What’s The Deal With The All-Clad Waffle Maker (And Is It Worth The Price Tag)? posted by Taylor Munsell Pin Share Tweet Email SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Over the past few years, I’ve been hearing more and more buzz about the All Clad waffle maker. Last week, I finally broke down and dished out $180 at Amazon for [amazon link=”B00BFCZRSC” link_icon=”none” title=”the two-square version of the All-Clad” /]. And let me tell you, I am blown away. Even though the hype I had heard from my friends (who know my family and I are huge waffle fans) had gotten my hopes up, I wasn’t expecting what I got. In this post, I’ll tell you why the All Clad waffle maker stands out, why you should get one, and how to take care of your model so well you’ll be able to pass it down to your kids in like-new condition. Table of ContentsAbout the All Clad Waffle MakerWhat Makes This Waffle Maker So Great (Key Features)?How to Use and Care For Your All Clad Waffle MakerAll Clad Waffle Maker FAQ About the All Clad Waffle Maker All Clad, a cookware company located in Pennsylvania, released a Belgian waffle maker a few years ago and did a bang-up job. It’s a self-contained device (no external heat source required) that makes some of the best waffles I’ve ever had in my life from any waffle batter you put in there. Just select how well-cooked you want the waffles from the seven heat settings, pour the batter into the molds, and just a few minutes later you’ll have two delicious waffles just how you like them. Since the waffle maker is Belgian-style, the holes in the waffles will be large and deep, so you can garnish them with even more toppings like maple syrup, cream, or whatever your heart desires! You can also use the appliance to cook a myriad of foods other than waffles, including: Mac and cheesePotato PancakesBrowniesQuesadillasFrench toastAnd literally hundreds of other fantastic recipes. What Makes This Waffle Maker So Great (Key Features)? You may be thinking, so what? Lots of waffle makers can do just those things described above. What makes the [amazon link=”B00BFCZRSC” link_icon=”none” title=”All-Clad waffle maker” /] different from other waffle makers? I’m glad you asked. Let’s cut right to the chase: this is the most beautiful stand-alone waffle maker I’ve ever seen, hands down. You know that movie trope where someone opens a box full of valuables and a golden light shines out, accompanied by the sound of a chorus of angels? That’s exactly what it felt like when I popped the All Clad box for the first time and gazed upon the gleaming surface of the waffle maker. I’m still not sure how All Clad got the silver plating on the outside to gleam so brightly, but it sure gave a good first impression. Even though the bright sheen gave the waffle maker an elegant appearance, the rivets and screws on top of the appliance gave it a distinctly heavy-duty look that you don’t see on other waffle-makers. When I took the waffle maker out of the box and examined it, I found that the elegant-yet-rugged look was present on the rest of the exterior, too. I’m happy to say that the heavy-duty appearance was definitely an indicator of the waffle maker’s functionality. There are a few other waffle makers I just love, but none of them match the All Clad model in terms of how durable they look and feel. [amazon fields=”B00BFCZRSC” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”All-Clad 99011GT Stainless Steel Belgian Waffle Maker with 7 Browning Settings, 2-Square, Silver”] Honestly, I’m pretty sure I could smack this thing full-force with a baseball bat and it would not even dent, let alone stop working. It just feels sturdy. The hinges on the back of the waffle maker and the heat-resistant handle on the front used to open it are nice and thick, but they still have the smooth action that you’d expect from something much more delicate. When it comes to the actual cooking process, the All Clad waffle maker is up there with the best of them. All Clad has a proprietary technology called the “steam release system” that they build into their waffle makers and which prevents condensation from building up inside the machine during baking by letting steam out through a small vent in the top. This results in golden waffles that are dry and crunchy on the outside and creamy and soft on the inside every single time. I’ve already used my All Clad a couple dozen times, and I am yet to get a soggy waffle or anything close to it. More so than on any other waffle maker I’ve used, the heat settings (which are controlled by a large ergonomic knob on the front of the device) work like a charm. [amazon link=”B00BFCZRSC” link_icon=”none” title=”All-Clad” /] really nailed the control functionality; waffles cooked on the “1” setting never come out brown, and waffles on the “7” setting are always well-cooked but still golden brown. This precision is especially valuable when deviating from plain old waffle batter, because other types of batter and especially other types of foods require entirely different heat settings and different cooking times to avoid under- or overcooking. Most heavy-duty cookware tends to make a mess, but not this guy. The waffle irons inside are covered with a surprisingly effective nonstick coating that almost always wipes clean with just a bit of water on a rag. The included drip tray is also a really nice addition, especially since I have a habit of pouring in too much batter and overflowing the waffle molds. When I’m done making waffles with the device, the counter is usually clean and it only takes me about 30 seconds to clean up. How to Use and Care For Your All Clad Waffle Maker First, make sure before every use that your hands and the cooking area are totally dry. Any moisture other than the batter itself can result in soggy waffles, which you definitely don’t want. Also remember to let the waffle maker heat up to your desired heat setting before putting the batter in. Doing so will make your waffles crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. There is a green indicator light on the front of All Clad waffle makers that goes on when the device is fully preheated. After your batter (or other food) is done cooking, use a non-metal tool to remove it. Metal could scratch the nonstick surface. To clean the All Clad waffle maker, you’ll want to wait until it cools completely. Luckily, this model does a good job of cooling quickly once it’s unplugged. After it’s cool, give it a quick once-over with a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any crumbs or large oil splotches. Then wet a cloth and go over the iron again, making sure to wipe down every part. Now wait for the iron to air dry, and once it is dry you can close it and put it back in the cabinet. Even though the device is so heavy-duty, it is smaller than most other high-quality waffle makers, making it easy to store. All Clad Waffle Maker FAQ Can any waffle mix be used with this waffle maker? Yes, [amazon link=”B00BFCZRSC” link_icon=”none” title=”All-Clad” /] waffle makers are extremely versatile and can cook any waffle mix to perfection as long as you choose the right setting. Keep in mind that different waffle mixes work best with different heat settings and different cook times, so you may have to experiment the first few times you use a new mix, possibly lifting the lid every minute or so and sticking a fork into one of the waffles to see if it comes out clean.Of course, some waffle mix recipes tell you exactly how long and at what temperature the batter should be cooked on. What is the cook time per waffle? 4-6 minutes. I like my waffles a bit creamier in the center than most, so I like to cook them for just under four minutes. My husband likes his waffles pretty well-done, so he usually cooks them closer to the six-minute mark.As I mentioned, the cooking time differs slightly for different batters, and most batter recipes include a time that you can use as a baseline. Should I oil the baking surface before adding batter? Yes. After heating the baking surface up but before adding the batter, spray it with a thin layer of cooking oil or, as is my preferred method, lightly rub a stick of butter over the surface.Either of these methods will help the outer layer of the waffles to become even crispier, and the butter will even add a bit or flavor to your waffle. The methods may also make it easier to lift your waffle out of the mold when it is done cooking. So, Is It Worth The Hype? So is the All Clad waffle maker worth the price tag? My answer, in case you hadn’t guessed already, is a resounding yes. It’s sturdier and more aesthetically pleasing than any other waffle maker I’ve seen and the cooking functionality is top-notch, so if you’re looking for a new waffle maker then I strongly advise you [amazon link=”B00BFCZRSC” link_icon=”none” title=”pick the All-Clad waffle maker up” /].
