Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic Waffle Maker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Cuisinart WMR-CA Round Classic Waffle Maker
Customer Review: Excellent Basic Waffle Iron
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this waffle iron for about 5 years, using it weekly. Have never had a problem with it. Please note, this makes traditional waffles. If you want Belgian waffles, find another iron.
I find that you still need to grease Teflon products, just very lightly. I find real butter is best for waffle irons and baking pans.
HOW TO KEEP WAFFLES FROM STICKING:
Have everything ready to go--batter ready, iron hot, and a stick of cold real butter at hand. Open the iron, lightly brush the end of the bar of butter across the BOTTOM of the waffle iron, then do the same for the top. Now quickly pour in your batter. You have to do the bottom first; otherwise the butter will slide off the top while you're doing the bottom. You do not need to cover every crevice, just make sure to hit each quarter lightly. It uses maybe a half TEASPOON of butter to do this. Repeat after every 2 waffles.
I never wash the plates of my waffle iron. If you only ever use real butter as directed above, it doesn't leave any gunk or residue.
My iron is set between 3 and 4 and the waffles are perfect every time. The light changes color accurately to indicate readiness. I use wooden utensils to remove the waffles so as not to scratch the Teflon.
I bought this without any research. It was on special at a box store so I gambled $20 and have been very pleased with my purchase.
Customer Review: No reason to waffle on this maker
Summary: 4 Stars
This little appliance has proven to be a dependable performer over the last four years, generally used two or three times per week. I've yet to encounter any consistent problems with sticking batter although it is the case that in addition to initial seasoning of the plates as suggested in the owner's manual, we have also generally brushed on a thin coat of vegetable oil prior to the first batch of the day. With five browning settings, with a bit of experimentation the user can arrive at a setting that is perfect for individual preferences and as noted, over four years I haven't noticed any variations in the results as the unit ages. Browning is consistent over all surface areas so long as the batter is evenly dispersed.
The most aggravating aspects have been the requirement to monitor the cooking cycle because it is not uncommon to become distracted during preparation and the absence of an audible cycle completion signal has resulted in some rather toasty concoctions from time to time. The appliance also lacks an on/off switch so it begins to heat as soon as it is plugged in. While the plates are not removable cleanup has never been a major issue, just cleaning out the crevices with a non-abrasive sponge whenever some excess batter was evident, after the unit had cooled down.
However, with consideration to dependability and overall convenience, the WMR-CA is a definitive price performer.
Customer Review: Good waffles but some caveats
Summary: 3 Stars
After about four years, a lot of great waffles have emerged from this waffle maker. It's been used about twice per month, and the nonstick surfaces still release with ease. That's the good news! The bad news.... the front/top handle fell off this week. This after roughly 100 uses. The screws had worked loose it seems. I managed to remove the top black plastic piece and screw it back on after it had cooked back down. Still, disappointing that lock-washers weren't used in his application.
There are some tips and tricks required to get the best out of this waffle maker:
1) Set the temperature adjustment well towards the 'hot end'.
2) Preheat thoroughly. I plug the iron in about 5min before using it.
3) Let waffles cook for one minute more AFTER the temp light turns 'green' again
4) Some extra weight on top of the cover helps make a crispier waffle; I use a heavy small saucepan.
Wishlist items for my next waffle iron:
1) Heavier top lid so I don't have to put something on top of it during cooking.
2) The 'ready light' should also have some audible sound - a beep or something - so you don't have to constantly watch the iron light during cooking.
3) There should be a 'done signal' which actually corresponds to when waffles are done... a delay of a minute after the waffle comes back up to temperature.
4) Parts that don't fall off....
Customer Review: The secret? Use a thinner batter!
Summary: 3 Stars
I ordered this waffle maker in spite of the mixed reviews because of limited options at this price. I made my first batch following the standard recipe in the Joy of Cooking and had the same problems others experienced: uneven cooking with some edges that did not seem fully cooked through so potentially unsafe because of the raw egg.
Next time, I followed the recipe in the included manual which differs from Joy of Cooking with a/one fewer egg (2 vs 3) and b/less milk (1 1/2 c vs 1 3/4 c). The result was a very thick, cake-like batter that produced the same uneven cooking result. The problem seemed to me that the waffle iron is leaking heat around the edges... either it needs extra heating surface at the edges or a beefed up heating element. And it occurred to me that I could solve the problem with a batter that spreads faster before the waffle iron surface cools down... a thinner batter in other words.
I added approximately 1/3 cup milk to my remaining batter after the first batch, to make up would have been about 2 cups total milk for a full recipe. Beat it in well and the result was more the consistency of pancake than waffle batter. Poured it in and it worked... great waffles browned all the way to the edges.
You will want to do your own experimentation and I'd add back that 3rd egg next time. But the lesson learned is: thinner batter, better waffles!
Customer Review: Dreaming to make Waffles again
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been reading the other reviews, and maybe I have been doing something wrong. Many people say, don't use store bought pancake/waffle mix. I think I agree, because when I fill the top with batter and the green light comes on, I open it and it separates. It will only work properly if I only use part of the surface of the waffle maker with the batter and the waffles come out perfect, but small. The other thing is when it does split and you open it the steam burns your hand.
So, it is a learning experience, not the waffle maker, more like operator error. So I will consider making my own batter, I got to do some research as I love waffles, and so far I cannot get them to taste like the ones you get at the Waffle House or International Pancake.
Oh, the machine cleans well, and it has a small foot print. It does the job, not like the waffle maker my mom had when I was a kid, and you could use waffle mix. That one had a heavy top and handles that where no where close to the opening. Heck I used to make great waffles when I was a kid. Now I have to watch the Food Channel and figure out how to make waffles from scratch. It is only me and the cat, and the cat does not eat waffles. So all this batter making thing sounds just too much. Maybe I will try to put the batter in the fridge overnight and see if it comes out OK.