A Quick Review Of Waffle Makers

Waffles are a favorite treat in many countries around the world, either as snacks, desserts, or breakfast foods. The batter recipe may vary, such as whether it uses baking powder or yeast for leavening. The shape and size can also be quite different. Therefore, when shopping for waffle makers, the first thing one must determine is the type of waffle one desires to make.

Belgian waffles are nearly the size and shape of the plate that holds them, and they have larger grids than other styles. Belgian waffle batter is made with yeast, but the term is usually applied to those with the look if not the ingredients of Belgian waffles. They are also normally crisper and quite a bit thicker than the other styles.

American waffles are thinner than Belgian style, and they are normally made with a batter containing baking powder instead of yeast. They may be round, rectangular, or square, and the grid pattern is smaller than the Belgian type.

Some waffle irons are designed to only cook waffles, although you can make sandwiches with them. These waffle sandwiches are similar to grilled sandwiches, but they have the trademark waffle squares pressed into the bread. Other waffle irons come with interchangeable plates that allow you to cook a variety of foods. Flat grills let you make traditional grilled cheese sandwiches, and grills even allow the cooking of steaks. Special inserts provide the option of creating waffles in the shapes of various objects or cartoon characters.

When choosing a machine, consider how much space you have available to operate and store it. For example, the types that flip the waffles while cooking are quite a bit taller than the standard model. Those that make large waffles, like Belgian style, also need more room for storage as well as counter space for operation.

Non-stick surfaces make clean up easier as well as making it easier to remove the food. Many users also like a drip pan to catch any batter overflow, and a timer with a bell is another nice feature. The ability to adjust the heat is critical for those units that offer a variety of inserts, such as for cooking meat. Many cooks also like an indicator, such as a light, that will show when a selected temperature has been reached.

While butter and syrup are the most popular waffle toppings, many are consumed plain, and powdered sugar or whipped cream and fresh fruit are common toppings. Waffle batter is almost identical to cake batter, so basically anything that pairs up well with cake can be applied to a waffle. Chocolate syrup, ice cream, and frosting are often accompaniments for waffles. Some people use a batter that is less sweet to make a type of bread to add interest to stews, salads, or soups.

Ben runs a website dedicated to waffle recipes that also gives you usefull advice on how to choose a waffle maker. Of course there are also plenty of recipes for those of you that already own a belgian waffle maker.