Waffles are something you can enjoy any time and if you are someone who makes it often, you should keep your waffle maker clean. It may seem to be a hard task with the proper steps you can maintain your waffle maker clean while making waffles whenever you want.
As a waffle lover, investing in a good Belgian waffle maker would have been the best thing to do and keep it clean is a responsibility that comes with it.
Here are the steps to clean your waffle maker where the plates are not removable:
STEP 1 – SWITCH OFF THE WAFFLE MAKER AND LET IT COOL:
Unplug your waffle maker and allow it to cool down, most of the nonstick waffle makers come are designed in such a way that they should be cleaned without immersing it into water or else you will end up exposing yourself to an electric shock. You can clean it when it is piping hot so once you take the waffles off the waffle maker, switch it off and let it cool
STEP 2 – GET RID OF ANY OIL OR GREASE:
Once your waffle maker is cool and ready to be cleaned, start with wiping of any oil or grease on the waffle maker. If it is a nonstick waffle maker you would have not used any oil but there would be little puddles of grease left after cooking waffles, use a paper towel to get rid of it. Fold the paper towel well while cleaning in-between the ridges of the iron, making sure every point of the waffle maker is free of any oil or grease.
STEP 3 – REMOVING LARGE CRUMBS:
There will be large crumbs of waffles inside the waffle maker, in between the ridges of the iron or even in the sides of the plate if you have put more batter into it while making waffles. You can use a soft-bristled kitchen brush to remove these extras. Be careful at using a brush that has soft bristles as you don’t want to scratch off the nonstick surface of the waffle maker.
STEP 4 – USING HOT CLOTH TO SOFTEN HARD BITS:
If there is a bigger patch of waffle spread all over the griddle, it would be a tiring task to remove every bit, instead, you can first soften the hard bits by using a dishcloth or rag, soak the cloth in hot water but not too much that it drips. Place the cloth on the hardened up waffle bits and let it sit for a few minutes so that the bits are softened and you can clean up the mess easily.
STEP 5 – CLEANING THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE:
Use a damp cloth to wipe off any batter droppings, be sure the cloth you use is damp and not wet as you do not want to mess with the water-sensitive parts of the waffle maker and get an electric shock the next time you make waffles or just spoil the waffle maker that it would not work anymore.
Use a spatula to clean in between the ridges, this will help to get rid of little pieces that have stuck to the iron and don’t come off with the previous steps of cleaning. You can also use a sponge to get the little particles removed.
Steps for cleaning a waffle maker with removable plates:
STEP 1 – REMOVING THE PLATES:
Once you have finished cooking your waffles, let the waffle maker cool down so that once you finish enjoying your waffle, you could remove the plates off the waffle maker. Remove the plates as per the manufacturer’s instructions if you still have the user manual. If you don’t have it worry not like most of the waffle plates snap out easily.
STEP 2 – IMMERSE THE WAFFLE PLATES IN WARM WATER:
This is the easiest step in the process of cleaning the waffle plates, you can do this step in your sink or can even use a shallow dish filled with warm water to do this. Do not ass any soap or dishwashing liquid as these may rip off the nonstick coating on the plates.
STEP 3 – USE A SPONGE OR BRUSH TO CLEAN THE PLATES:
Again be careful with the nonstick coating. Be gentle while using the sponge or brush against the plates. You can go for sponges that are specially made for nonstick surfaces.
STEP 4 – RINSING THE PLATES WITH WARM WATER:
Leave it to the water to remove the rest of the particles, it is better to rinse the plates in a vertical position as it is while rinsing in this position the water runs to the spots that might have been missed in the previous steps.
If you are about put the plates into a dishwasher, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer that if it is safe to put them in a dishwasher as dishwashers are not safe for the nonstick coating.
STEP 5 – DRYING THE PLATES AND PUTTING THEM BACK:
Put them on a dish dryer or you can also use a clean dish towel. A clean paper towel or cloth can also be used to pat dry the plates. Be sure that the plates are completely dry before placing them back into the waffle maker.
STEP 6 – CLEAN THE OUTSIDE:
Wipe off the waffle maker on the outside with a clean dishcloth or paper towel. There might me spilt batter, waffle crumbs, oil or grease on the outer surface, so get them completely cleaned.
Be it the waffle maker with removable plates or the ones with non-removable plates, if you clean them the right way, they will last you for a long while and you can keep making waffles and enjoy them with your family.
