Life
4 Waffle Makers That Cook Up Delicious Breakfast Without Leaving Behind A Mess
When it comes to cooking, anything that involves wet, sticky batter is bound to make a mess. So it’s no surprise that waffle makers are notoriously difficult to clean. Baked and dried-on batter can get stuck between grids and exterior surfaces, even if they’re nonstick. Fortunately, the best easy-to-clean waffle makers will let you focus on the fun of making and eating waffles, without dreading the cleanup. Here are a few tips for shopping for the best models.
A nonstick cooking surface is standard on waffle makers, but is only part of the battle when it comes to cleaning. Though it’s tempting to use nonstick spray, over time that can build up on surfaces and make them harder to clean. You’re better off applying cooking oil with a brush or paper towel prior to using your waffle maker.
In theory, your waffle maker should be easy to wipe clean with a towel or brush (after it’s cooled off, of course), but if you want extra convenience, look for a model that has removable dishwasher-safe grill plates. The surrounding surface of the gridded area should not have any cracks where batter can get stuck. Some newer designs have channels or moats to collect any overflow, keeping your machine and countertops clean.
Lastly, look for a machine that fits your waffle-making personality. Whether its deep Belgium waffles or thiner waffles that can be pulled apart, there’s a waffle maker for everyone. These are the best easy-to-clean waffle makers.
1The Overall Best Easy-To-Clean Waffle Maker: Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
You’ll look like a pro making waffles on this classic machine from Hamilton Beach. The flipping mechanism isn’t just for theatrics, though — it helps to fill every grid with batter and makes waffles that are crispy on the outside but fluffy in the middle. The circular grids detach and can go right in the dishwasher, and a removable nonstick drip tray catches any errant batter and can be easily wiped clean. For successful waffle-making on any machine, it’s important to know when to pour your batter and when to remove your waffle. This one has a preheat and ready light to prompt you for both, and you can control the brownness of your waffle with a simple dial. When the machine isn’t in use, the handle folds away for easy storage.
2The Runner-Up: Cuisinart Belgian Waffle Maker With Pancake Plates
If you’re a fan of large square Belgian waffles, this four-slice waffle maker from Cuisinart is a great choice. Since Belgian waffles are thick by design, the grids tend to be deeper, which can be challenging to clean. Like the Hamilton Beach, the square plates on this Cuisinart model are easy to remove for dishwashing, but can also be hand-washed at the sink with soapy water. As a bonus, the Cuisinart comes with an imprinted four-slot pancake plate and flat upper plate that can be used to make flapjacks or eggs, so you’ve got breakfast covered. A green light illuminates to let you know the waffle maker is ready for cooking, and an audible beep sounds when it’s time to remove the waffle. Depending on your preference, you can choose between six shades of brownness on the turn dial.
3The Best Value: Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker
This round waffle maker from Cuisinart has a low-profile design with straight sides, so there’s less surface area for messes. Though the nonstick plates aren’t removable, Cuisinart recommends removing any leftover crumbs with a brush and cleaning the grids with a damp cloth after they’ve cooled. A dual light illuminates red during preheating and baking, and turns green when it’s ready to bake or time to eat. Even better, you can choose between one of five settings to choose the level of browning. The weighted lid won’t spring up during use, so batter is in full contact with the grids for even browning. Another great feature of this affordable waffle maker? It can be stored vertically to take up minimal space. This one even comes with a three-year warranty.
4The Best With An Overflow Channel: Dash No-Drip Mess-Free Belgian Maker Machine Waffle Iron
This clever design from Dash looks like a classic four square Belgian waffle maker, but has an overflow channel on both sides to capture any loose batter. This means you can add a generous amount of batter for thick, fluffy waffles, without having to worry about making a mess on the sides of the machine or countertops. Both the grids and channel are made of nonstick material that can be brushed or wiped clean with a cloth between uses. This is the best way to clean this waffle maker, since the plates cannot be removed. You can get it in a cute red and aqua color option to add a pop of fun to making traditional waffles or anything else you might think of, including paninis, hash browns, and savory waffles. One note, this waffle maker doesn’t offer variable browning, so it requires a little babysitting if you’re someone who likes a well-browned waffle.
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