Kitchen Gadgets FAQ Archives - Page 2 of 2

Everybody loves waffles, right? I mean, most of us do in my opinion. Let’s face it, they aren’t just for breakfast anymore. All over the world, people make waffles for lunch and even dinner when they want something different (or something with a touch of sweetness). The mini waffle makers are super popular, mainly because they make great waffles for kids to enjoy. But don’t be fooled by that statement: Adults love them too! Many mini waffle makers let you create waffles in different shapes. For example animal shapes, heart shapes, emoji shapes, and even Mickey Mouse shapes. After all, if you’re going to eat mini waffles, why not make it fun? Since all different types and sizes of mini waffle makers are available these days, it’s easy to find one that perfectly suits your waffle-making needs. Before I get into the mini waffle maker I like best, let’s explore this gadget in a little more detail. What Is a Mini Waffle Maker? A mini waffle maker is a small appliance that makes tiny waffles. That beng said, the waffles do come in many different sizes. They also come in 2 main types: Standard and Belgian-style waffles, which describes the way they are cooked and not necessarily their size. Some mini waffle makers cook 1 small waffle at a time, while others offer much smaller waffles and can cook 4 or so waffles simultaneously. There's a lot of variety when you’re shopping for the perfect mini waffle maker, so you should be able to get one that's just right for you without any problems. Are Mini Waffle Makers Good? Mini waffle makers are just like any other appliance, meaning that some brands will be better than others. Still, when you’re shopping for these waffle makers, you’ll discover that they're available in some very reputable brand names, including Cuisinart and Black & Decker. But just because you don’t recognize the brand name doesn’t mean the waffle maker won't help you out. Many companies make high-quality mini waffle makers that you can choose from, so you are certain not to be disappointed. If you’re in doubt, you can go online and research the manufacturer so you can learn more about their reputation. I always advise people to do so. How Long Do Mini Waffles Take? Each appliance is different, but as a general rule, mini waffles take between 4 and 6 minutes to cook. Some brands may take less than 4 minutes and some more than 6. However, the vast majority of mini waffle makers will cook your waffles in 4 to 6 minutes. You won’t have to wait long to enjoy these yummy delights. Do Mini Waffle Makers Flip? This depends on the waffle maker itself, but you’ll find that most mini waffle makers do not flip. Some, however, do flip and are operated much like the waffle makers you find in hotels that serve breakfast. The flip-style waffle makers are easy to operate. Even if you’ve never used one of them before, you should be able to pick up on it very quickly. Black & Decker is one of the brands that make a flip-style mini waffle maker. But like I said, it's not necessary to get a flipping one. How Big Is a Mini Waffle Maker? Mini waffle makers come in all different sizes, but most of the machines are roughly 6” x 5” x 3”. Despite their size, however, most of them make waffles that are 4 inches in size. Some of the machines that make 4 to 6 mini waffles at a time can make them smaller than 4 inches, but 4 inches is the most-common size of mini waffles. How Much Are Mini Waffle Makers? Much like other appliances, mini waffle makers come in all price ranges. They can be as low as $10 or as high as $600. The higher-priced waffle makers are usually used by commercial kitchens and not at home. The average price for a home-use mini waffle maker usually ranges from around $20 to around $30 or $40. They're certainly not expensive, especially when you consider how long you’ll be able to use them. What to Look for When Shopping for a Mini Waffle Maker? If you’ve decided you’d like to buy a mini waffle maker but you’re not sure how to go about it, just know that it's easier than you think. If you’re in the market for a high-quality mini waffle maker, here are some things to look at: 1. The basic type Do you want one with Teflon or without (that is, non-Teflon or non-stick)? Do you want a small plug-and-go mini waffle maker or a heavier, fancier, electronic one? Once you decide on the basic type you want, it’s easier to decide which one to buy. 2. The type of surface While some mini waffle makers have Teflon surfaces for easy cleaning, others have surfaces made out of ceramic and other materials. If you have a preference, you can easily check to see which brand offers that particular option. 3. The temperature control feature There is no “good versus bad” in this scenario. Whether you want a mini waffle maker that offers just one temperature or one that offers several adjustable temperatures, it’s good to know this before you buy one. 4. The user-friendliness Make sure you read the directions before you buy a mini waffle maker. The last thing you want is to buy one that has so many options that it’s difficult to operate. Getting an idea of how simple it is to operate is important. Mini waffle makers also come in various sizes, shapes, price ranges, and user options, as well as different designs and colors. When you’re shopping for a mini waffle maker, you certainly won’t run out of choices because there are so many different types available. But once you decide on the features that are most important to you, it becomes a little easier to make the right decision. I mean, you want something that works, right? My Top Pick: The Dash Mini Waffle Maker Just like the Dash mini donut maker, the Dash mini waffle maker is my favorite pick for numerous reasons. Let’s dive into some of them: First of all, it's available in 11 different designs, as well as a complete kit that contains a red mini waffle maker, a complete cookbook, and 4 measuring spoons that allow you to create not just waffles but a lot of other tasty dishes as well. With the Dash mini waffle maker, you can make paninis, hash browns, mini pizzas, and mini sandwiches, to name a few. These waffle makers are lightweight and 6.4” x 5” x 2.8” in size, so you can even take them with you when you’re on the go. The designs that make specific shapes include: Black skull, which makes waffles shaped like a skull Orange pumpkin, which makes shapes that look like pumpkins Red and red with white hearts, both of which make mini waffles shaped like hearts White pineapple, which imprints a pineapple directly on the waffles The designs that make a standard 4-inch round waffle include: Purple galaxy Copper Holiday trees Orange leopard design White rainbow White waffle The Dash mini waffle maker is a 350-watt waffle maker with 1 setting. It's a very simple machine to use, even if you’ve never made waffles at home before. All of them come with a small recipe book. They even have an indicator light that lets you know when the machine is preheated. This is a machine that is super easy to clean and comes with a non-stick surface, so you can use it every day and still not consider it an inconvenience. Features I like about the Dash Mini Waffle Maker: A handle that lifts easily and protrudes slightly so that lifting it never harms your fingers An indicator light that allows you to know exactly when to pour in the batter Non-stick surfaces that allow you to clean the machine in no time Non-slip feet that keep the machine stable and safe while you’re using it The Dash mini waffle maker is also a lot less expensive than many other brands, with prices that are as low as $16 and don’t get any higher than $31. Final Thoughts A mini waffle machine is a great addition to anyone’s kitchen. They make great-tasting mini waffles and lots more, and they're super easy to use (even for people who don’t like to cook. Uhmmmm, that can be me from time to time). Perfect for households with kids who need a change from popcorn or who start to get bored of the same old donuts. Adults will love these waffles and hash browns just as much, and you can use one of the recipes that come with the machine (or create your own). When shopping for a mini waffle maker, don’t forget to look at the Dash products because they truly offer something for everyone. Small sized kitchen wear is hot these days, even mini fridges are! Or how about a late night snack from a mini air fryer? I admit it, I'm not the biggest kitchen princess in the world. But it's often very easy to amaze visitors with simple equipment. I mean, a waffle for desert could be tasty, depending on the toppings. Here's an article I really enjoyed. They share a lot of different toppings for waffles. Even though not necessary, a mini waffle maker can come in handy every now and then. Furthermore, if you have kids, why not serve something different than the regular hotdog? Just go easy on the sugar. More ideas and tips about creating your own little fast food paradise at home (so not only waffles) can be found in my article about fast food decoration. Wearing something appealing like a fast food costume can also be a fun way to enjoy your own little restaurant.