Pick A Waffle Maker
When I created ReMix Waffles, I didn't want to just throw a mix out into the world and hope that everyone enjoyed it. I wanted to make sure that people had the best experience possible. The mix is only one part of that.
The Waffle Maker
There are dozens of waffle makers out there. Some go for just a few dollars, while others cost hundreds. If you don't already have a waffle maker (or want to upgrade your existing one), it can be hard to pick one. What makes one waffle maker better than the next?
I've done the work for you, so check out my methodology below, or jump straight down to my recommendations.
My Criteria
I've tried a lot of waffle makers over the years (I really love waffles), and settled on what I think makes the best Belgian waffles. My criteria for finding the best waffle makers fall into three buckets: Plate depth, flip action, overall size.
Plate Depth
To get a waffle that is crispy on the outside, but fluffy on the inside, the waffle has to be thick enough that it doesn't crisp all the way through at once. With waffle makers with shallow plates, everything cooks at once leaving you with either a limp or overcooked waffle.
Stick with waffle makers that have a 1" depth.
Flip Action
There's a reason most high-end waffle makers flip over: it spreads the batter out evenly. If you've ever used a waffle maker that doesn't flip, what you end up with are waffles that are uneven, with one side completely filled out and the other with gaps and holes.
The only way to counteract that law of physics is to overfill the waffle maker, which is messy and wastes a lot of good batter.
Instead, go with a waffle maker that can flip over and spread all that goodness around.
Overall Size
If you have a small kitchen or just don't want appliances taking up coveted counter and cabinet space, a huge waffle maker is a non-starter.
For the large Belgian waffles, the waffle makers are going to be on the larger side. However, some companies have figured out how to minimize the counter space they take up when stored. Other companies are focusing on making great mini waffles.
The Recommendations
Maybe you just want to try out making waffles without spending much money. Or you might live in a small home and just can't make a full size waffle maker work (I gave this one to a friend who lives in a tiny house). Whatever the reason, the Dash is great at making waffles despite its size and price.
This waffle maker doesn't have the deep wells or flip action that I normally look for, but with a footprint the size of a large water bottle, it makes a pretty good miniature version of a Belgian waffle and you can't beat the price at less than $20.
Order one with your next waffle mix order here.
Presto Ceramic FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker
When someone asks me what waffle maker to get for full-sized waffles, this is the waffle maker I usually recommend. It's relatively inexpensive, makes a great Belgian waffle, and can fold up to stand in a small space. What's really amazing is that they were able to develop an innovative way to get the flipping action into a maker that isn't much larger than other models.
It has a manual timer, which takes a little getting used to, but you can set exactly how long you like your waffles to cook. I find for ReMix Waffles, about 4 minutes is good time.
Buy one on Amazon here.
Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker
This Cuisinart is my favorite waffle maker, but I really only recommend it to those who have large families or really love waffles. Like the FlipSide, it has deep plates, and flips to spread the batter evenly. Where this one really shines is that you can make two waffles at the same time. When you have hungry people waiting on you to crank out waffles, this one delivers. I've used it to host waffle parties for a dozen people, and it didn't break a sweat.
It's a bit on the larger side, so you'll need space in your kitchen, but I use mine more than almost any other of my small kitchen appliances.
Buy one on Amazon here.