Buzz
Weekends and waffles are a match made in heaven, and nothing should come between them—especially not your troublesome waffle iron. When properly greased, waffles slide off the hot iron with ease. Skip the lubrication, or apply it unevenly (we’ve all been there), and you’ll find the batter stubbornly stuck, ripping your waffle into pieces. But fear not, there’s hope! Here are two top methods to ensure the fat is evenly spread on your sizzling waffle maker without any mishaps.
This is part of The Grown-Up Kitchen, Skillet’s series aimed at answering your fundamental cooking questions and filling any gaps in your home chef know-how.
Use a pastry brush
I’ll never stop singing the praises of the humble pastry brush. It’s one of the most indispensable tools in my kitchen, and you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Beyond gently spreading marinades, mayonnaise, or mustards over large cuts of meat for grilling, pastry brushes are essential for brushing egg wash onto pies, simple syrups onto cakes, or oil onto waffle irons.
The small, flexible bristles are great at holding onto liquids, reaching into tight corners, and following curves effortlessly. Pour a quarter cup of cooking oil into a small bowl or measuring cup. Once your waffle iron is hot, dip the pastry brush into the oil and begin brushing. Make sure to cover the edges and use the tip of the brush to get into the ridges. I usually start with the bottom plate, since the oil stays put there. Oiling the top plate can be trickier with gravity working against you, so be swift with your brushing and get the batter in quickly. I tend to prefer bristle brushes, but silicone ones do the job just as well.
Prevent sticking with a heat-resistant pastry brush:
Cuisinart Bamboo Basting Brush
Silicone Basting Brush
Or try a refillable oil sprayer:
Misto Refillable Oil SprayerCooking Oil Sprayer
Use a sprayer
Using a spray bottle filled with cooking oil is a simple, low-mess method for ensuring an even, thorough coating of fat on your waffle iron. The spray nozzle atomizes the liquid into tiny droplets and launches them in a conical pattern, ensuring consistent coverage. A couple of spritzes are usually enough to cover each heating plate. While brushing oil on your waffle maker is quick, spraying may just edge out brushing in terms of speed.
Spray bottles dispense the liquid fat in much smaller droplets compared to a brush, so the oil is less likely to run down the top plate when you pour the batter onto the iron.
Waffle makers play a crucial role in this process:
Hamilton Beach Square Waffle Maker
Farberware Single-flip Waffle Maker
Most modern waffle makers come with a non-stick coating, and while this feature benefits from a little extra lubrication, it’s important to preserve the integrity of that non-stick surface. Skip the PAM and avoid using aerosol sprays on non-stick cookware, as they can degrade the coating. Many stores sell 100% oil cooking spray bottles. If you can’t find one, consider purchasing empty spray bottles online and filling them with your own cooking oil. They're reusable, making it a one-time investment that's absolutely worth it.
For a touch of extra flavor, try brushing melted butter instead of oil. No matter which method you choose, be sure to apply a bit of fat after each waffle to keep the (whole, unbroken) waffles coming.
