Archive for August, 2010
The Villaware V2002 Belgian Waffler Is Cool
The Villaware V2002 UNO Belgian Waffler is THE workhorse of waffle makers. It delivers crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside waffles with ease and reliability. It is also rather cool and trendy looking in my opinion. The exterior is made of die cast aluminum in retro design, making it a fun addition to your kitchen – something you wouldn’t mind having on display from time to time. Even better, though, is that that Villaware Waffler sits comfortably on its side, making it easy to store out of sight when you are done bragging to all your friends about your awesome new waffle maker.
The Villaware V2002 Advantage
Some of the advantages of the Villaware include the ability to control how brown your waffle will be. The browning control has 7 settings, although some people find that only the highest settings create a waffle that has any crispiness. The lower levels will cook your waffle, but leave it pale and unattractive, although some of this may depend on the recipe you use. However, this makes it easier for you to decide how long you want to wait for the next waffle, and how crispy you prefer your waffle to be. 
When the Villaware Waffler is hot and ready for the first waffle, a light comes on and the machine beeps. It also beeps to let you know that the waffle is complete. The beep is very loud, something like a off key chirping bird, which could make this machine less appealing if you are trying to cook waffles when the rest of the family is in bed. However, for those of us who like to do something other than stare at the waffle maker for a half an hour, and may even step out of the kitchen for a minute or two, this is an extremely helpful feature.
The Villaware V2002 Belgian Waffler is currently 30% off the list price at Amazon through this link.
One of the biggest pros for the Villaware Belgian Waffle Maker is that it is designed to deal with the messy spillovers that plague every waffle iron user. The griddle is deep and the top lid is heavy enough to keep that waffle batter from escaping. And there is a plastic drip pan underneath to keep the overflow off your kitchen counter. This and the design make the Villaware waffle maker particularly it easy to clean.
There are a couple of drawbacks to the Villaware V2002. It does not flip like some of the other pro type waffle makers, which means the quality of the waffle is not as smooth and uniform on both sides. Probably not a big deal, but something to keep in mind for those who really want the true professional style waffle at home.
Listed below is a summary of the Villaware V2002 Belgian Waffler
Pros
- Cord wraps underneath
- Easy to store
- Browning control
- Beeps to prevent overcooking
- Warranty
- Easy to clean
- Can be purchased easily online at Amazon through this link
Cons
- Does not provide a really crispy exterior
- The beep is very loud, and it beeps pretty frequently
- No measuring cup included
Here is what another reviewer has to say about the Villaware V2002:
Reviewer Sherellyn A. gives it 5 stars and says,
“It cooked the waffles all the way through on every setting, crispier on the outside as you move up the scale. I did not put anything on the surfaces before cooking, and nothing stuck, and it cooked them so quickly, you can churn out an entire batch before the first one gets cold…”
If you feel that the Villaware V2002 Belgian Waffler is for you, just click on this link and order today from Amazon!
A Review Of The Presto 03510 Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker
The Presto 03510 Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker is probably one of the most innovative waffle makers available today. Fortunately, the innovations in this case mean a good quality waffle from a fairly inexpensive waffle maker. Although the overall quality of the product matches the price, the creative design has many real advantages that may be worth your money and consideration, if you are looking for a new waffle iron.
First of all, the Presto Flipside can be used with any waffle maker, and because of the unique flipping design, it provides the same advantage of the professional quality waffle makers that allow you to flip the waffle, allowing the batter to spread evenly and creating a more attractive waffle. The Presto Flipside does this without the big handle, making it lighter, less bulky, easier to store, and more stable on the counter top. The Presto can be stored vertically, making it roughly the size of a toaster, rather than the behemoth taking up half your cupboard or threatening to fall off the counter.
The creators of the Presto Flipside Waffle Maker also added a little extra something for waffle lovers who really like deep waffles to load up with fruit, syrup, whip cream and what not. Although the final product doesn’t seem to be much thicker, the pockets are 1 ½ inches deep, which is more spacious than your ordinary waffle, even from IHOP.
This waffle maker also should appeal to those who appreciate the tricky technique of a crispy outside and soft interior. All you waffle eaters who complain about ‘texture’ would be pleased with this machine. The way Presto deals with this is by making this iron heat up, fast. 1100 watts delivers a pretty toasty waffle, which creates that nice tender-crispy kind of texture on the outside, rather than the mealy pancake-y kind of waffle, the one you usually get on the third or fourth waffle on Saturday morning.
This has its down side however, as one of the most common Presto Flipside complaints is that the waffle gets too brown, particularly if you use the cooking times recommended in the manual. While some of the higher end waffle makers have a light or even a musical ding! To let you know when your breakfast is ready, the Presto Flipside comes with a AAA battery operated timer. A plug-in appliance with a battery timer? Yeah, I know, no one else gets it either. Many users find this annoying, but fortunately, you can use any timer you already have on hand if you don’t feel like putting in the batteries and taking them out again every time you make waffles.
However, one advantage of using a timer is that you are the master of your own gourmet waffle. You may have to experiment a little to find the right amount of time for your batter and taste preferences, but once you know 3 minutes 20 seconds, (or whatever) produces the perfect waffle, you’re set. This awesome waffle maker can be bought online for the most affordable price at Amazon through this link
Things to keep in mind: inside, the waffle maker has a non-stick coating that needs to be seasoned before the first use, (or maybe more than once, as with most waffle makers). Also the handles on the side are plastic, and not the most high quality. A fall to the kitchen floor could ruin them. Also, keep in mind that sometimes steam will build up inside the handles while the waffle is cooking, and burn your hand when it’s time to open the waffle maker, so please watch out for this. A hot pad may be a good idea when you are ready to open your Presto and take out your finished waffle.
On the other hand, the Presto Flipside is under $40, and comes with a 1-year warranty, in case something doesn’t work properly, or breaks down too soon. So if you’re looking for a waffle maker that makes restaurant quality waffles with super deep pockets, that stores easily in the most cluttered kitchen, and that costs less than Sunday brunch at a restaurant, well, you may have stumble upon the perfect waffle maker. This would also make a great gift, since it’s a clever little appliance to show off, as well as being easy to put out of site if it turns out to be a white elephant gift for next year!
Pros:
- Inexpensive waffle maker that flips!
- You don’t need a lot of storage space
- Timer included
- Plenty of heat for a crispy tender exterior
- Deep pockets
- No stick coating
- 1 year warranty
- Can be purchased online with free shipping at Amazon.com through this link
Cons:
- Timer requires batteries
- Over browning can be a problem
- Handles sometimes collect hot steam while cooking
- Does not tell you when the waffle is done.
Here are some reviews for the Presto 03510 Flipside Belgian Waffle Maker
Amazon Review by Heather:
We have used this 5 times so far and love it. We use the same waffle batter we used in our old machine. It comes out completely different though. Way more fluffy and crisp. While we always looked forward to waffles on the weekend we definitely look forward to it even more now!
Get The Real Scoop On The Waring Pro WMK300 Waffle Maker
Watch the Waring Pro WMK300 Belgian Waffle Maker in action!
Have you ever wondered why your homemade waffles just don’t turn out like those beautiful, fluffy 1 inch waffles from the restaurant or the breakfast bar at the hotel? It’s because you haven’t been using a WMK300 Waffle Maker. Okay, okay, maybe your recipe has something to do with it, but then again, maybe not. The beauty of this machine is that it works just like those fancy waffle makers at the hotel that you still crave every Saturday morning, or in my case, the waffle bar at my college cafeteria years ago.
Although my first year of college was full of memorable events, one of the best memories from that bizarre introduction to dorm life was the cafeteria waffle bar. Until two in the afternoon, disheveled pajama clad students would line up behind those nifty turnover Belgian waffle makers and every minute or two, out would pop a crisp, steaming waffle ready for strawberries and whip cream. I had thought that kind of delicious waffle experience was left behind me, but now I find that I can have it again in my own kitchen!
Features of the Waring Pro WMK300 Belgian Waffle Maker
The WMK300 Waffle Maker contains a number of features that make me nostalgic for those cafeteria “brunches”, as well as some extra perks that I can truly appreciate now that I’m often making waffles at home for my own family.
For example, the WMK300 rotates (flips over) to create perfect Belgian waffles. Flipping 180 degrees allows the waffle to bake and brown evenly. This lovely little machine is like having a professional quality waffle maker in your home, without the $250 price tag. Although the long handle and platform make for a bulky kitchen appliance, it weighs only nine pounds, so it can be stored on top of the refrigerator, in the cabinet, or just maneuvered around the kitchen without breaking your back.
The WMK300 is more convenient that your typical waffle maker because it allows you to choose from six settings to achieve the your ideal amount of browning, and it beeps to let you know that the waffle is ready. It also has LED indicators, letting you know when the power is on, and when the iron is hot and ready for the next waffle.
To make life even easier, the WMK300 Waffle Maker comes with its own measuring cup, making it so much easier to avoid the messy overflows on the counter while the waffle is cooking. And for those times when you can’t resist adding just a little bit extra batter, there is a removable drip pan underneath. When your done making waffles, the drip pan can go right into the dishwasher, and the cord can be neatly coiled under the machine.
The Waring Pro WMK300 Waffle Maker is on sale at Amazon through this link.
Below are some pros and cons to help you decide if the Waring Pro WMK300 Waffle Maker is the best choice for you.
Pros:
- Rotates 180 degrees to make sure it bakes perfectly on the top and bottom
- LED indicators – “power” and “ready”
- Internal thermostat and 6-setting browning knob – you decide how crispy you like your waffle.
- Beeps to let you know when the waffle is done.
- Can be used with a variety of waffle recipes, from quick mixes to elaborate yeast waffles.
- Comes with a measuring cup so you know just how much batter to use.
- Removable drip pan
- 1 year limited warranty
- This waffle maker can be bought at 51% off the list price at Amazon through this link
Cons:
- Non stick griddle needs to be seasoned with oil – brushed on or spray meant for high temperatures.
- Takes up a lot of space.
- Some users have found that a fuse burns after a few uses, and the waffle maker takes longer to heat up.
- Some folks have trouble with their waffle sticking to the griddle.
Here are more reviews of the Waring WMK300 Waffle Maker from recent users:
H. Donleavy,
“This is THE BEST wafflemaker of all time. My family has gone through numerous wafflemakers – some are difficult to get the waffle out, some burn the waffles, some undercook. This wafflemaker makes a perfect, golden, delicious waffle EVERY time. My ex-boyfriend bought this for my parents 5 years ago as a Christmas gift – they still talk about how it was the best gift they’ve ever gotten…”
Still not decided? Read more reviews at Amazon by clicking here