How to clean a waffle iron with removable plates

Since waffle irons aren't typically used every day, you might find yourself wondering how to clean a waffle iron. Never fear! The steps to cleaning a non-stick and cast iron waffle maker are pretty simple! Learn how to clean your waffle maker and your waffle maker trays with ease through these simple tips.

Índice Show

• Cleaning Your Waffle Iron
• Supplies to Grab
• Baking Soda Method Steps
• Supplies to Grab
• Removing Grease Build-Up From a Waffle Iron
• What You Need
• Steps to Cleaning a Cast Iron Waffle Maker

Supplies

• Paper towel or cloth

• Grease cutting dish soap (Dawn recommended)

• Sponge

• Towel

• Pastry brush

Cleaning Your Waffle Iron

1. Unplug your waffle iron.

2. Use a pastry brush to brush out any crumbs.

3. Use the paper towel or cloth to get rid of any residual grease on the trays and around the outside.

4. Fold the cloth or paper towel and work around the squares and tight spots.

5. Wet a sponge with some soapy water and wring it out. (You don't want excess water).

6. Wipe down the inside of the waffle iron.

7. For caked-on bits, wet a dish towel and wring it out.

8. Place the towel over the grates and close the lid.

9. Let it sit for 5 or so minutes to loosen up those bits.

10. Close the waffle iron and use a soapy sponge to wipe the outside off.

11. Use a towel to dry off the inside and outside of the waffle maker.

Some waffle makers, like Oster, have removable trays, which makes your job even easier. Follow these tips for how to clean your waffle iron trays and under them.

1. Make sure your iron is unplugged.

2. Once cooled, pull out the trays.

3. Put them in a bit of soapy water to soak.

4. Use a cloth to wipe down underneath the trays.

5. Use a sponge to wipe any gunk out of the trays.

6. Let the trays completely dry.

7. Put them back in the machine.

If your plates are dishwasher safe, you can put them in there as well.

Caked-on and grease residue on your waffle maker might require more powerful cleaning methods like baking soda and vinegar.

Supplies to Grab

Baking Soda Method Steps

1. Unplug the waffle iron.

2. Create a paste of baking soda and water.

3. Lather a cool waffle maker in the mixture.

4. Allow the mixture to sit on the waffle maker overnight.

5. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle.

6. Lightly coat the dried baking soda with the vinegar one section at a time. (Don't saturate the griddles).

7. Use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe away the residue.

8. For any remaining gunk, gently scrape at it with a plastic spatula or credit card.

9. Wipe everything down and allow it to dry.

When it comes to cleaning any burnt-on bits and grease, use the heat of your waffle iron to your advantage.

Supplies to Grab

• Towel

• Plastic spatula

• Pastry brush

• Soft toothbrush

• Sponge

• Dish soap

• Paper towel

Removing Grease Build-Up From a Waffle Iron

1. Unplug the waffle iron.

2. When it is still warm but not too hot to touch, use a paper towel to wipe any grease off the machine.

3. Wet a towel.

4. Add the towel to the still-warm waffle iron and shut the lid.

5. Allow the towel to sit for about 20 minutes to steam the grease.

6. Open the iron.

7. Use the toothbrush and spatula to remove the softened grease residue.

8. Once everything is removed, use a soapy sponge to wipe everything out.

To clean your cast iron waffle maker (like the kind you use for camping), you'll want to grab the Crisco. It wouldn't seem like adding more grease would get it clean, but in this instance, it helps to grease it up.

What You Need

• Grease (Crisco)

• Cloth/sponge

• Baking soda

• Paper towel

• Plastic scraper

Steps to Cleaning a Cast Iron Waffle Maker

1. To a still-warm waffle maker, use the paper towel to apply Crisco.

2. Let it melt and sit on the waffle iron for about an hour.

3. Sprinkle a bit of baking soda on it.

4. Use the sponge to work away the grime.

5. A plastic scraper can be used to remove any stuck-on bits.

6. Wipe away as much of the mixture as possible with a paper towel.

7. Use a damp towel to wipe everything down.

8. Allow everything to dry.

9. Consider re-seasoning your waffle iron for its next use.

It's important to keep your waffle maker in tip-top shape through proper maintenance. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your waffle maker clean:

• Never put an electric waffle maker in the sink with water. This will ruin the appliance.

• Don't saturate the iron when cleaning.

• Never use dish soap with a cast iron waffle maker as this removes the seasoning.

• Avoid using cooking sprays on the waffle iron since this can lead to residue, opt for cooking oils instead.

• Don't use harsh chemicals on your waffle iron since this comes in direct contact with food.

Keeping your waffle maker clean is important to ensure it's there for you to use for years to come. With the knowledge in your hands, start cleaning your waffle maker.

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From classic fluffy squares to thick Belgian varieties, waffles can be perfectly customized with all the trimmings from the comfort of your own kitchen. However, the mouthwatering treat loved by many comes with some not-so-fun cleaning. After making and enjoying waffles, you might be left with a baked-on mess. Luckily, with some dish detergent and a little elbow grease, deep-cleaning your waffle machine won't seem like such a chore.

Before you begin, note that you should never use any tools or utensils with sharp edges, scouring pads, or hard-bristled brushes that could scratch and destroy the surface of the waffle machine.

• Paper towels
• Soft-bristle brush
• Rubber spatula
• Sponge or dishcloth
• Dish detergent

Referring to the owner's manual will help you determine the best way to clean your waffle maker, and eliminate a lot of the guesswork to ensure you don't damage your appliance. If you can't find the owner's manual, don't fret; a quick online search should return product-care instructions needed to get the job done. Or go directly to the manufacturer's website to see if they include copies online.

Once you've located the manual for your machine, take a moment to review it. Determine if there are any removable parts, and whether or not your waffle maker is dishwasher-safe. Many waffle machines are not dishwasher-safe, but some have detachable components that can be cleaned in the sink or dishwasher. The majority of waffle makers on the market today clearly indicate they should not be submerged in water, so wiping it down is most often the best cleaning method.

Make sure that your waffle iron is unplugged from its electrical source. This will help you avoid accidentally activating the power feature. You'll also want to give your waffle machine plenty of time to cool down after use so that you don't burn yourself during the cleaning process.

Many waffle makers on the market today come with nonstick coatings, which make cleaning a lot easier. Use a paper towel or dishcloth to remove any clinging waffle batter or oil residue. Don't forget to wipe up any food bits stuck within crevices or batter-overflow areas.

If there are any food bits still stuck to the machine, grab a soft-bristle brush (the soft bristles protect the integrity of the machine's surface, especially if it's nonstick). Carefully work the dry brush over the machine to dislodge stubborn crumbs. A rubber spatula can also be used to remove any dried residue from the waffle machine without damaging the cooking surface.

Once you've removed any visible oil and food particles, clean the cooking surface of your machine with a damp sponge or dishcloth and a bit of dish detergent. If your waffle maker has a nonstick coating, skip the dish soap, as it can compromise the delicate cooking surface. Instead, opt for warm water. Be careful not to go overboard with the soap and water so that you don't damage the machine or expose electrical components to water that might increase the risk of electric shock once the machine is plugged in again.

For waffle irons with removable plates, remove the plates and place them in the sink or a container filled with warm water. Wash the plates gently with a soft sponge or brush. (Remember: don't use soap if the surface is nonstick.) Make sure any removable parts are completely dry before placing them back into the waffle machine.

You may need to make a few passes over the machine's griddle to satisfactorily clean the cooking surface, but with most of the food already removed, this shouldn't take long. Once you've cleaned the inside of your machine, turn your attention to the outside and give it a good wipe-down with your damp sponge or dishcloth.

With a fresh dishcloth, wipe down your clean waffle maker to remove any moisture before storing it away or returning it to its place on the kitchen counter.

If you have a mini waffle maker or a Belgian waffle maker, you'll likely be able to employ the same tips and tricks outlined above to clean your appliance. But always check the owner's manual or manufacturer's website to be sure. You may need to get creative with cleaning more intricate griddle surfaces—think toothpicks or chopsticks—to say goodbye to burnt batter and clean a decorative griddle for your next waffle-cooking session.

• If your waffle machine is made of stainless steel, use a stainless-steel cleaner ($9, Target) to maintain the outer components of the machine. Be sure to apply the cleaner to a cloth (rather than directly to the appliance) and avoid all food surfaces.
  
• Apply a few drops of cooking oil to any stuck or burnt batter to soften it enough to remove. You can also try applying a hot towel to the waffle machine's surface to soften stubborn residue. Another popular waffle-maker cleaning hack: creating a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the surface of the waffle-machine grid and allow it to sit for a few hours before wiping away with a damp cloth.
  

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