595273 Wed Feb 11 08:46:11 -0800 2009 12 41 Cookware 0 4406987 I have a non-stick Cuisinart waffle iron which cooks quite well. I'm very happy with it but can't figure out how to get it really clean for the life of me. Instructions say to wipe clean with a damp cloth (paper towel, whatever). But, of course getting between the grids is not easy. No matter how hard I try, residue cooking spray stays inside them and eventually it's going to start to degrade and go rancid (already, I can smell that faint odor which I dislike and the iron is only a few months old). I use it fairly regularly, a few times a month. Is there any tip to getting this clean easily or am I to suffer with a semi-dirty waffle iron forever? I keep wondering if I should have just spent more money and gotten one with removeable grids to I could have soaked them or thrown them in the dishwasher :( Wed Feb 11 08:46:11 -0800 2009 223126 Elora 1 4408133 I think you answered you own question there: Removable plates are quite useful. Otherwise keep a kitchen towel handy! Wed Feb 11 13:48:11 -0800 2009 4406987 42270 HaagenDazs 1 4408141 Give this a try: Scrub the grids with a sponge dampened with hot water and a little detergent. That should manage to lift and sweep away grease and oil. If the oil is gunky, you may need to warm the iron a little before cleaning. Rinse similarly with hot water. Turn the waffle iron on briefly to dry it. The sponge should be able to get in the nooks and crannies easier than the paper towel, plus no linty residue. Hope this helps. Wed Feb 11 13:50:22 -0800 2009 4406987 219575 MikeB3542 1 4409075 You say it's non-stick. Do the instructions still ask that you use cooking spray? Wed Feb 11 18:43:31 -0800 2009 4406987 10753 Philly Ray 1 4410160 $ store for paint brushes,warm not hot iron,swirl,swipe and brush with HOT water and maybe soap,then water .The brush is a less tedious than a lot of other methods. Thu Feb 12 07:03:07 -0800 2009 4406987 203919 lcool 2 4421380 I like this idea. Maybe one of those sponge brushes may do the trick now that I think of it, one with a narrow surface area. Great thinking! Mon Feb 16 08:19:20 -0800 2009 4410160 223126 Elora 1 4410181 Just buy a soft vegetable scrubber at the grocery store (cleaning aisle) dampen it and scrub a little, then wipe everything off. Or use an old toothbrush if you have around. With my George Foreman, I put a damp paper towel on it while still a little warm and close the lid. Whenever I get back to it, you can just wipe what's there off with the paper towel. Than sponge lightly. Works like a charm. Thu Feb 12 07:07:25 -0800 2009 4406987 11097 coll 2 4421384 Ok, just saw this. Sort of like what I just thought of with the soft paint brush/sponge type above. I think I'm going to look for one of these next time I'm in the supermarket. This may do the trick. Mon Feb 16 08:20:13 -0800 2009 4410181 223126 Elora 1 4410763 NEVER EVER use cooking sprays on non-stick surfaces. The propellants burn on and form a sticky surface that ruins the surface. You will probably have to invest in a new waffle baker. if you feel compelled to oil a non-stick surface, just brush on cooking oil. Thu Feb 12 09:46:40 -0800 2009 4406987 10285 Candy 2 4412695 The propellants in spray-on oils are some combination of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. These gases should be a non-issue. Rather, the regular sprays put down a very thin coat of soybean oil -- if the pan is really hot it will burn on quickly. There are high-temp versions of cooking spray out there that are less likely to create a gunky film on your pans. Those should be just fine on the waffle iron. Personally, I have had no problems with an occassional spritz of PAM on my electric waffle maker (it just doesn't get hot enough for it to be a problem). Of course, the cooked on residue is actually an asset on my cast iron waffle irons. If the whole propellant thing still gets you down, then pick up one of those pump sprayers and fill it with whatever oil you feel comfortable with. Thu Feb 12 18:46:35 -0800 2009 4410763 219575 MikeB3542 3 4421378 I use the high temp version, and very little of it. Someone else asked if the instructions mentioned using it, and they did. Does seem counterintuitive, however, a lot of non-stick pans do say to use a little amount of spray to avoid sticking. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, even a non-stick surface will tend to grab onto the food. Anyway, I use SO little of it, it isn't like the waffle iron has a lot of gunk in it. Just enough to annoy me :p Mon Feb 16 08:18:08 -0800 2009 4412695 223126 Elora 2 4413716 I spray Pam on mine with every waffle. I just wipe it clean when I'm done with paper towels. No problemo. Fri Feb 13 07:16:12 -0800 2009 4410763 253154 Fritter 2 4414043 I've found it's easier to just use one of those spray cans that you can pump with the lid. It's also great for grill pans. Fill it up with regular canola oil and you're good to go. Fri Feb 13 08:45:20 -0800 2009 4410763 168321 sobriquet