Looking for: waffle maker

[Scott_R]

After having a few batches stick badly, finally took a close look at my waffle maker, and the nonstick coating is starting to wear off. It's one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Villaware-5200-NS-2-Square-Belgian-Waffletone/dp/B00004RFRL

Overall it's a very good waffle maker, with one (common) shortcoming: the grids aren't removable; as a result, I've always found cleanup to be a PITA since they can't be rinsed.

As a result, some time back I also bought:
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-G4...
because the plates can be removed (unfortunately, they can't be put in the dish washer).

The Villaware is the better waffle maker. On the personal side, I like the VW's deeper channels, and it crisps the waffles much better. The B&D's plates are *too* removable; sometimes they literally fall out of place. Also, the VW has an audible "ready" signal, whereas the B&W merely has a light that goes out. I like the beep, as it allows me to sit down and have my coffee and read the paper while waiting for the waffles to finish, rather than stand around and stare at the thing.

So, the short version of the question: is there anything like the Villaware but with removable (not necessarily reversible) plates--ones better designed than the B&D?

[Candy]

I have my mother's Sunbeam waffle baker from the early-mid 50's. It makes the best waffles ever. They are crisp and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside. The grids are heavy stainless steel. My problems are that 1. the original cloth covered cord needs to be replaced for safety reasons. I just need to get my DH to take care of this. 2. There are 2 of us and it makes 4 lg. waffles. yes, I know, I could freeze leftovers, but they are never quite as good. 3. The lift handle broke off years ago, I have to use a granny fork to lift the lid when the waffles are done.

I sell Chef's Choice by Edge Craft. Theirs make round waffles that are about the size for 1 person. What I really dislike is that the waffles are too thin. They could be used as dessert waffles, even rolled like crepes. The non-stick coating keeps the waffles from becoming truly crisp. I bought it, I know the pros and cons. My suggestion is to haunt thrift shops, places that sell used appliances, garage sales etc. Look for the older models. I will use both and just make extras. They won't be as good as freshly baked, but they won't be the thin things and I'll save the Chef's Choice for dessert use.

[Will Owen]

Many years ago I found an old Sunbeam waffle/sandwich maker like the one I grew up with. Mrs. O had never encountered a grilled cheese sandwich made on such a device, but now she knows why people squash down the ones they're cooking on the griddle - it's because someone's mom or grandma fed them flattened sandwiches from one of these things! Anyway, the waffle irons work very well, too, and never threaten to fall out. I've actually not used it since we moved here, mostly because I don't have counter space for it, but now I'm feeling the urge to bring it out of storage … this one makes just two waffles (or sandwiches), by the way.

If you yearn for the authentic look, you can get replacement cloth-covered cords. Either way, cord replacement on old appliances is almost always dead easy.

[Scott_R]

The B&D wafflemaker I tried was thin like that, but that was the least of its defects.

[Politeness]

Candy: "I sell Chef's Choice by Edge Craft. Theirs make round waffles that are about the size for 1 person. What I really dislike is that the waffles are too thin."

Surely you know that Edgecraft also makes Belgian waffle makers.
http://edgecraft.com/page2f.html

[zamorski]

This won't help you in particular, Scott R., but others shopping for an iron might find this useful:

I have an older Cuisnart waffle maker that makes square waffles. Some compliants:

1) Non-removable plates

2) Uneven cooking (the maker is square but the element must be round or something because the center of the waffle gets much more done than the corners

3) No audible signal

4) Difficult to get the waffles to really fill the space without wasting batter and making a mess: Mine often end up crisp only on one side.

5) Limited capacity

6) This didn't happen to me, but my buddy bought the same model and on its first use, the plastic latch that holds it shut failed (popped off while cooking his first waffle). Mine is OK, but it does look pretty flimsy.

SO: On my Christmas list is one of the "professional" round ones that lets you cook two at a time AND flip the unit to assure better batter distribution. I would like to have the removable plates but I can sacrifice that for the other advantages that are more important to me. I don't try to rinse the plates anyway--I just carefully wipe out the debris and oil with a paper towel. I am not worried about getting sick with this approach--the plates get smokin' hot--certainly enough to kill any food pathogens. Not rinsing it might help with non-stick properties as well, come to think of it.

[Scott_R]

My experience was that not getting it adequately clean was interfering with the nonstick aspects.

[zamorski]

Hmmm...I guess that is possible too, if the oil starts to get gummy as it ages.

[Scott_R]

Well, I ended up getting the Calphalon HE400WM. No removable plates, but it had a lot of positive feedback and fit the rest of the criteria.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Keep us update. I heard some negatives. Thanks.

[Scott_R]

Finally made my first batch, using a difficult (for the wafflemaker) recipe, and it went flawlessly. Crisp on the outside, cooked through inside, and not a bit of sticking.

[Scott_R]

Follow up after a bunch of batches: love this machine. Forget about not having removable plates; you just need to blow on this thing to clean it up. Part of it is that you don't need to oil it first (unlike the Villaware and Black & Decker I had/have, which mandate oiling). Another is that the nonstick coating is simply much better quality than the other two.

So far, I can't think of a single negative experience with it. Well, OK, one tiny thing: I wish the audible signal was a LITTLE louder, so I'd be sure to hear it while reading the paper at the table. A minor niggle, and it hasn't been a problem yet.

[Scott_R]

Long(ish) term update: many batches of different sorts and the machine is just as good as it was at the start. The nonstick capabilities are perfect: cleanup is about as effortless as I could wish for. The waffles have been crisp on the outside and light on the inside; if this machine were half as good as it is, it would still be twice as good as the other wafflemakers I've had.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Thanks Scott. Your update is helpful because for whatever reasons the Calphalon Waffle Maker had some bad reviews online.