The Best Teflon Free (Non Toxic) Waffle Makers

There is nothing like waking up to the scent of freshly made waffles. Add some maple syrup, mix in your favorite ingredients, and this breakfast favorite is complete.

Having a waffle maker at home allows you to make homemade waffles on demand. As a bonus, making waffles at home will save you money. Non-toxic waffle makers will protect your health.  

We are all concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones. One way to protect our health is by investing in non-toxic kitchen appliances. When shopping for non-toxic waffle makers, look for Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) free products.  

PTFE refers to Teflon. PFOA is a chemical used in the manufacturing process of Teflon and other non-stick surfaces.

In this article, we will review some of the best non-Teflon waffle makers on the market. We will also explain what you should look for when shopping for a waffle maker.  

See also: Square Waffle Makers | Waffle Makers with Removable Plates

Best Teflon-Free (Non-Toxic) Waffle Maker

Oster DuraCeramic Waffle Maker

• Material: Titanium/Ceramic
• Dimensions (inches): 5.8 x 8.8 x 11.1
• Weight (lbs): 3.24

Check Price

Calphalon Intellicrisp Waffle Maker

• Material: Stainless Steel
• Dimensions (inches): 9.65 x 11.26 x 5.83
• Weight (lbs): 8.88

Check Price

Cuisinart WAF-300

• Material: Stainless Steel
• Dimensions (inches): 9.65 x 12.2 x 6.3
• Weight (lbs): 8.23

Check Price

Euro Cuisine WM520

• Material: Ceramic
• Dimensions (inches): 10 x 8 x 4.5
• Weight (lbs): 4

Check Price

ZZ Heart Waffle Maker

• Material: Titanium
• Dimensions (inches): 15.1 x 11.8 x 4.9
• Weight (lbs): 6.79

Check Price

Best Non Toxic Waffle Maker (Teflon Free)

1. Oster DuraCeramic Waffle Maker

Oster’s waffle maker comes with a titanium infused DuraCeramic non-stick coating. This unique combination lasts eight times longer than typical non-stick surfaces. This flip-top waffle maker is durable. You won’t have to worry about its non-stick surface flaking or peeling. It is built to last. 

What makes this waffle maker stand out is its speed— it cooks up to 30% faster than ordinary non-stick surfaces. The quick cooking time will save you time and energy. You can easily wipe it down to keep it clean after each use.

The ceramic coating is PFOA and PTFE free. The Oster’s non-stick properties come from its ceramic plates. It features an attractive chrome casing that will look good on any kitchen countertop. This waffle maker is compact, weighing in at 3¼ pounds.

Making great tasting Belgian waffles using the Oster DuraCeramic is as easy as pouring batter onto the ceramic surfacing and closing the flip-top. Its adjustable temperature control comes with three settings. You can choose from the following settings: light, fluffy, or crispy.

Experts say what makes this waffle maker effective is the titanium infused DuraCeramic coating. However, they recommend following a few rules to ensure you get great waffles every time.

1. Clean the waffle maker with a damp cloth before each use and allow to dry.
2. Begin heating the waffle maker while you mix the batter.
3. Coat the waffle maker with cooking spray
4. Wait until the green ready light is illuminated, spoon batter onto the hot waffle iron
5. Flip waffles to ensure they are evenly browned on both sides
6. Open the lid only after the waffle maker stops steaming

There is no timer on the waffle maker, so we recommend setting your own timer to ensure your waffles are not overcooked.

2. Calphalon Intellicrisp Waffle Maker

This feature-packed waffle maker is a health-conscious waffle lover’s dream come true. The Calphalon Intellicrisp measures in at 9.65 x 11.26 x 5.83 inches, weighing nearly 9lbs. It has a compact and attractive design. Although it may look a bit bulky on the outside, you should have no problems fitting it on your kitchen counter or storing it in your cabinets. 

According to the experts, the Calphalon’s even heating technology makes this waffle maker extremely effective. The Intellicrisp technology intelligently cooks your waffles to perfection. It does so by evenly distributing heat throughout the waffle maker’s plates. This prevents heat from accumulating in only a few spots on the plates.

In addition to the Intellicrisp technology, this waffle maker has a shade selector. The shade selector has four settings that let you decide how light or dark you want your waffles. There are four settings ranging from very light to very dark. These settings also influence the texture of your waffles.

This waffle maker also comes with a bright LCD display, next to the waffle shade selector. The LCD display tells you when the device is preheating, ready to cook, cooking, and when cooking is complete.  It also features a countdown timer, no more asking how much longer you have to wait until your waffles are done.

This Teflon free waffle maker’s ceramic plates deliver up to 20% more heat than traditional non-stick waffle makers, ensuring your waffles come out crisp and fluffy. The plates are easy to clean, but they are not removable.

The Calphalon Intellicrisp is built to last. The ceramic surface is 11 times more durable than standard non-stick plates. It has a sturdy, quality build.

3. Cuisinart WAF-300

The Cuisinart WAF-300 is a 2-in-1 appliance that will satisfy your cravings for Belgian waffles as well as pancakes. But why stop there? You can cook a full breakfast using this waffle maker: bacon, eggs, sausage, the Cuisinart WAF-300 cooks them all. You can even use it to make grilled cheese and other sandwiches. It is truly a versatile appliance.

The metal plates are BPA-free with a non-stick coating. This waffle maker comes with removable plates. You can cook either four 4-inch waffles or four 4-inch pancakes simultaneously with this waffle maker. The non-stick coating makes it easy to remove the waffles, and clean up is a breeze.

This waffle maker is made of durable stainless steel. To make waffles, all you need to do is wait for the device to preheat, add the batter, the indicator light will glow. There is a loud beep when your waffles or pancakes are ready. Unfortunately, it does not shut off automatically. There is no off button, so you will have to unplug the device.

You will want to keep an eye on the indicator or listen out for the beep, so you don’t overcook your food. This waffle maker comes with six temperature settings, so you can cook waffles exactly how you like them. Tongs are also included in the package. The pancake and waffle plates are easy to remove and dishwasher safe.

The waffle maker takes two to three minutes to heat up and cooks waffles and pancakes in about four to five minutes. The power cord is short, so you will need to place it close to a power outlet.

Experts say the best thing about the Cuisinart WAF-300 is its versatility.  Although its specialty is waffles and pancakes, there are so many foods you can prepare using this device, meaning you get a lot of bang for your buck.

4. Euro Cuisine WM520

The Euro Cuisine is an eco-friendly waffle maker that produces heart-shaped waffles. It features non-stick PFOA and PTFE free plates. You can make up to five waffles at the same time with this 8-inch waffle maker. The waffles made with this machine tend to be small. So you will probably need to make several batches.

This waffle maker comes with an adjustable temperature setting so you can cook your waffles exactly the way you like them. The waffle maker’s plates are not removable. However, thanks to the non-stick ceramic plates, they clean up easily.

The Euro Cuisine features a large drip rim to catch excess batter while you are cooking your waffles. Although it looks big, it stores vertically, taking up minimal space. It comes with a double chrome exterior. It also comes with a cookbook, in case you need any ideas on what to make.

According to the experts, the best thing about this waffle is its ability to cook five waffles simultaneously, and the precision the adjustable temperature setting gives you when cooking. This product’s chrome exterior ensures durability.

5. ZZ Heart Waffle Maker

With the ZZ Heart Waffle Maker, you can make ten waffles at the same time. The plates on this waffle maker are made from quantanium, making them non-stick and scratch-resistant. Quantanium is a non-stick coating made from a titanium particle blend. It is much stronger than chrome and steel. Thus, you can rest-assured this waffle maker is quite durable.

This product makes waffles to your taste within minutes. It features a browning control that allows you to decide how light or dark you want your waffles. You can also control the crispiness and fluffiness of the waffles. The waffle maker has five settings.

1. Settings one or two make a light soft waffle
2. Setting three makes a golden brown or fluffy waffle
3. Settings four or five make a dark brown or crispy waffle

It takes 5 to 10 minutes to preheat this waffle maker. It starts preheating as soon as you plug the appliance into the socket. The red indicator light turns green when the waffle maker is ready to use. There is a ready light to let you know when your waffles are done.

The cord wraps nicely below the waffle maker for easy storage. You can store the appliance vertically to save counter space. It is easy to clean.

The experts say this waffle maker is a great deal for its price. The best thing about the waffle maker is you can make up to ten waffles simultaneously.

Is Teflon a Health Risk?

This is a controversial topic with many opinions on both sides of the issue. The data is not conclusive. Therefore it is wise to protect your health and that of your family by avoiding Teflon when possible.

Overheating Dangers

Teflon poses the greatest threat when heated to temperatures above 570°F (300°C). At these temperatures, non-stick Teflon coatings on cookware begin to break down, releasing toxic chemicals into the air. Inhaling these fumes may produce flu-like symptoms, often referred to as the Teflon flu.

Symptoms of the Teflon flu usually occur between four and ten hours after exposure. Symptoms include body aches, chills, and headache.

PFOA and Teflon Exposure

In the United States and Canada, all cookware is PFOA free. However, PFOA was used to make Teflon products in these countries until 2013. Therefore, many people are still at risk. PFOA is a man-made chemical.

PFOA is a health concern because it remains in the body long-term after exposure. Worldwide studies have found that a small amount is found in everyone’s blood. Several studies have examined whether PFOA causes cancer.

Studies conducted on animals have concluded that high levels of  PFOA exposure increase the risk of certain tumors in the liver, mammary glands, testicles, and pancreas.

Some studies in humans exposed to PFOA have found an increased risk of testicular cancer. Other studies have found links to kidney and thyroid cancers. However, the increases were small and could have been a coincidence.

There have also been studies that suggested a link to ovarian, bladder, and prostate cancers. It has also been linked to infertility and low birth weight.

Expert Opinions

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): The IARC is an agency within the World Health Organization. In 2017, the IARC published a monograph saying that PFOA is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The IARC based its conclusion on the limited evidence that it may cause kidney and testicular cancer in humans and animal studies.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess whether PFOA is carcinogenic in humans. However, there is evidence to suggest it could be. The EPA has agreed to review new evidence as it becomes available.

Pre-Purchase Considerations

There are several features you want to consider before purchasing a non-toxic waffle maker.

Non-Stick Surface

Among the most crucial considerations is the type of non-stick service it provides. Many of the waffle makers on our list come with ceramic plates. Ceramic is a reliably non-stick surface.

Type of Plates

Removable plates make clean up quick and easy. They are usually dishwasher safe. The drawback is that sometimes removable plates are shallow, so you can’t make thicker waffles. If the plates are not removable, be sure they are easy to wipe down to clean.

Temperature Controls

We recommend purchasing a waffle maker with various temperature settings. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to waffles; some like them fluffy, some like them crispy. Finding a waffle maker with a range of settings will mean everyone in your family can have their waffles exactly the way they like them.

Vertical Storage

Waffle makers can take up a lot of counter space. If you don’t have a big kitchen, look for a waffle maker that can be stored vertically.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are ceramic waffle makers safe?

Yes. They are arguably safer than traditional non-stick waffle makers. They are free of chemicals such as PFOA and PTFE. They also don’t contain any heavy metals. You won’t have to worry about overheating these waffle makers (which is a danger with Teflon); they are made from all-natural materials.

2. How do you clean a ceramic waffle maker?

This depends on whether the plates are removable and dishwasher safe. If they are, you can remove the plates and place them in the dishwasher according to the instructions that come with your appliance.

If the plates are not removable, unplug the waffle maker and allow it to cool. Wipe away any loose crumbs from the plates. Use a paper towel to absorb any oil left on the plates. You can also use a damp cloth. Do not use anything abrasive that may damage the non-stick surface.

3. Is there any difference between a ceramic and non-stick waffle maker? 

Teflon is usually used as the non-stick cooking surface for traditional waffle makers. Ceramic waffle makers are also non-stick, but they are made from natural materials. They are often more durable than waffle makers made with Teflon.

4. What is the best temperature to use with your waffle maker?

Your preference will be the deciding factor. All of the waffle makers on this list have adjustable temperature settings. If you prefer light and fluffy waffles, select the corresponding setting likewise, if you like your waffles dark brown and crispy.

5. How long does it take to preheat a waffle maker?

On average, it takes between two and three minutes. However, some waffle makers may take up to 10 minutes to preheat.

Final Thoughts

Not all waffle makers are created equal. With so many waffle makers on the market, it is important you make the right choice.  Many non-stick waffle makers are made from Teflon or other materials that could be hazardous to our health. Luckily there are alternatives to traditional waffle makers.

Our health is important. Buying a non-toxic waffle maker means you are putting the health of you and your family first. These waffle makers are not only toxin-free, but they are also durable, and they make amazing waffles. When shopping for your Teflon free waffle maker, keep in mind the features you want.

We recommend waffle makers with adjustable temperature controls and flip technology to ensure that your waffles are cooked evenly on both sides and non-stick plates, so cleaning is easy. Follow these rules, and you will be making tasty toxin-free waffles in no time.