Who doesn’t love a thick, fluffy, homemade waffle in the morning for breakfast?
Unfortunately, many home chefs avoid making waffles because of the annoying clean-up. Waffle makers without removable plates mean that you have to spend time scrubbing between crevices and pockets with a wet cloth or brush, and even then, you’re left wondering if you’re genuinely cleaning anything.
If you’re looking for a more straightforward and more versatile cooking process when it comes to waffles, then look no further.
In this article, we cover a variety of the best waffle irons with removable plates, evaluate the pros and cons, and more so you can pick the best waffle maker with removable plates.
- Wattage: 800
- Dimensions (inches): 6.76 x 9.9 x 9.06
- Weight (lbs): 3.06
- Provides countertop broiling function
- Dimensions (inches): 15.75 x 15.35 x 6.1
- Weight (lbs): 18.31
- Makes 4 waffles at once
- Dimensions (inches): 12.6 x 6.7 x 16.5
- Weight (lbs): 6
- 360 degree rotating for even cooking
- Dimensions (inches): 17 x 10.2 x 6.8
- Weight (lbs): 6.09
- Wattage: 1400
- Dimensions (inches): 12.7 x 11.9 x 6.8
- Weight (lbs): 4.5
Top 6 Best Waffle Makers With Removable Plates
1. Hamilton Beach Belgian Waffle Maker
- The plates themselves are non-stick, so you don’t have to worry about coating them before each use.
- The adjustable browning control helps to choose how crispy you want each waffle without adjusting the cooking time.
- The stainless steel exterior is aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean.
- Heat-resistant handle
- Can only make one waffle at a time
Hamilton Beach has been a household name in kitchen appliances for over a century. Their Belgian waffle maker with removable plates is one small part of their extensive portfolio.
Plug it in and get started quickly. Hamilton Beach included an on and ready button to let you know when the waffle maker is ready to start cooking. Once you’ve filled the non-stick plates with batter, use the cool-touch, easy-flip handle to take advantage of their ultra flip design, so you end up with fluffy, restaurant-style Belgian waffles each time.
It features an attractive, compact appearance with a stainless steel shell and heat-resistant handle. The adjustable browning control allows you to choose how dark and crispy you’d like the outside of your waffle to be, with the inside staying tenderly light.
The removable plates and drip tray are dishwasher safe, making for a quick and easy clean-up each time. This is especially important because, with this waffle maker, you can easily mix in various toppings such as chocolate, fruit, nuts, and more. The drip tray catches excess batter, so you can keep your countertops clean.
The Belgian Waffle Maker from Hamilton Beach is one of the best waffle irons you can buy because of the high-quality, stainless steel exterior, variable browning control, and flip feature for fluffy, evenly cooked Belgian waffles each time.
2. George Foreman Waffle Maker
- Choose from a variety of different finishe
- Comes with three sets of exchangeable plates and a removable drip tray
- PTFE and PFOA-free ceramic non-stick coating
- Wide adjustable hinge for thick meats or ingredients
- Small size is only suitable for a serving size of 1-2 people.
- Long heat-up time
If you’re looking for a waffle maker that can do it all, look no further than the George Foreman 7-in-1.
If you like your appliances to match your kitchen, then you’re in luck. Choose from a black, cobalt blue, eggplant, red, or silver finish. Two interactive switches accompany the smooth exterior: one variable knob to adjust the temperature from 350°F up to 425°F and a button to choose between low or high broil.
Three removable sets of plates are provided; one griddle or bake plate, one set of waffle plates (top and bottom), and one set of grill plates. All have a non-stick ceramic coating that is free of PTFE and PFOA harmful chemicals, claiming to be five times more durable than their competitors, meaning that you won’t experience any peeling or flaking over long-term use. All of the included plates are dishwasher safe. There is also a removable drip tray.
The waffle plates allow you to make up to two large, square-sized waffles at one time. You can also make paninis, hash browns, eggs, and grill any meat using the griddle or grill plates. The 1.5” adjustable hinge allows you to adjust to the thickness of whatever meat you choose.
The George Foreman Waffle Maker is one of the best that you can buy because it does so much more than make just waffles—grill meats, make paninis, fry bacon, and anything else you can think of. While appearance isn’t necessary to most, others enjoy having an appliance that will match their kitchen, and there are five different finishes you can choose from to help achieve that.
3. Black and Decker Waffle Maker
- One set of reversible plates makes storage a breeze
- 180° hinge allows for double the cooking surface
- Makes up to four waffles at once
- Griddle plates have runoff channels for grease-free cooking
- Variable temperature control
- Does not have much rising room, which only allows for classic waffles instead of Belgian
- Plates are not dishwasher safe, so cleaning takes longer.
You can make an entire breakfast meal using the Black and Decker 3-in-1 Waffle Maker.
It comes with a set of reversible plates, which allows you to make eggs, bacon, hash browns, and easily switch to waffles by merely switching sides. One side is flat while the other has a waffle pattern. They have a non-stick coating but are not dishwasher safe and need to be hand-washed.
As a bonus, the grill plates have grease runoff channels. This allows you to make healthier meals by carrying away excess oils and lets you dispose of grease safely instead of clogging your drains.
If you’re cooking for a large group, then take advantage of the 180° hinge. The 8×8” plates turn into a 16×16” surface as you lay the grill flat; this only works for the grill plates, as you will need to close the iron to make waffles. The waffle sides make four 4×4” waffles at once, or one large 8×8” classic waffle.
The smooth stainless steel exterior has a control panel on the front that allows you to adjust the settings between waffles or low, medium, and high temperature.
The Black and Decker Waffle Maker makes our list of the best waffle irons because of its versatility. The plates are reversible, so you don’t have to continually switch out and keep track of different sets of plates, and if you’re cooking for more than one, you can use the 180° hinge design to lay the waffle maker flat.
You can also choose between different heat settings such as waffles and low, medium, or high heat.
4. Krups Belgian Waffle Maker
- Convenient, space-saving storage
- Makes up to four Belgian-style waffles at once
- Five adjustable browning settings
- Audible timers to eliminate guesswork
- Customers have complained the beep is too loud.
The Krups Belgian Waffle Maker is a compact, sleek waffle iron with a stainless steel exterior, convenient cord wrapping, and handle lock design that allows for space-saving storage.
Choose from five different browning levels to accommodate individual preferences. The removable plates bake up to four Belgian-style waffles in minutes, with deep pockets that are great for syrup, fruit, jam, cream cheese, or fresh fruit. The plates are dishwasher safe.
Remove any guesswork in your cooking with the ready to bake and ready to eat indicators with audible beeps, so you won’t be wondering if your waffles are cooked all the way through. The Krups Waffle Maker uses a steam release system to create a light and fluffy inside while maintaining a crispy outside.
The Belgian Waffle Maker by Krups is one of the best choices because of the high-quality performance it provides at an affordable price. We like that it has five separate browning settings and can make up to four waffles at once, which is excellent for large family breakfasts or meal prepping.
5. Secura Non-Stick Belgian Waffle Maker
- 360° ball-pivot allows for even distribution of batter and cooking
- Removable, non-stick plates are durable and easy to detach and reinstall
- Locking clip to prevent leaking
- “Cool touch” handles to protect from burns
- A two-year manufacturers warranty keeps you protected against product defects
- No on/off button, only controlled by plugging it in
- No temperature or browning control
The Secura Non-Stick Belgian Waffle Maker stands apart from the rest with its 360° rotating design. This waffle maker is attached to a pivot point that allows you to lift the maker from the stand. Position it at 90° to evenly distribute the batter, and then rotate it either way to produce a uniformly cooked waffle.
The removable plates are easy to clean with a non-stick, food-grade coating and are dishwasher safe. The deep pockets make great Belgian waffles and can be filled with toppings like fruit or whipped cream.
The locking clip reduces any potential leakage, and the “cool-touch” handles provide a safe and easy cooking experience each time. This waffle maker has two lights that will let you know when it’s powered on, and another that will let you know when your waffle is ready to eat.
Secura provides all purchasers with a two-year limited warranty that covers any manufacturer defects.
The Secura Non-Stick Belgian Waffle Maker is one of the best waffle irons with removable plates you can buy because of its 360° pivot functionality combined with the heavy-duty, high-quality removable plates. While there isn’t any browning or temperature control, using the rotational feature helps equally distribute batter and produce evenly cooked waffles.
6. T-Fal Sandwich and Waffle Maker With Removable Plates
- Exchangeable plates let you make waffles or pocket sandwiches
- Non-stick and dishwasher safe plates
- Cord wrapping design and upright storage is excellent for saving space
- No temperature or browning control
- Bread slots on the sandwich plates are smaller than average
If you’re constantly choosing between having breakfast or sandwiches for dinner, then the T-Fal Sandwich and Waffle Maker may be the solution to your problems.
The T-Fal Sandwich and Waffle Maker finishes off our list of the best waffle makers with removable plates because of its simplistic yet high-quality design. It’s easy to use with indicator lights that tell you when it’s on and ready to start cooking, and clean up is a breeze.
It comes with two sets (top and bottom) of interchangeable waffle and sandwich plates. The sandwich plates make great pocket sandwiches, while the waffle plates make two deep-pocket Belgian waffles at once. The plates have a non-stick coating and are dishwasher safe for an easier clean-up.
Indicator lights let you know when the waffle maker is on and ready to start cooking. With a convenient cord wrapping design, store the maker upright when not in use for space-saving storage.
Benefits of Waffle Makers With Removable Plates
There are many benefits to using waffle irons with removable plates.
Easy to Clean
Forget having to take a wet cloth or scrub brush to your older, traditional waffle maker. The most considerable benefit to waffle makers with removable plates is how easy they are to clean. Most waffle plates will be dishwasher safe, but if not, you can easily hand wash them.
Versatility
Another benefit to waffle makers with removable plates is that some can make more than just waffles. Make eggs, hash browns, sandwiches, and more with reversible plates, and enjoy the easy clean-up afterward. This is particularly useful for college students, campers, or anyone who is strapped for space in a small kitchen.
Better Waffles
Being able to clean out all remaining batter and gunk after you cook leads to better tasting waffles. Residual cooking sprays and oils can stick to the outside of your fresh waffles, ruining the taste and texture.
Longevity
Batter and ingredient build-up can negatively impact a waffle maker’s performance. Being able to clean out the plates after each use and keep it in pristine condition helps extend its lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Waffle makers with removable plates aren’t new to the market, but they are surging in popularity. Below we cover a list of frequently asked questions to help you find the best waffle maker with removable plates.
What Should I Look For When Purchasing a Waffle Maker With Removable Plates?
All of the waffle makers we’ve covered are great choices, but it boils down to which one is right for you.
Personal Preferences
When deciding on which one to purchase, ask yourself specific questions such as:
- How many people am I typically cooking for?
- Do I want to make classic or Belgian waffles?
- Is having temperature and browning control vital to me?
- How much storage space do I have?
- If the plates aren’t dishwasher safe, am I okay with hand-washing them after each use?
- Do I want to make more than just waffles?
As you can see, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration. Waffle makers with removable plates often offer other plates for sandwiches, grilling, etc. If all you’re interested in is making waffles, then look for one that only has one set of plates. Storage space, cleaning procedures, and average serving size are also important factors to consider.
Cost
Plan how much money you’re willing to spend. You don’t have to break the bank to find a waffle maker that’s great for you and your family, but you shouldn’t skimp either. Cost will depend on other factors such as temperature control, capacity, materials, and other bells and whistles.
Warranty
Be wary of any manufacturers that sell a waffle maker without an included warranty. Receiving a defective waffle maker out of the box is frustrating, especially when you have to immediately send in a request for replacement parts.
Without a warranty, you’re stuck with a defective hunk of metal with nowhere to go except a third-party repair shop or the garbage.
Plate Material
What are the plates made out of on the waffle maker you’re considering, and do they have non-stick coating? Non-stick plates have an easy release feature that makes removing waffles easier.
Additionally, high-quality plates should be able to withstand hundreds of dishwasher cycles and waffle batches without warping or flaking.
How Long Should I Preheat My Waffle Maker?
The amount of time that you should preheat your waffle maker depends on the brand and type you have. Most waffle makers with removable plates will take anywhere from five to ten minutes to heat up to the right temperature; some will have an indicator light or alarm that will tell you when it’s ready to start cooking.
Preheating your waffle iron is essential to making the best waffles. Not waiting and starting your cooking too early can lead to unevenly cooked, soggy waffles, with different cooking times for each one.
How Do I Keep My Waffles From Sticking?
It’s frustrating when you go to remove a perfectly cooked waffle and it tears into multiple pieces because it’s stuck in the waffle plates. This can easily be prevented with a few easy steps.
You should keep the waffle plates clean, which is easy to do with removable plates. When you start cooking, grease the surface with a light layer of non-stick spray. You should not have to reapply this in between waffles unless you’re using a batter without egg yolk, which tends to stick more.
You should coat the surface before each use even if the plates are advertised as non-stick as this extends the potential lifespan of your waffle maker. Relying on the non-stick coating itself can lead to early flaking and a decrease in performance.
Why Should You Flip Waffles?
Some waffle makers have the ability to flip while others don’t. This isn’t an essential feature, and your waffles will typically come out the same way whether or not they’re flipped while cooking.
When you pour the batter onto the plates, the bottom side of the waffles begin cooking first because it’s the first surface they come into contact with. Flipping helps the unbaked batter to gravitate to whichever side is on the bottom, cooking it faster.
As long as your recipe has a leavening agent (baking powder or soda), though, the waffles will rise and cook evenly just fine.
How Do I Clean My Waffle Maker?
All of the waffle maker removable plates we covered in this review are dishwasher safe, except for the Black and Decker reversible plates.
To clean your waffle maker:
- Turn it off and wait for the appliance to cool down after cooking.
- Rinse off any excess batter or toppings that may have gotten stuck during cooking.
- Place them in the dishwasher alongside your regular plates and utensils and run a wash cycle.
- Allow the plates to dry completely before reinstalling them.
If the plates are not dishwasher safe, then swap out the dishwasher step with hand-washing instead.
There is a possibility that batter and toppings can drip into the waffle maker’s housing itself during cooking. If this happens, clean it out with a damp cloth and dry immediately. Leaving any batter to harden inside the iron could cause a product malfunction or prevent you from properly reinstalling the plates after washing.
As well as keeping the inside pristine, you should keep the outside clean as well. Wipe the housing down with a wet cloth and dry—do not use any steel wool or harsh cleaning materials as this could damage the waffle maker.
What is the Difference Between a Belgian and Classic Waffle?
If you’ve been eating waffles your whole life and don’t know the difference between a Belgian and a classic waffle, you’re not alone.
Belgian waffles are fluffy, large waffles with deep pockets so that you can top them with fruit, chocolate, butter, whipped cream, and more. Classic waffles are thinner, typically square-shaped, and are denser than Belgian waffles.
The Final Verdict
Our top pick for the best waffle maker with removable plates is the Belgian Waffle Maker by Krups. With thousands of astonishing customer reviews, Krups has produced a high-quality waffle maker at an affordable price.
While other waffle makers with interchangeable plates may be the best choice for the home chef who wants to do it all, we like the classic set of plates on the Krups Waffle Maker that makes four 4×4” thick, deep-pocket Belgian waffles at once.
Remove the guesswork of cooking and listen for the beep that will let you know when your waffles are ready to eat. After washing the non-stick plates in the dishwasher, store the waffle maker in an upright position to save space.
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I am looking for classic waffle maker, NOT a Belgium waffle maker, with removable, washable plates. Do you know f one?
Thanks,
Marcia
Hi Marcia, perhaps this unit would meet your needs.