We all love a good waffle, and the ease of whipping out a waffle maker and in just a few minutes having a warm, crisp on the outside and soft on the inside piece of pure heaven. However, as convenient as waffle makers are, they certainly get dirty fast. A clean waffle iron is a key to making consistently good waffles. They aren’t something that we normally use every day. As we tuck them away in between uses they can get dusty, dirty, and even full of grime. We’re going to give you some tips on how to clean a waffle maker with ease.
Quick Tips
- Before handling or cleaning your waffle maker, it is important to refer to the instruction manual for cleaning and maintenance tips.
- Before you start any cleaning process, make the that the appliance is unplugged and cooled off.
- Never submerge your waffle iron in water and avoid any cords or electric prongs while cleaning. This can cause electrocution.
- Do not use metal to clean and scrape your waffle makers. This can damage the surface and leave scratches.
Steps To Getting That Waffle Maker Clean
Invest In A Waffle Maker With Removable Plates
When purchasing a waffle maker, invest in one that has a removable plate. You’d be so surprised how much easier your cleaning will be when you do not have to work around electrical cords to get the job done, not to mention how much safer it is.
The first step is to ensure that the device is completely turned off. Once you turn it off, unplug it to prevent any electrocution. Remove the plates and brush off any loose debris, before placing them into some warm water and dish soap. How long you let it soak depends on how much debris and buildup is on it.
While the plates are soaking, you can now clean the appliance itself. Do not use too much water, remember it is an electrical device and you don’t want to chance to get shocked, or worse. Wipe the device down with a damp cloth and a little non-toxic cleanser. There may be a lot of grime and grease buildup to where you have to use something a little stronger. If that is the case, dampen a cloth with water and white vinegar, and wipe it down once more to wipe away the harsh chemicals. The white vinegar will also wipe away any leftover grease and oils that the cleanser may have missed.
Neutralize Dirt And Grime
You would be amazed at how much grease and grime accumulate over time in and on your waffle maker. Think about it, you have to oil the plates with each use. Over time, the oil begins to build up, and with it constantly heating up and cooling down, the oil eventually gets baked on and can be extremely hard to clean off. That’s where the neutralization comes in.
Baking soda and white vinegar work miracles on grime. First, remove any crumbs or residue that will easily come off. Second, make a paste consisting of baking soda and white vinegar. Spread the paste all over the plates and let sit for about 15 to 30 minutes depending on how stubborn the grime is, then wipe off with a clean, damp towel. This tip can be used on the actual appliance and the plates.
Another recipe that will neutralize the grime is a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. When this paste is applied, wait until it turns brown before removing it with a damp cloth. Turning brown means that the paste has absorbed the dirt, oil, and grime off of your waffle maker and plates. Repeat steps until the waffle maker are cleaned to your satisfaction. Both of these recipes are non-toxic.
If Your Waffle Maker Is Cast Iron
If you have a cast iron waffle maker, a few of the steps are slightly different. You can still use good ole soap and water and even a bristle brush (only on the cast iron parts) to clean, but you must dry the waffle maker after each cleaning. After the cast iron plates are clean, rub a very little oil amount into them before storing, to keep them seasoned and prevent rust.
3 Lifehacks
1. Maintenance: To not have the waffles sticking to the waffle iron, you must lubricate the iron before pouring in the batter. Over time, this forms a greasy build-up that can be difficult to clean. Think about it, your waffle maker is constantly heating up and cooling down, over and over again. While this is happening, the grease is baking onto the waffle maker.
If you’re anything like me, you may have been guilty of waiting several months before trying to clean the grease off of the appliance. Here’s an easy to clean waffle maker tip. A simple, and non-toxic hack that will help to prevent buildup, is to have a spray bottle with 2-parts water and 1-part white vinegar mixture in it. White vinegar is excellent in cutting oil and grease. After every few uses, spray your waffle iron down with the mixture, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe off with a clean towel or paper towel. This will keep your waffle maker looking brand new.
Ensure that the waffle maker is cool, turned off and unplugged.
2. Cover When Not in Use: Covering your waffle maker when not in use not only protects it but prevents it from getting dirty. This is especially helpful for those who do not use theirs very often. When your waffle maker is sitting in a cabinet, counter, or off on a shelf somewhere, it’s prone to pick up a little bit of everything that passes by it. You have a few different options as to what you want to use to cover it. You can use the manufacturer’s box that it came in or even a ventilated plastic bag.
3. Clean Directly After Use: The morning rush can be crazy. We are often trying our best to get showered, dressed, and eat something substantial that’ll hold us until lunch, all while trying to ensure that we’re out of the door early enough as not to be late for school, work, or other obligations. Taking a few extra minutes to clean off your waffle maker after use, will save from headache in the long run. A good habit is to clean it after you eat your breakfast because you would’ve given the irons enough time to cool down, as to not burn yourself.
Again, unplug the appliance first and ensure that it’s cooled down before attempting to clean.
Now Let’s Eat!
Now that you know how to clean a waffle maker, it’s time to enjoy it. We’ve shown you some preventative measures to ensure that it doesn’t get too dirty in between uses. However, if it does get quite messy, we’ve also equipped you with some seriously simple hacks that will get it back to looking brand spanking new. Overall, we want you to enjoy your waffle maker, not slave away for hours while cleaning it. So, time to pull those recipes out and get to cooking!
