VillaWare V2002 UNO Belgian Waffler, Round
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of VillaWare V2002 UNO Belgian Waffler, Round
Customer Review: Solid and Reliable
Summary: 4 Stars
Like many other people, I saw this waffler on Alton Brown's Good Eats. I usually like to do my own research (which I did anyway), but having AB's recommendation sure didn't hurt.
I've had this waffler for only about 1 week so far, but I have used it at least four times (using two different recipes). First of all, I had NO sticking, whatsoever. I followed the instructions, and used a quick spray of oil on the top and bottom, and that was that. The waffles comes out nice and easy.
The cord wrap holder on the bottom of the unit is very handy, as it the way you can store the unit upright. Sometimes it seems as if it wants to open up, since there is no latch to hold it closed while sitting upright, but it's not a big deal at all. It's a sturdy machine and looks good on the counter top.
Okay. The beeping alarm. I almost didn't buy this unit due to the numerous complaints in the reviews here. Let me tell you, they were overreacting. The alarm is no where near as annoying as other reviews seem to suggest. No, it's not the prettiest tone, but it gets your attention. It's really not too loud or anything. I actually sort of like it.
So, my only negative comment (and the reason this got 4 stars rather than 5) is that the darkness/doneness sliding dial doesn't seem very accurate. Other reviewers have noted this as well, and in this area they are correct. The sliding dial seems loose (NOT broken, just loose), and has as others mentioned, about half an inch of "play."
I experimented by setting the dial at "5," and when the waffler chimed, indicating the waffle was done, I slid the dial to "7." Now, what should happen is that the red light should go back on and the alram should chime again in a minute or two, after extra cooking. Instead, the green light remains on, which seems to suggest that the number 5 setting and the number 7 setting are cooking the waffle for the same amount of time.
Anyway, it's not a proven scientific experiment, so don't let this deter you from a purchase, as the pros far outweigh the cons. But it is worth knowing, if you plan to buy this machine.
Either way, the waffles come out nice and brown when on the higher settings, so don't think too long on it.
Overall, a great machine, and worth the money.
Customer Review: This waffle maker delivers on ALL promises, especially the WaffleTone(tm) Technology!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are so many reasons to love this waffle maker:
1) Waffle Perfection: It makes perfect waffles on time, every time. Waffles are cooked to a an excellent golden brown quickly, and they come out light inside and crunchy outside. In my most common waffle-serving scenario, my single guest and I simply cannot eat waffles quickly enough to keep up with the machine!
2) Speed: Warm-up time is short (much shorter, in fact, than the five minute post-mixing wait time that most waffle recipes advocate).
3) Lubrication: I've found that clean waffle plates + fatty waffle recipes = waffles that slide out easily! Whatever you do, do not spray PAM or other spray oils onto the waffler--they will lubricate for a time, yes, but eventually they will just degrade and make the plates sticky. Yuck!
4) WaffleTone(tm) Technology: Although the alarm on this unit is both loud and, if it indicated anything other than immediate waffle-y goodness, annoying, I actually love this unit because it is this way! Because of such a loud and reliable alarm, I'm able to make perfect waffles every time without having to worry about setting a timer--something that my guests appreciate (we've got good waffles, and I'm able to concentrate on conversation while cooking!).
5) Weight and quality of build: This unit is solid and has the feel of an appliance that will last for decades to come.
The one thing that I still haven't figured out is how to wrap the cord effectively around the base of the unit. I've tried about three or four different ways, but none of them seem to leave the waffle maker free to sit levelly and compactly on a shelf or in a cupboard! Compared to the great waffles that are produced by this unit, this is a minor annoyance only. EDIT: I handed this waffle maker to my older brother and told him how I couldn't figure out how the cord wrapped up, and he figured it out on the first try! I couldn't believe it! I can now successfully wrap the cord so that it sits perfectly on my shelf. Wahoo!
I was tipped off to this particular waffler by my personal cooking hero: Alton Brown. Fanyboy move? Yes. Fantastic choice anyway: Double yes!
Thank you, VillaWare, for making a waffler that puts the others to shame!
Customer Review: Great value and ease of use
Summary: 5 Stars
I plug the unit in. I use Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake mix. Three heaping tablespoons of mix in an empty 32oz Yogurt container...cold water from refrigerator door to make batter...whisk it. The unit beeps...I lift the lid and wipe a butter stick over top half, then over bottom half (a little bit of butter melts into the grooves). I pour enough batter to submerge the metal protrusions and close the lid...setting 4,5, or 6 (doesn't seem to matter-they come out brown at either of these settings)...BEEEEP. I take it out...pour more batter...by-the-way the yogurt container is ideal because I can fashion a spout by squeezing its sides. I get about 3 waffles out of this...or 2 2-sided waffles and a 1-sided one (if you barely submerge the prongs it comes out one sided, that is pockets on one side of the waffle and flat on the other...if the prongs poke through the batter, the waffle will have holes...try to avoid this for aesthetic reasons...) These are fluffy-spongy things I top with homemade peach jam I spoon into the pockets...you can fold these and they do sweat on their plate. I may eat one and give away a second, saving at least one in the refrigerator (covered with plastic wrap). The refrigerated ones I heat in a toaster oven and they come out even better: crispy-chewy. So much for basics. Variations: (a)throw an egg yolk into the batter and whip the white into a meringue with a little bit of sugar to form stiff peaks then pour batter into meringue. result: fluffier BUT I end up with a lot of dishes to wash...(b)grind almonds into a powder, walnuts into crunchy tiny bits, blend with egg yolk and sugar, a little Krusteaz and milk, pour into meringue. result: a nut-torte, sort of...and crunchy...And a big mess of containers, spoons, counters, rags, etc. Do not try this unless you have domestic help! (c)experiment with raisins and cut-up dry apricots and use a bit of sugar for a soft cookie, sort-of. (d) heat (c) at @300 degrees for @10 mins in toaster oven (directly on the rack) and let them stay in there after oven shuts off... result: biscotti!, sort of...(which you can eat at room temperature, thus perfect for an away from home snack) ANY QUESTIONS?Customer Review: Nifty small waffle maker; easy to use; delicious waffles
Summary: 5 Stars
I never made waffles in my life, but I got tired of getting frozen ones and decided to check out the inexpensive-ish waffle makers on amazon. I picked this one due to 1. the excellent reviews and 2. no multiple posts about particular, recurring problems.
So, I got it today and I used it right off. As instructed, I discarded the first batch (which gave me a chance to practice, anyway).
With the second batch, they came out nice right off. I did have to learn how much to pour--not having done this previously--so that there was no spill-over.
A previous reviewer mentioned that on the 5 setting, waffles cooked through but weren't browned enough. I agree. I followed the instruction in the booklet (start with 3 or 4 settings) and those were really mushy and floppy. Setting 5 was okay, and 6 was better. But the highest setting 7, made them just right. NOT burned. Not floppy. Nice and light and crispy outside, with a nice brownish color.
I recommend setting 7, but you can experiment on your first "throwaway" batch.
Really easy to use. Beeps when it's hot enough. Beeps again, after you pour in the batter, when the waffle is cooked through.
I'll update this if I have problems later, but I really liked how this worked right out of the box.
(For reference, I used a waffle mix I bought online, Golden Malt, but the booklet has recipes, too, for ones you mix yourself.)
Mir
JULY UPDATE: I've been using the waffle maker once a week (occasionally twice) since I bought it. I make a big batch (enough for a week of breakfasts for hubby, a couple for me) and freeze them. They taste great reheated in a toaster oven--crunchier outside.
I still find that the best setting is the top one (darkest), and I even let it sit anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds after the beep to get them browner (like hubby likes them). I like them fine as they come out at the beep of the last setting.
Anyway, still a nice waffle maker for a nice price.
Customer Review: Great waffles but can't get them crisp!
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought this waffler a couple weeks ago and was very excited to finally get one as this is our family's first waffler. Followed the instructions, throwing out the first waffle and have used this now twice. For some reason I cannot get my waffles to come out 'crisp' even though the setting is on the absolute highest (7). What I am probably going to have to do is toast them after they come out of the waffler, which is very disappointing considering the only reason I bought this waffler was because of the over 200 extremely positive reviews. If anyone has any tips, that would be helpful. I tried filling the tray with different amounts of mix; a little, medium and a lot and it really doesn't matter how much batter I put in. When I put in very little, the top doesn't get brown but the bottom does so I agree with one of the most recent reviews that it only browns one side of the waffle when cooking (the bottom). Obviously if you put too much in, it's going to spill all over the place so I'm not sure exactly how much is the right amount to get crispy waffles. I've only tried two different homemade batter mixes and they taste great, it's just that once you put the syrup on, they get even more soggy than when they came out. I'm happy with the beeper that tells you when they are done-very helpful. I am a bit disappointed that my review can't be a solid 5. Plus this brand was supposed to be one of the absolute best for people on a budget. I also love how small this is because storage is an issue for me so the fact that it folds into a neat little unit with the cord storing in its little holder on the bottom is really great. However, if a bigger waffler would make crisp waffles, I would happily trade the size for crispiness.