Any opinions on a couple of small appliances?

shannon

Does anyone own or know someone who owns the All-Clad waffle maker from Williams Sonoma or the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker? I just splurged and bought both. Are they worth the cost? Can anyone recommend a good waffle maker? I know this is not fashion related, but I didn't know where else to go to get good opinions or advice. Thanks!

17 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from Lannie

Nicole

Veteran

Oh I make the BEST waffles! I watched Alton Brown make them on TV once and went out the next day and bought a waffle iron. His show had a section on what to look for in a waffle iron. A good waffle iron has sharp edges in the griddle. You don't want too rounded edges. And it should have a temperature control that is more than on and off, or high and low. You should be able to adjust it anwhere inbetween off and high.

My waffle iron is an Oster and I got it at TArget for $25 on sale. I use it every few weeks. When we redid our kitchen (after a kitchen fire) I bought higher end appliances...Kitchen Aid Fridge and Dish Washer, Jenn Air Range--let me tell you--NEVER AGAIN. I've had more problems with these appliances than any Kenmore and GE appliance I've owned.

If you want a great waffle recipe let me know. (I have a whole wheat and a chocolate recipe that is to die for--thanks to Alton Brown--I love that guy!) Don't use pre made waffle mixes or <gasp> pancake mix.

17 years ago

Lannie

Active Member

We have a KitchenAid waffle maker that is brilliant. It makes lovely fluffy Belgian-style waffles. Beautiful.
We do have the Margaritaville drink maker... I find it fun, but it's noisy and I feel that the ice and liquid could blend together more nicely. It doesn't create a uniform mixture that I feel is consistent with the price tag. Still, frozen margaritas! Fun! For another $100 you can get that Blendtec machine (you know the one- "Will It Blend?"... and the answer is invariably yes).

17 years ago

Anonymous

Don't even get me started on how many problems I had with that stupid Kitchen Aid dishwasher! Worst piece of junk I've ever owned. We eventually were able to get it traded in for a Bosch and that one was GREAT! I don't know anything about these two small appliances but just wanted to complain about that dishwasher again. I complain about it any chance I get!

I have to agree about Alton Brown. I have learned A LOT about cooking from that guy!

17 years ago

shannon

Active Member

Thanks Nicole! Sure, I would love to have your great waffle recipe. I do not like to make from a mix either. I do make killer buttermilk pancakes that are super light and thick. I haven't had a waffle iron for so long I can't wait to make them again. I never had an excellent recipe for waffles though. The iron did come with a little recipe book, but I like personal recipes better. I'll have to check my waffler for sharp edges. It does have temp control, so that's good. I'm just not sure it is worth the price. Guess I won't know until I use it. WS should take it back if I'm not happy though. Below is what I bought. Looks fancy, but is it??? Look forward to your recipe!

http://www.williams-sonoma.com.....%5Fsrc=SCH

17 years ago

shannon

Active Member

Lannie I have never heard of Blendtec. I looked it up, it looks great! Do you have one? I actually spent the same amount on my Margaritaville machine, so I would not be spending more if I got this instead. Wow! 1500W motor!!! The margaritaville only has 550W. Blendtec says it will turn ice into snow. I think I might believe that! Thanks!

17 years ago

Lannie

Active Member

We don't have one at home, sadly, but my friend works at Starbucks (they use them) and says it's a really good machine. Apparently it just "tears apart" ice, no matter how big the chunks (they use them for stuff like frappucinos and blended lemonades). We love watching the videos of the guy blending stuff like lighters and Wii remotes... he's awesome. It's quite the powerful machine.
Frankly, *I* want to buy one.

17 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Ooooh yes, please do post both recipes Nicole!

For the type of waffles we make here, I find that an iron that 'tips over' (e.g. http://www.vandenborre.be/WEB/.....qaM.9mPuto) is best. I once had a cheap waffle-iron that didn't have this option and the waffles didn't get the nice golden colour on the other side, and weren't really 'cooked' through.

Wattage is important too, at least for me, I'm impatient, and in an iron with lower wattage it takes ages to make a decent waffle;-)

17 years ago

Lannie

Active Member

I second Inge's recommendation of a waffle iron that spins. We have this one:
http://www.everythingkitchens......baker.html
It ensures that the iron is fully coated with batter and everything is cooked evenly, no holes, etc. Plus that model lets you make 2 waffles at once- score! I used to make a batch every Friday so I could eat a waffle every morning on the weekend (and then some), but when my pants started getting too tight I gave up that habit. One of my favourite syrup alternatives was to warm up honey and peanut butter (around a 3:1 ratio I'd say). Dee-lish.

17 years ago

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