What happens if you submerge a waffle maker in water?

From classic fluffy squares to thick Belgian varieties, waffles can be perfectly customized with all the trimmings from the comfort of your own kitchen. However, the mouthwatering treat loved by many comes with some not-so-fun cleaning. After making and enjoying waffles, you might be left with a baked-on mess. Luckily, with some dish detergent and a little elbow grease, deep-cleaning your waffle machine won't seem like such a chore.

Before you begin, note that you should never use any tools or utensils with sharp edges, scouring pads, or hard-bristled brushes that could scratch and destroy the surface of the waffle machine.

• Paper towels
• Soft-bristle brush
• Rubber spatula
• Sponge or dishcloth
• Dish detergent

Referring to the owner's manual will help you determine the best way to clean your waffle maker, and eliminate a lot of the guesswork to ensure you don't damage your appliance. If you can't find the owner's manual, don't fret; a quick online search should return product-care instructions needed to get the job done. Or go directly to the manufacturer's website to see if they include copies online.

Once you've located the manual for your machine, take a moment to review it. Determine if there are any removable parts, and whether or not your waffle maker is dishwasher-safe. Many waffle machines are not dishwasher-safe, but some have detachable components that can be cleaned in the sink or dishwasher. The majority of waffle makers on the market today clearly indicate they should not be submerged in water, so wiping it down is most often the best cleaning method.

Make sure that your waffle iron is unplugged from its electrical source. This will help you avoid accidentally activating the power feature. You'll also want to give your waffle machine plenty of time to cool down after use so that you don't burn yourself during the cleaning process.

Many waffle makers on the market today come with nonstick coatings, which make cleaning a lot easier. Use a paper towel or dishcloth to remove any clinging waffle batter or oil residue. Don't forget to wipe up any food bits stuck within crevices or batter-overflow areas.

If there are any food bits still stuck to the machine, grab a soft-bristle brush (the soft bristles protect the integrity of the machine's surface, especially if it's nonstick). Carefully work the dry brush over the machine to dislodge stubborn crumbs. A rubber spatula can also be used to remove any dried residue from the waffle machine without damaging the cooking surface.

Once you've removed any visible oil and food particles, clean the cooking surface of your machine with a damp sponge or dishcloth and a bit of dish detergent. If your waffle maker has a nonstick coating, skip the dish soap, as it can compromise the delicate cooking surface. Instead, opt for warm water. Be careful not to go overboard with the soap and water so that you don't damage the machine or expose electrical components to water that might increase the risk of electric shock once the machine is plugged in again.

For waffle irons with removable plates, remove the plates and place them in the sink or a container filled with warm water. Wash the plates gently with a soft sponge or brush. (Remember: don't use soap if the surface is nonstick.) Make sure any removable parts are completely dry before placing them back into the waffle machine.

You may need to make a few passes over the machine's griddle to satisfactorily clean the cooking surface, but with most of the food already removed, this shouldn't take long. Once you've cleaned the inside of your machine, turn your attention to the outside and give it a good wipe-down with your damp sponge or dishcloth.

With a fresh dishcloth, wipe down your clean waffle maker to remove any moisture before storing it away or returning it to its place on the kitchen counter.

If you have a mini waffle maker or a Belgian waffle maker, you'll likely be able to employ the same tips and tricks outlined above to clean your appliance. But always check the owner's manual or manufacturer's website to be sure. You may need to get creative with cleaning more intricate griddle surfaces—think toothpicks or chopsticks—to say goodbye to burnt batter and clean a decorative griddle for your next waffle-cooking session.

• If your waffle machine is made of stainless steel, use a stainless-steel cleaner ($9, Target) to maintain the outer components of the machine. Be sure to apply the cleaner to a cloth (rather than directly to the appliance) and avoid all food surfaces.
  
• Apply a few drops of cooking oil to any stuck or burnt batter to soften it enough to remove. You can also try applying a hot towel to the waffle machine's surface to soften stubborn residue. Another popular waffle-maker cleaning hack: creating a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the surface of the waffle-machine grid and allow it to sit for a few hours before wiping away with a damp cloth.
  

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As appetising as it is to see batter ooze out from the sides of your waffle maker and begin to crust, this baked-on, greasy goop can really do a number on the appliance if not cleaned off regularly. Even worse, leaving your waffle maker as it is after every use can attract bacteria and make for some very questionable waffles!

Owing to the narrow spaces between the plateaus, and the butter and oil that make the inside (and parts of the outside) completely greasy with stuck-on bits of cooked batter, a mere wipe down isn’t going to get your waffle maker clean. Instead, you’ve to really get into those grooves and grids to remove all traces of grease and make your waffle iron clean and sanitary again. 

If you’re wondering how to clean your waffle maker and get rid of stubborn grease and sticky stains, these six simple steps are all you need!

Step 1: Melt Grease with Heat

A good trick to clean off grease from a waffle iron is to melt it away. For this, you will need to turn on the appliance and allow the plates to heat up. A few minutes should do the trick, however, if your waffle maker takes a while to heat up, you might want to take a look at the plates every few minutes and switch it off when you see that the grease has become wet. 

Step 2: Soak up Grease with Paper Towels

WARNING: Allow the waffle plates and entire appliance to cool down before proceeding to this step.

Once cool to touch, unplug the appliance, grab a few paper towels, and push them into the grooves to soak up as much grease as possible. Don’t worry if some of the grease has congealed again after the plates have cooled down; we will tackle that later. The goal here is wipe up some of the oil so that the next steps are easier, quicker, and more effective.

Step 3: Brush the Plates

A silicone cleaning brush or regular cleaning brush with soft bristles can be used for this. Simply brush both the plates including the grooves in between. This will help remove crumbs and bits of batter stuck to the iron inside and around the sides of the waffle maker, too. The more loose debris you can remove with the brush, the easier it will be to tackle grease later on. If you come across burnt-on foods, add a few drops of cooking oil to the stain and let it soak for a few mins; then use a non-serrated plastic knife to gently scrape off the crust. 

Step 4: Clean with Mild Soap & Water

Even though you can’t wash a waffle iron under running water, you can still clean and degrease it with soap and water. Start by mixing ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap in 2 cups of lukewarm water and follow the steps below:

1. Dip a thin microfibre cloth in the solution and wring it thoroughly so that the cloth is merely damp. 
2. Take a chopstick, hold it upright, and place the cloth over it (avoid wrapping it around the stick as it will become too thick); secure the cloth with a rubber band.
3. Use the clothed chopstick to clean the greasy grid lines. 
4. Replace or rinse the microfibre cloth at intervals (remember to dip it in the cleaning solution when you do).
5. Clean each individual grid with a separate cloth and the cleaning solution.
6. Take a fresh microfibre cloth, dampen it with water, and wipe over the plates and grooves multiple times to remove all traces of the cleaning solution. Again, rinse off the cloth in between and repeat.

Step 5: Clean the Exterior

Wipe the exterior with a cloth to remove dust and loose debris. There’s no need to make a separate cleaning solution for the grease and stains on your waffle maker, however, if needed, you can strengthen it by adding in a few more drops of dishwashing liquid. Dampen a clean cloth with the cleaning solution and wipe the exterior of your waffle maker. 

While you may need to spend a little extra time and elbow grease to spot clean stubborn grime and stains, soap and water is really all you need to do this. Finish the exterior cleaning of your waffle maker by rinsing off the cleaner with a damp cloth, followed by a dry wipe-down to prevent water spots.

Step 6: Dry the Waffle Maker

To keep your waffle maker fresh and prevent mould and mildew, dry the inside thoroughly before storing it away or closing it. Moisture tends to sit between the grid lines for a while even after wiping them with a dry towel, therefore, it is advisable to allow your waffle iron interior to air out completely after cleaning the appliance. Typically this will take anywhere between 1-2 hours, after which, you may store away your clean, degreased waffle maker!

How to Keep Your Waffle Maker Clean and in Tiptop Condition

These simple tips will not only keep your waffle iron clean inside and outside, they will also ensure that the appliance is performing at its best!

Take a look below.

• Avoid scratching the surface of your waffle plates with abrasive cleaning tools or cutlery as this will cause the batter to stick
• Clean spills on the sides and exteriors as and when they occur (after the appliance has cooled down)
• Use a pastry brush to lightly grease the plates and grid lines with cooking oil; this will prevent the batter from sticking to the surface
• Clean your waffle maker after every use by wiping it down with paper towels followed by a damp-cloth wipe (when cool to touch)
• Always allow the waffle iron to air out and dry completely after a wipe down or deep clean

If you want to keep making tasty waffles, you need to keep your waffle maker clean! For that, simply follow Maid For You’s waffle cleaning guide and pay heed to the tips above to maintain a top-performing, sanitary, and grease-free waffle iron! For more kitchen cleaning guides, check out our guide to cleaning other common kitchen appliances.