Heart waffle makers have gained popularity because they add a unique twist to your regular waffles. Now that you have read our reviews of the top waffle makers in the market, go through our guide to become more acquainted with how to use them and take care of them.
How To Use a Heart Waffle Maker
Cooking waffles with a heart waffle maker is a fairly easy and quick process. As long as you have the batter prepared beforehand, it will not take you more than 10 to 15 minutes to cook your waffles. It will take a few tries to find out how much time is needed to get the perfect crispy level that you prefer.
It is also important that your batter has the right consistency because if it is too thick, it will lead to soggy waffles, and if it is too thin, you will get brittle and thin waffles. When you unbox your new heart waffle maker, make sure you go through the user manual and follow the provided instructions. Plug it in and look for indicator lights that will tell you when the maker is all heated up and ready to cook your waffles.
If your model has temperature control, adjust it according to your preference (you may have to try it once or twice to find it out), and then start making your waffles. Once they are done, the maker will indicate it. You can either leave them like that or if you want to cook them more, you can close the lid and start again.
How To Clean And Maintain a Heart Waffle Maker
All heart waffle makers that you buy will be non-stick, which means that cleaning them should not hassle. To prevent any batter residue accumulation, make sure that you wipe the plates clean after every use. A wet paper towel is usually enough to get rid of any residue. Since the plates are non-stick, the batter will not stick to them.
This means that you do not need any specific scraper or spray to clean them. You should give a thorough cleaning to the outside every once in a while. Wipe it clean with a wet cloth and then with a dry paper towel. You do not need to wash your heart waffle maker. In order to protect your waffle maker from dust, you can keep it inside a kitchen cabinet after use.
Most makers that we reviewed are compact enough to fit inside cabinets. If you want to place your waffle maker on the counter top at all times, cover it with a cloth to prevent dust from accumulating. All in all, just make sure that you avoid using any harsh cleaning chemicals on or near your waffle maker as they can damage the plates and their non-stick property. Do not, in any case, use metal utensils on them as they will also damage the non-stick pans.
How To Choose the Best Heart Waffle Maker
When you invest in a piece of equipment like a heart waffle maker, you want to make sure that it lasts you a long time and gives you the perfect experience every time. For this purpose, ensure that the waffle maker you buy has certain properties. Firstly, and this one is quite obvious, make sure that the plates of the waffle maker you buy are non-stick.
Otherwise, your batter will stick to the plates and you will not be able to get the perfect heart-shaped waffles. Secondly, make sure that the waffle maker provides an even distribution of heat, so your waffles can get cooked perfectly. Uneven heat over different parts of the plates can lead to some parts of the waffle being overcooked and others being undercooked.
Third, you should invest in a waffle maker that has a built-in lock so that the top stays closed when the waffles are inside. You do not want the heat to escape as it will prevent your waffles from being cooked perfectly. Additionally, you should choose waffle makers that have indicators to tell you when your waffles are done. Also, the company you buy from should provide a user manual that includes all the instructions on how to use and clean your machine.
What Size is Best?
The size of the waffle maker you buy will depend solely on your preference. If you are an individual living alone in a college dorm or an apartment, a mini heart waffle maker that makes one waffle at a time will be sufficient for you. These are also ideal to gift to your friends or family who live alone. If you have three to four kids at home, investing in a waffle maker that makes around four or five waffles at one time will be a better option.
You can also invest in such a waffle maker if you often hold brunch or breakfast gatherings in your home. You can also look for gift sets, which include different-shaped waffle makers and even a griddle to meet all your breakfast needs.