Waffle Irons...

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mattl

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Kind of a sad day for me, my favorite waffle iron is self destructing.  It's a classic Oster from the early '70s, small, makes 2 waffles.  Problem is the black non-stick coating is breaking off into my waffles.  So I"m on the search for a replacement.

 

I have the classic Sunbeam from the early '60s, but it's too big for just me.  2 waffles is all I want.   I do not want anything remotely like a Belgian waffle maker, just a good simple unit.

 

Suggestions?  Vintage or new, I'm open.

 

the one I have looks a lot like this one, but this is the Belgian version.

 

 

s-l225.jpg


 

 

 

 

 
 
I'm totally biased toward vintage...  a small, round one like the Toastmaster may be just the right size for you.  
 
I see these half-size ones quite often at thrift stores and most have had little or no use.

 

I think you're fairly safe with most any brand, as long as it's not so new as to have been made in China.
 
Well, the Chef's Choice 852 Classic Wafflepro looks about what I'd like. However it is made in China. Bah. There are a couple on ebay at a reasonable price. Might consider it. But still open to ideas. It must fit in a 12" by 12" space in my upper cabinets though, that is why I'm ruling out any "big" units.
 
Look for an older round Toastmaster Waffle Iron on ebay or in Thrift Stores. I have one of these that I bought new in 1989, it has always worked flawlessly and it only make one round waffle at a time, so its perfect for one person.
Eddie
 
One reason never liked Teflon cookware of any sort.

Sooner or later that coating begins to flake off and don't fancy consuming bits of Teflon...

A good vintage metal waffle iron that is well seasoned and taken care of is just as non-stick as Teflon coated surfaces. In our house growing up and others have known the first waffles out of the maker were always throw-aways. Well you could eat them if you didn't mind they were often in bits. That or they went to the dog...

Thing about making good non-stick waffles starts with the batter. If it contains enough fat there is less tendency for things to stick.
 
I think that's later than 70's ? Maybe 80's? . We had one very similar but for making sandwiches but had the same problem with the teflon flaking off and ditched it.. I still see them in stores for sandwiches  but not waffles.. 
 
I like the idea of a round waffle that will fit perfectly on a round plate.  Since my old Sunbeam makes square ones, getting even half of one on a plate was a problem.

 

I recently scored a 60-piece hand-made stoneware set at a thrift store that was produced by an artist/potter in Taos, NM (purchased individually:  $2,400; my price:  $85).  It's all square shaped, and includes 9 dinner plates that measure 11" so now I can put half a waffle on one and still have room for eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. on the same plate.

 

I didn't buy the set with waffles in mind, but once I'd had it a while, I realized that the 11" plates were just the ticket. 

 

The lengths (and widths) we'll go to in accommodating our vintage gadgets . . .
 
Going to hit the Good will and SA, actual went to the SA today.  No waffle irons but a classic mint contrition Sunbeam C-20 A coffee pot!  $5!  Looks to have very little use, but need a new gasket.  I'll hit the GW in the next few days and see what I come up with.

 

Not a big fan or round waffles, I do have an old round Dominion waffle maker I picked up somewhere for a few bucks, for me a round waffle is just too big.  This one is about the size of a dinner plate, while the old Oster was 1/2 to 2/3 the size.
 
If you found a nice Sunbeam Coffeemaster for $5, the Appliance Gods must be smiling... Thus the waffle iron of your dreams should appear in a day or so!
 
Laundress, very true.  However this guy like his waffles hot off the iron, so the second section odds are would be tossed. 

Over the next few days I'm doing a bit of clothes shopping so I'll hit Kohl's, Target and Macy's and swing by the near by BB&B.  That will give me a better idea of various sizes and features.  Either I'm picky or shopping for a waffle iron has become much more complicated - perhaps both.
 
Wow, that would be perfect, except for the price.  I have been searching ebay, on and off.  I know GE made a small version of their waffle irons, didn't think about Kenmore.  Good tip, thanks!
 
More seriously...

Kemmore is definitely worth considering... My mother had one. Who knows when it was made (it was around for years), and gave good service. Of course...small appliances in general gave better service back in those days before they started seeing "how cheap can we go with quality?"
 
Cheaper options:

Just a sampling. Those small two waffle irons (with or without sandwich grill) by GE and Kenmore are all over the place. Produced and sold in the thousands I shouldn't wonder probably four out of ten housewives on any given street had one! *LOL* If not purchased on their own they got as wedding, anniversary, birthday, Mother's Day, or whatever presents. As such you find them today in thrifts, flea markets, CL, eBay....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-GEN...314493?hash=item2cab0cf67d:g:IqYAAOSwiYFXDwTY

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-GE-...243010?hash=item2a657bde02:g:bdAAAOSwJQdW-unN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-GE-...286860?hash=item210d41098c:g:CSEAAOSwDNdV6p0D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-GE-...192033?hash=item464c24d161:g:km8AAOSwZ8ZW38tb
 
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
waffle iron griddle combo

I love having a waffle iron griddle combination. We have the mid century Sunbeam, and the only complaint I have is that the griddle plates and waffle plates are separate. I really like the ones with reversible plates. We probably use the griddle as often or more often than the waffle iron.
 
Best of luck

Think the smaller single or two waffle units fell out of favor in many households as the baby boom kicked in. I mean if you have to serve up breakfast for three, four, five or more kids plus a husband making just one or two waffles at a go isn't going to cut it. *LOL*

The large Sunbeam and similar four waffle units were what one most commonly saw when growing up. Don't think anyone's moms used the griddle for sandwiches. Bacon, sausages, flap jacks and eggs however were another matter.....
 
Non-sticking waffles

Another thing one picked up from reading old recipes and manuals about making waffles is to skip scouring/cleaning the grids automatically after each use. This applied to the old cast aluminum waffle iron grids

Theory is one wants to build up a nice coating of seasoning just as with cast iron skillets/cookware. Once this is done the surface becomes as non-stick as Teflon. Many older electric waffle irons came with a brush one could used to get crud off between and or around the grids.

Also avoid using PAM and similar non-stick cooking sprays on waffle irons. The stuff contains lecithin and tends to form a nasty yellow burnt on coating when exposed to prolonged high temperatures.

Best way to re-season a good ole fashioned heavy waffle iron (cast iron or cast aluminum grids) is to take some slices of bread (day old white or whatever you have around will be fine), coat both sides with unsalted shortening then put one per waffle face down on grid. Close the unit and power on. Once the slices have browned nicely remove and feed to the birds or dogs. Iron will not be properly seasoned.
 
I re-seasoned my Sunbeam waffle iron with oil, the bread idea would have been much easier.

 

From what I could see on the GE units they appear to be Teflon coated, true?
 
Who knew there was such a demand for vintage GE  waffle irons.  Bid on a few on eBay, went as high as $40+ and still lost out.  The GE looks like something I'd want, will keep looking for one at a reasonable price, failing that I'll go for new from China.

 

I did pick up an older Oster at GoodWill the other day for $2.99 - it's round far from my first choice but the size was right as was the price.  I guess now I'll take my time and get what I want at the price I want.  It may be the

<span id="productTitle" class="a-size-large" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Chef's Choice 852 Classic Wafflepro 2 Square Waffle Maker</span>

http://www.amazon.com/Chefs-Choice-...&refRID=8RBJ2A9THFTSE6RC3KT0&ref_=pd_ybh_a_18
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
I'll keep an eye out at thrift stores here too.  I saw a nice old ('60s or '70s) GE not that long ago.

 

I still have a '70s or '80s non-stick Dominion (not sure) Belgian two-waffle type kicking around that used to be my mom's.  It's yours if you want it.  I can snap a picture or two if you like.
 
Launderess Thanks, I did snipe it, but my max was $40 ish, pretty much what I'm willing to go.  Long ago I learned to snipe simply to avoid getting caught up and over bidding.  It has saved me a lot of money over the years.

 

rp2813 Thanks for the offer on the Belgian waffle iron, but looking for a standard type.

 

I'm Ok for the moment with the cheap Oster I picked up, but I am on the hunt.

 

 
 
my Hamilton Beach Flip N Fluff waffler iron is the best

Bought ten years ago on Amazon. Stores in a compact space and stands up for storage. Made with two top sides and no bottom. Fill with batter, close, turn it over, and it makes thick Belgian waffles. It achieves the same result as much larger and more expensive Belgians wafflers that rotate on a spit (Waring, etc.). I was so delighted with the results that I bought half a dozen (price was under $25) for family and friends. Has been out of production for quite some time. Don't know what the replacement would be if it ever dies.

passatdoc-2016042009562503830_1.jpg
 

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