What if I told you you could make scrumptious, well-done waffles without having to ever oil anything?
I didn’t want to believe it myself when Presto marketed their waffle maker as a non-stick appliance that needed no seasoning. I was further intrigued when it came highly recommended by the gurus on America’s Test Kitchen. They rate it as a comparable but cheaper alternative to their best Belgian waffle maker, the Conair Double Belgian Waffle Maker.
The 7-inch Presto FlipSide Belgian Waffle Maker with Ceramic Finish is one of the cheapest flip models you can buy and is made by a company you probably haven’t heard of. National Presto Industries, Inc. is a company better known as manufacturers of pressure canners and pressure cookers.
But with the Flipside waffle maker, I must admit that they’ve done a really good job.
Description
The Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker is a 7-inch round waffle maker that makes Belgian waffles that even Leslie Knope would approve of.
These thick waffles are filling and with deep pockets that can hold toppings of all shapes and sizes.
Its small size hides the fact that its grids are pretty deep, over ½ inch deep. This allows it to turn a whole cup of batter, all 365ml, into a thick waffles up to 1.5 inches across.
Controls
Nobody likes burnt waffles (well, some of us like to think of them as extra, extra crispy).
Getting the cooking time just right has always been an issue with cooking anything. Sometimes, we go over, sometimes we undercook, so to help users get it just right, the Presto Flipside has a timer attached. The retro-looking digital timer that can be set for between 1 and 30 minutes. It even alerts you with two beeps when there is a minute left on the timer and five beeps when the set time has expired.
I’ll be the first to admit that the beeps aren’t the loudest, especially you’re in the midst of a Saturday morning ‘feeding frenzy’. But it’s a feature lacking in many waffle makers, so I’ll take it.
I should warn you that the timer doesn’t turn the unit on or off. It also works independently from the unit, off a separate CR2032 3V lithium battery.
Cooking time is about 5 minutes per waffle, a little long but the results are worth the wait, IMO.
With no adjustable temperature control, lovers of extra crispy waffles may have to look at other models.
I have to say that I’m loving the timer and unlike other waffle makers with 2 indicator lights, the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker 03510, has just one indicator light. As a waffle maker with no dedicated on/off switch, the red light perched on top of the hinge area signals that power is turned on.
Is the Presto Flipside waffle maker Easy to Use
Heck, yeah!
This Presto waffle maker is so easy to use that even kids can use it (under supervision, of course).
Like other waffle makers, you do need to do a few things before using it for the first time.
Pop it out of its box, wipe it clean with a damp cloth and plug it in. The first time you use it, you will smell a burning odor, as residue from production is burnt off the non-stick ceramic surface.
Leave it plugged in (red signal light on), for up to 10 minutes to get rid of that smell. You can leave it switched on for another 3 – 5 minutes to preheat the waffle maker. Use this time to prepare waffle batter.
When the red signal light goes out, the unit has reached the correct temperature and is ready for use.
If you’re a regular waffle maker, you may be wondering whether you should season the Presto or not. The marketing material says you shouldn’t but the included instructions say otherwise. The booklet says it’s a non-stick surface that doesn’t need seasoning. But a few pages later, they suggest applying vegetable oil to the grids when cooking dessert batters.
Which is it, Presto?
Here at APOT, we like things crystal clear, so we dug deeper. When contacted, reps for the Presto brand recommend that after preheating, a light coating of vegetable oil should be applied to the grids.
You can do this by :
- brushing the plates with vegetable oil, using a silicone basting brush.
- using a paper towel dipped in oil to wipe the grids.
I enjoy using the X-Chef brush set as it’s easy to dab on a minimal amount and just work it into the spaces. Plus its flexible silicone bristles are super easy to clean afterwards.
It may seem like a lot of work to use a brush or paper towel, and it just seems easier to get PAM and use that. But repeated use of cooking spray will lead to a buildup of residue, which will eventually destroy the non-stick surface on the waffle maker. Presto even says “….excessive use of oil ………….over time may even cause sticking.”
To prevent the non-stick surface from breaking down and flaking off, I recommend an occasional wipe down, especially if using recipes that have little to no oil in them.
On the Matter of Batter
While Presto recommends you use between ¾ and 1 cup of batter, I think you should err on the side of caution.
To avoid spillover and batter getting into the crevices of the appliance, use less especially when testing recipes or using the waffle maker for the first time. Trust me, it’s difficult to clean out those cracks and crevices, if batter gets in them.
The manufacturer recommends a quantity of batter based on their own recipes and any substitution will have an effect on both quantity used and the cooking time. You may find that you have to cook for an extra 1 – 2 minutes to get your desired level of doneness.
Aaaaaand, back to actually making the waffles; with the Presto, it’s as easy as 1, 2,3 :
- Pour ½ cup of batter in the center of the preheated waffle maker.
- Close the lid and wait 10 seconds.
- Gripping the handle to make sure it stays shut, flip the waffle maker from one side to the other.
The manual recommends setting the timer to 4 minutes but just because the manual says 4 minutes doesn’t mean it will be the same for your particular recipe. Start with less time on the clock, say 2 minutes. You may find that you prefer the lighter waffle made after 2 minutes.
And if it’s too light for you? Simply shut the Presto and set the timer for another minute or two.
To get the level of crispness I like, I let them cook for around 4.5 minutes.
To Spray or Not to Spray
You’re probably wondering why we say to spray with oil, even as the Presto is sold as a non-stick waffle maker.
Occasional spraying ensures that your waffles slide out so easy every single time, leading to less burnt fingertips too.
The Presto heats up quickly and works pretty fast. With 1,100 watts in a 7-inch appliance, basic waffles cook quickly. For extra crispness, add a minute to your timer.
With your waffles done, pick them out with a rubber/silicone spatula (not your fingers!). You can also use a plastic or wooden spoon to lift them up and out. Avoid using metal utensils as these scratch the ceramic surface, causing damage to the non-stick surface.
Like many waffle makers in this price range, there is no dedicated off or off switch. You simply pull the plug to turn it off.
Easy to Clean (…around 98% of the time)
The dark gray ceramic grill is truly non-stick and cleans up with just a swipe with a paper towel or kitchen towel.
But be careful when handling the appliance as the stainless steel exterior gets really hot.
Unplug the waffle maker and give it a few minutes to cool down, before cleanup.
You know what would be really awesome? If the plates were detachable.
But they’re not.
So you have to wipe the cooking surface clean with a paper towel.
Cleanup is as simple as that, unless you’ve been a little heavy-handed with the oil. When that happens, the excess oil collects and only drains out when the Presto 03510 is stored horizontally.
You know, gravity and all that.
Avoid this by using as little oil as possible. Don’t spoon it in, dab some on a paper towel and wipe across the grids. That’s enough oiling for the Presto.
Remember that using too much oil on a ceramic surface can leave behind a thin film of residue that never seems to go away. This inevitably leads to an eventual breakdown of the ceramic surface as the oily residue builds up on it.
There’s also the possibility of batter getting stuck on the exterior of the appliance. If that happens, dab a small amount of cooking oil on the area and allow it to sit for 3 – 5 minutes.
Then wipe off the softened batter with a paper towel or cloth.
Another reason to use less batter is that overspill will get into the hinges, cover the screws that attach the handle to the body, the hollow handle itself…….everywhere. It will take toothpicks (and a good chunk of time) to get dried batter out of those crevices.
Waaaay too much work that can be avoided by simply reducing the amount of batter used.
But seriously, cleaning the appliance is as simple as that. A cloth or paper towel will do most of it so there’s no need to break out the steel wool scouring pads or abrasive kitchen cleaners.
Dimensions
Placed flat on its rubber feet, the Presto stands 4.5 inches off your counter top, approximately 11″ in width and around 11.5″ in the upright storage position. Weighing 5.01 pounds unboxed, the Presto is around the average weight for a waffle maker.
Its 3 foot long cord is longer than other inexpensive waffle makers, it’s an entire foot longer than the one on the Oster model. This makes it long enough to use without it getting in the way or having to use an extension cord. I don’t like the fact that you can’t really wrap it around the machine when storing it. You kinda have to braid it to keep it all compact.
Storage
The Presto can be stored in one of two ways:
Flipped up, it stands just under 11.5 inches (the size of a cereal. Box) so can be stashed in a cupboard, in the locked upright position].
With a width of 7 inches, it can be left out on the counter without taking up too much space.]Pop It in a drawer just like you would with plates.
As much as I like the Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker, I like how compactly the Presto can be stored even more. Flipped up or stored flat, this dual storage option makes it a great space saver in a small apartment kitchen.
To get the Presto upright, hold the handles together and rotate the appliance to an upright position. With the waffle maker upright, lock it in position by flipping up the red locking lever to the side of the hinged base.
Easy peasy.
Construction
The use of steel and plastic in its construction keeps the Presto light but still sturdy. The curved handle and hinged base (that also contains the clock) is a cool bit of design.
Just be careful when reaching for the handle as the steel exterior gets really hot. Worried about the appliance damaging your counter top as it’s flipped from one side to the other?
Don’t be.
It never touches the counter top as rubber stoppers on either side prevent any direct contact with the counter top.
I mentioned that the hinged base was a cool design element, but Presto included a not-so-cool one as well.
From an ergonomic POV, the curved handles are great.
But why did they choose to use hollow handles.
In front of the waffle maker!
This just creates a pocket for batter to collect in if you overfill the waffle maker. Not just batter; crumbs and oil can also collect there making cleanup a bit of a pain.
This kinda dampens the whole super-easy-to-clean vibe that I was getting from the Presto.
Is the Ceramic Coating Safe?
Is ceramic a safe coating option for cookware?
The way to check this is to see if the ceramic glaze used was manufactured in the USA. Made in America glazes have to pass strict FDA requirements.
The Presto Flipside uses a non-stick coating made by Whitford Worldwide, an American company that’s been in existence for almost 50 years. They claim their ceramic coatings are of the highest quality and free from harmful materials, totally free of any PTFE and PFOA.
So why are you getting a warning in the box with your new Presto waffle maker?
Because it’s the law to include a warning if a product contains any of the substances on the Proposition 65 list.
For the Presto, the substance in question is BPA, and only trace amounts were present in the signal light. But the waffle makers manufactured more recently, even that trace amount has been eliminated. The Presto is now entirely BPA free, and henceforth newer products will no longer carry this warning.
Always on Time? Maybe Not.
Nestled in the hinged base of the Presto is a timer. Yes, it’s not one of those slick timers that automatically start to count down when you close the unit. It doesn’t actually control the machine or even shut it off after the waffles are done. It’s basically a stopwatch that runs off a separate lithium battery. But you know what?
It’s OK. You don’t need anything fancy to time waffles.
Setting the clock is straightforward:
- Hold the button down till 00 is visible on the screen.
- Push the button once for each minute until you have reached the desired time (between 1 to 30 minutes)
- Release the button and the timer starts counting down after two seconds.
See? Told you it was simple.
The Presto is sold with a 1 year warranty that only applies in the United States.
If it develops a fault within that period, you can return it to Presto for repair or replacement. However, all shipping costs will be your responsibility.
For just under $50, you’d expect a barebones waffle maker; I mean no buttons, no switches, no temperature control, nothing you can adjust. But the Presto has enough extras to make you feel like you’re buying a premium appliance.
*Presto pronto **
Attachments and Accessories
There are no extra attachments available for this model; it’s a one trick pony designed to make only fluffy thick Belgian waffles.
The unit ships with one waffle maker, a sturdy power cord and 4 recipes for making tasty waffles. But with Presto calling a waffle made with flour, oats and sugar ‘flavorful’, I’ll get my waffle inspiration from elsewhere.
Still want more ideas? Look no further than Daniel Shumski, a waffle iron chef i.e. someone dedicated to waffling foods other than waffles. His book Will It Waffle is considered the ultimate source of waffle iron recipes. Not content with creating creative desserts, Shumski created and compiled 54 recipes for diverse culinary creations. Waffled Chicken fingers? Extra crispy bacon in a waffle iron? Yes, please!!
Pros
The Presto Flipside is a flip model that reminds me of those one would find during breakfast at a Sleep Inn or a Comfort Inn. With the thick waffles it makes, I may have just found my new fave Belgian waffle maker.
Cons
Like all appliances, it’s got its own unique little quirks, but it’s mostly me just me nitpicking.
Like how I love the inclusion of a timer but don’t like that it doesn’t shut off the machine. Or how I don’t like the fact that there is no dedicated off/on switch either.
Consumer Ratings – What did Others Think
Most users find the Presto waffle maker to be good value for money. But a few people disagree, and here are some of their complaints:
- Some complained that the waffle maker felt ‘cheaply made’.
- Others didn’t like how the timer ran on batteries, not AC power.
- Others complained that it seemed to cook too quickly and would have liked a temperature control dial.
- Someone even complained that it’s too deep, and makes waffles that are too thick!
With the amount of plastic used in the Presto 03510, I think that’s a fair criticism but I’m a glass half full kind of person. So I see this as the appliance as being lighter and easier to carry in and out of cupboards.
Simple.
And as long as the parts that are supposed to do the most work (the heating plates) actually work very well, why complain?
Despite these complaints, the general consensus is that it’s an incredible waffle iron that makes good quality waffles.
Price
There are a number of flip waffle makers available for around $50 and this is probably the best of them all.
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend more than $50, I’d recommend this one over the Hamilton Beach flip. It may not have removable griddles but it has features more commonly found in waffle makers twice the price.
Be careful not to be swayed by a seemingly lower price when buying on Amazon. You can easily end up buying a refurbished product, one that’s obviously been used and in some cases or not cleaned properly before resale.
When doing price comparisons, don’t just go for the cheapest price. Double check to see if there are details of the condition of the unit.
Caveat emptor!!
Who It’s Best For
You know what I really like about the Presto? The fluffy thickness of the waffles it makes.
So thick that you can make 1 waffle and split into 2 or 4. This allows you feed up to 4 people at once. And because it cooks fast, you can have second helpings ready before they’re done with the first waffle!
So whether you’re gifting it to a small family or a couple or one college student, the Presto is just an amazing gift.
My Thoughts
Let me start this with a disclaimer: Presto recommends that this appliance ‘not be used for other than intended use.’
But that’s subject to interpretation. Let’s say I use this to make ice cream waffle bowls, that’s still technically a waffle…amirite?
So, feel free to waffle away, folks!!! Users have reported success in making pizza cups, s’maffles (smores waffles), quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches and more treats.
Talk about having a spread!
And Will it Waffle is just an enabler, I mean shrimp wontons? In a waffle maker?!!
Well in the book, Daniel Shumski shows you how.
So, waffle on, my fellow wafleeer.
Because you’re waffling awesome.
Seriously though, for some users, kitchen space is a premium so having an appliance that does just 1 thing is seen as a waste of space. But with the Presto, you get an appliance that does more than 1 thing and disappears out of your way when it’s done.
To address the common complaint among users about the weight of the Presto and its perceived fragility; what are we comparing it to, folks? The flip waffle maker at the breakfast bar of Comfort Inn?
You can’t compare the construction on a commercial appliance to one used at home. With that said, the Presto still has features of a waffle maker twice its price including:
- Above average size-to-wattage ratio.
- Ceramic non-stick surface, Teflon-, BPA-, PFOA-free.
- Easy to clean and stores upright, out of the way.
- Makes thick, deep-welled, restaurant-quality Belgian waffles
- Convenient timer on the appliance itself.
I know it’s not the cheapest waffle maker available but I think it balances an average price with far above-average features.
Just because it flips doesn’t mean it’s on par with the commercial grade waffle maker you find in Hampton Inn. It won’t go from batter to tasty waffles in 2 minutes either. But so what?
If it takes the Presto about 7-8 minutes for the same result, so what? You still get waffles thick enough to sink your teeth into?
At home. In your pjs. With morning breath.
C’mon now!
I really like the Presto and in my opinion, this little appliance is an undiscovered gem. The price is slightly above average for a cheap waffle maker, but with its first-class features, I think its a steal.