How To Use a Cast Iron Waffle Maker – Complete Guide

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From perfect waffles to cleaning to seasoning, I’m sharing everything you need to know about buying, using, and caring for a cast iron waffle maker.

Over the years, I have tried at least a half dozen electric waffle makers. And without fail, every single time, they break within a year or so.

I’m not naturally frugal, but I’m trying to make a conscious effort to buy things that will last. In a recent YouTube video about kitchen tools, I mentioned that I’ve learned some lessons about investing in the right places.

And the waffle maker is definitely a lesson learned. With proper care and maintenance, a cast iron waffle maker won’t just last a long time; it will last a lifetime (and beyond).

There are no heating elements that can break. No wires that will eventually short. And no Teflon coating that can scratch.

Plus, a cast iron waffle iron makes the most delicious waffles we have ever had. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside without fail. And we love to eat them topped with sourdough fried chicken and homemade pancake syrup.

There is a little learning curve to making waffles in cast iron. But with these tips and tricks, you’ll enjoy a perfect waffle (or a stack of them) in no time.

Right now, I’m working on a great recipe for both einkorn and sourdough waffles. While you wait, here is everything you need to know about buying, using, and caring for your cast iron waffle iron.

Benefits of a Cast Iron Waffle Maker

• Lasts a lifetime – Unlike an electric waffle maker, which will eventually break, cast iron can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
• Naturally non-stick – Seasoned cast iron surfaces are naturally non-stick, whereas electric waffle irons usually have a manufactured non-stick coating.
• Durable – If you scratch the seasoning on your cast iron waffle maker, you can easily re-season it. But if the surface of an electric waffle maker is damaged, it’s no longer usable. The waffle will stick, and chipped Teflon is usually a no-go.
• Easy to store – A cast iron waffle maker is slim and easy to store. You don’t have to worry about tangled cords getting in the way. I store mine in the oven so it doesn’t take up any extra cabinet space.
• Precise heat – When you cook with a stovetop waffle iron, you can precisely control the temperature.
• Use on any heat source – Cast iron waffle makers can be used on any surface, including gas stoves, electric ranges, and wood-burning stoves. They are also perfect for making breakfast over an open fire on a camping trip.

Buying Guide

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There are different manufacturers and designs when it comes to cast iron waffle irons. But here are the most popular choices:

• Lehman’s – I use the Lehman’s 7″ waffle maker and love it. It’s slim, easy to store, and makes great waffles. At 8 pounds, it is a heavy duty waffle iron and can be a little hard to flip.
• Rome – The Rome waffle maker is comparable to Lehman’s, but it is lighter. That makes it easier to flip, but lightweight cast iron is more brittle.
• Great American – If you want a vintage look with a cute pattern, check out the Great American waffle iron . It’s pricier, but the base makes it easier to flip the waffles, and the stars add aesthetic. However, the large base makes it harder to store.
• Antique – If the thrill of the hunt is your vibe, be on the lookout at antique stores for vintage pieces of cast iron, including a waffle maker.
• Novelty – You can even make little heart waffles in cast iron. Though I haven’t used this heart waffle iron, in my experience, novelty items are not as well made.

Quick Tips for Using a Cast Iron Waffle Maker

• Preheat both sides – Make sure you evenly preheat both sides of the waffle maker for about five minutes each.
• Oil it between waffles – Even though cast iron is naturally non-stick, I recommend oiling your waffle iron between each waffle. I usually use an avocado oil spray.
• Mind your recipe – All recipes are different, so adjust accordingly. If your recipe is high in sugar, cooking it too hot or too long may cause it to burn.
• Use oven mitts – Cast iron gets hot, hot, hot. So be sure to wear oven mitts while handling your waffle maker.

Video – Making Waffles in Cast Iron

Check out my vlog on YouTube, which shows how I make einkorn waffles with my cast iron waffle maker. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you’ll be notified when new videos drop.

How To Season Your Cast Iron Waffle Maker

If you’ve seasoned one piece of cast iron cookware, you’ve seasoned them all. The steps are mostly the same when seasoning a waffle iron.

I have a complete cast iron care guide that shares everything you need to know about caring for cast iron.

But here is a quick guide for how to season your cast iron waffle maker before its first use and for seasoning tune-ups:

Seasoning Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Wash your waffle iron thoroughly. I usually scrub mine with a mildly abrasive sponge like a Scrub Daddy. You may need to restore your cast iron if yours is antique or rusted.
2. Dry it well. Cast iron can rust, so you don’t want to leave water on it. And it also needs to be really dry so the oil can polymerize.
3. Use a paper towel to apply a thin layer of oil with a high smoke point over the entire waffle iron, including on and between the bumps, the handle, rim, top, bottom, and sides of the iron.
4. Wipe off any excess oil. It needs to be covered in oil but not dripping.
5. Preheat the oven. The temperature will depend on the type of oil you use. The trick is you need the oil to reach its smoke point, so this isn’t the time for low heat.
6. Place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack to catch any oil drips.
7. Place both sides of the waffle iron in a preheated oven, face down on the middle rack.
8. Keep the waffle iron in the hot oven for one hour. Be sure to crack a window because seasoning cast iron can get smokey and a little stinky.
9. Turn off the oven, but keep the waffle iron inside. Allow it to cool to room temperature inside of the oven.
10. Repeat until your cast iron has a patina or shiny black coating.

Video – Cast Iron Care Tips

How To Tell When Your Waffles Are Done

It’s the age-old question: how do you know when your waffles are done?

Every recipe is different and requires different temperatures and cooking time. And it’s a little trickier with stovetop waffle makers because they don’t have an indication light.

However, here are a few tell-tale signs your waffle is ready:

• No lid resistance – If the lid is hard to lift, the waffle needs more time. If you force it open too early, your waffle will split and stick to each side. Ask me how I know.
• No steam – Don’t open the lid if steam is still escaping. Steam indicates the waffle isn’t ready yet, so wait until it stops steaming.
• The first waffle – The first one is the worst one. Always. Pay close attention to your first waffle. Take a mental note of the time and temperature and adjust accordingly with the remainder of the waffles.

How To Clean a Cast Iron Waffle Maker

Luckily, cleaning a cast iron waffle maker is easy, especially if it is well seasoned. Usually, I have to wipe off any crumbs, and that’s it.

If your waffle iron needs a scrub-a-dub-dub, you can clean it with warm water and mild dish soap.

It is a myth that you cannot clean cast iron with water and soap. That old school rule comes from a different era when soap was caustic. But today, even Lodge, the leading cast iron manufacturer, recommends cleaning your cast iron with water and dish soap.

Just make sure you fully dry it and re-season it as needed.

FAQs & Troubleshooting

My waffle is stuck. What do I do?

It happens to the best of us. When I was learning how to use a cast iron waffle maker, I ended up with a stuck waffle or two.

It can be a pain to remove a stuck-on waffle. But it can be done:

1. Let the waffle iron cool off.
2. Pour a little cooking oil over the stuck waffle. This can help soften any stuck batter.
3. Use a mildly abrasive spond or a brush to scrub the waffle off.
4. If any little bits are stuck in the nooks and crannies, use a toothpick to scrape it out.
5. Once the waffle is off, thoroughly clean the waffle maker.
6. Season cast your cast iron waffle maker a few more times. And be sure to oil it lightly between each waffle next time.

What oil should I use to prevent sticking?

You can use just about any oil when making waffles. I prefer spray avocado oil because it is easy, but coconut oil or butter will also work.

You should avoid using an oil with a low smoke point, such as olive oil or flaxseed oil.

Additionally, resist the temptation to add too much oil. If you overdo it, the oil will leak out and create a giant mess to clean up. Trust me on this one.

For better or worse, I’m a “the-more-butter-the-merrier” kind of person. I slathered my waffle iron in butter the first time I used it…and that was the last time I did that. It made a giant buttery mess all over my stove.

Why are my waffles burning on one side?

I’ve encountered this problem a few times, especially with sugary waffle recipes. In fact, I was recently recipe-testing sourdough pumpkin waffles, and one side kept burning.

This usually means one side of the waffle iron is hotter than the other. One hack is to pour the batter into the iron, close it, and immediately flip it to prevent burning.

After 2 minutes, flip it back to the original side and cook for another minute or so.

Why are my waffles sticking?

Waffles usually stick because the cast iron wasn’t properly seasoned or the waffle wasn’t finished cooking.

• Unseasoned cast iron – Check out my seasoned vs. unseasoned cast iron skillet guide if you aren’t sure how to spot the difference. Cast iron must be properly and regularly seasoned to be non-stick.
• Oil between waffles – For the best results, grease or oil your cast iron waffle maker between each waffle. It prevents sticking and creates a golden, crisp waffle.
• Undercooked – If you open the lid before the waffle is done, it will split and stick to both sides. Check out the section above about how to tell if your waffle is done.

Why are my waffles soggy?

A soggy waffle is not where it’s at. There are a few factors that cause soggy waffles:

• Low temperature – If your cast iron waffle maker isn’t hot enough, you can end up with a soggy waffle. Make sure you are preheating both sides and that the waffle iron is hot enough. 365° F is the ideal temperature for making waffles. You can use an infrared thermometer to check the temperature.
• Heavy or overworked batter – A thick batter or an overworked batter can make waffles chewy rather than crisp.
• Warming on a sheet – Keep the waffles warm by placing them directly on the rack in the oven. Using a baking sheet can create steam that sogs up your waffles.
• Cooling on a plate or stacked – Similar to above, cooling your waffles on a plate or stacked causes them to steam and get soggy.

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Did you try using a cast iron waffle maker? Let me know how it went in the comments or review section below!