How To Clean Built-Up Grease On Waffle Iron?
A waffle iron, with its ability to churn out crispy, golden waffles, is a cherished kitchen appliance for many breakfast enthusiasts.
However, as with any cooking tool, regular use can lead to a buildup of grease and residue over time. This accumulation not only affects the waffle iron’s performance but can also impact the taste and appearance of your waffles.
Cleaning a waffle iron might seem like a daunting task, especially when dealing with stubborn grease, but fear not – there are effective methods to restore your appliance to its former glory.
We all know that cleaning the waffle iron is the last thing you want to do when you are craving sweet waffle breakfasts or savory waffles with spicy fried chicken.
The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how to remove the built-up grease from the waffle iron. To complete the project, you will only need a few household items.
Using a waffle iron ensures that each waffle is crisp on the outside and soft and steamy on the inside. After a while, however, they can build up a layer of grease on the waffle iron plates, which is not ideal.
Fortunately, there are some simple cleaning methods available. The inside of a waffle iron can be cleaned with dish soap and a paper towel to soak up and remove residual grease.
We will discuss several ways to remove grease from your waffle iron as well as why you should regularly clean your waffle iron.
Hot Steam Clean Waffle Maker De-Greasing
When it comes to cleaning your waffle iron, you can use the heat to your advantage by using steam.
If you are handling a hot waffle iron, be careful not to burn yourself. Make sure the waffle iron is unplugged before you attempt to clean it.
The cloth should be wet after being run under hot water, and then squeezed out so that it is just damp.
Ensure that the cloth is pressed between the two hot plates of your waffle iron by placing it in the waffle iron and closing the lid. For a few minutes, allow it to steam gently.
By doing this, you should be able to loosen any gunk enough to be able to remove it with a silicone spatula or a toothbrush with a soft bristle. You may also be able to achieve some mild abrasion by adding some baking soda.
How To Clean A Waffle Iron With Removable Plates
The removable plates of waffle irons make cleaning them easier. It will be easy to clean your waffle iron in a jiffy if you follow these basic steps.
Things You’ll Need:
- Liquid dishwashing soap that is gentle on dishes
- Sponge
- Brush with soft bristles
- Dishtowel
Instructions:
- Remove the waffle iron from the plug, allow it to cool, and then gently remove the plates.
- The plates should be submerged in warm water. If necessary, add a non-abrasive liquid soap.
- Use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to gently clean the plates. Nonstick surfaces should be cleaned with a sponge designed specifically for this purpose.
- Remove any remaining crumbs from the waffle grid plates by rinsing them in warm water.
- The plates should be allowed to dry before being placed. It is a good idea to place them on a drying rack or a clean cotton dish towel on your table or countertop for drying.
- Make sure the iron’s exterior is clean.
How To Clean A Waffle Iron Without Removable Plates
The process of cleaning your waffle maker can be a bit more challenging if it does not have removable plates.
Prior to starting the oven, make sure that it is unplugged and cool, and make sure that any crumbs or loose food have been wiped away.
Using a dry paper towel, rub away any residual grease and absorb it. A folded paper towel can provide a harder surface for rubbing if you require a bit more grit. When cleaning the waffle maker, avoid using abrasive sponges.
It is necessary to rinse a cloth in hot, soapy water, then wring it out well to become just damp if there is caked-on food that cannot be removed by wiping and rubbing. Apply this to the waffle iron, ensuring that it is in contact with the food.
Leave the lid closed for five to ten minutes to press the cloth down. It is likely that the dampness in the cloth will have loosened the food by the time you return.
Remove it with a damp cloth. If you would like to get a bit more “scrub” without scratching the surface, you may want to use a silicone spatula.
Before using the waffle iron again, ensure that it is completely dry.
How To Clean A Waffle Iron With Baking Soda
This baking soda method is another easy way to deep clean your Waffle Iron. Baking soda is a handy cleaning partner you can use to keep several of your kitchen gadgets clean.
Things You’ll Need:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Paper towel
- Spray bottle
- Plastic spatula (optional)
Instructions:
- Make sure the waffle iron is unplugged.
- Mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply a layer of the paste to a waffle maker that is cool.
- The formula will work through the paste if it is allowed to sit on the waffle maker overnight
- Fill a spray bottle with vinegar. Apply the vinegar lightly to the dried baking soda, one section at a time. It is important not to oversaturate the griddles.
- To remove the residue properly, use a damp cloth or paper towel.
- Use a plastic spatula to remove any remaining residue.
- Allow the waffle iron to dry after wiping everything down.
How To Clean A Waffle Iron After Use
It is quite easy to clean a waffle iron. A waffle iron can easily be cleaned and stored without damaging it or causing stains and rust with basic kitchen cleaning tools and a little patience.
Things You’ll Need:
- Cotton swab
- Pastry brush
- Wooden chopstick
Instructions:
Drain the grease: After disposing of the leftovers, clean the grease. The grates can be cleaned with a cotton swab to remove lines of congealed, cold grease. Any residual oil should be cleaned with a fresh paper towel, and then the towel should be folded and run into any particularly greasy corners.
Get rid of crusty food bits with a cotton swab: Use a cotton swab to remove burnt cheese and batter from corners. Furthermore, if the bits are stuck too strongly, a wooden chopstick can provide some additional leverage without scratching the nonstick surface.
Dust with a pastry brush: Place your waffle maker on its side, and sweep the remaining crumbs from the surface with the pastry brush.
As a last resort, steam clean it: Place your waffle maker on medium heat, and then moisten a paper towel under water and ring it out to remove any excess moisture.
Rub the product over the grates of your waffle maker using a pair of tongs. When the waffle maker has cooled, clean any corners and grooves with cotton swabs (if necessary).
Why Do I Need to Clean My Waffle Iron?
You will need to clean any item that you use to cook food on a regular basis, including waffle irons.
The texture and taste of your breakfast (or lunch) may suffer if you are eating old grease with your freshly prepared waffles.
There will be a few little pieces of debris clinging to the grease as a result of previous batches of waffle batter.
Repeatedly cooking them will result in a gradual change to carbon. Even if you are not able to see the flecks, this residue can stick to your food and cause it to taste bitter and burnt.
It is also possible to negatively affect your waffle iron’s efficiency if you do not clean it regularly. If grease builds up on the elements, it will act as an insulator, trapping the heat against the electrical components rather than allowing it to reach the waffles.
In extreme cases, this could damage the waffle iron, causing the electronics to overheat, and may result in less crispy waffles, as they will not be pressed against such a hot surface. It is much more effective to use a clean waffle iron.
How to Avoid Grease Buildup
The best way to avoid having a horrible waffle iron experience is to clean it after virtually every use, just like you would with any other cleaning job.
However, this does not have to be a major undertaking; consider it similar to washing a plate. After you have completed cooking your waffles, unplug your iron and let it cool while you eat them.
If there are any remnants of waffle batter or oil on the waffle iron, wipe it down using a damp, mildly soapy cloth.
Make sure to rinse the soap from the cloth, give the grids another wipe to remove any soap residue, and then store the waffle iron until you are ready to use it again.
This does not have to be done every single time you use your waffle iron, but it will reduce the number of times you have to do a deep clean.
Consequently, your waffles will remain delicious and crispy throughout the day. You may also be able to extend the life of your waffle iron by doing so.
Maintenance Tips for Waffle Iron
Make sure you grease the grid with the appropriate amount of oil if your waffles are sticking. Furthermore, butter will be an important ingredient in your batter. Using more butter in your recipe will result in fewer stuck waffles.
Avoid using sharp or metal tools when cutting cooked waffles or scraping off caked-on batter. As a consequence, the surface will be scratched, resulting in stuck waffles in the future.
You should never submerge an electric waffle maker in water or place it in the dishwasher.
Nonstick waffle makers should be coated with cooking oil before being used for the first time of the day.
It is possible to use cooking oil in spray bottles, such as a Misto, or by brushing it on with a pastry brush. Nonstick surfaces will be left with a gunky residue after cooking with aerosol cooking sprays.
If you want specific cleaning instructions for your waffle maker, please refer to the instruction manual or the manufacturer’s website.
Why Are My Waffles Sticking To The Waffle Iron?
Your waffle may stick to the iron for a variety of reasons. One of the problems is that not enough oil is being applied. You should use a light brush of oil on your waffle maker, even if it is nonstick. By doing so, it will be less likely to stick.
The waffles sticking to the waffle iron may be a result of the waffle iron not being sufficiently hot. Furthermore, if the waffle iron is sufficiently hot, but the waffles are splitting in the middle, then the waffles have not been properly cooked.
Can You Wash a Waffle Iron in the Sink?
The whole waffle iron should never be placed in the sink. For removable plates, remove them and clean them in the sink. For unremovable plates, however, it is advisable to wipe away any excess grease with a towel.
Due to the fact that most waffle makers are electric, you should not clean them under the sink. As a result, direct contact with water may result in damage to the device. Toasters should not be washed in the sink for the same reason.
If necessary, use cotton swabs to remove any buildups on the waffle iron since it has many grooves and valleys. The waffle maker should be oiled with a pastry brush.
Are You Supposed to Grease a Waffle Iron?
Yes, sir. Every time you use a waffle iron, it should be greased. Alternatively, grease can be applied to make it easier to clean.
When you make your waffles, the grease acts as a nonstick coating, preventing the waffles from sticking to the pan. Season your cast iron waffle maker periodically if you use one.
A light coating of oil should be applied to your cast iron waffle maker before it is plugged in for a few minutes. The process should be repeated until the surface appears shiny and smooth.
What is the Easiest Way to Clean a Waffle Iron?
The easiest way to clean a waffle iron is to use a damp towel and cotton swabs. The exterior of the waffle maker only needs to be wiped down and let it dry before you begin making waffles.
If you would like to clean your waffle iron after making waffles, the best time would be immediately afterward. When you have finished making your waffles, turn off your waffle makers. After that, wait for a few minutes.
After pouring the waffle mixture into your waffle maker, wipe it clean with a dry paper towel. As a result of the heat, any grease that has built up or leftover food will be removed. To clean it, you will not even need to use soap.
How Do You Fix a Sticky Waffle Iron?
The best method we have found for removing grease is to use oil, even though it may seem counterintuitive.
There are a number of grease-based products in the kitchen such as cooking spray, cooking oil or even butter that can be used to clean any sticky waffle iron.
After wiping the sticky surface with oil, use a clean paper towel or dishtowel to remove any residue left behind. If you prefer, you can use a cooking spray to evenly coat your waffle iron with oil.
Final Words
By now you know how to clean your waffle iron, regardless of how much burnt-on food there is and how stubborn the grease marks may be.
If you avoid spray-on cooking sprays, which tend to leave more residue than pour-on oils, you can reduce the amount of grease buildup.
As a general rule, regular, light cleaning will be both easier and better (for you as well as the waffle iron!) than infrequent, intense cleaning that might result in scratches or frustration.
