To diversify their menu, establishments sometimes have to experiment to stand out from the competition. Waffles can be transformed into a true gastronomic temptation – served for breakfast, used in stunning desserts, or presented as street food – delicious, vibrant, and convenient.
To begin with, waffles come in different types: voluminous Belgian waffles, flat thin waffles, shaped like fish, Christmas trees, nuts, waffles with sausage (corn dogs), and also the best-selling Hong Kong waffles.
And what can we say about the methods of presentation? There's definitely room for creativity here!
So, the idea of adding waffles to the menu of your pastry shop, restaurant, cafe or small fast food outlet is very promising.
Below, read our review of commercial waffle irons available on the Ukrainian equipment market.
The waffle iron operates on a simple principle: pre-prepared batter is poured onto the work surface, the device is closed for a few minutes, and once the process is complete, the finished baked product is removed. Modern waffle irons can be used to create waffle shapes in a wide variety of shapes.
Therefore, before purchasing a waffle iron , the first thing you need to do is decide what kind of waffles you would like to make.
Basic types of waffle irons
Belgian waffles have gained the greatest popularity worldwide. The classic recipe uses yeast and whipped egg whites. Light and fluffy, they are often rectangular and have deep wells. These deep wells make the Belgian waffle an ideal dessert, as they can accommodate a large amount of toppings, including chocolate syrup, whipped cream, ice cream, honey, or jam.
In culinary circles, there's also the term "American" or "regular" waffles . Unlike Belgian waffles, these are thinner and crispier, use baking powder in the batter, have a shallower texture, and can be used as a sandwich component, which is more difficult to achieve with the fluffy Belgian waffles.
In turn, Belgian waffles have a separate subtype - Liege waffles.
Liege waffles are an old Belgian delicacy, the classic recipe of which is made from yeast dough and coarse pearl sugar*.
*Pearl sugar, also known as nibs, is a heat-stable white sugar, a caramelized sugar popular in Europe. The sugar crystals are compressed, forming large sugar lumps that do not dissolve in baked goods.
The sugar in the batter gives the waffle its own natural sweetness and distinctive caramel flavor—no filling required. Liège waffles are softer, sweeter, and heavier than typical Belgian (Brussels) waffles.
Digging deeper into the differences in recipes and presentation of waffles, we can also distinguish Viennese waffles. They are not considered traditional Belgian waffles, as they can be baked round or, for example, heart-shaped, and they are too fluffy to be considered American.
If we turn to equipment for all the types of waffles listed above, then such waffle irons will be classified as waffle irons for Belgian or volumetric waffles .
Next, we will look at the types of waffle irons for shaped waffles .
Fish-shaped waffles have a hollow structure and are served as a dessert filled with fruit, jam, cream, or chocolate. These waffles, called "Taiyaki," originate from Japan. Classic Japanese Taiyaki are baked in the shape of a fish, with the filling placed directly into the dough. These cookies, made from wafer dough with various fillings, are a very popular delicacy throughout Japan.
Another option is a special waffle iron with Christmas tree-shaped molds that are skewered for serving. This waffle design is very original and convenient, eliminating any contact with hands. It's ideal for street food vendors.
The same principle applies to corn dogs . They're sausages on a stick, coated in a crispy layer of waffle batter. Corn dog batter is typically made with corn flour.
Another popular type of waffle iron is the so-called nut-maker , where the holes in the working surface resemble the shape of a nut halves. By fastening these halves together with filling, you get a familiar childhood treat.
Equipment for shaped waffles differs in the shape of the product matrix, but their operating principle is similar.
But the next type of waffle speaks eloquently of its origin - Hong Kong.
This dessert is especially popular in Hong Kong's fast food scene. Hong Kong waffles are also known as Egg waffles or Bubble waffles.
Hong Kong waffle irons have become very popular recently, as they allow you to create a vibrant and original dessert: the waffle is served cone-shaped with a wide variety of toppings, including ice cream, whipped cream, fruit, berries, and all sorts of sauces, not necessarily sweet ones. And you can stuff the dough into the wells with chocolate drops, nuts, or berries as fillings! Let your imagination know no bounds—you can serve a Hong Kong waffle to suit even the most discerning palate.
Separately, it is worth mentioning devices that work on the same principle as waffle irons for shaped waffles - for example, a pancake maker or a donut maker .
Thin waffles are made on waffle irons with square dies and shallow wells. The goal is to produce a thin, crisp waffle that can be rolled into an ice cream cone or used as a cake base. The batter used is thinner than that used for thicker waffles. Waffle irons for thin waffles can have a rectangular or round surface.
Important criteria for choosing a waffle iron
Once you have decided on the type of waffles, you can proceed directly to choosing a professional waffle iron .
Let's highlight the main criteria for selection:
Depends on the equipment's power and the batch size. Large-volume waffle irons can bake up to 80 waffles per hour on average. Brussels waffles bake in 2-3 minutes.
Moreover, a thin ice cream wafer is prepared even faster - in just 25 seconds.
The equipment's power depends directly on the number of posts: 1.0-2.5 kW for single-post units , 3.0-3.2 kW for two-post units . Each post is controlled independently, and a post that is not currently in use can be turned off to save energy.
Work surfaces are usually made of cast iron.
This is a strong, durable material that takes a long time to heat up but maintains the temperature well. It is heavy, which increases the overall weight of the equipment.
Work surfaces can be statically installed or removable.
The body of the waffle iron is made of stainless steel.
- covering of work surfaces
Waffle irons with Teflon-coated work surfaces have excellent non-stick properties, but require careful maintenance to avoid damage.
There are also waffle irons with a ceramic surface coating. They are expensive and susceptible to temperature fluctuations, but are more environmentally friendly, as the coating is neutral and does not react with the food. These are most often used in waffle irons for home use.
A thermostat for setting the desired temperature. Experts agree that the most important factor when choosing a waffle iron is uniform heating.
A high-quality thermostat maintains the desired mode and protects against overheating.
The presence of a timer optimizes the operation of the device.
The heating indicator signals that the equipment is ready for operation and allows you to control the baking temperature.
There are models with a sound signal that notifies that the waffles are ready.
- execution and accessories
It is important that the plastic elements of the device are heat-resistant.
The handles should be comfortable and made of heat-insulating material.
The typical waffle iron design is a clamshell. This is used to bake rectangular or square waffles. Waffle irons with round working surfaces may have a rotating design.
The rotating mechanism in such models allows you to rotate the waffle iron around its axis for a more even distribution of the batter.
Waffle irons can be equipped with removable crumb trays, as well as additional accessories - a special cone for forming a cup from thin waffles, or cleaning brushes, as well as forks for removing waffles from the machine.
Model overview
We reviewed expert and customer reviews to determine the best waffle makers you can buy in a variety of price ranges for all types of waffles.
The main players in the market are Chinese manufacturers, who often produce waffle irons for different brands in the same facility. Likewise, most European brands have their own production facilities in China. Therefore, we'll begin our review with a waffle iron manufactured in France and deservedly considered one of the world's best manufacturers of commercial food equipment.
The GES 10 professional electric waffle maker features a cast-iron mold with two cavities, each embossed with large squares (3 x 5) for baking two Belgian waffles. Two crispy waffles are baked at 230°C in 3 minutes, or 60 Brussels waffles per hour.
The waffle iron's plates are fixed, eliminating the need for turning. The waffle iron is powerful enough for perfect browning.
The professional waffle maker Roller Grill GES 10 is designed for making fresh waffles and can also be used to reheat frozen, pre-baked waffles.
This professional waffle maker is designed for intensive use.
The patented stainless steel tray located around the bottom plate of the waffle iron collects excess batter and makes cleanup easier.
The waffle iron is equipped with a temperature controller of 0-300 °C, light indicators, and a timer.
The delivery set includes a fork for extracting the product and a brush for cleaning surfaces.
2. Single station waffle iron HENDI 212103
The HENDI 212103 waffle maker comes with one pair of work surfaces, with square wells (4x6) for baking two Liege waffles. Cooking time is 2-4 minutes, depending on the dough composition.
Cast iron work surfaces with non-stick coating.
Thermostat with smooth temperature control (0-300°C). Heating indicator light. A reset button (overheating protection) is located on the bottom of the housing.
The HENDI 212103 waffle maker features a removable tray for removing excess batter. The handles are made of heat-resistant material.
Comes with a waffle fork. Users note the high quality of the materials and ease of use.
3. Belgian waffle maker GoodFood WB1SA
The waffle irons are produced in China and have rectangular shapes for 2 waffles, measuring 170x105mm, with 4x6 cells.
The GoodFood WB1SA waffle maker is made of stainless steel. The work surface has a non-stick coating.
Heating is provided simultaneously from above and below. Temperature control from 50 to 300°C. Stable base.
4. Airhot WS-1 Corn Dog Waffle Maker
The AIRHOT WS-1 waffle maker is designed for making corn dogs - shaped waffles on a stick (5 pcs.)
If desired, you can use various fillings - cheese, bacon, or simply bake sausages in a waffle.
The AIRHOT WS-1 waffle maker features a stainless steel body and cast iron work surfaces with a non-stick coating. It is equipped with a thermostat and an electronic timer.
Cooking time for waffles is 2-3 minutes.
5. Waffle maker for flat waffles and cups Frosty XG-02
The Frosty XG-02 two-baker waffle maker is designed for baking thin waffles. These waffles can be used as a topping for waffle cakes or made into cone-shaped ice cream cones. The working plates are cast iron circles with a 210 mm diameter coating and a 7 x 7 mm square pattern.
The Frosty XG-02 device is equipped with a 0-250 C thermostat and a timer for each of the posts, meaning that the control of the press molds is autonomous.
6. Hong Kong waffle iron GoodFood WB-1HK
The GoodFood WB-1HK waffle maker is designed for baking Hong Kong waffles, which can be served alone or with a variety of fillings and toppings. It features non-stick work surfaces, a rotating mechanism, and easy-to-grip wooden handles.
The mold has a volumetric bubble shape with 30 cells.
The disadvantages of Chinese waffle irons with intensive use include thermostat failure, uneven heat distribution by the heating elements, and deterioration of the Teflon coating on the surfaces. Despite the relatively low cost of the device, replacing the Teflon coating will cost half the price of a new waffle iron. Unfortunately, there are no alternative equipment on the Ukrainian market that offers reliable, European-made quality and is designed for long-term use. Since Chinese-made devices are offered at relatively low prices, it makes sense to purchase a backup unit for your retail outlet to quickly replace a failed unit.
In any case, if you invest in the GoodFood WB-1HK waffle maker , you can be sure it will pay for itself.
Diversify your menu with all sorts of fillings, prepare waffles with chocolate dough and unusual toppings, keep a spare machine at your point of sale – and you're guaranteed to reap the expected profits, as during the season, queues form for this product, which is still new to our market.
7. Waffle maker Silver 2137
The Turkish-made Silver 2137 waffle maker is designed for baking heart-shaped waffles. The working surface is divided into five segments (70 x 80 mm each). The model is equipped with a thermostat that can reach temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius.
The waffle iron body is made of stainless steel, the working surface is made of cast iron.
8. GoodFood WB30N Nut Waffle Maker
The GoodFood WB30N waffle maker features rectangular 30-well pans shaped like peanut halves, measuring 34 x 26 mm. The stainless steel body features a non-stick surface. Heating is provided simultaneously from the top and bottom. The temperature control range is 50-300°C, and the timer is integrated.
A wide selection of waffle irons of various types allows you to choose based on your preferences and goals. We hope our review will help you choose the optimal equipment for your business.
See more models in the catalog of professional waffle irons on our website.
For your information, we offer waffle batter recipes based on recommendations from the Roller Grill manufacturer.
