Dealing with the leftover dough: Cleaning the waffle iron
Waffles are one of the most popular desserts in Germany. They would probably be eaten more often if cleaning the waffle iron afterwards wasn’t so annoying. Many waffle enthusiasts are particularly at a loss when it comes to dried-on dough residue and can only clean the waffle iron with great difficulty. It is not uncommon for the wrong tools and methods to be used, which can damage the waffle iron. But fortunately, there are some tips and tricks that ensure that not only baking and enjoying the waffles is a pleasure, but cleaning the device afterwards is just as easy.
How do you properly clean the waffle iron?
The correct method for cleaning the waffle iron depends, among other things, on the type of waffle iron. In modern waffle irons, the baking plates can often be removed. This makes the cleaning process much easier. But don’t worry: If you have an old waffle iron without removable plates, the following tips will help you clean it easily and without any problems.
Material list
- Kitchen paper
- Plastic brush/toothbrush
- Cleaning cloth
PreparationFirst switch off the waffle iron and unplug it. Then let the waffle iron cool down first so that you don't burn yourself during the cleaning process. It is best to let the waffle iron cool down until it is still lukewarm. This prevents the batter from drying and making it difficult to remove. Later cleaning can be made easier if a piece of kitchen paper is placed in the waffle iron while it is cooling down to soak up any excess fat.
Cleaning
Once the device has cooled down sufficiently, you can first remove any light dirt with the kitchen paper. The coarser dirt is best removed with a soft plastic brush to avoid damaging the coating of the waffle iron. A toothbrush is very suitable for this step. The brushed-off dirt can then simply be wiped off with a damp cloth. If this doesn't work, carefully pour some water onto the baking sheets to allow the dried-on dirt to soak.
Another cleaning method that produces very good results with little effort is the production of a so-called cleaning waffle. To do this, simply mix baking powder with some water until you get a mixture that is a little drier than regular waffle dough. The mixture is then simply baked in the waffle iron like a waffle and absorbs fat and other impurities thanks to the baking powder it contains. If the waffles stick slightly in your waffle iron, it may be a good idea to add a little fat to the mixture to prevent it from burning.
After cleaning the inside of the waffle iron, you can simply wipe the outer side of it with a damp cloth or sponge and a little dish soap to clean it from the outside as well.
Don'ts: What to avoid when cleaning
To avoid damaging the non-stick coating of the waffle iron and ruining your next waffles, you should never clean the appliance with any hard, sharp, or pointed objects. Rough dishwashing sponges are just as taboo as steel sponges or metal objects, as the coated surface is very sensitive and can be easily damaged. You should also avoid aggressive cleaning agents, as these may leave residues. Usually, you don't even need to use the dish soap to clean your waffle iron if you follow the tips listed.
Tips for preventing contamination
If you want to be sure that this difficult-to-remove dirt doesn't even occur, it's best to check if the baking plates can be removed when you buy the waffle iron. It is also helpful to rub the waffle iron with enough oil or other fat before use so that no dough residue sticks to it. A special cooking spray is particularly suitable for this purpose because it is easy to apply and greases the entire surface of the baking plates.
