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Waffles have long been a popular breakfast food. Many restaurants serve tasty waffles, but there’s something really satisfying to me about preparing them myself.
If you also love making yourself some waffles to start the day, then you probably agree that getting your hands on a good waffle maker is the first step down a delicious road. Apart from being able to achieve the necessary temperature, a good waffle maker needs to minimize the amount of cleanup required.
This means that the exterior needs to be made of a durable and easily cleanable material, and the plates used to make the waffles should ideally be removable for cleaning purposes. It’s also a plus when these plates are dishwasher safe.
Below is an outline of some of the best waffle makers available with removable plates, plus a little information that can help you decide which one to get your hands on.
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1. Cuisinart WAF-300
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2. KRUPS GQ502
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3. Black+Decker G48TD
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Check Price |
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4. Hamilton Beach Flip
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Check Price |
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5. Secura
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Check Price |
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6. T-fal 1500637135 SW6100 EZ
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Check Price |
Table of Contents
Cuisinart WAF-300 Belgian Waffle Maker
Cuisinart is a household name in the kitchen because of the great products they’ve made over many years. I think this stainless steel waffle maker more than lives up to its name and serves its purpose well. The materials used are all BPA-free, so there’s no need to worry about chemicals seeping into your food as time passes and the maker gets older.
With dimensions of 9.65 x 12.2 x 6.3 inches, the waffle maker is compact enough to fit in small spaces. It’s great for both waffles and pancakes, with both a four-slot pancake plate and a set of four-slice Belgian waffle plates. The plates are non-stick, which is great for any concerns you may have about cleanup. Speaking of cleanup, I think it is convenient that the stainless steel exterior is so easy to clean. All you ever need to do is get yourself a soft, dry cloth and get to wiping.
The final features I’d like to mention here are the temperature control options (six in total) and the fact that the maker gives both visual and audio cues that denote “Ready to Bake” and “Ready to Eat.”
Why I like It
I mentioned the size of the cooker being convenient for use earlier. It is also very easily stored as it is designed for upright storage. Also, Cuisinart included tongs—a nice touch. Tongs are essential to lifting the finished products off the appliance.
Some of us struggle with getting our creative juices flowing with simpler dishes. If you have ever felt like you wanted to do more with your pancakes and waffles, this cooker is shipped with a recipe book full of delights for you to delve into. Do you notice I said pancakes and waffles? Not all waffle makers also make pancakes, and I really like the fact that this one ships with both waffle and pancake plates.
The final thing I’d like to mention is repair and replacement. If anything happens to your tongs, your pancake plates, or your waffle plates, you can rest easy knowing that all these items are purchasable from Cuisinart with free shipping. Furthermore, the waffle maker is covered by a three-year warranty for any faults not directly caused by you.
KRUPS GQ502 Belgian Waffle Maker
This waffle maker from KRUPS has the distinction of being awarded the Good Housekeeping Seal by the Good Housekeeping Institute for its quality. As soon as I laid eyes on this maker, I could see the quality in the craftsmanship.
As for how well it functions, I find that there’s a level of control you feel when you use it. For starters, though it takes about five minutes to preheat before use, it had an indicator light and a beep to confirm its readiness. Additionally, this waffle maker allows you to control the appearance of your waffles, boasting five different browning settings that all result in different shades of brown. Of course, the unit also has an indicator to let you know when your waffles are cooked.
Nonstick coating ensures that you don’t have a huge mess on your hands with each use, and of course, the waffle plates are removable. The die-cast plates are also dishwasher safe for those of us who prefer a less manual process. The whole unit weighs a bit over nine pounds and measures 12.6 x 6.7 x 16.5 inches, which means it shouldn’t need too much space for use.
Why I like It
The die-cast plates are well built. Their pockets are very deep, which is great for making delightfully fluffy waffles. This is also great news for those of us who like to stuff our waffles.
Aesthetically, the maker looks like a premium quality item, and I am quite happy about the color choice of either black or silver. Buy whichever one fits better with your kitchen’s color scheme. Storage is also convenient as the unit facilitates a handle lock and cord wrap in addition to allowing for vertical positioning.
Cleanup is a big deal. Not only do the removable plates make this easy internally, the stainless steel exterior is easily cleaned with a sponge or cloth along with any washing liquid.
The KRUPS manufacturer’s warranty applies to this waffle maker. The product is covered for two years if damage is not caused by you or by an external event such as a power surge. Of course, regular wear and tear is not covered under this warranty.
Black+Decker G48TD 3-in-1 Waffle Maker
The next entry is one of the most versatile waffle maker units available for purchase today. Black and Decker is known for making some quality household and kitchen appliances, and this waffle maker follows that trend.
For fans of old-fashioned waffle makers, I highly recommend this model because it has that traditional look and feel. It performs its function well and offers an even cooking experience. There’s no need to worry about any hot spots or uneven cooking. Additionally, temperature regulation is under your control with a multi-position dial and a temperature light indicator.
The plates are nonstick, removable, and washable, which is great news for your cleanup process.
Note, however, that these plates are not dishwasher safe.
The maker measures 14 x 13.1 x 6.2 inches and only weighs 8.57 pounds, which means there’s no need for you clear a large area to be able to use it.
Why I like It
There are numerous reasons to love this waffle maker, and I’m starting with the price. The price for this unit manages to stay competitive with others and I cannot comprehend how that is even possible with the amount of functionality Black and Decker has built into this model.
You may have noticed that the term “3-in-1” is part of the name, and the reason for this is probably my favorite feature. As you know, it is a waffle maker. However, at the flip of a switch it becomes a grill or a griddle depending on what you need. This is your one-stop shop for your waffles, eggs, bacon, grilled cheese sandwiches, and more.
My mind was already blown by the three functions; then I discovered the surface area use. This maker is a reversible unit that opens as wide as 180 degrees. This means you can use both sides at the same time, allowing you to double the servings every time you use it.
It would be reasonable to assume that the heat it generates from all this cooking makes it hot to handle, but this is not the case. The cool-touch handles do not conduct heat, so you can handle the unit with your bare hands.
Black and Decker also included runoff channels that span the edges of the grill, which are conducive to getting rid of excess grease and oil.
Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker (26030)
The next entry on the list is one of the coolest looking waffle makers I have ever seen. It comes from Hamilton Beach, a well-known brand for small kitchen and household appliances. While it may look big in the picture, the unit only measures 9.06 x 9.9 x 14.88 inches, which means it doesn’t require much space for use. The waffle preparation component is a 7- inch, rounded stainless steel segment. To make storage easier, the protruding handle is foldable.
The preheating process involves no guesswork: the unit uses a visual indicator to let you know when to add the batter. Cleanup is also simple, with nonstick, removable plates that are dishwasher safe. The outside area is easily cleaned as well, only requiring being wiped down.
Why I like It
First, I like this waffle maker’s design. There’s something unique about the movable stainless steel pan within the larger unit. The cool-touch handle can be used to easily flip the pan. The flipping motion allows for the cooking of fluffy, restaurant-grade waffles.
I also appreciate the browning control feature that allows for the making of waffles that are as crispy or as soft on the outside as desired.
As you know, applying waffle batter is not a perfect process. Sometimes you don’t realize this until it is too late, but this waffle maker has you covered in that regard. The unit is built with a drip tray, which is responsible for catching and holding excess batter. I like the fact that like the plates, this drip tray is also removable and dishwasher safe, which is very beneficial for the cleaning process.
In terms of component availability, the drip tray, the upper grid, and the lower grid are all available for individual purchase. This is reassuring, since those are the pieces that are likely to need replacement.
Secura Upgrade Automatic 360 Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker
The penultimate entry on the list is another that does not look like your traditional square or rectangular-shaped waffle maker. With dimensions of 17.1 x 9.9 x 6.7 inches, it is the longest unit on the list. It is, however, not too long to conveniently sit atop a table or a counter. Don’t let the dimensions worry you about storage, because the base unit can be disassembled.
As you know, I’m a big fan of an easy cleanup process, and this unit also has nonstick and removable plates. The plates can be washed in the dishwasher if you wish, and the disassembly property means that cleaning the unit is also a breeze. You can do it with a damp cloth if needed.
This is another waffle maker that eliminates guesswork with its dual indicator light functionality. Not only does it give a visual cue for turning on, but it also gives you one to let you know you can load the batter.
You should note that the unit is likely to emit smoke and a burning smell when it is initially used. There is no need to panic; this is the process of burning away the oils used in the production process to offer protection to the unit prior to purchase.
Why I like It
You may have gathered by now that I’m a huge fan of fluffy waffles, and this unit is perfect for making them that way. There are two reasons why the finished product is both fluffy and well done. The first is the plate pockets, which are deep and allow for a larger surface area.
Second, the cooking unit has cool-touch handles that not only prevent heat conduction, but also allow you to flip your waffles for a more balanced cooking experience.
There is also a locking clip built into the design, which prevents leakage and allows for a better distribution of batter. The design is also very light. This unit only weighs 4.1 pounds, great for lifting and moving as you need.
Finally, this product is covered by a two-year warranty, covering any manufacturing defects the unit may have.
T-fal 1500637135 SW6100 EZ Clean Waffle Maker
The final entry on the list is another multi-purpose waffle maker that doubles to allow for making delicious sandwiches. This is also a small and light unit weighing only 4.5 pounds and measuring 12.7 x 11.9 x 6.8 inches. This means that it is easy to find a space for during use, plus storage requirements are not very demanding.
Easy cleaning is built into the design here as the waffle plates are removable and dishwasher safe, while the exterior is conducive to a simple wipe.
The unit has indicator lights located on top, indicating both when power is on and when it is safe to put your waffle batter in the unit.
Why I like It
This unit is great for those on a budget. That is not to say that it is cheaply made, but it wraps the essentials into a small and convenient package.
Multi-purpose functionality is always a big sell for me as well, and this waffle maker allows you to jump from making waffles to making delicious sandwiches, boasting interchangeable waffle and sandwich plates. This means whether you’re making breakfast, brunch, or lunch this unit is by your side.
The pockets are very deep which means you can make fluffy waffles stuffed with tasty ingredients.
Which to Choose
After seeing six amazing waffle makers, you may now be faced with the burden of choice. As far as you can see, they’re all great for waffle making, so which one should you get? Here are a few considerations before you make your decision.
Budget
Whenever you’re faced with a purchasing dilemma like this one, your budget must be a big factor in your decision. It denotes your purchasing power, and if you try to exceed it, the most likely scenario is ending up with nothing.
If you can afford the triple function unit and it appeals to you, then go for it. However, if you can only afford the T-fal unit and you really need a waffle maker, then your purchase needs to be within your price range. You want to have money left over to buy the ingredients for the waffles, right?
Functionality
The key here is to focus on the features you need and not those that simply sound cool, especially if you don’t plan to use those features. All the units that were reviewed can make waffles well.
Therefore, you need to make your distinction based on the other bits of information available. How many people do you expect to be making waffles for at most? Maybe you only eat two at a time but there may be times when you need more for a guest. If that’s the case, then you should choose one that makes up to four waffles.
Do you need a sandwich maker or a grill along with your waffle maker? Maybe you already have those things in dedicated appliances so you can save some money and buy a unit that only makes waffles. Maybe you do intend to use all those features in the single unit.
Do you prefer your waffles fluffy? Does it matter if you have control of how brown they come out?
The point is that there were multiple features highlighted throughout the descriptions and you should try to get the one that has the most features you need that falls within your budget.
Support
After sales support is very important as well. A longer manufacturer’s warranty means that you are covered for a longer period if the unit is defective or stops working. This means you can save yourself quite a bit if that happens, assuming the manufacturer replaces it.
Another consideration is the components that are most likely to need replacement. The plates are likely to need replacement as most nonstick items tend to lose their edge over time. It is recommended that you apply nonstick spray to these items when you use them, but there’s no stopping the wear and tear. If you can’t get new plates, then your waffle maker becomes all but useless. Try getting a waffle maker with parts that are readily available.
Final Remarks
I hope I have managed to help you select your next waffle maker based on the information provided.
There are many reviews available on the listings for each item, and you can review the comparison chart, which gives you a summary of how the units stack up against each other. Even with all this information, though, remember that your decision needs to be based on you and your unique situation.
Happy waffle making!
