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Black & Decker Belgian Waffle Maker, $37: Available for $50 or less, this flip-flop waffle maker is almost identical to the Hamilton Beach model mentioned above, but it doesn’t include a doneness dial or removable dishwasher-safe plates, and the drip tray isn’t as large (or efficient). I’d rather spend a little extra for the premium Hamilton Beach model, but this model is acceptable if you just want a decent flip-fry waffle maker for under $50. I will note that the nonstick surface didn’t hold up well as my testing progressed, even when I reapplied vegetable oil to keep it seasoned.
Breville BWM520XL Round Waffle Maker ($150): At $150, the Breville waffle maker was the most expensive I’ve tested yet, and it feels like part of a sturdy, sophisticated build. However, the design is far from perfect, which prevents me from recommending it as an upgrade pick. For example, while the overflow trench did a good job of catching excess batter, it gets just as hot as the cooking plate inside it and there’s nothing to stop you from burning your fingers on it. Despite the non-stick interior, the concave interior, which cooks the waffle as thin and crispy as a pizza, makes it very difficult to remove the waffle once it is ready.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic Round Waffle Maker, $30: The low-cost Cuisinart waffle maker is a popular choice, with strong review averages at several major retailers. It did a good job in my tests of cooking satisfying pancakes about a half-inch thick, but with the shallow nooks and crannies and no drip tray or overflow ditch, your batter-pouring skills will need to be very precise. Too much and it will overflow and cause a mess. Too little, and you’ll end up with an odd-shaped waffle with thin burnt spots that stick to the iron. There’s not a lot of wiggle room between these two outcomes and that’s too difficult for my taste.
Oster Belgian Waffle Maker ($23): A shipping delay kept me from testing the Oster waffle maker alongside others, but with decent review averages on Amazon and Walmart and a low $20 price tag, it might make sense as a budget pick. I have since received the product I purchased and used it for testing Some waffle maker tricks” target=”_blank — It is similar in design to a Cuisinart, but thicker and less likely to overflow when you pour batter into it.
I’d rather spend a little more for a flip-flop waffle maker — or one with removable, dishwasher-safe plates — but if you’re just looking for something that’ll get up to the task of making equally acceptable and enjoyable waffles for as little money as possible, it’s hard to Find a better option than this.
Presto Stuffed Waffle Maker ($50): A new model, the Presto Stuffler includes a special circular set of tongs that clip around the side of the waffle as it cooks, creating an extra-deep waffle iron that you can use to create extra-thick stuffed waffles. Now, I’m as obsessed with specialty kitchen gadgets as anyone, but it’s worth noting that you don’t really need a new waffle maker to make new waffles. There are a lot of fun waffle tricks you can do with any waffle maker.
However, I wanted to give the Stuffler a fair chance, so I picked one up and tested three of Presto’s recipes: Cherry Pie Stuffed Waffles, Pizza Stuffed Waffles, and Spicy Chicken Stuffed Waffles. You can check My Twitter thread For the full report on how things went, but the short version is that I came away unimpressed.
I liked the Stuffler’s small flip-up design and the fact that you could store it upright like the Presto FlipSide, but I wasn’t a fan of those tongs, which always seemed to leak out the back (and no part of the Stuffler is dishwasher safe). What’s worse is that the hollow-handle design can direct hot steam toward your hands. As for the waffles, I found that I needed to use a large amount of batter to make one that held together perfectly around whatever I stuffed inside. As a result, I found each waffle to be more filling for my taste buds, and far less satisfying than all the regular waffle tricks I’d already tested. It’s currently available for $50, and there are probably worse things to waste money on in the kitchen — but I say save the stuffed waffles for IHOP.
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