Waffle Iron / Electric Range?

[Duke Gilleland]

Can anyone here tell me how well, if at all, an old cast iron waffle iron works on an electric range? Don't have a waffle iron as of yet and was just thinking... ??? Would appreciate any opinions [smiley=appl.gif]

[Steve_Stephens]

They work perfectly Duke if you have the old fashioned coil type burner.  I can't vouch for some of the modern types of burners but, if the burner can "feel" the heat being sucked from it by a pot in direct contact, the old waffle irons probably won't get hot enough to work.  Had that problem on my sister's stove that had the cast iron burner with the reddish brown dot in the center.  It could make yellow waffles and that's all.  Look for a high frame one as it will be easier to turn and the heat should be more even.  No.8's work best.  I've been using mine for over 30 years several times a month.  Definitely go for it.
Steve

[Greg Stahl]

I use a Griswold heart and star on our and it is PERFECT.  I have to say though if you like pancakes the best griddle so far that I've tried is the "cloverleaf" griddle.

[Steve_Stephens]

 I have to say though if you like pancakes the best griddle so far that I've tried is the "cloverleaf" griddle.

"Cloverleaf"???  What the heck is that?
Yeah, I know; had my pancakes this morning on my Axford Cloverleaf griddle.  Agreed, Cloverleaf is the best.  But hard to find.

Steve

[Greg Stahl]

Steve,
Any idea why the Axford is so good for pancakes?  I mean I have used a #8, 9 and 10 Griswold handled griddles but they just are not as good as the Axford Cloverleaf griddle.

I figure it must have to do with the distance between the heat source and the surface of the griddle.  The handled griddles are in direct contact, whereas you get indirect heat with the Axford.

Another reason I like to use it, is that my kids can use it very well too, and it almost locks itself onto the electric burner that I use, so that I don't have to worry about it moving around when the little ones are at the stove.

[Steve_Stephens]

Steve,
Any idea why the Axford is so good for pancakes?

I figure it must have to do with the distance between the heat source and the surface of the griddle.  The handled griddles are in direct contact, whereas you get indirect heat with the Axford.

That's what I figure, too.  Better heat distribution?  Still, the outside of the pan doesn't heat as well on my stove.  I wonder if the Axford would work even better on a gas stove compared to electric.  The WERE designed in the gas stove era.

Steve

[Baggsy]

We can solve this one easy...you guys send me an Axford and I'll try it on my gas stove!  Send along anything else you'd like a side-by-side comparison with...  

[Steve_Stephens]

Baggsy,
No, you send me your gas stove and I'll run the tests and eat the pancakes.  Then you can come pick up your stove and sample my pancakes on your stove first.  How's that?  A very generous offer since it will end up being more work for me since I will have to hook up the gas to your stove and the stove will take up a lot of my kitchen space.  Greg, if you can make Baggsy a better offer, you two work it out.
Steve

[Greg Stahl]

Baggsy,

Perhaps I need to bring the Axford to WY in exchange for a hunt?  You can use it on the wood stove for a week and then I'll take it back East with me, as it would miss the East coast weather.  It doesn't like all the wind in WY.

[Ed Allspaugh]

I have a smooth top ceramic/glass electric stove. I make waffles every weekend with an unmarked Wagner #8. No problems once you learn how high to set the heat.

I use a low base, Steve. Glad you brought that to my attention. Folks need to know. I tried a high base but it just didn't get enough heat.

[Steve_Stephens]

Ed, are you using a high or low frame waffle iron?  It's nice to know that, at least, some work on your type stovetop.

Steve

[Bob Logan]

I have a open coil type electric stove and with all my waffle makers the low frame works the best. I set the heat about 2/3 of the way up. When I tried my high base waffle iron I could never get it hot enough.
 
Still looking for the elusive Axford Cloverleaf. I know my luck and will find 2 in a week after looking for 2 years!
 
Bob ;D

[Steve_Stephens]

I have a open coil type electric stove and with all my waffle makers the low frame works the best. I set the heat about 2/3 of the way up. When I tried my high base waffle iron I could never get it hot enough.
 
Still looking for the elusive Axford Cloverleaf. I know my luck and will find 2 in a week after looking for 2 years!
 
Bob ;D

Bob, are you using the small or large burner?  I use the large one on a coil type burner with high frame and turned to HIGH.  If I use the low frame (seldom) I think I still use the large burner but with less heat.

Those Axfords may have been made here in San Francisco since that's where the Axford foundry was.  I don't know if Lodge ever got into making them for Axford as they did with the broiler skillets.  Seems like there are more of them on the west coast but even here they are scarce.  Found my first one in many years last year but sold it to a "Person" at the convention (has that "Person" tried to use it yet and, if so, how does he/she like it?  Will you let us know?).  What will you trade me for my extra one?  I'd first have to wrestle it away from loan to my Dad.

Steve

[Will Person]

Found my first one in many years last year but sold it to a "Person" at the convention (has that "Person" tried to use it yet and, if so, how does he/she like it?  Will you let us know?).

Well, no I haven't [smiley=shrug.gif]   You guys are going to beat me up,  but I have never cooked with cast iron. ::)   My type of meals are,  well,  microwaved.   I am not much of a cook.   But I am good at eating.   One of these days when I pass "boiling water 101" I will have to try to cook in cast iron.

Will Person Jr. [smiley=kos.gif]

[Steve_Stephens]

Will, you kidding?  I hear that a prerequisite to attending the next convention is being able to, and have experience in, cooking in iron cookware.  Why else collect it?  You have to pass on that Cloverleaf to someone who loves to cook and can enjoy it.  Really, give it a try.  You can find a pancake that you love.  I don't use my iron to a great extent but do use a lot of it over time.  It's half the fun.
Steve

[Greg Stahl]

Bob,
Me too, open coil, about 1/3 up on heat for me and the larger burner is just fine for the amount of heat.  I need to get a good temperature probe and see what the coil temp is.

I have a open coil type electric stove and with all my waffle makers the low frame works the best. I set the heat about 2/3 of the way up. When I tried my high base waffle iron I could never get it hot enough.
 
Still looking for the elusive Axford Cloverleaf. I know my luck and will find 2 in a week after looking for 2 years!
 
Bob ;D

[Bob Logan]

I find that the large coil works the best. I will change the temperature from 1/2 to 2/3 while cooking depending on how hot the waffle iron is getting.  My #7 works best on the small coil.

I am hooked on the waffle receipe here in the forum, I think it's Greg's, and I've tried all different variations. Last weekend made Eggnog waffles that were pretty good!
 
Bob

[Greg Stahl]

That is a great recipe and yeap it is mine.  I like to substitute the milk with buttermilk as well sometimes and add a little vanilla in too.  

[C. B. Williams]

That is a good recipe. You all need to invest in a gas cooktop, then you will throw rocks at an electric. Gas surface cooking and electric oven cooking is the way. If you don't have space for a separate oven and cooktop then a "dual fuel" range is the way to go.

[C. B. Williams]

Will: If you can read, you can cook. If you don't cook you are missing out on something special in life.