Waffle makers allow you to cook a gourmet breakfast from the comfort of your own home. Waffles and pancakes are the kings of sweet breakfast dishes, so much so that there’s a National Waffle Day. But how does a waffle maker know when the waffle is done?
Whether you're using a waffle maker for the first time or just interested in how this appliance works, we've got the answers. In this guide, we'll cover everything there is to know about waffle makers. We'll also cover some of the common questions regarding these appliances.
The Cuisinart Waffle Maker Beeps at The End of the Baking Cycle
The Cuisinart Waffle Maker (WAF-F20) Beeps at The End of the Baking Cycle
A waffle maker or waffle iron is a unique cooking appliance that helps give waffles their signature diamond pattern. The machine consists of two plates on a hinge. The two plates are both imprinted with the iconic diamond pattern.
The material of the two plates varies depending on the specific type of waffle maker, though it is often a metal with a nonstick coating. The waffle maker can cook the waffle batter quickly, and the nonstick coating ensures you can grab your finished waffle without issue.
A Round Waffle Maker with A Completed Cooked Waffle
The design of the two metal plates on a hinge lets you press the batter to cook it. This method differs from a classic pancake, where the batter is exposed to open air. With a waffle maker, the batter is enclosed, which helps cook it evenly and results in a fluffy texture.
There is a misconception that waffle makers and irons are the same thing. However, while either may produce your perfect waffle, the design and process of cooking in each of these appliances vary greatly.
The terms waffle maker and waffle iron are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are some slight differences between these two terms.
A Rectangular Waffle Maker
A waffle iron is the oldest way of making a waffle. The iron does not rely on electricity and can be heated directly on a stovetop or fireplace.
This device is a cast iron waffle maker, similar to a cast iron pan. Once the waffle iron is heated (on both sides), you can begin filling with batter. A waffle iron is manual and does not give an indication of when the waffle is fully cooked, so it takes practice to know when it's done.
A waffle maker is a modern version that is more widely used today. The waffle maker uses electricity (typically a simple wall plug) and heats up quickly. There are several types of electric waffle makers, but electricity use is the common thread. Electric waffle makers generally have indicator lights that tell when the waffle iron is first heated and when your waffle is fully cooked.
An electric waffle maker typically has an indicator light or beep that goes off to let you know your waffle is done cooking. But how does it know when the waffle is done? It knows either by a temperature or timer indication.
You can typically tell whether your waffle maker uses a temperature or timer indication based on the settings available for the appliance. If there is a knob that you can set to different temperatures, your waffle maker likely uses temperature indication. If there is a knob that can be set to different times (such as five, six, or seven minutes), then your waffle maker likely uses a timer indication.
Suppose there are no settings available to be changed for your waffle iron (typical for mini waffle makers or low-cost waffle makers). In that case, it likely uses a factory-set timer indication.
Temperature indication waffle makers work by alerting the waffle is done once the metal plates reach a specific temperature. If you've ever made pancakes or waffles, you know the batter can be pretty liquid. When the batter is placed between the waffle maker's hot grids, the water content evaporates, which is why steam appears.
When the water content of the batter evaporates, the temperature jumps higher. This is because the liquid content of the batter gives a heat sink effect to the heated grids. This means the temperature is lowered while the liquid evaporates. Once the liquid has evaporated, the temperature jumps back up.
When the temperature of the electric grids jumps up, it sets off a temperature switch. The temperature switch then sets off the cooking indicator, either a light or a beep, letting you know your waffle is done.
The temperature indication works because the combination of reaching a specific temperature and evaporating the liquid content of the waffle batter means the waffle is fully cooked!
The more common indicator used in waffle makers is the timer indication. When a waffle maker is built, the company has to do many tests to determine its product's typical and ideal cook time.
The standard cook time for electric waffle makers is between three and five minutes. The cooking timer within the appliance starts when the batter is poured, and the electric grids are closed together.
Some waffle makers have different time settings, typically controlled by a knob. This allows the user to have some control over their waffle due to preference. For example, if someone enjoys a crispy waffle or a softer, less-cooked waffle, they can choose the higher or lower time settings.
Once the internal timer reaches the set time, it will set off either a light or a beep, letting the user know their waffle is finished cooking.
An electric waffle maker is one of the most straightforward kitchen appliances, as the cooking process is automatic. The process also applies to Belgian waffle makers.
The first step to making waffles is to choose your waffle batter. You can use a premade batter or take a crack at your own, commonly consisting of flour, sugar, egg whites, milk, and other optional additives depending on your waffle recipe. You could also try the traditional Belgian waffle, the Americanized version of the famous waffles from Belgium.
Depending on your specific waffle maker, there may be an "on" switch, or the device may turn on by plugging it in. Either way, an indicator light will let you know the waffle maker is on and heating. Electric waffle makers heat up quickly, but you'll want to be sure it's fully heated before adding any batter.
The instructions for your waffle maker will mention whether you need to oil the electric grid surfaces or not. If the instructions indicate oiling the surface, you can easily use a nonstick spray on the two metal plates. Re-apply the non-stick spray in between each waffle you cook.
Once your waffle maker is fully heated (typically indicated by the light turning from red to green), you can begin to add your batter. The instructions for the waffle maker normally tell you how much batter should be used, but the primary goal is to cover the entire metal grid.
Once the waffle batter is added, you need to close the waffle maker by placing the two grids together. If the batter squeezes out the sides when you close it, it means you've added too much batter.
Belgian waffle makers typically need to be flipped after closing, which starts the internal timer. If your particular waffle maker says to "flip it" in the instructions, this is the time to do so.
If your waffle maker has a cooking indicator, it will light up or beep when the waffle is finished cooking and needs to be removed. If your waffle maker DOES NOT have an indicator, you need to manually time or check that the waffle is cooked.
Tip: the waffle is usually finished cooking when steam is no longer coming out of the sides of the maker.
Here are some common questions regarding waffle makers and how they work.
You can usually tell by the appearance of the waffle. A fully cooked waffle will be golden brown with a crisp edge. An undercooked waffle will be pale and may appear slightly wet.
The Dash Mini Waffle Maker has become very popular, as it makes adorable 4" waffles. The standard cook time for the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is four minutes.
On a regular-size waffle maker, the standard cook time is between four and six minutes.
One of the best waffle makers on the market is the Breville Smart Waffle Pro. Its high reviews attest to its exceptional performance!
Cleaning a waffle maker can be difficult if you've had the misfortune of batter sticking to the plates. However, many modern waffle makers now have removable plates, making cleaning far more effortless.
You should clean a waffle maker like any nonstick pan and avoid the dishwasher. Never attempt washing your waffle maker until the metal plates are thoroughly cooled.
