I’ve missed sharing simple and easy cleaning tips with you guys…and this one comes just in time for summer. Oooooookay, more like “middle of the” summer. Or maybe July 18 is more like closer to the end of summer for you. Heck, maybe you’ve run out of ideas and the kids are at each other’s throats so you’re praying it’s the end of the summer? 😉
In any event, my waffle iron is a must-have appliance no matter what the season, but especially during the calm”er” summer mornings. You know….when we’re not rushing out the door after I’ve thrown a couple waffles of the frozen variety into a toaster.
But if you’re like me, you have a waffle iron that isn’t easy to clean because the plates aren’t removable. And maybe this is keeping you from a fun summer waffle making tradition. No worries, I have an easy way to get your waffle iron cleaned up with the quickness.
I have an All-Clad waffle iron and love it. Can’t say enough about it…other than to tell you just how dirty it has become over the last few weeks. Even the stainless steel exterior was in need of TLC…
Waffle irons are hard enough to clean with all those nooks and grooves…
But add in the fact I use non-stick cooking spray (which seems to overspray everywhere) and non-removable plates, suddenly it becomes even more of a pain to clean…
Again, this tip is SO easy! First of all, of course, make sure your iron is unplugged and cool to the touch. Sometimes if it’s slightly warm that can help remove more embedded, hardened bits during the cleaning process, but I always clean mine while it’s cool. With the unit unplugged, using a dry paper towel…
…wipe off as much grease and food bits as possible…
Then to get into all these grooves…
I fold a portion of the paper towel to form a tight crease…
And I run that crease through all of the waffle iron grooves…
Repeat this process as much as needed to get all of the yuck out. I used just 1 paper towel for this process…
Next, fill a dish with very hot water and a few drops of your favorite dish soap…
Using a small rag, dip a corner of the rag into the soap solution and clean the iron…
To get into the grooves, I use a soft-bristled toothbrush. I splurge and use a new one, not one I’m recycling from the kids or my bathroom. Then I keep it for cleaning a few more times before tossing. Just dip it into the soap solution…
And scrub away…
You’ll be doing this process for both the upper and lower plates. But did I really have to mention that? You guys are smarter than me!
Once you’ve cleaned the plates well and don’t see any brown residue remaining, use a dry cloth to wipe the inside….
Good as new!…
Finally, use the same soapy solution with a rag and toothbrush to clean the grease off the outside of the iron. And pat it dry…
So shiny! And ready for a fresh batch of waffles!
If you have an iron with non-removable plates, I hope this cleaning tip helps!
I’m still having a blast at Haven and can’t wait to recap with you guys in the coming weeks. Have a great weekend!!
This is great! I never thought to use a toothbrush! Thanks for the tip!
Very easy cleaning way! A friend of mine gave me a waffle iron, but I haven’t used i yet, because I was worried how to maintain it. Thanks for the cleaning tips, now I can finally use it!
So great to hear, Thelma! Thank you so much for the comment…go make some waffles!!!
xo,
Sam
Thanks for this, I was wondering how to clean it.
I use Q-tips dipped in soapy water but your tooth brush suggestion sounds great. Going to give it a try. Love making waffles but clean-Up is a serious pain!
My mother always cleaned ours with a toothbrush when I was a kid (and I sure hope it wasn’t mine!). She would also use a toothbrush to oil it when making waffles but that was before cooking sprays). I am hesitant to use dish soap on the plates as they are cast iron and that’s generally a no-no with cast iron as it is considered hard on the iron’s seasoning. I just keep mine well oiled to build layers of seasoning over time and mine doesn’t tend to stick at all.
How do you rinse the plates?
Hi,
I used a lot of cleaning rags soaked in warm water…didn’t submerse the plates.
Sam