Waffle makers and non-stick coating??

[covertlycrunchy]

Ok, I have a turn-of-the-century waffle maker which would be fine if I had a gas range. But I don't, and I'm renting so I can't change it. I tried to make waffles today on the grill today and um, let's just say I got burned. A lot. And it took FOREVER to make the darned things. Like 45 minutes for 2 waffles (not including the first sacrificial one that split in half). So I am really leaning toward getting an electric one but all of them have non-stick coatings, which I don't love. What is the deal with these? If I used cast iron for everything else (which I do) is the occasional use a "big deal" with the non-stick coatings? Or should I just hit ebay up for some retro electric one (cloth cord an' all) that has cast iron grills? Anybody make waffles a lot and have a suggestion?

[quietserena]

I have a 1970s electric waffle maker with cast iron insides. I bougt it at a garage sale and it took me a while to clean it up and season but it's great now.

If that one ever dies on me, I thought about using the stovetop waffle maker from Lehmans. However, I just noticed that this one also has teflon inside (what?) so I'd search for one without it.

I say, homemade waffles will always be better than store bought ones, even if you make them in teflon.

[ChristieB]

Lehman's also has this other stovetop waffle iron. It's cast iron. And it's cheaper. I bought one, but haven't tried it yet. Sorry I can't give a review.

[quietserena]

But that one says:

Use on home grill or barbeque or over campfire

So I suspect it's just like the one OP has.

I did a bit more searching but I forgot to bookmark and apparently there are some cast iron makers that have a part that goes directly onto the stove (or fire!) and then you set your waffle iron on that so that the heat is more even. I wonder if that would work better on an electric stove.

[ChristieB]

Hmmm, well, like I said, I haven't tried it yet. But the description also says:

Over the years, we've had plenty of requests for a cast iron waffle iron that makes old-fashioned waffles the way Grandma and Mom used to - right on the stovetop. We finally found one that lives up to our expectations, and we're sure it will exceed yours.

and

Make delectable, crispy-edged, round waffles on your own stove and crown them with butter and syrup or fruit

That was why I bought it. I figured, from the description, that the grill, bbq, and campfire were just bonuses. Maybe I figured wrong? Well, if I try it soon I'll let you know (but don't count on it). I don't quite see why it wouldn't work, though.

[quietserena]

Wait, if that's the case (and how'd I miss that in the description???) OP can you put yours on the stove too?

This thread is making me drool for some waffles... :

[tulip4me]

Thanks for the link to the cast iron waffle maker. I loooooove waffles.

[Attached Mama]

I'd skip the teflon ones for sure. But a pp's comment makes me wonder - I wonder if store bought ones are made in a factory teflon mold. I bet they are...

[mbravebird]

Oooh, I love this thread. Here's a blog post I found that describes how to use the campfire-type successfully on an electric stove:
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lvg...8937/?#c936915

And here's an affordable one:
http://estore.websitepros.com/1840903/Detail.bok?no=395

Oooh, I'm inspired.

[mbravebird]

And then there's this one, a true plug-in cast-iron waffle maker, brand-new:

http://commercialappliances.livingri...76ver7csnk1983

...IF you have $700 to spend on it. Wow!

[quietserena]

Originally Posted by Attached Mama

I'd skip the teflon ones for sure. But a pp's comment makes me wonder - I wonder if store bought ones are made in a factory teflon mold. I bet they are...

Actually, I bet they're made in silicone molds. Those are longer lasting than teflon and probably cheaper to replace.

The thing that concerns me about store bought ones is the preservatives, and soy lecithin and other weird things like that.

[artemis33]

Originally Posted by ChristieB

Lehman's also has this other stovetop waffle iron. It's cast iron. And it's cheaper. I bought one, but haven't tried it yet. Sorry I can't give a review.

I have this one Yep, we use it right on the stove (ours is gas). Mine does *not* have teflon - that is why I got it.

My review? Well, it does take some getting used to. The cons are, you really have to practice to get waffles that don't stick. Just like other cast iron, you need to get the thing very hot *before* adding fat. DH is better at it than I am. I always make extra batter, cause I know a few won't come out well The other con is that they are very small waffles!

Otherwise, I really like it. No teflon and the price is really reasonable. Once you get the method down, it makes nice crisp waffles

I keep searching for one of those old cast iron electric ones at the thrift stores. Sometimes I have trouble telling if it is really cast iron though....(strange, because I have loads of it....)

[covertlycrunchy]

I have a cast iron stove top one, which if it would actually work on an Aga, would be great but it just doesn't get hot enough on the darned thing. If I had electric that would be fine but the Aga just doesn't do it, ya know?

here is a description of an aga in case you don't know what it is:
http://www.aga-rayburn.co.uk/89.htm

And I double the "Wow!" on the $700 cast iron one. Holy cow, ebay it is then...I want my waffles.

[mamadelbosque]

My waffle iron is the only thing in the house with nonstick coating... I love cast iron for everything else, but just think the stove-top thing from lehmans looks like a PITA... I think I'd be burning myself constantly with it, and I'm just not into that!!

[paquerette]

I have a cast iron stovetop waffle iron that I use on my electric range. Haven't had any problems with that. I tried to use it on a campfire once and that was a complete disaster.