Commercial waffle makers

A waffle is a baked breakfast or dessert item made from leavened batter that’s cooked between two patterned plates that create a distinctive grid pattern on the waffle’s surface.

Waffles are typically crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, with small pockets that hold syrup, toppings, or butter.

They are served in sweet and savoury dishes and are enjoyed worldwide.

Waffle makers are often designed with a specific type/s of waffle in mind, so before you choose one you’ll need to figure out what type of waffles you’ll be serving. Here are some of the common types offered in Australia:

Belgian waffle: A North American adaptation of a waffle showcased at Expo 58 in Brussels, Belgian waffles are leavened with yeast or baking powder, which gives them a light and airy texture. They’re thicker and have larger and deeper pockets than American waffles. Belgian waffles are served for breakfast and as a dessert, with various toppings like whipped cream, fruit, or chocolate. They’re usually round in shape, with smooth, finished edges.

Brussels waffle: Though often confused with Belgian waffles, Brussels waffles have a thicker, fluffier texture and — due to a higher butter content — crunchier outer shell. They have large, deep pockets. Brussels waffles have a more neutral taste and are lower in sugar than Liege waffles. They’re eaten hot with sweet or salty ingredients such as fruit, ice cream, salmon, and bacon. Traditionally, they’re rectangular and characterised by fine ridges.

American waffle: Often made with batter leavened with baking powder, these waffles are thinner and denser than Belgian waffles. American waffles have more and shallower pockets than most other types of waffles, making them ideal for holding syrup or gravy along with the other usual waffle toppings. They’re served not only for breakfast and as a sweet dessert, but also in savoury dishes, such as fried chicken and waffles. These waffles come in a variety of shapes.

Liege waffle: These waffles are sweeter and denser than Belgian and Brussels waffles. They’re made with yeast-based brioche dough studded with nibs of pearl sugar that caramelize on the waffle iron as it cooks. Because they have a sweet crust, Liege waffles can be eaten plain, like a pastry, though some customers still insist on toppings. In contrast to Brussels waffles, Liege waffles are oval in shape with irregular edges.

The size and shape of commercial waffle machine grid/s you’ll need will depend on the types of waffles you’ll  be making:

Belgian

• Round shape
• 32-38mm thickness (approx)
• 178-203mm diameter (approx)

Brussels

• Rectangular shape
• 29mm thickness (approx)
• 102x152mm, 102x178mm, 76x127mm (approx)

American

• Round or square shape
• 13-16mm thickness (approx)
• 178-203mm diameter, 178-203mm square (approx)

Liege

• Irregular shape
• 25mm thickness (approx)
• 102x178mm, 102x330mm (approx)

A waffle maker, also known as a waffle machine or waffle iron, is a home or commercial kitchen appliance designed to cook waffle batter between two hinged metal plates.

After heating up the waffle maker, you pour the batter onto the lower plate and then lower the upper plate. A short time later, the waffles are ready to be eaten.

Both plates have gridded indentations, which gives waffles their signature appearance.

The earliest waffle irons were held over fires. A stove-top waffle iron was patented in the late-1800s and production of the first electric waffle iron began in 1918.

There are three commercial waffle maker configurations; the one you get will largely depend on your required output:

Single waffle maker: Produces a single waffle at a time and around 20–30 waffles per hour, depending on cooking time. They’re ideal for occasional waffle making.

Double waffle maker: Features two, side-by-side waffle irons, which means you can make two waffles at a time, increasing output to 40–60 waffles per hour, depending on the cooking time. The plates can be controlled independently, allowing you to set different temperatures and cooking times for different batters or desired levels of browning.

Stacked double waffle maker: Features two waffle irons stacked on top of the other, making the machine more compact and saving counter space. The plates can be flipped, giving you to access one plate at a time — either to add batter or remove the waffles when they’re ready. Both plates are connected to a single temperature control and timer.

As well as the waffle maker’s output and the size and shape of its grid, you should look for the following features, some of which are standard, others of which are not:

Temperature control: Enables you to set different temperatures for different waffle batters and achieve the desired level of browning and crispness.

Timer: Allows you to set the cooking time and achieve more consistent results.

Thermostat: Some waffle makers have a built-in thermostat that helps maintain a consistent cooking temperature by adjusting the heat output as needed.

Indicator lights: Indicate when the waffle plates are properly preheated and ready for the batter; they can also signal when the waffles are cooked and ready to be removed

Browning control: Some waffle makers offer not only temperature control, but also specific browning settings.

Interchangeable grids: Some models come with interchangeable or adjustable grids or plates that allow you to make waffles of different shapes and sizes, providing greater variety to your customers.