Tips for a clean waffle iron!
Nothing is more delicious than eating freshly baked waffles in the early morning before work. Better yet, waking up on a Saturday or Sunday morning and using the best waffle maker to bake warm waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream on top.
You already know how to use a waffle iron, and you’ve enjoyed your breakfast because of it, but now you have to get busy cleaning your waffle iron.
This is the downside of cooking because cleaning the dirty bits of cooked food on the crevices on the waffle grids is frustrating and time-consuming. You can always just do it later, but letting food collect on an appliance will make it more difficult later on.
While this might be the case, we have good news for all kitchen appliance enthusiasts, cleaning your waffle iron can be easy!
Clean your waffle iron – Tips
There are a few steps that are true no matter what kind of waffle iron you have. The instructions below are especially true if your waffle iron has non-removable plates, meaning that the waffle iron grids do not come off of the appliance. Basically, you can clean your waffle maker in the following four easy steps.
Before you get started, you should know that you don’t need a special waffle iron cleaner. You just need some basic equipment and a little bit of time if you follow these super easy steps.
1. Cool down
The first step of cleaning your waffle iron is unplugging it from the main power source and allowing it to cool. It may be common sense, but it’s easy forgetting this when you’re in a rush.
2. Remove excess cooking oil from the waffle iron
With the help of a damp cloth or soft and dry paper towel, wipe the waffle iron plates gently or simply run the paper towel inside the plates crevices.
3. Gently brush away stubborn baked on crumbs
The next step is checking for any traces of baked-on batter. You can apply a few drops of oil to the waffle iron plates then allow it to soak in that oil for some time before wiping the non-stick surface with a dry towel or paper towel.
4. Wipe the exterior of the waffle iron
Finally, wipe the exterior of the waffle iron with a damp cloth. This will allow you to remove any extra batter or excess oil that might have spread to the casing during baking.
How to clean a Waffle Iron with Removable Plates?
These instructions are for cleaning an electric waffle maker with removable plates (meaning removable waffle grid plates).
1. Allow it to cool down
As usual, disconnect the appliance from the main power source and allow it to cool while you enjoy your waffles. When done, follow the instructions on removing the plates, and be careful not to damage the surface.
2. Soak the plates in water
This can be done either in a great sink or in a basin full of warm water. Wipe the plates naturally with a soft towel without applying any dish soap or detergents, as they can damage the non-stick surface.
Make sure the towel, sponge, or cloth you’re using to wipe the plates is soft and gentle so you don’t scratch the non-stick surface.
3. Let waffle iron plates dry before snapping them back
Here, you can either allow the plates to self-dry naturally, or you can simply use a dry cloth or paper towel to wipe them if you’re in a hurry.
Make sure that the plates are completely dry before you snap them back into the waffle maker to avoid any problems the next time you connect your appliance to the power outlet.
How to clean a waffle iron that has a Teflon nonstick surface
Nonstick waffle makers usually come in two kinds – Teflon ones and non-Teflon ones.
Teflon appliances should only need a light coating of cooking oil before the first time they’re used for the day. In other words, if you’re making 2-3 waffles in the same waffle maker, you should only lightly oil it the first time. In addition to that, if your recipe consists of enough fat, you shouldn’t have it problem with it sticking.
You can use a dry paper towel to wipe off any excess cooking oil that might happen to drop down the side of your waffle maker.
Still, if you find yourself with chunks of waffles leftover in the grids, you should only need a damp cloth to wipe it away.
NEVER use sharp or metal tools to remove waffles or scraped caked-on batter on a Teflon or nonstick surface. Doing so can scratch off the nonstick surface and either cause your appliance to not work properly or worse, be hazardous to your health.
How do you clean an old cast iron Waffle Iron?
Maintaining cast iron cookware is just different than anything else. Not only can a cast iron last you a generation, but you’ll never have to worry about questionable chemicals in your food again. On the other hand, it can be a pain to maintain. If you want to clean a cast iron waffle maker, it won’t be much different than any other cast iron pan.
There are two types of cleaning we’re talking about here, everyday maintenance and thorough, deep cleaning.
For everyday maintenance of your cast iron appliance, you can just use a moist rag or brush and take off any remaining food chunks and a dry paper towel to wipe down whatever oil drips to the outside. Things should come off easy if it’s already seasoned and if you used enough fat in your recipe.
If you need a deep washing, there are two things you need. First, you need The Ringer, it’s a stainless steel cast iron cleaner. See below!
The second thing you need to do is follow the detailed instructions outlined in this article called Cast Iron 101. I was going to share a few tips, but honestly, EVERYTHING that you need to know related to your cast iron cookware is outlined in that post. Give it a read!
How to you clean a waffle iron with ceramic plates
Waffle makers with ceramic plates are nonstick and still resistant to scratches, peeling and flaking, and can often cook faster and cook more evenly than Teflon coated ones. All you have to do is wipe the grids down with a damp paper towel or damp cloth. Always unplug the appliance and allow it to cool before doing so.
How to clean a waffle iron that is sticky
It’s possible to fully recover a waffle maker with burnt on waffles, grease, sugar, or other food. With so many sweet and savory recipes out there, we’ve had all kinds of things get stuck on our waffle iron. Mac and cheese, cinnamon rolls, even croquetas! Still, it’s usually possible to completely wipe the grids with a moist sponge or cloth.
So don’t worry, most likely you’ll be able to fully recover your waffle maker!
How to clean a waffle iron with built up grease
A waffle iron cleaning brush should be your go-to tool for taking care of your waffle maker. Just like you have a special tool for your BBQ, you’ll need one for this, too. This soft bristled brush can be used for all of your nonstick kitchen appliances and it’s great for taking out grease and food particles.
We recommend the OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush.
This little tool is ideal for getting into the crevices and grids of waffle makers, panini presses, indoor grills, and any other kitchen appliance. It has soft, flexible bristles that are specially designed for nonstick cookware.
Its handle is soft, comfortable, and non-slip, even when wet. It also works well on waffle makers with ceramic plates.
Best of all, it has 4.6/5 stars on over 1,100 customer reviews on Amazon!
Clean a waffle iron (tips and tricks)!
Following these instructions will ensure that your Waffle Maker lasts for years. It’s easy for these appliances to last for five or more years, and when it comes to a cast iron one, it can last for a lifetime!
We hope you enjoyed our cleaning tips for your waffle makers, whether they be cast iron, with removable plates, or with non-removable plates.
No matter what kind of appliance you have, take good care of it and it will provide you delicious waffles for years to come!
