Waffle Makers Guide

One of the problems of many small kitchen appliances is cleaning them and keeping them clean. Many people can find cleaning such a hassle that they actually stop using the appliance because of it – think of that mini blender or carrot juicer you bought last year! Waffles makers are no exception and if you really want to get your value for money then you will need to know how to keep it clean.

The first thing to note is not what to do. With waffle makers, never clean it while it is still hot – give it time to cool down. Never dunk the waffle maker straight into water and avoid using abrasive cloths or chemicals including on the non-stick sections. And certainly don’t use a knife to scrap off any batter still attached to the maker.

The first port of call for information on cleaning your particular model of maker is the manual that would have come in the box. Not all waffle makers are the same and some have features that you need to know about that can make cleaning easier. With that said, there are some cleaning tips that are consistent across all types of makers.

Any wet puddles of oil or waffle batter can be removed with a paper towel. If there are any tough to remove dry batter then use a rubber or soft plastic spatula. If this doesn’t work then soak the batter in cooking oil for five minutes to soften it up. Give the waffle maker a final once over with a damp cloth and make sure it is dry before you put it away.

When using the unit, never spray cooking oil on to the baking plates. This can leave to a hard to remove build up. In fact, there is not need to use oil as the waffle maker should have non-stick cooking plates. If you have the batter sticking to the non-stick plates then it is the recipe that you have used to make the batter at fault not the actual maker.

Avoid using any soaps or cleaning detergent. These can break down the non-stick surface on the cooking plates, making them useless over time. The best thing to use is a damp cloth or just a light bit of oil. For those waffle makers with removable baking plates it is possible to soak them in water but the water should be free of soap or dish washing liquid.