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My quest for the perfect Waffle Iron

Updated on May 30, 2013

Making waffles

When I lived in Denmark I had a waffle toaster, or well I guess it is called a waffle iron or maybe more precisely a heart waffle maker. Regardless of the name it got used very frequently.

I would invite friends over for waffle nights, which was basically us getting together to eat tasty waffles.

We would whip up the waffle batter and bring it to the dining table with us.

Then we would sit and talk or play cards while continuously keeping the waffle iron going. Whenever a heart waffle was done we would "fight" each other for a part of the steaming hot waffle until the point in the evening where everyone had stuffed themselves so much that no one could get another bite down.

When I moved to Ireland all I brought was a backpack with the 15 kgs worth of clothes Ryan Air would allow me to bring aboard the airplane. No room for my beloved waffle toaster :(

I never got around to buying another waffle maker over here, but this year for Christmas it is on the wish list. This lens covers my quest to find the perfect waffle Iron so I can make yummy waffles for all the new friends I have found in Ireland.

(PS. My trusty waffle toaster found a loving home on my mothers kitchen table.).

Photo Courtesy of Tamorlan

Wikimedia Commmons

What to look for #1

Electrical or Non-Electrical?

Cast Iron Waffle maker

Texsport Outdoor Cast Iron Waffle Iron Maker
Texsport Outdoor Cast Iron Waffle Iron Maker
When I was a child we had a waffle iron for the stove. I fondly remember baking waffles with my mother, both of us standing looking at the waffle maker impatiently waiting for it to produce a golden waffle. We would use the time to sing and talk and when the waffles were done we would enjoy the yummy fruits of our labour. This Cast Iron Waffle maker is made with an extra rim of iron at the bottom, which is really handy for picking up any spillage when pouring on the dought. Be aware that because it is iron, the waffles may stick at least for the first round of waffles, so make sure you oil or butter the surface properly. As the Waffle pan has no electrical cords it is easy to clean it. Just shove it under the tap, be sure to use semi warm water as cold water could ruin the waffle iron. Also never use any form of soap or dishwashing liquids as again it could ruin the iron. If you are going for that traditional feel, then this may be the Waffle maker for you. I however must continue on in my quest.
 

Electrical Waffle pan

Oster CKSTWFBF10 Belgian Flip Waffle Maker, Black
Oster CKSTWFBF10 Belgian Flip Waffle Maker, Black
Electrical waffle makers has the advantage that you can bring them to the table. That way the entire family can be gathered and noone has to be the odd man out at the stove. With this waffle pan you can get the waffles steaming hot to your plate. It comes with a removable drip tray, which means your dining table doesn't need to look a mess after you had your breakfast or waffle dinner. While this looks like a nice Waffle machine, it is not the right one for me. On I go.
 

What to look for #2

Non Stick !

Non-stick Waffle Maker

Chef's Choice 8520000 Classic WafflePro Nonstick Waffle Maker 2-Square, Silver
Chef's Choice 8520000 Classic WafflePro Nonstick Waffle Maker 2-Square, Silver
Most waffle irons these days claims to be non-stick and I think that most people will agree that the fun disappears if you have to fight with the machine to get it to release the waffle. This waffle toaster should give you a non-stick experience along with fluffy, crispy golden waffles. For me though square waffles doesn't do it, so I continue on my quest.
 

The origin of Waffles

And the many variants

Waffles date back to the middle ages although back then they were thinner and crispier than the ones we enjoy today.

There are many different types of waffles. Most notable is the American waffle, the Belgian Waffle and the Scandinavian Waffle.

-The American Waffle is made with baking powder and is often enjoyed for breakfast with butter or marple syrups.

-The Belgian Waffle has is made with yeast and is thicker and lighter than the american version. The are often served with whipped cream or powdered sugar. Sometimes they even come with chocolate spread. Yummy!

-The Scandinavian Waffle is made with baking powder, but is thinner than the other two variants. They are traditionally heart shaped and enjoyed with fruit jam and powdered sugar.

There are many other types of waffles and many other ways to make the batter, but what they all have in common is that they are extremely tasty.

Photo Courtesy of Jacques Renier

Wikimedia Commmons

What to look for #3

Termostat or Kitchen clock?

Stainles steel waffle maker. - With build in alarm for when the waffle is ready.

Waring Pro WMK300A Professional Stainless-Steel Belgian Waffle Maker
Waring Pro WMK300A Professional Stainless-Steel Belgian Waffle Maker
This Waffle iron or should I say machine, because it is hardly just an iron anymore, comes with a build in alarm function that beeps when the waffle is ready. You will never see another burned waffle again. The stainless steel makes it easy to clean and the removable no drip plate even more so. The only real drawback I can see is that it is a bit on the big side. If you have space in your kitchen, this could be the perfect waffle toaster for you. I continue on my quest for my perfect waffle maker.
 

Kitchen timer

Oggi Egg Stainless Steel 60-Minute Kitchen Timer
Oggi Egg Stainless Steel 60-Minute Kitchen Timer
If you are not getting a waffle toaster with build in alarm, then you can do it the old school way, with a traditional kitchen timer.
 

What to look for #4

Shape - Squares or hearts?

Disney waffle maker - Disney waffles!

Disney Mickey &Gang 5 in 1 Tasty Baker Waffle Maker,Bakes Pancake,Muffins, breads, cakes, and brownies
Disney Mickey &Gang 5 in 1 Tasty Baker Waffle Maker,Bakes Pancake,Muffins, breads, cakes, and brownies
Your children will love you if you make them waffles using this waffle iron. You can make waffles in the shape of 6 of the most popular Disney characters. The options are Mickey Mouse, Minni Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy. The Waffle maker can also be used for muffins, breads and other things. I don't have children yet, so I will move on, on my quest, but if you have some and they love Disney, then this could be the perfect Waffle toaster for you.
 

The big Waffle showdown

What shape do you prefer for your waffles?

What to look for #5

Price - Quality or Wallety (Expensive or Cheap)

Professional Belgian Waffle Baker

Nemco (7020A-S208) 20 Waffle/Hr Belgian Waffle Baker
Nemco (7020A-S208) 20 Waffle/Hr Belgian Waffle Baker
Looking to make waffles on a professional level then maybe this waffle baker is the thing for you. The Waffle iron is silverstone coated ensuring non-stick and scratch resistance. The price is not for everyone, but I am sure people would be impressed to see the machine in your kitchen. Personally though I have to look for something in another price range.
 

Very affordable electrical Waffle toaster

Kalorik Heart-Shaped 1000-Watt Non-Stick Wafflemaker, Stainless/Black
Kalorik Heart-Shaped 1000-Watt Non-Stick Wafflemaker, Stainless/Black
This is a very affordable electrical waffle maker. With this you can sit at the table with your guests and enjoy the waffles steaming hot directly from the waffle maker. Reviews are positive although they do mention that the non-stick surface is not always working as well as it could be. If you are looking for a nice little. If you are looking to pick up a cheap waffle maker that does the job. This one might be the one for you. For me the search continues.
 

Aaaaaand the winner is....

the Waffle toaster that won my heart.

Phew. That was a lot of waffle makers to go through and I don't know about you guys, but by now I really could eat some waffles. :)

In the end though it was worth it, I now know exactly which Waffle Iron to wish for, for Christmas. And here it is:

The Perfect Waffle Iron - For me at least

Chef’sChoice 840 WafflePro Taste / Texture Select Waffle Maker Traditional Five of Hearts Easy to Clean Nonstick Plates, 5-Slice, Silver
Chef’sChoice 840 WafflePro Taste / Texture Select Waffle Maker Traditional Five of Hearts Easy to Clean Nonstick Plates, 5-Slice, Silver
So in the end this is the Waffle maker I found most fitting to my needs. Electric - Check Non-stick - Check Timer - Check Heart shaped waffles - Check Affordable on my budget - Check (well technically I should be considering the budget of the people that are going to get me presents I suppose ;).) The Waffles are apparently cooked in 90 seconds once the Waffle maker is pre-heated which is perfect for me as I often get really impatient when I can start smelling the delicious odour of freshly baked waffles. Now I just hope Santa will be nice and bring me this Waffle toaster. Who know's if he does I might even whip him up a batch! ;)
 

EU Waffle Lovers

Get your waffle maker here

Waffle essentials on Amazon - Now that you have the Waffle Maker all you need is the batter, the recipe and the condiments.

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