I'm not normally the reviewer type. I usually just read everyone else's reviews, buy the product, love it, and move on. But I am so impressed with this waffle maker that I feel compelled to write about it.
I was ready to buy the Cuisinart WAF-6 (and I would recommend it based on its reviews if you're a die-hard fan of the thinner, traditional-style waffles), but then I spied this Calphalon. The reviews were slightly better than the Cuisinart, and since another reviewer said the pockets were not as deep as a traditional belgian waffle, I thought it would be a nice in-between and gave it a try and hoped for the best. The BEST is EXACTLY what I got.
Here's my top 5 favorite features of this waffle maker:
1. The chime and LED lights work perfectly. The chime is pleasant and on-the-money. The lights light up one-by-one as your waffles are cooking, appearing just like the progress bar on your internet browser. So I can cut up and syrup a couple waffles for my kids while the next batch is going, and simply look over to see if they're almost done so I can man my station.
2. As previously stated, the waffles are a nice compromise between traditional- and belgian-style waffles. I love the crisp outside and the fluffy inside.
3. NO OIL!! I have baked about 15 batches so far, and I have never used a drop of oil. I was shocked to read in the instructions that you don't have to use oil at all, ever! And in approx. 15 batches, I have had only 1 that stuck (when I had lifted the lid about half way and realized they were sticking to the top plate, I gently coaxed them with my spatula and they came right off).
4. Clean-up is so easy, they say just wipe the surface with a damp cloth (only use water), and it has worked every time. I occasionally fill it too full and a little batter seeps out the front, so I just wait a couple minutes til it dries, then just wipe it off, again with only a damp cloth. It doesn't get any easier than that!
5. It pre-heats in about 5 minutes (depending on your setting, of course), and only takes 3-5 minutes to bake a batch.
My words of wisdom to anyone buying this waffle maker:
1. Follow the manufacturer's instructions - they work!!
2. DO NOT USE A PRE-PACKAGED WAFFLE BATTER, AND DEFINITELY DO NOT USE A PANCAKE RECIPE!! PLEASE, PLEASE don't buy a real nice waffle maker and then pour liquid garbage on it! You would only have yourself to blame for having sucky or at least mediocre waffles.
3. Read my recipe, directions & other useful hints, tips & tricks below.
Here's my PERFECT WAFFLE RECIPE (it's actually from the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook (page 127 - "fast waffles"), except that I add sugar to the recipe):
You will need:
2 eggs
1-3/4 cup milk (I use 2%)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1-3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon double-acing baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions:
1. Separate the egg whites from the yolks (do not skip this step - it makes all the difference in fluffy waffles).
2. Beat the egg whites until they thicken into a foamy white texture, set aside.
3. Add milk & oil to egg yolks, beat gently until mixed, do not over-mix.
4. Add all dry ingredients to yolk/milk/oil mixture, stir with spoon first, then beat until all lumps disappear (B H&G says to leave the batter lumpy - my mum and I respectfully disagree).
5. GENTLY fold beaten egg whites into mixture, DO NOT stir or beat. I personally fold until no lumps of egg white remain visible, although others may disagree, including B H&G.
6. Pre-heat waffle iron to whatever setting you intend to bake your waffles at (I use just one notch above "Medium").
7. Spoon batter into measuring cup (for precision and easier pouring), fill to 2 cups exactly (you may have to adjust this depending on what recipe you use).
8. When chime signals iron is ready, evenly pour batter onto iron. There should be no need to spread the batter using a utensil. There may be some batter that runs over into the excess batter channel - this is fine, if not preferred.
9. I close the lid very slowly (5 seconds) to hedge against spillage.
10. Enjoy your perfect waffles when the chime sounds!
Other useful hints, tips & tricks:
1. For the setting I like, which is just a click above Medium, it ALWAYS smells like the waffles are burning, but alas! they are not. So don't be alarmed if you smell burning waffle. If they truly come out burnt, just adjust the dial down a notch.
2. This recipe makes just over 4 cups of batter, which is 2 batches on this waffle maker. The recipe is pretty easy to cut in half if you just want to make one batch. If you're making waffles for yourself, one batch will be more than enough!!
3. My kids like chocolate chip waffles - try using a hair under 2 cups of batter - pour it in the iron, THEN sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top of the batter. They sink into the batter and partially melt during baking, creating a restaurant-quality chocolate chip waffle the kiddos will love!
4. Some recipes I've looked at recommend substituting some brown sugar for the regular sugar - I tried this and it wasn't bad (I replaced the 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar).