how to use a waffle maker

How to Use a Waffle Maker for a Delicious Breakfast

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Knowing how to use a waffle maker correctly should ultimately lead to you producing the perfect waffles each time. However, if you are new to using a waffle maker, you may want to know the correct steps to get those cooked waffles.

The good news is that there is nothing too complicated when it comes to waffle makers. Actually, they are among the most straightforward kitchen items to use.

But you don’t only have to know how to use the waffle maker but also how to create the perfect waffle batter and how to clean it as well. That is the area that will make a real difference when it comes to cooking waffles.

An Easy Guide on How to Use a Waffle Maker

We will take you through all of this as we explain how to make waffles in a waffle maker and get the best out of them.

So, let’s get on with taking you through this entire process.

Step 1: Prepare the Waffle Batter

The first step is making the waffle batter, which is easy. For this, we will look at a basic recipe, so nothing complicated or too fanciful will be included. However, it will still lead to you getting those golden brown waffles at the end.

Dry Ingredients

First, get your dry ingredients together. These will include self-raising flour, baking powder, and sugar. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl and blend them thoroughly.

Wet Ingredients

Your wet ingredients will include milk and an egg. Beat the egg into the bowl containing the flour, and make sure it’s well combined. After that, pour the milk into the mixture to create the batter.

Now, how much batter you need does depend on how many waffles you want to make. Generally speaking, using 150g of flour and 250ml of milk as a guide will make six substantial waffles.

An Extra Tip

If you want to stop your batter mix from sticking to your waffle iron, consider adding some melted butter to the batter. This will slightly change the consistency of the mix, but if you find that the first waffle still sticks, then add more butter before you pour in any other batter.

Additional Flavourings

Also, if you plan on making waffles with a bit of an extra taste, then add in orange zest or even vanilla essence. However, you can check out many other options too.

Step 2: Preheat Your Waffle Maker

You need to start things off by preheating your waffle iron. The batter you pour into the waffle maker must hit a very hot surface, as that will help the waffle cook thoroughly.

Make sure your waffle maker is on a flat surface. Check to see if your model has an indicator light to let you know when it has reached the desired temperature. Also, if you love waffles, then you may have purchased a machine that gives you different temperature options, as several waffle makers do include this. If so, select the temperature you want, and wait for that indicator light to let you know it’s ready to work.

Step 3: Grease The Plates

Waffle makers come with plates, and you need to prepare them before you start to make your waffles. This will involve you either using some cooking spray to coat the plates or brushing on some cooking oil. Vegetable oil will work well on the waffle plate, but make sure you do add something if you want to get those perfect waffles.

However, if you have a non-stick waffle plates model, then avoid doing this step. All it will do is start to create a build-up of some pretty horrible oil on the plates, and it may stop you from making perfect waffles.

Step 4: Add The Batter

The next step is to add your batter to the waffle machine. To use a waffle maker correctly, you need to know how to add this batter using the right method.

It’s easier to add the batter in more of a spiral method than pouring it all over. It means you won’t add as much excess batter, as that makes a mess, and it also means you make fewer waffles as well.

In general, you want to use around 180 ml of batter mix per waffle. Also, start from the outside of the plate, and move to the middle. If some come over the sides, then cut down the quantity for the next waffle. It’s really not a big deal.

Step 5: The Cooking Process

Next, you have the cooking process, and how long this takes depends on your waffle maker and how much batter you have used. Often, you are looking at waffles taking in the region of 5 minutes to cook.

The good thing is that waffle makers cook both sides at one time. This is due to the heat existing on both plates, so that waffle batter has heat applied to it the very instant you close the waffle maker up.

If you have a light indicating when things are ready, pay attention to it. However, if your waffle iron does not have that option, look to the side of the waffle iron to indicate when things are ready.

On most occasions, some of the batter will stick out the side of the waffle iron. Look for the mixture to resemble something more of a cake rather than anything else. When it has that type of consistency, then it’s time to open up your waffle iron or your waffle maker and then move on to the final step.

Extra Tip

Even though it’s tempting, don’t open your waffle maker until it’s cooked. A waffle cooks in its own time, and opening up the waffle maker too early will result in your waffle being ripped apart.

Step 6: The Toppings

You then need to remove the waffle from the waffle maker. At this point, do not use metal utensils. The metal will scratch the surface of the waffle maker’s plate, which can reduce its ability to produce those well-cooked waffles the next time you fire up the machine.

Once removed, place it on some paper towel to allow any grease to drain. However, this should not be a big issue.

Then, add your toppings, such as maple syrup, some hash browns, or some fried eggs, and you are ready for breakfast.

Caring For Your Waffle Maker

a woman putting the batter into an electric cooking tool

To care for your waffle maker, consult the user manual for the best way to care for your model. The instruction manual will come with several tips on what to do. Also, it will come with different recipes for you to try, so it’s well worth checking them out.

Generally, you will use a damp cloth to wipe off anything from the plates, dry it well, and then put it away for the next time. You can sometimes use them a few times before you need to think about coating the plates once more.

Dealing with Leftover Waffles

The problem with a waffle maker is that you want to make waffle after waffle. However, you could also freeze them, so consider doing this with your leftovers.

Of course, you may want to use the frozen kind of waffles to save you the hassle of mixing the batter. If so, you just have to drop them into your waffle maker and fire it up. This is the easiest method of using a waffle maker since you don’t even have to make the batter. In this instance, waffle makers become even more efficient, and you have breakfast on the table in next to no time.

Make Your Own Waffle

We hope this article has given you some helpful tips on how to use a waffle maker. As you can see, a waffle maker is very easy to use, and it does at least deliver something delicious to eat after it. Make sure you pay close attention to the waffle batter and use the correct ingredients in the right quantities. That is the key.

A waffle maker should be in every kitchen. The toppings you can put on your delicious waffles are extensive, and the only limit when it comes to this is your imagination.

Get out your waffle irons, find your favourite waffle recipe, and get started. And don’t forget to let us know what you made!

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