This Belgian Waffler has made a waffle lover out of me!
Written: Oct 29 '09 (Updated Oct 29 '09)
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Pros: Makes excellent waffles. Small, easy to clean and store. Recipes.
Cons: Priced higher than some other models but you get what you pay for.
The Bottom Line: This is a great little gadget for anyone who loves waffles!
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| knotheadusc's Full Review: VillaWare 2002 Uno Belgian Waffler |
A few months ago, I happened to read millinocket's superior Epinion about the VillaWare 2002 Uno Belgian Waffler. Though I've never been especially fond of waffles, I do love Belgium. Besides, a Belgian waffle is a little different than the waffles my mom used to make on her old square waffle iron. Anyway, millinocket's review of this particular Belgian waffle iron definitely made me want to buy one for myself. However, at the time she had written her review, I was living in Europe and I knew that the difference in electrical voltages would keep me from really enjoying the appliance. I resolved to get one when we moved back to the States. In late September, when my husband Bill and I finally had a U.S. address again, I placed my order with Amazon.com for the VillaWare Belgian Waffler, where it was selling for $44.95. I was very surprised when it was on my doorstep less than 24 hours later.
First impressions
The first thing I noticed and really liked about this Belgian Waffler is that it's small and round. One of the things that always turned me off about waffles was the fact that they were kind of big and, unless they were fresh, not that tasty. By using the VillaWare waffler, I can make a waffle that's the perfect size for one person.
The next thing I noticed was the depth of the iron. This waffler makes waffles with nice, deep grids in them which allow plenty of room for whatever topping your little heart desires. When I eat waffles, I prefer to top them with some fresh strawberries and real whipped cream. But these waffles can hold just about anything you want, from maple syrup to plain old butter. I bet they'd even hold up to my mom's famous turkey hash, which she would always serve with waffles after Christmas. No wonder I avoided waffles for so long.
The top part of this waffler is made of aluminum, while the bottom part is plastic. There's a temperature gauge at the front of the waffle iron with numerical settings from 1 to 7. There are also two little indicator lights that let me know when the waffler is ready to go.
My first batches
I used the little cookbook that came with the waffler to make my first batches, following the recipe for Belgian waffles, which come out very light and fluffy. Besides the Belgian waffle recipe, there are recipes for other types of waffles including a chocolate dessert waffle. But for my purposes, the Belgian waffle recipe is great and makes a very tasty batter. I used a half recipe because Bill and I really only need enough batter to make about three waffles-- one for each of us and one for the dogs to split.
Making waffles with the VillaWare 2002 Uno Belgian Waffler couldn't be an easier process. There's no on/off switch, so I just set the iron to setting four on the dial, used a little Crisco to lubricate the waffle grids, and waited for the green light and beep to tell me that the iron was ready to use. Then I carefully ladeled out the batter onto the bottom grid and pulled the top grid down on it. The iron steamed a little and then, after a couple of minutes, the green light came on again and the machine beeped. I carefully pulled the top grid up and voila, I had a perfectly formed, beautifully browned Belgian waffle. Not only did it look delicious, it also tasted delicious.
Clean up
Cleaning up after using the VillaWare 2002 Uno Belgian Waffler is a snap. I just use a damp cloth to wipe down the machine and get rid of the oily residue. It takes about a minute. And because this waffler is so small, it makes a very small footprint in the kitchen. It's easy to store when you're short on space.
Product specifications
This waffler makes waffles that are 7.5 inches round and 1.25 inches thick. The unit uses 1000 watts of power, which is the main reason I opted not to get one when we were in Germany. That would have required a big, expensive transformer!
Overall
I really love using this waffler. I love the fact that the waffles come out small, but deep. I love the fact that the waffles are made from scratch, yet so easy to make. I love the fact that this waffler is so easy to clean. Bill and I still don't eat waffles very often, so we don't freeze the waffles we make. However, if we were inclined to do some freezing, I'd have no qualms about trying it. These waffles come out very sturdy.
I highly recommend the VillaWare 2002 Uno Belgian Waffler to anyone who loves fresh waffles in the morning. This little machine definitely made a waffle lover out of me!
For more information: www.villaware.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 44.95
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