Waffle iron in everyday life: how to choose and what to use

It would seem that there is nothing easier than choosing a waffle iron among a huge number of models of household devices presented on the modern consumer market. However, such a choice is significantly hampered due to the generally accepted division of devices for preparing wafers into several types. What type of device is most appropriate to buy for a consumer? The following article, in addition to answering the question posed, contains information about the technical characteristics of the gadgets in question, based on which, the buyer can easily choose a waffle iron that best meets the needs formulated by him.

About device

The case of an electric device for baking waffles externally is a compact device having 2 frying surfaces connected to each other in a common design. The internal areas of functional surfaces are traditionally corrugated, which makes the resulting “output” wafers even more appetizing in appearance. On the shelves of shops today you can find waffle irons "for every taste": round, triangular, rectangular, oval.

Despite the common purpose for all waffle irons, manufacturers divide their devices into 2 main classes:

• electric (including various heating elements in their design - heating elements or quartz heaters);
• cast-iron (outwardly similar to 2 pans connected together, and baking wafers on the stove under the influence of high temperature, pumped by traditional heating of the cast-iron housing of the device).

Due to the obvious advantages of the first type of device, hand-held waffle irons have lost their demand among modern consumers. While electric household gadgets for baking waffles "acquired" an internal classification. The main varieties of automated devices of this segment are:

• waffle irons for baking thick (or Belgian, Vienna) waffles;
• waffle makers for thin traditional waffles.

Gadgets of the first type, as a rule, have deep cells "relief" of the inner surface. Due to this feature, the resulting confectionery has a crisp on the outside and a gentle airy dough inside.

Thick waffles, in turn, are usually divided into:

• Brussels (rectangular soft waffles, traditionally served hot);
• Liege (round crunchy waffles baked with caramelized sugar).

Depending on the user's focus on obtaining a certain type of confectionery product, it is advisable to adjust the power of the electric waffle iron for baking thick wafers in the direct process of “cooking” in case it is not possible to select the automatic mode.

The main difference between devices for baking thin wafers from the analogues considered above is the smaller depth of the pattern of the inner region of the functional surface. Due to this characteristic, dessert is cooked evenly throughout its volume and traditionally turns out to be crispy.

How to choose

In order to choose the right home appliance for making dessert, it is advisable to give an overview of the technical characteristics that have weight in choosing a gadget, as well as a list of criteria that allow an objective assessment of the presented assortment of models of equipment.

According to experienced users, the best waffle maker should be selected in accordance with the following points:

• power consumption (power consumption for the direct "cooking" of wafers with an automated device.The optimal indicator, sufficient for quick preparation of dessert with a small consumption of electricity, in this case, will be 700-1000 watts);
• dimensions and appearance of the structure (the indicators are as individual as possible. Despite the compactness of most models, the product should be selected based on the area of ​​the “working” surface of the customer’s kitchen, as well as the planned volume of wafers. As for the diameter of the baking “at the exit”, this is an ideal option in this context it is considered to be 18 - 20 cm, and the number of servings resulting from one “production” cycle should optimally not be less than two);
• non-stick coating (in addition to the importance of checking for the presence of a teflon, and ideally ceramic coating of the functional surfaces of the waffle iron, it is advisable to make sure their quality. The surface should be smooth, without visible scratches and other defects. Otherwise, when buying a device with a defective surface, the user will probably encounter low quality non-stick properties of household appliances);
• case material (modern manufacturers offer to buy waffle irons made of plastic or metal. Despite the high cost and weight of the second option compared to a plastic analog, such a device will be more resistant to external damage, which means it will last a longer time for the user. Thus, having a choice, preference should be given to metal devices);
• the desired type of wafers produced “at the exit” (individual decision of the buyer: thick or thin dessert);
• the presence of a rotary device (allows you to evenly distribute the dough poured into the household gadget by rotating the structure 180 degrees around its axis immediately after filling the functional surfaces. This built-in option will greatly simplify the process of making wafers, so it is advisable for the buyer to choose a waffle iron with this ability);
• multifunctionality (if the opportunity presents itself to the buyer, it is worth giving preference to a “versatile” functional device, where the manufacturer, in addition to “creating” waffles, provides the possibility of making burgers, toasts, sandwiches and so on);
• the presence of a recipe book provided by the brand manufacturer (it is desirable to supply the selected model in the basic configuration, as it contains information on possible options for kneading dough for waffles, as well as ways of serving and serving the resulting dessert);
• built-in thermostat (the defining option of the waffle iron, which allows maintaining the “pumped-in” temperature inside the device without the need to adjust the “baking power” of the wafers);
• the presence of additional options (an ideal option for a purchase is a gadget equipped with an indicator of heating and automatic shutdown of the device when the “cooking” process is completed; a timer that allows you to program the device for a specific time; a sound and light signal about the readiness of wafers and so on).

Of course, the presence of all the options listed above significantly increases the cost of the waffle iron, however, by purchasing the top model of household appliances from the rating of the best devices below, the buyer is guaranteed to get a reliable “assistant” in preparing, at first glance, difficult to “make” desserts.

The best models

REDMOND RMB-M613 / 1

• Power Consumption: 700 W
• Way of management: mechanical
• Case Material: Combined
• Type of wafers produced: Belgian
• The number of servings "at the exit" for 1 cycle of work: 2
• Number of automatic modes: 1
• Availability of non-stick coating: provided
• Functional cable length: 0.8 m
• Additional options: work indicator

The budget option is “economical” in the consumption of electricity of a waffle iron, capable of not only baking desserts, but also preparing useful “snacks”, for example, vegetable pancakes or biscuits.

Kitfort KT-1611

• Power Consumption: 640 W
• Way of management: mechanical
• Case Material: Plastic
• Type of wafers produced: Belgian
• The number of servings "at the exit" for 1 cycle of work: 2
• Number of automatic modes: 1
• Availability of non-stick coating: provided
• Functional cable length: 0.7 m
• Additional options: work indicator, availability of a compartment for storing the cord

Easy-to-use, high-quality waffle maker not only qualitatively fulfills its direct "duties", but also simply pleases the user with its appearance.

GFgril GF-010

• Power Consumption: 700 W
• Way of management: mechanical
• Case Material: Plastic
• Type of wafers produced: Belgian
• The number of servings "at the exit" for 1 cycle of work: 2
• Number of automatic modes: 1
• Availability of non-stick coating: provided
• Functional cable length: 1 m
• Additional options: work indicator

Ideal for people who appreciate the speed of preparing a “culinary masterpiece” along with the quality of its “execution”.

GFgril GF-020

• Power Consumption: 1000 W
• Way of management: mechanical
• Case Material: Combined
• Type of wafers produced: Belgian
• The number of servings "at the exit" for 1 cycle of work: 4
• Availability of non-stick coating: provided
• Functional cable length: 1.5m
• Additional options: operation indicator, the ability to adjust the temperature

A high-quality analogue to expensive household gadgets, not inferior to them in the set of their options and the quality of "cooking" dishes.

Clatronic WA 3492

• Power Consumption: 1000 W
• Way of management: mechanical
• Case Material: Combined
• Type of wafers produced: Viennese
• The number of servings "at the exit" for 1 cycle of work: 1
• Availability of non-stick coating: provided
• Functional cable length: 1.8 m
• Additional options: operation indicator, the ability to adjust the temperature, overheat protection

An ideal gadget for producing uniformly baked wafers that are persistent in their taste for professionally prepared sweets.

Based on the above information, we can conclude that it is necessary to carefully analyze the presented assortment of models of waffle irons for their compliance with optimal technical characteristics and user requirements.