Waffle iron

Awaffle ironorwaffle makeris akitchen utensilused to cookwafflesbetween two hinged metal plates. Both plates have gridded indentations to shape the waffle from thebatteror dough placed between them. The plates are heated and the iron is closed while the waffle bakes. Waffles are aquick breadwith a light and sweet flavor, similar topancakes. Their appearance is much harder to achieve than a pancake's without a waffle iron.Similar technology is employed to bakewafers,and several other snacks includingkue gapit, a waffle-shaped but crunchyIndonesiansnack which can be made with both sweet and savoury flavours.
Waffle irons were common inFranceas early as the 12th or 13th century, and became widespread in theNetherlandsand the rest ofEuropefrom the 14th century. Secular waffle irons developed alongsidehost presses, a similar but religious tool used to producesacramental bread.The earliest waffle irons had shallow indentations suited to baking unleavenedwafers, and might better be described aswafer ironsorwafer presses.Waffle irons gained deeper indentations asleavening agentswere introduced into recipes.There is evidence of primitive waffle irons inSwedenandNorwayinViking Agewomen's burials.
Waffle irons were originally constructed of two hinged iron plates connected to two long, woodenhandles. The plates were often made to imprint elaborate patterns on the waffle, includingcoats of arms,landscapes, orreligious symbols. Waffles would be held at a distance andbakedover thehearthfire.
In 1869,AmericanCornelius Swartwoutwas the first to patent a stove-top waffle iron. While waffle irons of sorts may have existed since the 1400s, Swarthout intended to perfect the design by adding a handle and a hinge that swiveled in a cast-iron collar,allowing the waffle-maker to flip the iron without danger of slippage or burns.In 1891 John Kliembach, a German immigrant living inShamokin,Pennsylvania, became a traveling salesman of waffles after fashioning an iron for the Mansion House Hotel. Kliembach sold waffles for apennyeach or tencentsfor a dozen.This was popular at theChicago World's Fair. In 1911, General Electric produced a prototype electric waffle iron, and production began around 1918.Later, as the waffle iron became more prevalent, its appearance was improved.
Traditional waffle irons are attached totongswith wooden handles and held over an open flame, or set on astove. Most modern waffle irons are self-contained tabletophousehold appliancesusing electricheating elementscontrolled by internalthermostats. Electric irons can come with either removable or non-removable plates. Professional waffle irons are usually made of uncoated cast iron, whereas domestic models, particularlycast aluminumones, are oftenTefloncoated. Many have a light that goes off when the iron reaches a set temperature.
Some waffle makers produce a very thin waffle, and can be used for making waffle cones orPizzelle. While there is no set standard for waffle shapes or thicknesses, models that produce the most common shapes and thicknesses are often labeled as "traditional" or "classic". Models that make thicker and larger pocketed waffles are often labeled as "Belgian". In the US, the most common criteria for "Belgian waffles" are their thickness and pocket size, although they are also distinguished by using a base that typically includes yeasted batter andpearl sugar.
Stroopwafelsare thin, roundwafflecookiesmade from two layers of sweet baked dough held together bycaramelfilling.They are a well-knownDutchtreat, popular throughout the Netherlands and the formerDutch Empire,and exported abroad.