I think the main difference between Belgian waffles and ordinary waffles is the beaten egg whites, isn't it? I have 3 waffle irons...think the one I like best is a GE...makes a huge waffle thats eparates into 4 smaller squates.
Linda C

A Belgian waffle maker is a deep pocketed waffle iron.

I have a VillaWare (Classic Italian Kitchenware) which I paid around $88 on sale (reg. $108) at a restaurant supply store in 2002. It's a 4-square classic wide-pocket waffler.

I don't like Belgian waffles recipes that is in the recipe booklet. We much prefer the All-American Waffles classic recipe. In both recipes, you fold in beaten egg whites.

The difference in the recipes is that the Belgian waffles have more eggs, less milk, and less baking powder. The All-American waffles are more light and fluffy.

Lovetoshop:
I have a very old Wafflebaker that makes a perfect thickness Waffle ( for me )

I've been trying to find one to match, for a long time and did, in Macy's
It is a Cuisinart, Model WMR-CA. It was on sale for $29.95
I think it was regular priced about $50.

Makes a Waffle a little over 1/2inch thick. All the others are to thin.
There was a post on this a while back. I'll try to find it.

Here is the Waffleiron new and old . The Waffles are crispy and tender.
If you want, I'll put in the Recipe.
When I want a Belgium Waffle i'll make a Double Decker and put fruit,Ice Cream in between.
Whipped Cream on top.

Lou

part of the reason I want a regular waffle maker vs the deep pocket belgium type is because I have a VERY picky 3 year old who is used to the frozen Banana Waffles we buy at Trader Joes. She does not like to try new things and especially if I give her something too different then what she is used to. I want to make waffles that are more healthy but are similar in size and thickness that she will hopefully eat.

lovetoshop, I also have a VillaWare, I lusted after it for months and finally bought it on clearance for $79, I think. It makes great waffles shaped like cows, pigs, chickens and barns.

{{gwi:1468242}}

{{gwi:1468243}}

Annie

Lovestoshop:
I did a Search. Put in Waffle Bakers and got 2 responses.
The one I mentioned was a Post for Waffle Recipes.

Annie:
I just bought a Villa Ware Pizzelle Baker on Amazon, at a Good price.
Sometimes you can get free shipping.

I like the Cuisinart because it matches my Antique Wafflebaker.

Now, I can make Waffles in Stereo and the right thickness.
I'll put in my Recipe when all the others are in.
Lou

PS : It's a shame you have all the problems, feeding the kiddies.

I usually had two choices for food, eat or don't eat !!!!
And I didn't want to cheat my kids out of anything, so I gave them the same choices.

I like my Cuisinart waffle maker as well, but have found that the little timer they put on it isn't worth much. It seems like I'm always checking and pulling the waffles before it goes off, no matter how low I set it. Other than that feature (which I've never had before so I don't know why I'm complaining now) I like it. Turns out consistent waffles and isn't too hard to clean.

hawk307- You were smart to have the eat or don't eat choices. I am a push over in that department! Hence my need for the "perfect" waffle maker!

I would like to have a waffle iron too. Help me with some decisions.

1. Most waffle makers these days are for Belgian waffles. I'm not sure that's what I want, but I'm willing to consider it. Do Belgian waffle makers require a special batter made with frothy egg whites, or can I use a simple batter similar to pancake batter? I can beat egg whites but, for everyday breakfasts, I would like to just mix up some dry ingredients with liquid and bake it.

2. Any strong opinions about which are the best eating, Belgian or regular? It's been a while since I've had any. I don't think I've met a waffle I didn't like.

3. Lou, have you read the reviews on Amazon for the waffle maker you bought recently? Some love it, some hate it. The negative reviews are mostly about sticking and overflowing or squeeze out. Some waffle makers are noted as having a good sized overflow channel. Is this important? Your waffles come out nice and brown with no sticking, right? Your picture shows that. Is overflow ever a problem?

Anything else I should be concerned about?

Jim

This may sound silly, but how about looking at a used one from Craigslist, eBay, your local thrift store, or a garage sale?

I would LOVE to recommend my waffle iron. It's a Sunbeam. However, it is ALSO about as old as I am (and I hit the half-century mark last year). Mom said she got it around the time when I was born. She wasn't using it, my Belgian (deep pocket) waffle iron had just died, so she gave it to me. Non-stick surface? No. Temperature regulator? To a degree. I doubt that Sunbeam makes one like it any more. But if I found one at a thrift store, I'd go for it!

DonnaR/CA

Does it look like this Sunbeam?
{{gwi:1518314}}

A 60/70's GE
{{gwi:1518315}}

An old General Mills from the 50's
{{gwi:1518316}}

Still works
{{gwi:1518317}}

A Triona ? Never heard of this make before but it works

PK....the 60's to 70's GE is one of my newer ones....

Wow, the 60/70's GE is the exactly the same one my mom has! She wouldn't give it up when I moved out. :( I offered to buy her a new one but no dice. I miss that waffle iron. You certainly have a nice collection of old waffle irons there, pk!

Bri

Jim:
Getting back to your Questions. I don't have too much time right now.
But I'll try to answer them, In my opinions.

I had many Waffle Irons or Bakers as they call them now,
Sunbeam, Toastmaster etc.
I gave them all away and stayed with the old one, as in the Photo (Toastmaster)
Because it makes Waffles the thickness, that I like, about 9/16 inch.
Then I found a match. It is very Basic and easy to use.
no controls and don't flip.

I think the sticking,over flow and Squeeze out problem,has to do with the batter.
I use a thick batter, which almost has to be moved around when put in the baker.

The iron has to be hot, maybe a thin batter will cool it slightly, causing sticking.
And probably cause the overflow, also.
As for the taste difference, in my Humble Opinion, a lot of the good taste,
is in the Crust of Baked breads etc.

To me the thinner Waffle; rather than the Belguim, has more baked Crust Surface area.
Like I said many times, if I want a Belguim Waffle, I stack two Regular Waffles.
You will have almost double the Baked Crust Surface.

I can fill the center, with all kinds of Sinful things and top with the same.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to tell you, because I don't. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you did it !!! I'm going to get a couple of Waffles from the freezer.
I'll come back later with the Recipe.

That will give you time to hear all the others.
LOU

lovestoshop:
Jim:
I'm back ! didn't feel like doing the Waffles, so I grabbed some Pizzelles.

Here is the Waffle recipe:

LOUÂS
Pancakes and Waffles Recipe

2 ½ cups milk
2 eggs separated ) .
1/3 cup of veg. Oil
2 tablespoon of vanilla
Pinch of salt
½ cup Sugar

1 cup of Wheat Flour
4 teaspoons Baking Powder
All Purpose flour
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Mix Pancake Batter:
Put the first 6 ingredients ( except egg whites ) in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
Put in the Wheat flour, Baking pwd. and some All Purpose flour.
Beat until smooth. Add enough flour to thicken slightly,
(were it leaves ripples while mixing ) not thin and loose.
Beat the egg whites with a teaspoon of sugar, until peaked.
Add 1/2 the egg whites to the batter and fold in easy.
Beat the other 1/2 of the whites until very stiff and fold these in also.
After the pancakes are cooked, I put plastic in between for freezing.

For Waffles:
Thicken a little more, to where you have to move it around with a spoon,
when it is put on the waffle iron . Then do the egg white thing as in the pancake batter.
When baked, I cool them fast on a rack and put them in a plastic bag,
and right in the freezer.

If you overcook a little, dampen slightly with water,
before you put them in the toaster oven.

As for the waffle iron , I have a very old round one with adjustable heat Range.
It makes a waffle about 9/16 inch thickness. For me this is just right,
for the amount of butter and syrup that you can put on top.
I donÂt use the Belgium Waffle Maker ; except when IÂm adding
Ice cream and fruit topping , because itÂs too much waffle for the
amount of syrup and butter. But may be good for you.!

If I want a Belgium Waffle, I just make a double decker and
put fruit or whatever filling in between.
Then you have more cooked surface area , on the Waffles.
Which is where the flavor is ( the cooked surface )

Thanks, Lou! Now I know what's behind the great looking waffles in your pictures.

Jim

Jim:
I had a good tip from a member that changed mine from good to very good.
Don't know if she would want to mention her name but I did once before.
Thanks, Lou