One of life’s pleasures is to bite into a golden, caramel-colored waffle with a crispy outside and soft, chewy inside. And if you add maple syrup, whipped cream, and ice cream on top with some freshly cut strawberries — heavens!
Whether you crave sweet waffle breakfast or savory waffles with spicy fried chicken, we all can agree, cleaning the waffle iron is the last thing we want to do.
In this article, we will explore how to clean built up grease on the waffle iron. You will be needing only a few household items to do it.
How to Clean a Waffle Iron after Use
Cleaning a waffle iron is quite easy. With basic kitchen cleaning tools and a little patience, you can easily clean a waffle iron and store it without worrying about wearing it out or causing stains and rust.
Things You’ll Need:
- Cotton swab
- Pastry brush
- Wooden chopstick
Instructions:
- Drain the grease: After the leftover is disposed of, clean the grease. You can remove lines of cold, congealed grease from the grates with a cotton swab. Wipe any residual oil with a fresh paper towel, then fold it and run it in any especially greasy corners.
- Remove crusty food bits with a cotton swab: Dislodge burnt cheese and batter from the corners with a cotton swab. And if the bits are stuck too strong, a wooden chopstick can provide a bit more leverage without scratching the nonstick finish.
- Dust with a pastry brush: Turn your waffle maker on its side, and sweep the remaining crumbs and residue off and away from the surface.
- If all else fails, Steam clean it: Heat your waffle maker to medium, then wet a paper towel under water and ring it out till it is not dripping wet. Using a pair of tongs, rub it over the grates of your waffle maker. Allow the waffle maker to cool before cleaning it with cotton swabs to clean any corners and grooves (if necessary).
How to Clean a Waffle Iron with Baking Soda
Another simple method to deep-clean your precious Waffle Iron, the baking soda method is an easy kitchen trick. Used to keep several of your kitchen gadgets clean, baking soda is a nifty little cleaning partner for you.
Things You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Paper towel
- Spray bottle
- Plastic spatula (optional)
Instructions:
- Unplug the waffle iron.
- Create a paste of baking soda and water. Put a layer of the paste on a cool waffle maker.
- Allow the paste to sit on the waffle maker overnight for the formula to work through
- Pour vinegar into a spray bottle. And lightly coat the dried baking soda with the vinegar, one section at a time. Do not saturate the griddles.
- Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away the residue properly.
- For any remaining residue, gently scrape at it with a plastic spatula.
- Wipe everything down and allow the waffle iron to dry.
How to Clean a Waffle Iron with Removable Plates
Believe it or not, waffle irons with removable plates are easier to clean. With the following basic steps, your waffle iron will be spotless in a jiffy.
Things You’ll Need:
- Gentle dishwashing liquid soap
- Sponge
- Soft-bristled brush
- Dishtowel
Instructions:
- Unplug the waffle iron, allow your iron to cool, and gently remove the plates.
- Submerge the plates in warm water. Add non-abrasive liquid soap if needed.
- Gently clean the plates with a sponge or soft-bristled brush. Use a sponge that is made specifically for nonstick surfaces.
- Rinse the waffle grid plates in warm water, removing any remaining crumbs.
- Allow the plates to dry and push them in their placement. Rest them on a drying rack or on a clean cotton dishtowel on your table or counter.
- Clean the outside of the iron.
Maintenance Tips for Waffle Iron
- Always read and refer to your instruction manual or follow the manufacturer’s website for cleaning tips that are specific to your waffle maker.
- Before the first use of the day, a thin coating of cooking oil on nonstick waffle makers is recommended. Cooking oil can be used in a refillable spray bottle, such as a Misto, or brushed on with a pastry brush. Cooking sprays with aerosols will leave a gunky residue on nonstick surfaces.
- Never put an electric waffle maker underwater or in the dishwasher.
- To cut the cooked waffles or scrape off caked-on batter, avoid using sharp or metal tools. This will scratch the surface, resulting in stuck waffles in the future.
- If your waffles start to stick, make sure you’re using the right amount of oil to grease the grid. In addition, the butter in your batter will be crucial. The more butter you use in your recipe, the fewer stuck waffles you’ll get.
Frequently Asked Questions
01. How Do You Fix a Sticky Waffle Iron?
While it sounds counterintuitive, using oil to remove grease is probably the best method we have found.
Greasy substances found in the kitchen like cooking spray, little amounts of cooking oil or even butter can help clean any sticky waffle iron.
Simply use the oil to wipe the sticky surface and use a clean paper towel or dishtowel to wipe the residue clean.
Alternatively, you can use a cooking spray to apply an even layer of oil all over your waffle iron.
02. What is the Easiest Way to Clean a Waffle Iron?
Using a damp towel and cotton swabs is the easiest way to clean a waffle iron. Just wipe down the exterior and let it dry until you are ready to make some waffles.
The best time to clean your waffle iron would be right after you’ve done making your waffles. Turn off your waffle makers after you’ve made your food. Then wait for a few minutes.
Use a dry paper towel to wipe your waffle maker exactly where you pour the waffle mixture. The heat helps to remove any buildup grease or leftover food from it. You won’t even have to use any soap to clean it.
03. Are You Supposed to Grease a Waffle Iron?
Yes. Waffle irons need to be greased every time before use. It can also be greased to clean.
The grease helps to give it a nonstick feeling so when you make your waffles, it won’t stick to the surface. If you are using a cast iron waffle maker, you need to season it from time to time.
To season your cast iron waffle maker, apply a light coating of oil and plug it in for a while. Repeat this process until the surface looks shiny and smooth.
04. Can You Wash a Waffle Iron in the Sink?
You should never put the entire waffle iron in the sink. In case of removable plates, remove the plates and clean them in the sink. But for un-removable plates, use a towel to wipe away any excess grease.
The reason why you shouldn’t clean it under the sink is that most waffle makers are electric. So direct contact with water can damage the gadget. It’s the same reason why we don’t wash a toaster in the sink.
As waffle iron has many grooves and valleys, use cotton swabs if necessary to remove all buildups. Use a pastry brush to apply a light coat of oil to the waffle maker.
05. Why are My Waffles Sticking to the Waffle Iron?
There can be a few different reasons why your waffle is sticking to the iron. One of them is not applying enough oil. Even if you are using a nonstick waffle maker, you have to use a light brush of oil on it. This helps to prevent it from sticking.
If the waffles are sticking to the waffle iron, it can also mean the waffle iron is not hot enough. And if the waffle iron is sufficiently heated but the waffles are splitting up in between, it means that it hasn’t cooked through well.
06. Is Pancake and Waffle Mix The Same?
Both waffles and pancakes have similar ingredient lists so it’s not uncommon to assume they are the same thing in different forms.
Pancakes and waffles both use eggs, milk, and flour. The main difference between them is the batter.
Usually, waffle batters have more sugar or fat in them than pancake batter, making the resulting waffles browner, caramelized, and crispy.
To End
Cleaning an everyday use gadget like the waffle iron perhaps never seemed simpler! Thanks to these simple tips and tricks, now your lovely waffle iron will stay clean and give more healthy breakfasts for the days to come.
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