G48TD Grill and Waffle Baker are:
- It is not a Belgian waffle maker
- The outside of this model of waffle iron becomes extremely hot so care should be taken
- The non-stick surface is not so non-stick after a few uses and there is a need to use liberal amounts of cooking spray to prevent sticking
- Durability issues as in wobbling, etc. have been reported (I can attest to this because I had this brand)
However, the Black & Decker G48TD Grill and Waffle Baker did receive high marks for this style of waffle maker. My main concern was also the heat that was given off by the appliance - it gets really, really hot!
George Foreman Grill GRP90WGR with 5 Removable Plates
Just for completeness sake, I would also throw in the George Foreman Grill - the GRP90WGR with 5 removal plates. It is one of the Next Grilleration models! I have this grill and I can certainly vouch for the following attributes as a waffle maker:
- It makes large waffles that can be divided into 4 waffles in about 5-7 minutes
- It has a temperature gauge on the grill so you can adjust the temperature up or down
- The plates are super easy to pop in and out
- It is usable for grilling not just eggs and pancakes but hamburgers, steaks, fish, etc.
- It is easy to use and sturdy in composition
- The grill does not take up much counter space when in use and has several tools that come with it such as a drip pan and turning tools
- It grills evenly and quickly when using it for things other than waffles!
- It is my husband's favorite kitchen gadget!!
The downsides of the George Foreman Grill GRP90WGR with 5 Removal Plates would be:
- It is not as pricey as the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker - but it is around $100 - more than the other waffle bakers - although it serves as way more than a waffle maker so thus a 'better investment' than say the Black & Decker.
- It's not a Belgian waffle maker
- It does not flip
- There is no timer and/or alarm so you have to remember that you have waffles baking! I recently made some EXTREMELY crisp waffles because I think ran them up to about 15 minutes.
- The waffles are best made on this waffle maker using a lighter recipe - such as with beaten egg whites. When I have made traditional waffle batters without beaten egg whites, they have been slightly soggier waffles - though this can be remedied easy enough by popping into the toaster!
All in all, for the money, the George Foreman Grill GRP90WGR has been a very good investment for us and when we have crowds for breakfast, this is the waffle iron that I use to whip out waffles in a timely fashion!
Points to Look for in a Waffle Maker
Some ideas to consider before you buy any waffle maker
- Temperature control - if you want to be able to brown your waffles or cook whole grain or oatmeal waffles, etc. you need to have a waffle maker that has more control over temperature and/or browning
- If you want Belgian waffles, you have to have a Belgian waffle maker!
- Hot waffle makers - if you have small children, you want cool-touch - those that have plastic handles and heat up less intensely. Models with chrome or stainless steel can get really, really hot
- Almost all grills and waffle makers need to be UNPLUGGED when done using - very few turn off and will remain heated until they are unplugged!!
- Look for models that make 4 square waffles if you are interested in cooking for crowds or large family gatherings
- Never scrub your waffle iron - you can thus remove the nonstick coating or scratch it. It should be wiped down with a soft cloth AFTER COOLING but not scrubbed
- Belgian wafflers will make round crispy, higher waffles while American style waffle makers will make flatter, thinner, square waffles - make sure you know which one you are purchasing
- Again, it is said that flip waffle makers allow for better and more even distribution of batter in the waffle maker but many dispute this!
POINTS ABOUT THE KITCHENAID PRO LINE WAFFLE BAKER
A few extra points about the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker are these:
- It does have a constant baking temperature
- It has a cool touch design
- The surfaces are nonstick
- It comes with a 2-year no hassle guarantee
- Controls are simple to use and easy to understand
- It has an automatic shut-off
- Smaller in size than most professional waffle makers
- Timer display lets you know how many minutes until done - usually less than 5 minutes
- Drip channel is part of waffle maker
- Browns as well as bakes waffles and is highly consistent in temperatures
- Professionally tested
Summing Up Waffle Makers
I do think that the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker is a fine piece of culinary machinery - I just don't know that I could justify spending almost $200 for a waffle maker!
There are many factors to consider of course when purchasing a waffle maker (or any small kitchen appliance or gadget for that matter). It all depends on how much you use it and what your preferences are when it comes to making certain foods.
I think all the choices given above would suit most of us quite nicely - along with a few more I had to throw in from Amazon as well. What makes one waffle maker better than another? I would think actually it would be just personal preference (American versus Belgian waffle) and how much you use it. Or if you are interested in making 'professional' league waffles, then maybe the KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker is just the ticket!
Whichever product you pick for your waffle moments, hopefully you will be pleased with your purchase and will go on to make many, many waffles and have many mouthwatering experiences from your kitchen gadget!
In my mind, a small appliance or kitchen gadget that lives up to what it is supposed to do and keeps things simple is worth its weight in gold! But practicality is also a factor so I think my KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker will have to go on my wish list for now!
Happy waffling!
Demonstration of KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker
Villaware Belgian Waffle Makers
George Foreman GRP90WGR Grill with Removable Plates
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