I replaced my Russell Hobbs with a Salter version with deeper plates – makes fantastic waffles.” - mrsbyers Our verdict

Carefully pour in your batter over the lower plate, without overflowing. You can help spread the batter with a palette knife or wood spoon. How many waffles it cooks in one go: Some machines cook individual waffles at a time – others produce two or more. This cute, dinky appliance would make a great gift for a waffle-mad teenager - the Urban Outfitters Mini Waffle Maker offers plenty of street (or should that be kitchen?) cred. Producing teeny individual waffles, it comes with a recipe guide to help your junior gourmet get started.

5. Best traditional stovetop waffle maker: Nordic Ware Original Stovetop Belgian Waffle Maker

Once you've nailed waffles at home, you might want to add another fun foodie appliance to your kitchen. We've got guides to the best ice cream makers, the best popcorn makers, the best smoothie makers and the best pasta makers, all featuring product recommendations from Mumsnetters. Best waffle makers at a glance Let your waffle maker cool a little before cleaning but don’t leave it for too long or the batter will congeal. How to make waffles in a stovetop waffle maker Just switch on the machine and wait for the green light… in just 3 minutes you’re ready to get cooking your deep-gridded, fresh Belgian waffles. We’ve included a few sweet and savoury dessert recipes to help you get started – enjoy! Type: Belgian | Removable plates: No | Size: 20 x 40 x 19cm| Weight: 2.4kg | Cooking time: 10 minutes What we like

If any batter escapes during cooking, the deep channels at each side catch drips to keep your counter clean and make clean-up easy.

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If I were to reach for a true complaint, I would say that the handle on the waffle maker can slam shut a little abruptly from a lifted position if it’s bumped or moved. For safety’s sake, a soft-close hinge or something similar would be a welcome addition. First things first, American-style or Belgian waffles? You should first consider what style you’re more likely to want, the deeper the pan in the device the more you’re leaning towards Belgian-style waffles. It’s entirely up to you if you’re looking for a specialist machine. Type: American | Removable plates: No | Size: 4 x 12 x 10cm| Weight: 2.23kg | Cooking time: 10 minutes What we like

READ NEXT: The best waffle makers you can buy Sage The No Mess Waffle Maker review: What’s good about it? The ready light will make sure you don't add your waffle batter before it's time to cook, delivering a perfect sizzle. That edge channel is useful too. On some waffle makers you'll have to deal with waffle batter overflowing from the edge of the machine, but the channel will catch any excess and make it easy for you to remove while you serve up a perfectly round waffle. The rotating function is a unique addition and ensures an even and consistently cooked waffle. This is operated manually which means you can’t really walk away but the process is actually quite therapeutic and forces you to not forget about them. The total baking time is a bit longer than the other models tested – approx. 5 -10 minutes and it was hard to ascertain when to flip. The instruction manual suggests part-way through so it will take a few practice runs to get the timing just right. You will need to peek at your waffle from time to time to see what is going on (but make sure you leave them alone for the first few minutes). For evenly filled waffles, pour the batter onto the centre of each grid and gently spread out to the edges.

How to make waffles in an electric waffle maker

As a mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home and loves putting gadgets and appliances to the test to highlight best buys for families. Why you should trust us