A different Wagner Waffle Iron

[Rob Di Stasio]

I picked up a Wagner Waffle iron at an auction. It's similar to the round #7 on page 252 of the red book, but mines an 8 and the pat. date is FEB 22 1910.

The base is very high, 4in. What kind of heat source was this made for?


Thanks, Rob

[Steve_Stephens]

Hi Recoil,
High frames are made for gas and gasoline stoves while low frames are for wood/coal ranges.  Either frame will work on current and older gas or most electric stoves but I find the high frame easier to turn over the irons as you don't have to pick them up so high.
Steve

[Rob Di Stasio]

I can use this on an electric stove? Remarkable. Does it work as well on an electric?


Thanks, Rob

[Steve_Stephens]

Rob,
I have been using my Griswold high frame waffle iron on my electric stove (with regular coil elements) since 1968 with fantastic results.  Heat iron on both sides so they are both just BEGINNING to smoke.  Pour batter into the hotter side and flip irons.  Let cook until done about 60-90 sec. or whatever works.  You will probably have trouble at first getting the irons seasoned so the waffles don't stick but keep at it.  Just don't get the irons too hot or you will burn off the seasoning and have to start over again.  Try initial use with PAM.  I put oil in the batter so, once the irons are properly seasoned, no more oiling of the pans is required.  If you need any more info or help just ask.
Steve

[Rob Di Stasio]

Thanks for the help. I was going to give them a lye bath as I usually like to start out with clean pieces and develope my own seasoning. But this iron is seasoned and has a nice black coating, not too heavy or disgusting. Perhaps i'll just give it a hot water scrub and try it.


Thanks, Rob

[Rich]

Rob...

Check out Greg's waffle recipe in the cooking section here.  Works great...

I picked up a Griswold #8 high base a while back and cleaned it in the lye before use.  Sprayed with Pam, sticking really isn't a problem...

The only problem I had was knowing how much batter to put in the thing.  First time out, I overfilled it and had batter running all over the place.  Things got a little smokey when the batter hit the hot burner on the stove...   :o

But they work great...

[Rob Di Stasio]

If I decide I want to give this the lye bath, is there anyway to remove the wooden handles  without destroying them? They don't seem to want to unscrew.

Also, what about the base? Does it get seasoned also? Mine seems a bit dry and pitted.


Thanks, Rob

[Rich]

Rob...

Someone else will have to answer the part about the wooden handles, but I did clean and season the base as well...

[Steve_Stephens]

If I decide I want to give this the lye bath, is there anyway to remove the wooden handles  without destroying them? They don't seem to want to unscrew.

Also, what about the base? Does it get seasoned also? Mine seems a bit dry and pitted.


Thanks, Rob

Those handles might unscrew but I wouldn't try after all these years.  Better to hang the irons from the handles into the lye bucket just at the right depth.  Just be sure they don't drop into the lye.

The frames were originally black japanned but, if that is gone, you can oil the frame as you would the irons.  Occasionally wipe the frame with oil to keep it from rusting.  If a waffle frame has its original japan I wouldn't dye dip it though the japan is pretty hard to remove.
Steve

[Rich]

Steve,

What's the high temperature in the oven during seasoning going to do to the wooden handles?

Will they burn or split etc... ?

[Steve_Stephens]

When I "season" a waffle iron I just start using it.  If one wants to cook on a coating of oil just do it in the waffle frame on the stovetop.  Keep wooden handles out of the oven.  Waffle iron use is a bit trial and error but go over your errors so you know what caused them.  My most common error is forgetting the irons when they are heating on the stove when I get a phone call and the irons overheat burning off the seasoning.
Steve

[Rich]

That's what I was thinking Steve...  But wanted to make sure Rob understood...

[Rob Di Stasio]

Thanks guys. Right now the lye bath is frozen with about 4 pieces in it. Have to do something about that eh? (g)!

Rob

[Steve_Stephens]

Thanks guys. Right now the lye bath is frozen with about 4 pieces in it. Have to do something about that eh? (g)!

Rob

Bring that lye bucket into the living room so it will stay warm.  It will never work being frozen but you will have some clean iron come late spring.
Steve

[Bob Logan]

Be careful with pieces in the lye bath freezing. As you know ice can do some crazy things. You don't want to defrost everything and find out that the ice has cracked whatever iron was in there.

I've done alot of waffle irons with wood handles and have yet to crack one by unscrewing it. I just grab the handle tightly and start turning it counter clockwise. I just think that it's easier to clean and season them without the wood handles.

I use my waffle irons almost every weekend on the electric coil stove and the waffles turn out great. Make sure that the irons are hot before pouring in the batter. The batter should sizzle when it hits the iron. If it is not hot enough you will have a big mess trying to clean out the half cooked batter from the iron! Believe me I've about learned my lesson on this and it's not a fun thing trying to unstick that mess. When the iron is hot the waffles just fall out.

Bob