If you love a waffle breakfast, chances are you you’re either making far too many trips to your favorite local haunt or you’re having something not quite healthy or gourmet at home. That’s where our best ceramic waffle maker reviews come in. Once you try using one at home you’ll never go back to using Teflon coated waffle makers or toasting store-bought frozen waffles again.
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What is the Difference Between a Non-stick and Ceramic Waffle Maker?
While the most popular type of waffle maker is a Teflon-coated non-stick one, more and more people are learning that an eco-friendly ceramic waffle maker is a better alternative for creating a homemade waffle. The hype for ceramic cookware, in general, is for good reason.
Traditional non-stick cookware is coated with Teflon, which is what prevents food from sticking to the surface. You need very little or no oil to cook a waffle, as it releases easily without the need to scrape bits off after it is done. While non-stick waffle makers can reach high temperatures, anything above 350 degrees F will cause the PTFE and PFOA coating to peel off over time. This coating is full of harmful chemicals, that if released into your food, can cause long-term ill health effects.
For this reason, having a Teflon-free or ceramic waffle maker at home is ideal. A ceramic coated surface doesn’t always mean that it is non-stick, but if the ceramic is infused with something like Titanium, it does become so. The coating won’t peel off for years and waffles won’t stick to the surface either. There is another benefit too. Ceramic coated waffle makers can safely be heated beyond 350F to help you get a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
A ceramic waffle iron also heats the plates more evenly than traditional non-stick ones which tend to develop hot spots. They also reach the set temperature up to 30% faster, so you can make a large batch of waffles for your family in no time!
Are Ceramic Waffle Makers Safe?
Ceramic waffle makers are inherently safe. They have made for a great alternative for waffle makers that had to rely on non-stick coatings such as Teflon. They absorb heat well, cook your waffles thoroughly, and it’s easy to get your waffles out of the plates when they are done. Furthermore, ceramic waffle plates are a breeze to clean.
They are also manufactured with a lot of care and thought regarding safety. Not only do they not contain any harmful chemicals or toxic non-stick coatings, but they also aren’t made with any harmful metals.
Best Non Toxic Ceramic Waffle Makers
Calphalon IntelliCrisp Waffle Maker
While this waffle maker might look intimidating at first glance because of its fancy design, you’ll be happy to know that it’s much more user-friendly than it looks. That being said, it does make your kitchen look upgraded, making you feel like you’re about to dish up a gourmet breakfast. The LCD screen counts down your waffles’ cooking time as soon as you close the lid over the batter.
Furthermore, it features a larger surface area than many waffle makers for home use, meaning that you can make 2 larger waffles at once.
You can also customize the heat settings for your waffles with a 5 setting dial so you get waffles that meet your specifications. If you’re in the mood for a darker brown and extra crispy waffle, just simply turn the dial further to the right to match your preference. Once you’re all done, the ceramic plates are easy to clean.
You can have a lot of fun with this waffle maker by playing with different types of dough, including authentic Belgian waffle dough. You also don’t need any sprays or oils to get your waffles cooked. Furthermore, the ceramic coating ensures no bad chemicals seep into your waffle dough.
When you’re done with it, the maker can be stood vertically for space saving storage.
Pros
- Waffle batter does not stick to the ceramic plates.
- The waffle maker is intuitive, making it easy to use for those inexperienced with waffle makers.
- The machine will alert you when your waffles are ready by beeping.
- Doesn’t need a lot of storage space.
Cons
- This waffle maker comes at a higher price point.
- Some customers have reported issues with how well the timer works.
Oster Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic Vertical Waffle Maker
It features a wide pouring spout on the top through which you pour the batter. You also get a measuring cup so that once you figure out exactly how much batter is needed for each waffle, you can get the quantity exactly right after that. You won’t get holes if there’s too little or undercooked thick parts if there’s too much.
This electric waffle iron heats up quickly and cooks faster than the Oster model above because of its more powerful heating. This design also makes the waffle cook on both sides evenly. Don’t worry about that little nub on the top. If you want a picture-perfect waffle, you can just cut that off.
Once you plug it in, it starts heating up. Wait for the ready light indicator to turn green and pour the batter in. It cooks at a set temperature and there’s no timer. The trick to getting perfect waffles every time is to watch for the steam to stop. That’s when you unplug it and open the release button to let the front side lie flat on the counter. The waffle will lift right out because of the non-stick DuraCeramic coated titanium infused plates.
Pros
- Easy to pour without making a mess like often happens with a traditional horizontal design.
- Heats up faster and cooks quickly.
- Doesn’t take up much space.
Cons
- Can leak and become messy if you overfill it.
- Takes a bit of practice, in the beginning, to get the batter quantity and timing just right.
Presto Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker
The Presto features 180 degrees flipping around a bottom horizontal axis, so you pour the batter onto the bottom plate, close, and let it cook for a while before flipping it so that the top plate becomes the bottom. This way lessens the chance of uncooked batter leaking because of the flip, which tends to happen with irons that flip around a center axis. There’s also a “moat” around the grid to catch any excess batter that you accidentally pour on.
There’s no temperature setting but there’s a countdown timer with a digital display that you set for cooking each side of the waffle. After the first buzzer, you flip it and set another timer to finish off the other side. You’ll need to experiment with the time required to get the waffle exactly the way you like it, as the timer is not connected to the actual heating element of the unit.
This appliance features a brushed stainless steel exterior and a ceramic nonstick interior. Both wipe clean with a damp cloth.
It is compact and measures 12 x 12 x 3 inches. You can lock it into the vertical position for easy storage.
Pros
- Can be stored vertically.
- Makes zero mess and is easy to clean.
- Simple operation.
Cons
- There’s a learning curve.
- The timer is not of much use, as it works separately from the actual cooking process.
Hamilton Beach Belgian Waffle Maker with Non-Stick Copper Ceramic Plates
This waffle maker is fitted with copper ceramic plates that will cook your batter thoroughly and won’t create a big mess, and they are very easy to clean. You can also change the dial to make sure you get your waffles as golden as you would like. The small design is also easy to store, even if you don’t have a lot of spare cabinet space.
The non-stick plates also allow you to skip the cooking spray, meaning you don’t have to add any grease or butter to your already indulgent breakfast.
This 560 watts unit will cook a waffle in 5 to 7 minutes.
Pros
- Stores compactly.
- Easy to clean.
- Durable coating.
- Very affordable.
Cons
- The top and sides of the unit get quite hot when making the waffle.
Euro Cuisine WM520 Eco Friendly Heart Shaped Waffle Maker
While there is no timer on this waffle maker, you’ll be able to see when your waffle is cooked because there will be some steam popping through the sides. This is normal with many waffle makers, so there’s nothing to be concerned about. Just be prepared for it so it doesn’t end up burning you.
This maker also doesn’t take a long time to cook your waffles. You can cook five waffles at a time, and adjust the temperature as needed in order to get your desired brownness and crispiness. While it makes a lot of waffles, it’s small enough that you can easily store it in the nooks and crannies of your cabinets.
Pros
- Makes Scandinavian style thin waffles.
- The waffle maker comes with instructions and recipes.
- The price point is affordable.
Cons
- The machine can get quite hot, so you need to be very careful when handling it.
- Some customers have had issues with their waffles not cooking evenly.
Ceramic Waffle Maker with Removable Plates
Hamilton Beach 26031 Flip Belgian Waffle Maker with Non-Stick Copper Ceramic Removable Plates
The plates give you a slightly more shallow waffle at 0.79″ thick, but it will still be Belgian style and light, airy and crisp. The diameter of the waffle will be 7.5″. You can control the level of doneness and browning by setting it on the control dial. There is a red indicator light to tell you when the unit is on. Just wait for the green ready light to go on before opening it to pour in the batter. Close and wait for a while before flipping it to brown the other side. When you see no more steam emitted, open the iron to remove the waffles.
The body of this ceramic waffle iron with removable plates is made of stainless steel and the handle folds down for easy storage. It measures 14.88 x 9.9 x 9.06 inches. It is rated at 800 watts.
Pros
- Removable plates and drip tray.
- Easy to use and clean.
- Good value for the number of features.
- Cooks quite fast.
Cons
- You do have to first brush oil or butter on the plates to keep the waffles from sticking.
- No timer.
Blue Diamond Cookware Ceramic Nonstick Sizzle Griddle Deluxe
Depending on what foods you want to cook, you swap out the three pairs of plates. All you have to do is press a button to unlock them from the base.
The flat surface griddle plates are best for breakfast when making pancakes, eggs and bacon. You can open the plates fully to allow both to lie flat next to each other.
The grill plates with horizontal ridges are great for grilling foods that you want grill marks on and want to remove excess fat from. All the plates feature a front corner channel through which the extra fat drains away into one of the two drip cups provided that you can place right under the channel. In addition to flat grilling, the top plate can also close over the bottom one and is height adjustable, so that you can sear meat to the maximum or grill paninis and burgers.
The waffle plates completely close for full contact to bake two rectangular waffles side by side. These give you more traditional-style waffles but the wells are deep enough to hold a decent amount of syrup. Its ceramic double waffle maker abilities makes it a lot faster to feed a family for breakfast. If you prefer traditional waffles over Belgian ones, we have more thin waffle makers to recommend.
There is a temperature control knob with 4 settings – low, medium, high, and sear. Two indicator lights tell you when the unit is on and when it is ready for you to add food.
The total cooking surface when both plates lie flat side by side is 7″ x 11″. It’s not too heavy, so when not in use, you press the top lid down leave it on the countertop or place it in a cabinet.
Pros
- 3-in-1 cooking functions.
- All plates are removable.
- Lets you drain excess fat away.
Cons
- Takes up more storage and counterspace than single function waffle makers.
How do I Choose a Waffle Maker?
Made with safe components
If you’re here looking for the best ceramic plate waffle maker then you must be already tuned into the fact that traditional Teflon coated nonstick waffle makers are not completely free of PFOA and PTFE chemicals, which means that if the plates go any higher than 350 degrees, or if after some years the coating starts to peel, these chemicals will leach into your foods. Therefore, in order to reduce this risk, you could choose a waffle iron with safe and natural ceramic coated plates.
Style and function
There are 3 main style and function preferences to choose from. The first is whether you prefer traditional thin and dense waffles that are crispy through and through, or thicker Belgian-style waffles with deep wells and are crispy along the ridges but light and fluffy inside. This preference solely depends on the thickness of the plates and how deep the ridges are.
The second preference is for non-flipping versus flipping waffle makers. Those that can be rotated 180 degrees in the middle of baking tend to do a more even job, especially for Belgian waffles. Otherwise, the bottom of the waffle could become browner and crispier than the top.
Finally, removable waffle plates are easier and faster to clean than plates that are fixed onto the base.
Temperature control
The best way to get the perfect waffles is to watch them cook and stop baking when you see no more steam being released. However, if you prefer to choose a temperature setting to adjust the doneness to your preference, then look for an iron that comes with a temperature or heat control dial.
Easy to clean
While removable grids are easy to clean under the faucet or in the dishwasher, even a waffle maker that’s designed to reduce mess should be considered. Some units come with a removable drip tray underneath or a channel all around to catch excess batter. Irons with a lot of hard to reach nooks and crannies can be a nightmare to clean.
Durability
If you think that ceramic (natural clay compound) is weaker than metal, think again. Besides being naturally corrosion-resistant, Ceramic that is fired in a high heat kiln becomes 4 to 10 times stronger than other traditional metallic waffle maker components. Most ceramic cookware is also infused with tough materials like titanium or copper to add even more durability.
FAQs
If you choose a non-toxic ceramic coated waffle maker instead of a Teflon coated one, you can ensure that there are no PTFE and PFOA chemicals in your homemade waffles.
Whether or not waffles are good for you depends on the batter recipe you use and the other ingredients you add to them. For example, waffles that are made from whole wheat flour are better for you than waffles that are made from white flour, as you leave more fiber and nutrients intact. If you eliminate sugar and use honey instead, and add fresh fruit as a topping instead of heavy cream, you would cut calories too.
Since using a kitchen appliance regularly depends a lot on how easy it is to clean, it’s understandable that a waffle maker should be one of those appliances.
Waffle irons may or may not have removable plates but if they are removable, they can just be gently scrubbed with soap and water and rinsed while the rest of the iron is wiped down with a damp cloth.
For more stubborn requirements and if the plates are not removable here are the steps you can take to clean your waffle maker:
1. Switch the machine off and let it cool down before cleaning it.
2. Using a soft bristled cleaning brush, brush off all dried bits of waffle.
3. Using a kitchen paper towel or absorbent cloth, blot the plates of any leftover grease, especially the wells.
4. For any stubborn bits of food that you can’t brush off, use a damp cloth sandwiched between the plates, shut the lid, and let it be for a few minutes so that the stuck on food softens.
5. Use a sponge dipped in mildly soapy water and squeezed out to wipe off the loosened bits, remaining grease and sticky residue.
6. Use a clean damp cloth to wipe off leftover soap.
For the most part, an electric waffle maker that flips cooks faster and more evenly than one that doesn’t.
When you pour in the batter and close the lid, it will spread all around the grid plate and start to cook from the bottom up. If you flip the iron, the batter that is still liquid will flow to the new bottom grid and cook faster on that surface. This gives you an evenly cooked and crisped waffle on the top and bottom.
There are a few exceptions to this rule. A few well designed electric irons that keep close contact between the top and bottom grid once it is closed can do a perfectly fine job of this as well.
You also have new vertical waffle makers that don’t open but have an inbuilt mold that you fill from the top. The batter flows through to the bottom and fills up the iron until it reaches the top. This way the waffle cooks evenly on the front and back.
Waffles are delicious, but if you’ve ever had one that was limp, soggy, you understand how frustrating it can be. That’s why you need a waffle maker with temperature controls, so that you can pick the right setting. But what temperature settings work best?
It’s a fact of life that finding the right waffle temperature setting is a never-ending quest, no matter which brand of waffle iron you’re using. Most manufacturers seem to believe that the higher the temperature, the better the waffle. But the truth is that waffles with crispy exteriors and tender interiors are best made at lower temperatures.
At lower settings, your waffle will brown evenly, without hot spots. Increasing the temperature creates uneven browning and burning, drying the outside and causing the inside to be soggy.
You should also wait until your iron has heated up to its final temperature before you pour in the batter, and use chilled batter instead of room temperature.
Yes, you can warm up yesterday’s waffles or a batch that you froze for later in the week and they can be just as crispy as freshly made ones. You have to use dry heat, so a microwave won’t work.
Whether they’re from the fridge or freezer, put them straight in a toaster or an oven without thawing them. Use a high temperature if they’re from the freezer so that any ice doesn’t get a chance to be absorbed into the waffles.
There are a few different materials that waffle plates can be made of. The material needs to be able to withstand high heat, as well as be able to distribute heat evenly.
Waffle maker plates can be made of ceramic, but they can also be made of cast iron, cast steel, and cast aluminum. Many waffle maker plates will also have a non-stick coating on them.
The bonus of having ceramic waffle plates is that they typically don’t need any non-stick coating. They are easy to clean and batter will not stain them. Ceramic and non-stick coating also makes it easy to cook waffles or other items without having to douse the plates in cooking spray.
Not all waffle makers need to have Teflon, and thankfully, more products without Teflon coating are available on the market. A lot of waffle makers used to have this coating because it would allow for the cooked waffle to slide off the waffle plates easily.
While Teflon was effective, it is also very toxic. It could not withstand heat very well, meaning that it would peel and subsequently get absorbed into your food. Furthermore, the process of making Teflon is not very safe for the environment.