Best Waffle Makers

Our guide explains essential waffle maker features, answers FAQs and highlights the best Waffle Makers available in New Zealand right now

Updated 30 June 2020

Waffle makers range in price in features - our guide outlines everything you need to know. We cover:

• What Features Should you Look for in a Waffle Maker?
• What Types of Waffle Makers are Available?
• Waffle Maker Frequently Asked Questions
• ​The 3 Top Waffle Makers Available in New Zealand Right Now

What Features Should you Look for in a Waffle Maker?

Before you buy a waffle maker, think about what you want out of it. Ask yourself:

• How many waffles do you want to make at once?
• What types of waffles do you want to make? Shapes? Traditional Belgian waffles?
• Do you want indicator lights letting you know when the waffles are done?
• What type of storage options do you need? Do you need hidden cords, latches for hanging, or a compact iron for small spaces?
• How much do you want to spend? Waffle makers are available at all price points. 

Knowing what you want out of the waffle iron helps narrow your options down. For example, if you want a waffle iron for a specific occasion, you may want heart-shaped waffles, or you want thin waffles for ice cream sandwiches, you need a specific type of waffle maker. 

The more features the waffle maker has that you’ll use, the more use you’ll get out of your purchase. We outline features to consider in detail below:

​The number of waffles simultaneously cooked

Consider this feature carefully -are you more likely to be feeding a crowd, or is the waffle maker just for you? Is one waffle at a time enough or do you need to more capacity? Many waffle makers make up to 4 waffles at once which speeds up the cooking process. Also, waffles are fine to freeze which means you can cut down on the time it takes to make breakfast over the next couple of mornings if you make a few extra.

Type of waffles

Some people want crispy waffles, others prefer thick and fluffy waffles. The kids love fun shapes, and the parents usually are happy with whatever makes the kids happy. There are waffle makers for just about any shape, texture, and size waffles. The more options, the more flexibility you have.

How fast it cooks

Waffle makers cook at various speeds. Again, are you feeding a crowd and need to cook fast, or are you cooking at a leisurely speed? If you need fast cooking, make sure you look for a waffle maker that doesn’t take a lot of time reheating in between cycles. 

Indicator lights

Are you notorious for burning your food? Do you need audible or visual cues that the waffles are done or even that the waffle iron is ready for use? Look for waffle makers with indicator lights if you’re prone to be distracted by everything else going on in the kitchen. If you don’t get a waffle maker with an indicator light, pay close attention to the steam coming from the waffles. When the steam stops, the waffle is likely cooked through.

Adjustable settings

Do you have a family that has different texture preferences? One loves brown and crispy waffles, and another prefers them barely cooked? A waffle maker with adjustable settings makes it easy to accommodate everyone at the same time. You may spend more time at the waffle maker making multiple batches, but the waffles will be how everyone likes them.

Flip or stationary

Are you particular about your waffles? Do you want them evenly brown on both sides? A flip waffle maker may be a better option as it evenly cooks on both sides, assuming you are there to flip it. Stationary waffle makers are supposed to cook evenly on both sides, but somehow flip waffle makers seem to do a better job. 

Ease of cleanup

If there’s one thing we all dread after making a delicious meal, it’s the cleanup. Check out the cleaning instructions of a waffle maker before buying it. Is it non-stick? Do you need to oil it? Is it dishwasher safe? Do the plates come off for easy cleaning? Does it have a spillover plate? Waffle batter never stays in one place.

Multi-use functionality

Waffle makers obviously make waffles, but you can make other foods in it too. Will you use your iron for other foods or just waffles? This may play a role in your decision if you need more versatility. Waffle makers can be used to make brownies, cinnamon rolls, quesadillas, hash browns, or grilled cheese.

Ease of Storage

Where will you store the waffle maker? Since it’s not an appliance that gets used super often, you’ll likely want somewhere to store it. Do you need an iron that has a hidden cord or one that is small enough to fit in a tight cabinet? ​

What Types of Waffle Makers are Available?

There are two primary types of waffle makers available – cast iron and electric.

1. Cast iron waffle makers are ‘old school’. They are harder to come by, but some people love the taste and won’t eat waffles any other way. You preheat cast iron waffle makers over your stove before adding the batter. This process takes about 10 minutes. Once heated, you pour the batter into the waffle iron and hold it over the stove for a few minutes on one side and then flip to the other side for even cooking. Carefully open the waffle iron and enjoy your delicious, hot waffles.

2. Electric waffle irons are the irons you’ll find most places today. You don’t need a stove, only an outlet to plug the waffle iron in. This is why the indicator lights come in handy as they let you know when the waffle maker is ready for the batter. Electric waffle makers come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and varieties, so make sure you know what features you need. 

Waffle Maker Frequently Asked Questions

To help explain waffle makers further, and to help you buy the most suitable model for your needs, our FAQs looks at waffle making basics.

Are flip waffle makers better?  
Flip waffle makers cook more evenly, giving you a golden waffle that has a crispy outside and fluffy inside. This is how most people like their waffles.
 
What else can you do with a waffle maker?  
Waffle makers can be used to make brownies, cinnamon rolls, quesadillas, hash browns, or grilled cheese.
 
What is the difference between pancake mix and waffle mix?  
Waffles have an ‘airier’ texture than pancakes thanks to the higher fat content. Waffles contain more butter than pancakes do, which gives them their unique texture. 

Why don’t waffles always come out crispy?  
Soggy waffles are due to too much moisture in the batter rather than a problem with the waffle maker. Try decreasing the amount of liquid in the batter to see if it makes a difference.
 
How do you prevent waffles from sticking to the waffle iron?  
If you don’t use enough oil or butter in your recipe, your waffles will stick. Also, read the manufacturer’s instructions to see if the iron needs oil before using it. 
 
How do you use a cast iron waffle maker?  
Cast iron waffle makers take a little more work than electric waffle makers. Rather than plugging them in, you use the heat from the stove. Make sure you wear protective gloves as you hold the cast iron waffle maker over the stove to heat it up. It takes about 10 minutes to get it ready, but the preparation is the key to good waffles.
 
How long does it take to make waffles in the waffle maker?  
Each waffle maker differs, but on average it takes 5 minutes to make a waffle in the waffle maker. The crispiness level and the size of the waffles will determine if your waffles take more or less time. 

How do you keep waffles crispy?  
When you have to make a lot of waffles, you may end up having waffles sit out, while you cook. Not only will they get cold, but they may get soggy. Here’s the trick. Put them in the oven, but on warm. If your oven doesn’t have a warm setting, set it to 200 degrees and put the waffles on top of a cooling rack that you place on a cookie sheet. Let them stay there until you are ready to serve.

Should waffle batter be thin or thick?  
The right waffle mix isn’t too thick but isn’t too runny. In other words, it shouldn’t cling to your spoon for dear life, but it shouldn’t run off the spoon like water, either. It should be a consistency that’s in between the two. 
 
Should you spray non-stick waffle irons?  
No, non-stick waffle irons have a texture that the waffles won’t stick to if they are made correctly. Spraying the non-stick surface harms the waffle iron and may actually make it stick rather worse than if you don’t use the spray.​

The 3 Top Waffle Makers Available in New Zealand Right Now

Breville Crisp Control Waffle Maker

Pros:

• Adjustable crispiness levels, meaning you can fluffy or crispy waffles with the same waffle maker.
• The six-slot waffle iron makes six heart-shaped waffles in minutes.

 
Features: 

• Adjustable temperature to create different waffle textures
• Non-stick coating for easy cleaning
• Large edges to avoid batter spills
• Stay-cool handles
• Makes up to six waffles at a time

Price: Around $200

Learn more: Breville Crisp Control Waffle Maker

Breville No-Mess Waffle Maker

Pros:

• Moat-like design around the edge of the iron prevents the mess waffles can make when batter leaks over the iron.

Features: 

• 7-temperature adjustable settings for even cooking and to make fluffy to crispy waffles
• Even heat distribution
• Locking latch to keep little hands out of the waffle iron
• Non-stick surface
• Makes four waffles at a time

Price: Around $80
 
Learn more: Breville No-Mess Waffle Maker

Kmart Waffle Maker

Pros:

• Non-stick cooking plates, cool touch handle and rotary feature that lets the batter spread evenly.

Features: 

• Non-stick cooking plate with cool touch handle
• Removable drip tray
• Power on and ready indicator lights

 
Price: Around $80
​
Learn more: Kmart Waffle Maker