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Learn & WatchOur content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.The Best Cast Iron Waffle Maker of 2024
Last updated: 21 May 2024While electric waffle makers are quick and handy, only a cast iron waffle maker can deliver the heat properly to create a perfectly fluffy and crusty waffle. To level up your waffle game, we're bringing you the best cast iron waffle makers of 2024. Shopping for cast iron kitchenware isn’t easy, as the market is brimming with cheap-grade products that mimic cast iron construction without delivering its quality. Our comprehensive buying guide will help you make the right investment, and we've even gathered top recommendations below. Our favorite pick is the Lot45 Cast Iron Waffle Maker Pan, but the other options might just catch your eye.
Our Top Picks For Cast Iron Waffle Makers
- Best Overall: Lot45 Cast Iron Waffle Maker Pan Shop Now ➔
- Good Value for Money: HAWOK Cast Iron Waffle Maker Shop Now ➔
- Most Trusted Brand: Cuisinart Waffle Maker Shop Now ➔
- Commendable Construction Quality: Hamilton Beach Belgian Waffle Maker Shop Now ➔
- Best for Camping: Chuck Wagon Waffle Iron Shop Now ➔
View all ContentsThe Best Cast Iron Waffle Makers
Best Overall
Lot45 presents the perfect solution for campers who like to get their waffle fix while traveling with this versatile cast iron waffle maker. This waffle maker wins the best overall because it’s so simple and compact to use! It offers a simplistic 2-lid system to pour, prepare, and get the crispy fluffiness we love without fiddling much with the pan. What’s more, the lightweight construction makes it easy to carry around while hiking.
You simply have to fill up one lid of the waffle maker with the batter, close the other lid and flip the pan to cook over open flames. This versatile waffle maker offers superior heat compatibility and endless utility. You can use it on a burner stove, open flames, and gas stovetops.
Pros
- Easy to use, made out of premium cast iron
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Works with multiple heat sources and offers even heat distribution and retention
Cons
- Cast iron handle tends to get scalding hot
Good Value for Money
If you prefer shopping for value-added deals and bargains that pack up multiple products, you’ve found your match! HAWOK presents a premium quality cast iron waffle maker with a useful handle holder and a basting brush. It’s an all-in-one package that will eliminate the need to buy additional accessories to get started.
What truly impressed us about this waffle maker is the nonstick surface, as the waffle maker is pre-seasoned with a vegetable-based formula. The manufacturer created the nonstick coating by baking the pan with a vegetable oil formula, a healthier alternative to nonstick chemical coatings. The acacia handles give the traditional cast iron construction an aesthetically pleasant appeal, and the cotton handle holders will protect your fingers from burns.
Pros
- Lasting durability with cast iron construction and acacia handles
- Pre-seasoned and ready-to-use
- Comes with a cotton handle holder and a basting brush to prevent burns
Cons
- Not as deep as a Belgian waffle maker but deeper than a standard one
Most Trusted Brand
Suppose you need an electric waffle maker that mimics the perfection and fluffy consistency of traditional cast iron plates. If that’s the case, this stainless steel waffle maker from Cuisinart is worth considering.
Cuisinart is a reputable and trustworthy cookware and kitchenware brand, popular worldwide for its innovative and affordable products. This waffle maker is designed to make deep-pocket Belgian waffles, and it comes with an efficient electric system. The browning control knob allows extensive customization with 6 different settings to select the perfect color, ranging from light to dark textures. The rotary feature makes the device user-friendly and super easy to handle. It has a nonstick surface to make cooking, food release, and cleaning effortless.
Pros
- Easy to use and handle and boasts a stainless steel construction
- Ensures perfect browning and even heat distribution with a rotatory feature
- Comes with a 36-inch-long electric cord and a browning control knob
- Designed for deep pocked Belgian Waffles
Cons
- Nonstick requires more maintenance and cleaning
Commendable Construction Quality
Hamilton Beach products and appliances are designed to enhance convenience with modern upgrades, extensive research, and rigorous testing. Their Belgian Beach Waffle Maker is a best-selling product designed to effortlessly make thick and fluffy waffles.
It comes with a durathon removable grid system that makes cooking and cleaning incredibly easy. The durathon ceramic nonstick grids deliver superior durability, resistance to cracking, peeling, and rusting, alongside a toxins-free surface. What’s more, the browning adjustability feature allows you to customize the texture and color to your preferences.
Pros
- Durable restaurant-grade construction and comes with a drip tray
- Easy to use and clean with a cooking surface that’s free of toxic chemicals
- Boasts a durathon removable grid system and ceramic nonstick coating
- Dishwasher safe with adjustable browning control features
Cons
- The cable length is short
Best for Camping
Are you shopping for a cast iron waffle maker on a strict budget? Here’s the perfect option that combines quality, durability, and affordability. We’re impressed by how versatile and multifunctional this tool is, perfect for a feast of waffles and chicken by the campfire.
It features a naturally nonstick cast-iron cooktop with solid wood-crafted handles that offer semi-heat resistance. It has a rustic design, ideal for outdoor use on open flames and campfires. The durability of the cast iron is commendable, and the removable top and bottom parts make it easier to clean and maintain. The construction combines stainless steel, cast iron, and wood with a leather hanging strap to enhance portability.
Pros
- Offers decent heat distribution
- Steel and cast iron housing, offering lasting durability
- Perfect for outdoor use
- Comes with a recipe booklet
Cons
- Can only be hand-washed due to its shape but also ensure its longevity
Buyer’s Guide: Cast Iron Waffle Maker
Why should you switch to the traditional waffle maker despite the pour-and-make convenience of its electric counterpart? Well, waffles need two ingredients: love and a cast iron maker to recreate the traditional recipe anywhere, anytime. The cast iron waffle maker combines perfection with portability, as you can carry it on your camping trips and use it on multiple heat sources!
It offers a short cooking time, an easy cleaning fix, and waffles prepared in cast iron makers have a rich texture—crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside! Keep reading to explore specifications you should be closely considering before you make a purchase.
Heat Exposure and Compatibility
The ideal cast iron waffle maker will be usable on multiple heat sources, such as open flames, campfires, stovetops, and induction cookers. However, it takes a special grade of cast iron to ensure compatibility with all heat sources. Not all cast iron cookware can be treated equally, and it takes an eye for quality to ensure good value for money. We advise exploring your cast iron waffle maker options out there to figure out their compatibility with all heat sources.
This can prove to be a bit tricky, as many cast iron waffle makers that are compatible with open fire cooking may end up scratching and ruining the surface of induction cookers.
Be sure to consider all the heat sources you commonly use to prepare waffles and whether you need the product for camping and traveling.
Ease of Using, Cleaning, and Maintenance
Investing in cast iron cookware is a commitment that demands love, care, and regular maintenance. Without this commitment, your cast iron investments will fall apart and wither away in no time. In contrast, regular maintenance will ensure your cast iron waffle maker lasts a lifetime, and you can pass it on as an heirloom cookware piece.
Are you comfortable with regular seasoning, cleaning, and maintenance? If not, cast iron isn’t a material you ought to invest in because it demands work and effort. Cast iron waffle makers need to be seasoned and cleaned regularly, but the cleaning part isn’t as overwhelming as most people assume. We advise buying a cast iron waffle maker featuring a detachable hinge system. The detachable hinges make the waffle maker easier to use, season, and clean, and also make the cookware item storage-friendly.
Just make sure that your chosen waffle maker comes with seasoning and cleaning instructions, especially if you’re using cast iron for the first time.
Construction and Durability
Remember what we said about not treating all cast iron the same? That concept applies to the quality and durability of construction, as not all cast iron cookware is built to last. We advise examining the cast iron grade to ensure you bring home a heavy gauge metal. The best cast iron waffle makers offer superior durability and lifelong utility, but what if the handles and hinge system are made with cheap-grade metal?
We advise closely examining the hinge system and handle and avoiding buying waffle makers with plastic handles. Wooden handles are more functional as they offer some level of heat proofing and compatibility, but they make handling very challenging. We advise finding a waffle maker that is constructed entirely with cast iron, from the plate to the handles, for maximum utility.
It’s always best to shop for cast iron cookware items from reputable and trusted brands. Make sure they come with some sort of manufacturer’s warranty to get the best bang for your buck!
Dimension and Shape
Considering the various shapes and sizes will help you find the perfect fit for your culinary experiments and waffle-making passion. Cast iron waffle makers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some people prefer standard shapes like round, square, and rectangles, while households with kids need more creativity.
Modern-day waffle makers come with a variety of cast iron plates shaped like animals, stars, and more. Heart waffle makers might be useful for Valentine’s Day, and stuffed waffle makers are great if you want to make unique waffles. However, at times fun and funky shapes often compel us to compromise on the surface area of the waffle plate. We advise striking a balance between creativity and functionality.
The size of the waffle maker is much more important than the shape, especially if you want to cook bigger waffles. We advise choosing a cast iron waffle maker that’s at least 8-10 inches wide if you prepare waffles for adults. However, kids usually prefer smaller waffles, so a 6-inch-wide plate will help you make a child-friendly investment.
Cooking and Waffle-Eating Preferences
What kind of heat sources do you commonly use to prepare waffles? Would you prefer a Krumkake waffle maker or a Belgian waffle maker? Do you need a lightweight cast iron waffle maker to carry along on your camping trips or for stovetop use only?
These questions will help you understand your cooking and waffle-eating preferences to find the right fit for your needs. We often consider all features and specifications and ignore our preferences, only to struggle with a useless product. It’s crucial to consider how and where you’ll be using the waffle maker to make the right investment.
For instance, suppose you need a waffle maker for outdoor use, mostly on open flames. In that case, it’s wise to invest in a rugged and rustic cast iron waffle maker to withstand heat exposure efficiently.
People Also Asked
Is it difficult to use a cast iron waffle maker?
On the contrary, it's much easier than electric waffle makers as cast iron reduces the cooking time and simplifies the process.
Does a cast iron waffle maker require regular seasoning?
Yes, all cast iron cookware items require regular seasoning, no more than 2-3 times a year. Seasoning is important to maintain cast iron, prevent rusting, and create a natural nonstick-like coating.
Is cast iron kitchenware easy to maintain?
It depends on your comfort level when it comes to maintaining, cleaning, seasoning, and caring for cookware items. Cast iron demands attention and maintenance effort, but it offers a lifetime of durability in return.
Article Contributors
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