Types of Waffle Makers You Should Know About
Waffles have been a breakfast staple in many homes for generations. They are delicious, and they offer more variety than cereal or toast.
But there is a lot of confusion about what type of waffle maker you should buy.
There are many different types of waffle makers available on the market.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of these types as well as what you should consider when purchasing your own.
Types of Waffle Makers
The types of waffle makers in the market vary with their design features. These kitchen appliances can be categorized by;
- Their shape or shape of waffles they produce. For example, square, circular, heart, round, etc.
- The material making – ceramic, cast-iron, Aluminum, steel, non-stick.
- Direction e.g., horizontal, vertical, flipping
They include;
1. Stovetop Waffle Maker
If you’re looking for something simpler, you may want to consider a stovetop waffle maker.
These work by heating the metal plates on your stove, then placing dough between them. The Cuisinart Waffle Maker is a great option.
You then close it shut so that each side cooks evenly while being pressed against the hot surface of the plate.
2. Electric Waffle Maker
If you’re looking for something with even heat distribution, an electric waffle maker would be best.
It cooks both sides of your food evenly without any trouble.
For this reason, we recommend going with an electric model if you want a waffle that is crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.
There are electric waffle makers that are easy to use and cook your favorite breakfast in a few minutes.
The downside of these is that they sometimes burn the edges of your food.
You have to be careful not to leave it cooking too long or it will get burnt.
3. Cast-Iron Type Waffle Maker
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, you may want to consider using a cast iron type of waffle maker.
This style gives your food an interesting texture from cooking it overheat instead of electricity or gas – they are also great if you like them crispy on the outside.
The time-consuming process of pre-heating these on your stove is a pain compared to the electric and stovetop models.
4. Mini Waffle Makers
If you’re only cooking for one person, a mini waffle maker is what you need.
These are easy to store and use because they don’t take up much space in your kitchen.
The mini waffle makers produce small, personal-sized portions.
These are great if you’re making breakfast for yourself or just want to make a quick side.
Use the DASH Deluxe Mini to make waffles, hash browns, and many other small treats.
5. Belgian Waffle Makers
These may be the most expensive of all the types listed here.
They produce a different type of waffle than any other kind by using yeast as well as baking powder and salt.
They’re also unique in that you can use them to make a waffle that has two sides – one side is cooked more than the other.
Read: How Long to Cook Waffles in Waffle Maker?
Considerations Before Buying a Waffle Maker
Before buying a waffle maker, it’s important to think about what you want in your waffle. Do you want it crispy or soft?
What kind of utensils do you have at home and how much space is available for one more appliance?
These are all questions worth asking before buying the perfect waffle maker for yourself!
Size and Shape
There are mini waffles that can be made in a few minutes or Belgian waffles with two different sides.
There is also the stovetop kind where you need to make sure it’s evenly heated before you start cooking.
What shape of food do you want? Flat like traditional American-style waffle, fluffy and round like a pancake, or crispy and rectangular.
Use
How often are you planning on using this appliance? If you’re looking for something easy to clean, a non-stick waffle maker would be best.
You should consider how easy it will be to clean it afterward.
You want something that has non-stick plates so food doesn’t get stuck on them after cooking.
If you don’t want your food sticking at all, then go with the kind of waffle maker that has removable plates so they can easily be cleaned both in and out post-cooking.
Space
Another thing to consider when shopping for a waffle maker is the size of your kitchen.
If you have limited space, like in an apartment or dorm room, then choose one that takes up less countertop space.
Consider plates with different designs on them so they can be stacked together and stored if not needed at present time.
Features
Look out for extra features of a waffle maker, which could include rotating plates to ensure even cooking on both sides or indicator lights so you know when it’s done.
Some models have settings for browning your waffles to different levels of doneness, such as light, medium, or dark.
Control
How much control do you want over the waffle?
With an electric type of waffle maker, for example, you can adjust the temperature to make sure your food cooks evenly on both sides without getting burnt.
When looking at electric models, there are two main styles: the Belgian-style with deep grooves and the American-style with shallow grooves.
Belgian waffles tend to have deeper pockets because they’re made out of thicker dough. They are also a lighter color, but this does not affect the taste or texture.
The other style is an American waffle which has shallower pockets than its Belgium counterpart due to more steam in the batter that makes them puff up.
In addition to the Belgian-style and American style mentioned earlier, there are other styles such as round waffles which come in a variety of shapes including hearts or stars.
Square waffles have four corners instead of one and can be used for making sandwiches.
Waffle sticks can be served as a savory snack with toppings such as melted cheese or peanut butter and syrup.
Warranty
Make sure the company offers a warranty on their product.
In case something goes wrong with it you can contact them and get it fixed free of charge.
Cost
The final consideration is how much you want to spend.
There are plenty of waffle makers available that range in price from a couple of dollars to hundreds, depending on what you’re looking for and where you buy it at.
Conclusion
There are many types of waffle makers on the market, but not all have the same features.
The type you should buy depends largely on how much space you have in your kitchen as well as the features you want.
Companies offer warranties in case something goes wrong with the product, so make sure to research this before buying a waffle maker.
