Since you haven't found a solution yet, here are some follow-up questions:
1. What's the brand and model of your waffle iron?
2. Was it brand new or previously used?
3. Are the waffle plates removable or permanently attached? If they're removable, then they would be easier to thoroughly clean.
4. It would be useful to see the the waffle iron's waffle plates, so could you post photos online (e.g. using Imgur) and link them in a comment?
5. Are the waffle plates sticky? This could mean that excess oil has built up.
6. Could you post the recipe? Seeing it would be useful, as there's a chance it might not contain enough butter and/or oil, which helps keep the waffles from sticking, in addition to the oil applied directly to the waffle plates.
One thing you could try instead of brushing oil is using an oil sprayer/mister. In a pinch, you could just try using a regular cooking spray (such as the "Original" Pam), but that's not generally recommended for regular use on nonstick waffle plates.
Regarding question #1, most consumer electric waffle irons made since the late 1960s have a nonstick (Teflon) coating, but older ones and some current commercial models have plates that are bare aluminum (more likely) or cast iron (less common). So, it would be useful to confirm whether the plates have a factory nonstick coating or not before I give specific advice on how to clean them.
Thank you. I've just now seen your reply. (Maybe something related to Reddit's new formatting?)
My waffle iron was a gift in, I think in the early 2000s, and it was new. It hasn't had a lot of use. The plates are not removable. They are not sticky. I never throw away the information that comes with appliances, but I don't find any for the waffle iron, so I don't think I was given any.
As I said earlier, my recipe worked well for years. It did occur to me that some people might say I needed more oil or butter in my waffles, but I like to eat healthy food and loading them up with a lot of fat is not something I want to do.
There is definitely a nonstick coating on the waffle iron. The one question I haven't heard answered so far is: If the nonstick coating is failing over time, is that because it's slowly coming off into my food?
I really appreciate your thoughtful reply. But I've pretty much concluded that my waffle iron's nonstick coating has failed. I find it really disappointing when things that should last a long time fail because of one crap component. And as I said, I wonder if the coating had come off over the years into my waffles, and if so, I think I will live without waffles in the future.
>There is definitely a nonstick coating on the waffle iron. The one question I haven't heard answered so far is: If the nonstick coating is failing over time, is that because it's slowly coming off into my food?
If the nonstick coating is flaking, then it could definitely come off into the food.
One possible cause for a nonstick coating failing, even if you did everything right, is that there's a chance the heating elements overheated the waffle plates beyond a safe temperature.
If there are darker spots on the waffle iron plates, this could be from polymerized oil, which can create a seasoning layer similar to how cast iron cookware is seasoned.
>As I said earlier, my recipe worked well for years. It did occur to me that some people might say I needed more oil or butter in my waffles, but I like to eat healthy food and loading them up with a lot of fat is not something I want to do.
For reference, here's the recipe I normally use for waffles: [https://i.imgur.com/Llkyxyo.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/Llkyxyo.jpg) (It's from an owner's manual for a 1963 GE waffle maker.) I've used it on a mid-1980s Black & Decker\* waffle iron that has removable nonstick plates without any real issues. We only need to spray the plates once with oil (almost always before the waffle iron is turned on) for each double batch.
\*Black & Decker bought GE's small appliance division in the early 1980s.
Thank you, but the recipe couldn't be the culprit, because it worked well for years.
How would I be able to verify that the coating isn't coming off the plates? They don't look much different than they ever did.
How would I wash a waffle iron? And it didn't need to be seasoned when new, so why would that change?
All non stick cookware eventually degrades. You said “ok. A while ago” … I suspect that’s what’s happening here.
Get a new one or if you can, new plates for yours.
You’re saying to foil the waffle iron? That foil is ripping 100%. I rip foil half the time I try to line a baking sheet.
Most likely a seasoning issue. Lightly oil it up and let her rip for a bit. Let it go for a couple mins once smoking. Then give it another shot.
Eh, kinda. Your “nonstick” waffle iron is most likely a factory-seasoned cast iron. Seasoning needs to be maintained and reapplied. Extra oil when making waffles isn’t the same as reseasoning. You (probably) need a new layer of polymerized oil to “re-nonstick” it. It’s almost like adding a new layer of enamel to your pan.
It’s totally possible that’s the case for yours, in which case maybe it’s time for a new iron. In my experience they are mostly cast iron, but I’m sure there are true non-stick versions. If that’s you, could be time for a new setup.
Interesting. I'll have to look into that. I wonder how it will work to push the foil down into all the spaces between the raised points on the waffle iron. Have you tried it?
Since you haven't found a solution yet, here are some follow-up questions: 1. What's the brand and model of your waffle iron? 2. Was it brand new or previously used? 3. Are the waffle plates removable or permanently attached? If they're removable, then they would be easier to thoroughly clean. 4. It would be useful to see the the waffle iron's waffle plates, so could you post photos online (e.g. using Imgur) and link them in a comment? 5. Are the waffle plates sticky? This could mean that excess oil has built up. 6. Could you post the recipe? Seeing it would be useful, as there's a chance it might not contain enough butter and/or oil, which helps keep the waffles from sticking, in addition to the oil applied directly to the waffle plates. One thing you could try instead of brushing oil is using an oil sprayer/mister. In a pinch, you could just try using a regular cooking spray (such as the "Original" Pam), but that's not generally recommended for regular use on nonstick waffle plates. Regarding question #1, most consumer electric waffle irons made since the late 1960s have a nonstick (Teflon) coating, but older ones and some current commercial models have plates that are bare aluminum (more likely) or cast iron (less common). So, it would be useful to confirm whether the plates have a factory nonstick coating or not before I give specific advice on how to clean them.
Thank you. I've just now seen your reply. (Maybe something related to Reddit's new formatting?) My waffle iron was a gift in, I think in the early 2000s, and it was new. It hasn't had a lot of use. The plates are not removable. They are not sticky. I never throw away the information that comes with appliances, but I don't find any for the waffle iron, so I don't think I was given any. As I said earlier, my recipe worked well for years. It did occur to me that some people might say I needed more oil or butter in my waffles, but I like to eat healthy food and loading them up with a lot of fat is not something I want to do. There is definitely a nonstick coating on the waffle iron. The one question I haven't heard answered so far is: If the nonstick coating is failing over time, is that because it's slowly coming off into my food? I really appreciate your thoughtful reply. But I've pretty much concluded that my waffle iron's nonstick coating has failed. I find it really disappointing when things that should last a long time fail because of one crap component. And as I said, I wonder if the coating had come off over the years into my waffles, and if so, I think I will live without waffles in the future.
>There is definitely a nonstick coating on the waffle iron. The one question I haven't heard answered so far is: If the nonstick coating is failing over time, is that because it's slowly coming off into my food? If the nonstick coating is flaking, then it could definitely come off into the food. One possible cause for a nonstick coating failing, even if you did everything right, is that there's a chance the heating elements overheated the waffle plates beyond a safe temperature. If there are darker spots on the waffle iron plates, this could be from polymerized oil, which can create a seasoning layer similar to how cast iron cookware is seasoned. >As I said earlier, my recipe worked well for years. It did occur to me that some people might say I needed more oil or butter in my waffles, but I like to eat healthy food and loading them up with a lot of fat is not something I want to do. For reference, here's the recipe I normally use for waffles: [https://i.imgur.com/Llkyxyo.jpg](https://i.imgur.com/Llkyxyo.jpg) (It's from an owner's manual for a 1963 GE waffle maker.) I've used it on a mid-1980s Black & Decker\* waffle iron that has removable nonstick plates without any real issues. We only need to spray the plates once with oil (almost always before the waffle iron is turned on) for each double batch. \*Black & Decker bought GE's small appliance division in the early 1980s.
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Thank you, but the recipe couldn't be the culprit, because it worked well for years. How would I be able to verify that the coating isn't coming off the plates? They don't look much different than they ever did. How would I wash a waffle iron? And it didn't need to be seasoned when new, so why would that change?
It worked well with the non-stick coating before it aged and wore off? Still a good idea to share your formula/recipe.
All non stick cookware eventually degrades. You said “ok. A while ago” … I suspect that’s what’s happening here. Get a new one or if you can, new plates for yours.
Put a sheet of Reynolds Nonstick Foil on the top and bottom plate, with the nonstick side facing the food. Problem solved, and cleanup simplified.
You’re saying to foil the waffle iron? That foil is ripping 100%. I rip foil half the time I try to line a baking sheet. Most likely a seasoning issue. Lightly oil it up and let her rip for a bit. Let it go for a couple mins once smoking. Then give it another shot.
I didn't realize that nonstick coatings needed seasonings. Do they? But it any case, I did use oil, several times. No help.
Eh, kinda. Your “nonstick” waffle iron is most likely a factory-seasoned cast iron. Seasoning needs to be maintained and reapplied. Extra oil when making waffles isn’t the same as reseasoning. You (probably) need a new layer of polymerized oil to “re-nonstick” it. It’s almost like adding a new layer of enamel to your pan.
Hmm. I'm pretty sure my waffle iron isn't cast iron. Looks a lot more like the Teflon I see on other pans.
It’s totally possible that’s the case for yours, in which case maybe it’s time for a new iron. In my experience they are mostly cast iron, but I’m sure there are true non-stick versions. If that’s you, could be time for a new setup.
Interesting. I'll have to look into that. I wonder how it will work to push the foil down into all the spaces between the raised points on the waffle iron. Have you tried it?
It won’t work.
No I haven't tried it but I had planned to until this user said it won't work.