The Best Cast Iron Waffle Maker America’s Test Kitchen, Consumer Reports of 2024

When it comes to waffle makers, you can either decide to go the traditional way, or resolve to stay modern depending on what your needs are. Our previous reviews have been based on modern waffle makers, which can sometimes be costly both in energy consumption and price.

This is where the rustic options come in, the same which are popularly known as castle iron waffle makers. So, if you’re on a budget but still want to enjoy your favourite waffles for breakfast, make sure you get yourself one of these.

You’ll ways find a great collection at the stores today examples of which I’ve included in these reviews of the best cast iron waffle makers 2020.

Why Choose a Traditional Waffle Maker?

You should make a well-informed decision before purchasing a waffle maker. Why would you choose it over an electric waffle maker? Here are some considerations for the disadvantages of electric waffle makers:

• They take longer to heat up, resulting in a longer cooking time.

• They’re more difficult to clean, especially if the plates aren’t removable. Because it is an electrical appliance, you cannot simply pour water on it. If you do not thoroughly clean it, you may find leftover food crumbs the next time you use it.

• Most electrical waffle makers, as many chefs will attest, cannot produce the crunchy edge, full texture, and fluffy center that a cast iron waffle maker can.

• They are not suitable for use outside.

• The nonstick surfaces of most electric waffle makers are made of potentially harmful chemicals such as cadmium, PFOA, and PTFE. Needless to say, if you want to eat healthier, cast iron is the way to go.

• Electrical waffle makers have wires or cords that can break, and replacing parts can be difficult. Cast iron waffle makers, on the other hand, have a simpler construction, are more durable, and can be easily repaired if you’re handy.

So, if you value quality over convenience, traditional cast iron is the only way to go. Just keep in mind that cast iron cookware must be seasoned and cleaned by hand on a regular basis. Traditional waffle makers may be best for you if you believe that the perfect waffles are worth a little more effort.

Reviews of the best cast iron waffle makers America’s Test Kitchen

Here are top cast iron waffle makers on the market today

#1. Rome Industries 1100 Old Fashioned Waffle Cast Iron, Black

Rome has made this waffle maker to give you the traditional round-shaped big waffles. This actually is the best gift idea for that friend or loved one who loves everything old fashioned. The waffle maker is built to last, so you’re guaranteed that your gift will be remembered for quite some time. The design reveals Rome’s famous hinge system used to connect both sides of the irons.

The hinge system ensures that your batter gets a secure seal when baking, and also makes it easier to clean the waffle maker afterwards. Cleaning this product will also get easier if there’s no sticking of the waffles on the cast iron, and this would mean that you have to season and condition it right after purchase, and also before every baking that you do.

A thing to remember is that with its design, it’s recommended that you cook your waffles over a gas stove, or a 2-burner camp stove. One of the reasons for this is so that you can be able to heat both sides of the cast iron all at the same time to avoid ending up with unevenly cooked waffles.

Pros

• Comes with instructions
• Easy to use and clean
• Non-stick iron once seasoned
• Safer to use
• Compact design

Cons

• Requires regular seasoning

#2. NordicWare 15040 Cast Aluminum Stovetop Belgium Waffle Iron

Nordic Ware is known for their portfolio of breakfast pans which will get you loving breakfast more. One notable thing is that every product they have is made with non-stick coated cast aluminium interiors. The Nordic Ware 15040 rustic Belgian waffle maker is a great option when you need to make four deep-pocketed waffles at a single time.

We have those cast iron waffle makers that require both sides to be pre-heated simultaneously, but with this you can heat them one at time and your waffles will still turn out evenly browned. It’s also flexible enough, and can therefore be used on either an electric or gas stovetop.

This is a plus for those who don’t have double burner stoves that can accommodate both sides of the pan. In order to keep your hands protected when handling this waffle iron, the manufacturer has designed it with stay cool plastic hands. It also easy to clean, and to keep the non-stick interior intact, just hand wash this product using mild soap and a soft sponge.

Pros

• Compact design
• Easy to set up and store
• Package includes recipes
• Seals batter perfectly
• Easy to clean
• Designed with safe plastic handles

Cons

• Interior requires regular seasoning to avoid sticking

#3. Rome’s 1028 Chuckwagon Cast Iron Waffle maker

For those who love kitchen appliances from Rome industries, here’s something for your waffle-filled breakfast recipes. The Rome 1028 range remains to be the standard cast iron waffle maker that can be used on gas stoves, woodstoves or even open fires. It comes in a size similar to that of the 1100 series as originally designed by Rome.

Something different with this product is the removable handles which make it flexible and can therefore be used on a BBQ grill. It measures approximately 6 inches across, meaning that the waffles you get might not be the same size with the traditional round waffles. The main hack to its durability still remains to be proper seasoning especially if you don’t use it regularly and with time, you might have to replace the handle in order to continue keeping your hands protected.

It also comes in a portable size, making it easier to carry around even when you have to hit the road. So the next time you want to go camping, ensure that you include this waffle maker in the list of things to carry with you, in order to keep the treats flowing even when you’re away from home.

Pros

• Designed with durable cast iron
• Can be used when camping
• Great for everyday use
• Cooks evenly
• Versatile usage

Cons

• Makes small-sized waffles

#4. Texsport Outdoor Cast Iron Waffle Iron Maker

This is one of the most durable waffle makers that you’ll find in 2020, having been designed with warping and chipping resistant cast iron. Once pre-heat, the heavy duty plates are able to distribute and retain heat as desired, giving you waffles that are evenly cooked. With this feature, you can also leave your waffles in there for some time and they’ll still come out warm and ready to serve.

This makes it a great addition to your camping life when you need to go minimal with the items you carry, being that it will cook and keep the waffles warm at the same time. It features a ball joint made to help turn and lift the waffle maker with much ease as you cook. With the ball joint, you can also separate the waffle iron for ease of cleaning. It’s also designed with a frame that helps keep it levelled at the base for more stability when baking.

To keep the waffles from sticking on the surfaces giving you tougher residues to clean afterwards, ensure that you season it with a little cooking oil which will take you through a number of rounds. In matters precaution, this product comes with a wooden handle, but on the backside are metal rings which can sometimes get hot after a certain duration of cooking, so you should be on the watch out.

Pros

• Framed base for stability
• Separable for easy clean-up
• Keeps waffles warm for long
• Great heat distribution and retention
• Chip and warp resistant

Cons

• Handles might lossen after some time

#5. Lehman’s Pre-Seasoned Round Cast Iron Waffle Iron

As we go on with the reviews, you’ll realize that with cast iron waffle makers, it’s all about seasoning in order to get the best results. However, how about we start this off with a pre-seasoned product, which is basically ready to use right from the time of purchase? This affordable Lehman’s antique is one of those carefully-crafted cookware with the right iron thickness, summarized with a design that minimizes messes by preventing overflow of batter.

The aforementioned are the key features that define a good waffle iron, and with that, it’s a guarantee that you’ll find everything you want in this product. As mentioned earlier, this cookware comes pre-seasoned, but for longer durability you should also lightly coat it on the interior and exterior to ensure that all the corners are covered.

The only drawback here is that the recommended oil to use is liquid vegetable oil, and therefore avoid using other alternatives like margarine, butter or even solid vegetable oil.

Pros

• Detachable halves for ease of cleaning
• More affordable than the rest
• The cast iron comes pre-seasoned
• Double rims design to prevent dripping
• Durable thick iron

Cons

• Only seasoned with liquid vegetable oil

How to Choose the Best Cast Iron Waffle Maker?

1. Usage

The first thing that you should always make clear is how you plan to use the waffle maker. A good product should be flexible to fit different environments, which is key for those who love to go camping. We have certain brands that are only recommended for use with specific stoves.

This can leave you disadvantaged, especially if you don’t have the recommended heating element. The better part is that we have flexible products like Rome’s 1028 Chuckwagon Cast Iron Waffle maker which you can use anywhere.

2. Durability

No matter how affordable or costly a product is, what matters is durability. This loosely translates to the materials used and so your focus should only be on heavy duty materials.

One of the ways that guarantee durability is buying from trusted brands and sources, and basically, that’s what I used when selecting the products we have just reviewed. The thing is, sometimes quality comes at a cost but you’ll definitely get value for every dollar you’ve spent on the product.  

3. Maintenance

Generally, castle iron waffle makers require one to pay extra attention when cleaning, cooking or keeping the cookware. It’s the same that’s usually translated to how durable the product will be.

Apart from everything else, what remains central is seasoning, which should be done regularly and with the right oil. So before completing your purchase, ensure that you’ll have all the requirements stated in the manual in order to keep the waffle iron durable.

Alternative Video: How To Use A Cast Iron Waffle Maker?

Conclusion

The truth is that when it comes to ease of maintenance, modern waffle makers outweigh their cast iron counterparts. If you decided to pick one product from these reviews of the best cast iron waffle makers 2020, you should commit to regular seasoning whether you make your waffles regularly or not.

Another important thing to remember is to go through the manuals that are usually included in the packages because failure to which, you might not get the best out of your cookware.

For beginners and once-in-a-lifetime waffle makers, I would recommend that you go for the affordable and effective NordicWare 15040 which will equally give you the best waffles.

Frequently Asked Questions