Thursday, September 20, 2012

Professional Waffle Maker

By Ben Panny


The waffle iron came to America with the Dutch pilgrims in the year 1620. These first models were of a very simple construction featuring two hinged iron grid plates attached to two long wooden handles. The waffle maker was filled with a leavened quick bread batter then closed and baked above an open-hearth fire, hand rotated to ensure even distribution of batter. The professional waffle maker nowadays maintains these basic qualities, combines them with technological improvements, and meets the demands of the busy food service business.

What exactly is A Proffesional Waffle Maker?

The very first professional waffle iron was made by the Edison Electric Appliance Company in Ontario, California in the mid-1920’s. It featured a heavy-duty Cal-rod heating element, which permitted for continuous use in a commercial environment. Continuous use is the first challenge facing any commercial kitchen appliance.

Constant use means high heat for hours at a time. To withstand this your waffle maker should have the following features: 1. The power cord should be a permanent attachment not like the home models that have a detachable cord.

2. The appliance housing should be die-cast. Die-casting has proven to be highly efficient at handling heat. Stainless steel housings can become scalding hot under commercial conditions.

3. Look for an embedded heating element. Embedded heating elements are actually superior over the original cal-rod by regularly spreading the heat throughout the cooking surface.

4. Food service cooking depends upon speed to be profitable. A commercial waffle maker requires a minimum of 1650 watts, to make sure fast pre-heating and swift cooking. The home versions have between 550 watts and 1250 watts and can take 15 minutes or more to pre-heat.

5. The control panel mounted above the cooking surface is actually a feature usually found on commercial models. Nemco Food Equipment commercial waffle makers specifically features top mounted controls. Cleaning the batter spilled onto the control panel is one more thing that uses time at the end of a shift. The top mounted control panel is effectively up and out of the way.

6. Many commercial models have drip trays below the griddle. This too saves clean-up time.

7. One feature identified only on a professional waffle maker is the floating hinge. While preparing the classic Belgian waffle, a waffle recipe using a yeast-leavened batter, the floating hinge enables the waffle to rise to its fullest potential.

A single grid professional waffle maker can generate as many as 25 waffles an hour. A double grid waffle maker can create as many as 60 waffles an hour. The average single grid home countertop waffle maker would do well to produce 10 waffles in an hour.

There is some discussion about the safety of the non-stick surface material used on waffle makers nowadays. Some non-stick materials will allegedly out gas at high temperatures. Adequate ventilation is important in any kitchen. However, there are options available for those professionals wanting a more traditional cooking surface.




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