The 10 Best Bubble Waffle Makers
Special Honors
Sephra 14025 If you need something for your hotel or business, this model is a smart choice. Though expensive, it has a very durable build that can withstand constant use. It also features adjustable time and temperature, has removable and replaceable cooking plates, and is equipped with a stainless steel drip tray. sephrausa.com
Editor's Notes
December 13, 2020:
Since bubble waffles are not as ubiquitous as other types of waffles, there are unfortunately not as many choices for the home as one would like. Larger units like the DNYSYSJ Baker, GorillaRock Rotated, and AldKitchen Double are big, expensive, and probably more than you need if you aren't serving customers, though they'll get you closest to the real thing in terms of flavor and texture. The AldKitchen Puffle is the most advanced of these units, and a must-have if you're a real bubble waffle purist.
In terms of countertop home models, the StarBlue Hong Kong and Cucina Pro 1446B can be plugged in and used on the kitchen counter, allowing you to use the stove simultaneously for something else, and the StarBlue Hong Kong has the added benefit of overheating protection. However, they aren't as easy to clean as stovetop models, and it's difficult to get them to just the right temperature.
If you're a home cook, a stovetop version is probably what you should go with. They're far less expensive than commercial units, easy to wash and store, and you can manage the temperature on your gas stove. The Liineparalle Multifunctional is a little bit easier to operate due to its long handle, while the Nordic Ware 01890, though expensive, makes the biggest waffles. The StarBlue Crispy is in the top spot because it's by far the least expensive and comes with added benefits like tongs and a recipe book to help you navigate learning to make these things.
July 10, 2019:
If Belgian waffles aren't quite cutting it for your family any more, it may be time to consider a bubble waffle maker. While those who don't travel often may not be familiar with this tasty treat, anybody who has spent some time in Western Europe or Hong Kong will no doubt have seen them, and probably tried them.
Bubble waffle makes come in two varieties — electric and stovetop. Each of these has their own pros and cons. Electric models, like the StarBlue Hong Kong and Cucina Pro 1446B, allow you to cook your waffles on the counter while keeping your stove free for eggs, homemade sauces, and anything else you may want to serve alongside your puffles. They also heat up very quickly and have a compact design that makes them easy to store. On the other hand, stovetop models, like the Nordic Ware 01890 and Zoie + Chloe Pan, will allow for more precise temperature control. They are also easier to clean, since the whole thing can be submerged in water.
The AldKitchen Puffle is very similar to self-serve style commercial waffle makers you often find at continental breakfasts at many large chain hotels, so if you think your guests may be tired of the traditional breakfast treat and would like to offer them something different, this model is a smart choice.
What Are Bubble Waffles?
Bubble waffles are famous for their crunchy exteriors and airy insides, and they're commonly eaten plain or used as ice cream cones.
Bubble waffles, also known as eggettes or gai daan jai in Cantonese, are basically just waffles that look like thin pancakes with oval-shaped lumps instead of having the usual honeycomb-like texture. They're a popular street food that can be found all over Hong Kong and in Chinatowns around the world. Bubble waffles are famous for their crunchy exteriors and airy insides, and they're commonly eaten plain or used as ice cream cones.
Nobody knows exactly how and when bubble waffles were first invented, and there are many conflicting stories about the origin of these pastries. One of the most popular and widely accepted stories is that they were first made in Hong Kong in the 1950s. When shopkeepers and hawkers in Hong Kong received packages with damaged eggs, they decided to create something out them instead of throwing them away. It is said that the original bubble waffle mixture consisted of leftover eggs, flour, sugar, and milk. These ingredients were then poured into a cast iron mold full of egg shapes and cooked on top of a charcoal stove.
Nowadays, there are lots of different bubble waffle recipes online, and stores around the world experiment with all kinds of both sweet and savory flavors, fillings, and toppings. Many companies have also started selling relatively inexpensive bubble waffle irons — both electric and otherwise — for anyone interested in baking their own bubblewrap-shaped pastries at home.
How Exactly Does A Waffle Maker Work?
Waffle makers are kitchen utensils that allow one to easily replicate the shape of whatever type of waffle they're designed for. In the case of eggettes, a bubble waffle maker will typically have two iron plates with several egg-shaped holes. They're very helpful as it's incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to cook bubble waffles without a mold, especially if you plan on stuffing them.
These elements will glow red as they heat up, though it's unlikely that you'll see this as most models have them completely obscured by the waffle mold.
An electric waffle maker works by using electricity to heat up both of its plates. More specifically, when a waffle maker is turned on, an electric current starts flowing through the metallic heating elements that are found under the plates. These elements will glow red as they heat up, though it's unlikely that you'll see this as most models have them completely obscured by the waffle mold.
Waffle maker heat is regulated by a built-in thermostat that usually cannot be adjusted without taking the entire unit apart and modifying it yourself. The thermostat is usually accompanied by a light that turns green when the plates have reached the appropriate temperature, and it turns red while it's still cooking. Some consumer-grade models are designed to cook for only a few minutes, after which they will either immediately stop powering the heating elements or play a loud beep to indicate that your waffle is ready.
While shopping for waffle makers, you'll probably notice that some of them are designed in a way that allows the user to flip it upside down. While it's perfectly fine to cook waffles without turning your machine over, flipping can still be very helpful because it helps distribute and cook the batter evenly. This is because a maker will immediately start cooking the batter before you even finish pouring it on the bottom plate, which can result in waffles that are brown and crispy on the bottom but very light and soft on top. For eggettes, flipping is necessary to get that perfect airy interior, and it helps properly cover any fillings you put in each hole.
For whatever reason, you may also be interested in cooking waffles the traditional way. For that, you'll want to get one of the non-electric stovetop variants, which are essentially just pairs of patterned cast iron pans. They're easy to use, and as the name implies, they're perfect for cooking over a stove or an open flame.
A Brief History Of Waffles And Waffle Makers
The origin of waffles dates back to the days of Ancient Greece, where people used metal plates to cook flat wafers known as obelios. This method of cooking continued to be popular throughout the Middle Ages as people started creating irons that could imprint religious symbols into wafers. Over time, it became a common snack all across Europe, usually sold by vendors outside churches.
By the 1900s, some companies had started working on prototypes of electric waffle makers.
Throughout the Medieval Era and the Renaissance Age, people used what were essentially just primitive versions of today's non-electric waffle makers, which consisted of pairs of large circular irons attached to wooden handles. In 1869, an American inventor named Cornelius Swartwout was awarded a patent for the first stovetop waffle iron, which was designed to allow one to easily flip waffles without accidentally spilling the batter or burning one's hands. It's also rumored that around this time, waffles started taking on the iconic Belgian waffle shape that we know today.
By the 1900s, some companies had started working on prototypes of electric waffle makers. It was difficult at first because the limited technology of that time made it hard to design a heating element that could generate the necessary amount of heat. In 1911, General Electric finally managed to create the first commercial electric waffle maker, which came with a built-in thermostat. Since then, other manufacturers have made minor improvements to it, such as using more durable parts and nonstick coating.