You’ve purchased or were given a really cool cast iron waffle maker, and now you are curious and thinking, can you use a cast iron waffle maker on an electric stove? We have good news for you, yes, you can absolutely use your electric stove for cooking up some yummy waffles.
However, cast iron waffle makers do require some special use and care. In fact, for the very best results, you’ll want to cook your waffles over the high heat of a grill or cooking fire. But, if you find yourself in a bit of a pinch, you can use your electric stove burners. But keep in mind that the cooking time will most likely increase, which will depend on your stove’s heat output.
Cast iron, in general, has very good properties for working on any type of electric stove. The issue is with the electric stove glass, which is why many people don’t recommend using cast iron on electric stoves. But if done correctly, you can achieve those fabulous tasting Belgium waffles by cooking with your cast iron waffle maker on top of your electric stove.
How to Use a Cast Iron Waffle Maker On a Glass Top Stove
The process is quite simple; just turn on your large burner to medium heat. Then gently place the waffle iron onto the large burner and allow it to heat for about three minutes. Then turn over your cast iron waffle maker and let the other side heat for about three to four minutes.
Now open your cast iron waffle maker and pour your desired batter into the center of one side; the amount of batter will depend on the size of your waffle maker. Cook the waffles in your cast iron waffle maker until golden brown. They usually take between four to five minutes to cook, but we recommend keeping an eye on them so that you don’t overcook or burn them.
You’ll want to pay attention to the base of your cast iron waffle maker to see how much thickness there is and whether or not it sits flesh on your electric stove’s glass top. You might need to adjust the temperature of your burning depending on the size of your waffle maker. Some cast iron waffle makers have a deep base, while others have a more shallow base.
Note: Cast iron is a heavy-duty material, so be sure to handle it with care. You don’t want to drop them onto your glass top stove because it can cause it to break. Also, avoid sliding or moving the cast iron waffle maker around while using it on your stovetop; this will help prevent scratching the surface.
If you have an induction stove, you can place a cover between the glass top and the cast iron waffle maker. It will protect the glass surface, and it will also be easier to clean up in case the waffle making gets messy.
Tips For Using Your Cast Iron Waffle Maker
You’ve got your best recipe for making Belgium waffles at home, and your cast iron waffle maker is ready to go. This can be one of the best experiences or one of the worst depending on how well you follow the instructions for safely using cast iron on your electric glass stovetop. Are you ready to get cooking? Let’s do this!
Turn your electric stove burner to medium-high and warm the waffle maker on both sides for approximately 4 to 5 minutes before pouring the batter into it. You should spray some oil onto the waffle maker before pouring the batter, but only after it has warmed up. This will help prevent your waffles from sticking to the cast iron.
When you’re ready to add the waffle batter, flip your cast iron waffle maker one more time right before you’re going to add the batter so that the top is really hot. You can quickly add oil; a spray or spritz works best; however, you could also just use a paper towel or a brush with a little bit of oil on it. Be careful not to use too much oil, or it will drip and cause a small flame for a brief moment.
Cleaning up immediately after using your cast iron waffle maker is critical for maintaining and caring for both your stovetop and your cast iron waffle maker. Be sure to dry your waffle maker entirely before storing it, as this helps prevent any issues with rust.
Tip: Don’t oil your cast iron waffle maker until it is hot; this will help make the cast iron nonstick and give you better results for removing your waffles from the cast iron waffle maker.
Caring For Your Cast Iron Waffle Maker
Taking care of your cast iron waffle maker can be very simple if you do it regularly. Just rinse with hot water and use a mild soap to clean it after it has cooled off. Be sure to dry it completely before storing it. We even recommend putting a little oil on it after it is completely dry and rubbing the oil into the cast iron to preserve it and help prevent it from rusting.
However, if your cast iron waffle maker is filthy dirty and hasn’t been cleaned in a really long time, you may need to use a soft bristle brush to remove any of the debris stuck to it and won’t budge with just soap and water. After doing this, you should be able to continue the upkeep by merely washing it regularly with mild soap and hot water.
Don’t try to burn the debris off of your cast iron waffle maker in a fire; this can warp or even crack the waffle maker. Plus, if you are careful when making your waffles, you shouldn’t have anything burnt onto your cast iron waffle maker. But if you do, try to remove it using a soft bristle brush, hot water, and some mild dishwashing soap.
When you first get your cast iron waffle maker, you’ll want to season it. This can be done simply by wiping vegetable oil or shortening all over it and baking it in the oven @ 275° for about 30 minutes. In the beginning, you’ll want to do this a few times to really get your cast iron waffle maker seasoned well. You could also wipe it with oil and put it in the oven after cooking something else and allow it to season some more whenever it is convenient to do so.
Note: Do not season your cast iron waffle maker on high heat, this will just cause the oil to burn, and your waffle maker won’t benefit from seasoning.
Conclusion
Now you know the answer to the most often asked question, can you use a cast iron waffle maker on an electric stove? If you absolutely want to try this, please be sure to follow our instructions on how to safely use a cast iron waffle maker on an electric stove.
Keep in mind that the process is easy; however, caution and care should be used at all times while cooking with any cast iron product on your glass stovetop.
