10 Tips for Cleaning Your Waffle Maker

How should you clean your waffle maker?

1. Wait for it to cool before cleaning
2. Don’t use metal tools to scrape off residue
3. Remove excess oil drips with a dry paper towel
4. To remove baked-on batter, pour a few drops of cooking oil on the batter. Let it soften for a few minutes before wiping it off
5. Use a chopstick wrapped in a paper towel and soaked in vinegar to wipe away oil and residue
6. Make sure your waffle maker is completely dry before putting it away
7. Always refer to your manual or the waffle maker’s website for specific instructions
8. When using the waffle maker, make sure you’re greasing the grid with enough but not too much oil
9. For non-stick waffle makers, spray cooking oil from a bottle or brush it on with a pastry brush
10. Never submerge a waffle machine in water

Nothing beats the aroma and taste of waffles in the morning and making them has never been easier than with an electric waffle maker. Simply make your batter, pour it onto the grid, and in a few minutes, you’re good to go! But when it’s time to clean your waffle maker, you might be a little confused about how to reach all those little grooves in the grid and ensure that no residue is left on the appliance. Don’t worry, though – here are our tips for cleaning your waffle maker.

Wait for it to cool before cleaning

This should be automatic: before you start, make sure the waffle maker is unplugged and completely cooled down to avoid getting burned.

Don’t use metal tools to scrape off residue

Non-stick coating is just that—a coating—so it can be scratched off, especially with metal. Generally, keep any and all metal tools away from your waffle maker, or anything non-stick coated.

Remove excess oil drips with a dry paper towel

You might notice oiliness on the grid of your waffle maker, especially if you tend to grease it with too much oil at the start of your waffle making process. If so, you can remove these excess oil drips with a dry paper towel. Make sure to pat gently, not vigorously rub, to reduce scratches.

To remove baked-on batter, pour a few drops of cooking oil on the batter. Let it soften for a few minutes before wiping it off

Crusty, baked-on batter is pretty common for waffle and pancake makers. It can be tough to remove if you keep it dry, so drop a bit of oil onto the batter and let it soak in for a few minutes until it’s soft enough to wipe off.

Use a chopstick wrapped in a paper towel and soaked in vinegar to wipe away oil and residue

Now for those hard-to-reach grooves! Use the pointed end of a chopstick, wrapped in a paper towel and dipped in vinegar, to gently scrape away the baked-on batter or wipe off the oil residue.

Make sure your waffle maker is completely dry before putting it away

For waffle makers with removable plates, you can carefully remove these and wash them in soapy water. Then, you can rinse them clean and towel dry them. For waffle makers whose plates don’t come off, you can simply wipe them down with a damp cloth. Either way, make sure the waffle maker is completely dry to avoid mildew or mold in the grooves.

Always refer to your manual or the waffle maker’s website for specific instructions

Some waffle makers have specific instructions that you won’t find in this article, so make sure to do your research. A quick tip is to find your appliance’s unit or model number and type it into Google, preceded by its brand and the words “how to clean”.

When using the waffle maker, make sure you’re greasing the grid with enough but not too much oil

For a few additional pointers on how to use your waffle maker that will make cleaning it even easier, consider these last three tips. First off, grease the grid with just enough oil when you start using your machine for the day, not before each waffle. It shouldn’t drip off, and if your batter is buttery enough not to stick to the grid, you might even be able to forgo greasing altogether.

For non-stick waffle makers, spray cooking oil from a bottle or brush it on with a pastry brush

Instead of using aerosol cooking spray, which can leave a residue on your grid, use a refillable spray bottle or a pastry brush to add just a light dusting of oil to the appliance.

Never submerge a waffle machine in water

Whether plugged or not, never submerge a waffle machine or any other electric appliance in water. Water could get stuck in places that are within reach of electric currents, and the last thing you want is for your appliance to break, or for you to get electrocuted.

Key Takeaway

In this article, we’ve discussed some tips for cleaning your waffle maker, and we hope these tips will help you out next time. For more tips and tricks you can use for our appliances, check out the rest of our blog. 

If you’re in the market for a waffle maker that’s durable, non-stick, and efficient, we’ve got just the right one for you at Good Guys. And finally, if you’re looking for more tried-and-tested, high-quality appliances in the Philippines that won’t break the bank, browse our shop today!