We’ve been using a waffle maker that flips for a few years, and it’s really changed our breakfasts for the better. Also known as a rotating waffle maker or waffle iron, flip waffle makers offer some distinct features that standard waffle makers don’t have. So what’s the main advantage of a flip waffle maker, and how do you use it?
Flip waffle makers help to evenly distribute the batter so that you get a consistently perfect looking waffle, faster, every time. To use a flip waffle maker, you rotate it immediately after pouring in the batter and closing it so that gravity will work to fill the waffle iron’s cavity completely.
Now, let’s go into further detail about just what features flip waffle makers have, tips for using them effectively and why you would want to have one as opposed to a standard waffle maker. Keep reading!
Advantages of Flip Waffle Makers
Why do you flip a waffle maker? Flip style waffle makers are ideal for giving you picture perfect, professional looking waffles. This is because they have a handle that rotates the batter 180 degrees. This fills the cavity of the waffle iron evenly, for even baking and browning. Your waffle won’t be undercooked on one side and overcooked on the other.
Flip waffle makers are typically, but not always, used to make Belgian style waffles. Belgian waffles are distinguished by larger squares and deeper pockets than the standard American waffle. Having the ability to flip the batter makes it easy and convenient to fill these deeper pockets.
Additionally, flip style waffle makers have an elevated heating element and often feature a drip tray to catch any waffle batter that spills for easy clean up. A newer feature with many flip models are removable, serviceable plates. These are great for ease of cleaning or when needing to replace altogether.
What’s the Difference Between a Flip Waffle Maker and a Standard Waffle Maker?
As stated above, the main advantage of a waffle maker that flips is that it evenly browns the waffle so that it’s consistently crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
A standard waffle maker on the other hand is less reliable in terms of looks and texture. Standard waffle makers do have a couple advantages, and those are price and storage. They’re typically cheaper than models that flip, and many are easier to fold up and store. However, there are a few vertical flip waffle makers on the market that are designed to take up less space.
You might start out on a standard and decide to switch down the line. A few years ago, we graduated from a standard square 2-waffle Westinghouse waffle iron to a Cuisinart double waffle iron. While waffle makers don’t need to flip for you to enjoy great waffles, a flipping waffle maker is well worth the investment if you make waffles regularly.
Types of Flip Waffle Makers
Commercial vs. Consumer Waffle Makers
Commercial flip waffle makers are the kind seen in commercial kitchens. But you may have used one at a self-service waffle bar while staying at a hotel. These are built to be used hundreds of times a day to produce a whole bunch of waffles.
Commercial flip waffle makers work great for these establishments because it’s imperative that restaurants and hotels get consistently great looking, as well as great tasting waffles every time to keep guests coming back.
A lot of commercial models also have advanced built-in timer functions, often with a countdown clock and automatic shutoff, if you must be exact. This is probably most helpful for moving people along in a hotel buffet line so no one hogs the machine or starts a fire.
However, these functions aren’t necessary for most standard waffle recipes. Consumer models have built-in, no-guess timers and brownness settings. These are mostly accurate for determining when your waffle is done.
The main difference between consumer flip waffle makers and commercial models comes down to durability and price. The average person is probably only going to make waffles once a week at most, so there’s no need to make the consumer models as bulletproof. It just adds to the manufacturing cost.
This doesn’t, however, make them inferior, because these are still quality appliances. On the contrary, consumer flip models utilize the same technology, with less expensive materials.
A prime example of this is Cuisinart. Its parent company owns one of the top producers of commercial waffle makers in North America, Waring. As a result, Cuisinart’s consumer models benefit from Waring’s decades of waffle making know-how.
Differences in Shape and Quantity
Round waffles are the most common shape made with flipping models. This includes both Belgian style and “Classic” American waffles (waffles with smaller squares and shallower pockets). But that’s not all. There are also flip waffle makers, though less common, that produce square waffles, mini belgian waffles, waffle cones and the latest trend, bubble waffles!
There are also several options for how many waffles can be produced at any given time. Most are either single or double flip waffle makers. On some commercial models, you can make up to 4 large round Belgian waffles at a time, using a side-by-side, double flip configuration.
How to Use a Waffle Maker that Flips
Each model will vary by manufacturer but tends to work the same way.
- Preheat the waffle maker.
This is necessary before you add any seasoning so that it will apply properly and will only take about 5-6 minutes.
- Coat your waffle iron with cooking oil, not spray.
Recently, we learned that non-stick sprays contain soy lecithin, which will cause a buildup that eventually makes food stick to non-stick surfaces over time. This can’t be removed easily and will cause uneven browning of your waffles as well. If you brush your waffle grids with butter or vegetable oil, you can avoid this and hopefully make your waffle iron’s grids last longer. You only need a light coating since there is oil in the waffle recipe too.
- Pour in the batter
How much batter do you use? This is largely based on manufacturer’s instructions, but in general you want to cover the entire grid with batter for an evenly filled waffle. You can use a silicone spatula to help spread out the batter to cover the bottom plate, however, gravity will do most of the work.
Our waffle maker came with a handy measuring cup. It’s best to do a test waffle or two so you get the hang of how much your waffle maker can take.
- Flip the waffle maker over using the rotary handle.
You want to do this step immediately after placing the batter in so that it’s still runny enough to transfer to the opposite plate and cook at the same rate. It’s possible to overfill so that the waffle iron won’t shut all the way, which is normal. This can happen especially if the recipe uses a lot of baking powder, which makes the waffle rise. If this occurs, you can manually hold the handle while the waffle finishes cooking.
- Adjust the browning settings and time, if available, and bake the waffle.
How long do you cook waffles in a waffle maker? They typically take between 4-6 minutes depending how brown you want them. Some waffle makers have independent browning settings. Most waffle makers have an automatic timer that will start once you close the lid. It will either audibly beep or an indicator light will show you when the waffle is done.
- Remove the waffle
How do you take waffles out of a waffle maker? You want to use a utensil that’s safe for non-stick, such as a silicone spatula or waffle tongs to gently lift the waffle off the grid. Don’t jab the waffle with a metal fork or you might scratch the non-stick surface of the grid.
- Clean the waffle maker
Flip waffle makers can be easier to clean than standard waffle makers because the excess batter tends to spill away from the heating element. But they still have some nooks and crannies where batter can drip. After you’ve turned off your waffle maker, unplug it and let it cool completely. You never want to submerge an electric waffle maker in water.
To clean, all you need is to take a paper towel and wipe up any crumbs or excess oil. Then you can go back over it with a damp cloth, and then wipe it dry with a clean paper towel.
Our Waffle Recipes Made in a Flip Waffle Maker
You can make any of these great recipes in a flip waffle maker and get fantastic results. See for yourself:
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