Waffle Iron Sticking?

Question

My mom has a what we now know is a vintage cast aluminum sunbeam waffle iron. She's had it for years and it's been a great waffle iron. Even with using a no stick spray or oil the waffles stick. She read somewhere that your aren't supposed to use soap to wash them and she did. Is there anyway to recondition it so that waffles don't stick?

Answer 1

Old Waffle irons can be tricky. If she washed it, it could have taken some of the "seasoning" out of it. This "seasoning" comes with time and use and plenty of oiling. If oiling it generously isn't working, maybe it needs to get hotter. Another option is to fiddle with the recipe. The fat content can be a factor. I like the following recipe by Alton Brown:

Basic Waffle Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2005
Show: Good Eats
Episode: The Waffle Truth

4 3/4 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 1 cup
4 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour, approximately 1 cup
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 whole eggs, beaten
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
16 ounces buttermilk, room temperature
Vegetable spray, for waffle iron

Preheat waffle iron according to manufacturer's directions.
In a medium bowl whisk together the flours, soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar. In another bowl beat together eggs and melted butter, and then add the buttermilk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.

Ladle the recommended amount of waffle batter onto the iron according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Close iron top and cook until the waffle is golden on both sides and is easily removed from iron. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, no. Aluminum can't be reconditioned. You could try a heavier coating of oil, but that probably wouldn't help either. Aluminum simply wears out after awhile.
It's cast iron that you aren't supposed to use soap on. Iron is different in that it has microscopic pores that are filled with hard baked-on grease over time, and a properly cared-for cast iron fry pan, skillet or waffle iron will never stick. Soap ruins this natural seasoning.
Your mom can find a replacement, brand new waffle iron for a few bucks. She should go that route and toss the old one in the recycle bin.

Answer 3

The process used to be called 'seasoning a pan' and was mainly used with cast iron. I don't know why it wouldn't work with cast aluminum. Generously grease the surface and rub the grease in. Use lard or vegetable shortening or bacon fat or some kind of cooking grease. (Spray isn't strong enough for this part of the process, and I don't know if cooking oil works. I do know cooking grease does.) Let it stand about an hour or even overnight, then heat the waffle iron as though you were going to use it. The grease should sizzle a little. Turn it off and let it cool. When it's cool enough to safely handle. Rub any remaining grease off (or in) using a paper towel. Now it's ready to use. You will need to oil or spray the waffle iron every time you use it. To clean it, wipe it down with a wet rag. If you have a burnt mess that needs soap, you'll need to season the pan again after its washing.

Answer 4

Vintage Waffle Iron

Answer 5

If this is one you can remove the irons,then you can season them as you would a cast iron skillet. Set oven at 250F. Take some Crisco or like substance and rub over only the side for the waffles to come in contact with. make sure to coat all areas. When covered, turn off oven and place the irons in for about 1 hour. After they are cool to touch, remove and using a paper towel remove any excess remaining oil and make sure there are no spots on under side where the elements are. (Could cause fire.) Otherwise ,if not removable, try using the new bakers spray out there. It is like we used for cakes and such awhile back.It will not stick to that!!

Answer 6

Sunbeam Waffle Maker

Answer 7

Aluminum is very bad for you. All food absorbs the contents of what it is cooked in. Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimers and other neurological illnesses. That is why you don't see pots and pans made out of this anymore.

Pewter was actually toxic and yet people used to drink out of that too in the real old days. Even Crystal is bad as it has lead, which is why you never STORE anything in it. It's safe o use to drink wine as it's only in there for a short period but never to store alcohol.

You're best to buy a new waffle maker, they're only about $30 and teflon coated.

Answer 8

The best way to condition anything that's cast iron is to use oil. I'm not sure of the whole process of conditioning though, but I think it consists of layering the oil on, heating up the waffle iron, wiping the oil off after it cools and repeating, but I'm not really sure about the whole process.

Answer 9

Use some butter that will do the trick, most pancake mixes should have directions for a waffle iron.

Answer 10

i would put a tiny amount of cooking oil in the waffle batter. that should make it non stick. Also make sure the waffles are cooked and not falling apart that would make them stick too. good luck