How to Use a Waffle Maker | Helpful Waffle Maker Instructions & Directions

Using a waffle machine involves the following steps: preparing your batter, heating the waffle maker, greasing the cooking surface, pouring batter over the cooking surface, closing the lid, and waiting for the process to finish.

Waffle makers are small household appliances that heat waffle/pancake batter between two grill plates. These plates produce the classic honeycomb pattern that waffles are known for.

If you would like to learn more about how to work a waffle maker, refer to our detailed waffle use guide below.

1. Prepare Waffle Batter

The first step to using a waffle maker involves preparing the waffle batter. This can be done in one of two ways, from scratch or using a premade batter mix.

Premade batter mixes are good for those who want to save time. When using a premade mix, simply measure out the appropriate amount of batter powder and add the required amount of water. If you’re unsure what powder/water ratio to use, refer to the instructions located on the back of the box.

While pre-made batter mixes are more convenient, they do come with added preservatives that some users may be wary of.

For creating waffle batter from scratch, there is no shortage of different recipes to follow. That said, we found the recipe listed below to produce the best results.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 3-4 teaspoons of baking powder 
• 2-3 tablespoons of sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons of salt
• 2 eggs
• 1.5 cups of whole milk
• ⅓ cup of vegetable oil
• 2-3 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Instructions

• Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt together in a medium bowl and start whisking
• Slowly add milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla extract and whisk until no hard lumps are visible
• Allow mix to sit for 5 minutes to thicken

2. Heat Waffle Maker

Now that the waffle batter is prepared, it’s time to heat up the waffle maker. Some waffle makers will turn on right away when plugged while others use an on/off switch.

Similarly, while some waffle makers have a temperature dial, others have just a single temperature setting. If your particular make/model uses a temperature dial, turn it to the desired temperature. There’s no reason to increase the temperature slowly.

For the best results, you’ll want to set the waffle maker to a lower temperature and cook the waffle batter for longer. Not only does this ensure an even cook, but it will reduce the risk of burning.

3. Grease The cooking Surface

If your waffle maker doesn’t have a non-stick surface, consider putting a bit of butter or grease over the cooking grates. Doing this will create a non-stick surface, making it easy to remove the waffle once it's fully cooked.

Moreover, some people enjoy the taste and texture that a little butter adds to the outside of a cooked waffle.

4. Pour Battle Over Cooking Surface

When the waffle maker has finished heating up, take your waffle batter and slowly pour it over the bottom heating grate. Once all batter has been emptied over the cooking grate, close the lid and wait for the process to finish.

Be warned that you may see some steam escaping from the side of the waffle maker. This is normal and isn’t cause for alarm.

5. Remove cooked Waffle

Once the waffle has finished cooking, turn off the waffle maker and open the lid. Next, grab a spatula or similar utensil and slowly slide it under the newly cooked waffle to remove it from the grill plates.

At this point, the only thing left to do is place it on your plate and enjoy.

6. Clean

When the waffle maker has completely cooled down, give it a quick clean. On some models, the grill plates can be removed, making them easier to clean. On other models, the grill plates are fixed in places, meaning you’ll have to give them a solid wipe down with water and soap. 

Always make sure the waffle maker is completely dry before closing the lid and placing it in storage.

What Should I Know Before Using A Waffle Maker?

What is a waffle maker? Waffle makers are small home appliances used for cooking waffle and pancake batter. They come with two grill plates that close over the raw batter and produce the classic honeycomb pattern commonly associated with waffles.

The average waffle maker measures 14” x 10” x 5” and is made out of a combination of stainless steel and cast iron. When used correctly, a waffle maker can cook up to four waffles in under 6 minutes.

The standard waffle maker will weigh roughly 7 pounds and will pull 1400 watts, meaning it can be used with any standard kitchen outlet.

What Are The stages Of Using A Waffle Maker

Using a waffle maker can be broken down into the following stages:

1. Prepare waffle batter
2. Plug the waffle maker in and allow it to heat up
3. When heated, pour waffle batter over the bottom cooking plate and close the lid
4. Wait 5-6 minutes and enjoy fresh waffles

Does The Waffle Maker Type Affect The Usage Stages

No, the waffle maker type doesn’t affect the usage stages.

There are two types of waffle makers you’re likely to find in a home kitchen, standard waffle makers and flip waffle makers. Standard waffle makers are the most common type and have a top cooking plate that encloses over the bottom cooking plate. 

By contrast, flip waffle makers have a handle that allows you to turn the waffle over 180 degrees. The advantage of this setup is it allows the batter to settle on both cook plates. While traditional waffle cookers are excellent, models with a flipping function are considered the best waffle makers.

Is A Waffle Maker For French Toast Better Than A Pancake Maker?

Yes, a waffle maker is better for french toast than a pancake maker. The issue with the average pancake maker is it uses circular indentations into which pancake batter is poured. 

As most would agree, the standard french toast is square, making these circular indents a poor choice. 

When it comes to the question of waffle maker vs. pancake maker for making french toast, the waffle maker is the clear winner.

Is Using A Waffle Maker For Pancakes Better Than Using A Frying Pan

No, using a waffle maker for pancakes is not better than using a frying pan. The main reason for this is that waffle makers have indents in their grill plates that produce a honeycomb-like texture.

Because pancakes are much thinner than waffles, these textured cooking platers don’t lend well to cooking pancakes.

Is A Flip Waffle Maker Better Than A Belgian Waffle Maker For Making Waffles

Yes, a flip waffle maker is better than a Belgian waffle maker for making waffles. When you flip the waffle over 180 degrees, gravity causes the batter to settle into both the top and bottom grill plates, resulting in a more even cook.

However, flip waffle makers can be bulky and difficult to store. When it comes to the different types of waffle makers, none are outright better than the other and it’s more about personal preference.

How To Use A Waffle Maker For Other Uses Besides Making Waffles

Although waffle makers are built specifically for making waffles, they do have a few other interesting uses one should know about. To learn about the different uses of a waffle maker, refer to the sections below.

How To Use A Waffle Maker As A Pizza Maker

To use a waffle maker as a pizza maker, follow these steps:

1. Knead a ball of dough and divide it into small chunks.
2. Flatten and stretch these chunks into small discs that resemble a mini pizza.
3. Prep toppings and tomato sauce.
4. Plug waffle maker in and wait until it heats up.
5. When hot, place the prepared dough discs on the bottom cooking plate of the open waffle maker. Don’t close the waffle maker.
6. When the dough is nearly done cooking, spread the tomato sauce, add other prepared ingredients, and top it off with cheese.
7. Cook until the cheese starts melting and the crust has a golden brown appearance to it.

How To Use A Waffle Maker As A Fruits And Vegetable Griller

To use a waffle maker as a fruit and vegetable griller, follow these steps:

1. Open the waffle maker, plug it in, and turn it on.
2. Prep the fruits and vegetables you wish to cook.
3. Once hot enough, place the prepared fruits or vegetables onto the cooking surface.
4. Flip the fruits/vegetables over periodically to ensure an even cook. Alternatively, you can close the waffle cooker lid so long as it doesn’t squish the fruits/vegetables.