stove-top waffle iron

I don't speak Swedish, so limited my research to English. This is what I found:

Waffles are "vafflor." They are traditional for Annunciation Day, "Varfrudagen," in mid-March. Swedish waffle recipes differ significantly from American and Belgian waffles. The cook makes a smooth paste with roughly equal volumes of flour and water, then aerates it by folding in whipped cream (2X un-whipped cream : water) just before baking. Those recipes which were produced with pictures often showed heart-shaped waffles.

Heart shaped, cast-iron waffle irons were, at one time, fairly common and are now sold as "antiques," dated back to the 20s by their sellers. I've had experience with antique cooking items, and while I don't doubt the sellers' sincerity their accuracy is suspect. I'd guess something more like the late 80s.

Square, aluminum, stove-top "Belgian Waffler" by Nordic Ware, available many places. Nordic Ware also makes a very nice KrumKake iron.

Round, cast iron, stove-top waffle iron from Rome Industries (amazon.com). Rome industries also makes a "Chuck-Wagon" waffle iron with some seriously long handles, designed for outdoor cooking. The hinge is designed to spearate easily for some esoteric reason.

These folks may have a clue, but you'll have to contact them: kioskkiosk.com/p/364]KIOSK - Cast Iron Waffle Iron

Heart-shaped, electric waffle irons sold by Cutlery and More (made by Chef's Choice), and JC Penny's (mfgr unknown). These are small, table-top irons, and shouldn't can't imagine any storage problems. Current, on the other hand ... I've purchased, several times, from Cutlery and More. On the initial purchase there were several problems -- some their fault, some the fault of others. Cutlery and More took care of all of them quickly, efficiently, and without excuses. That's the best compliment I can give. I've also owned stuff made under the Chef's Choice name, and all of it has been very high quality. Nevertheless, I thought these particular irons were overpriced. If I were ordering one of these, I think I'd order from Penny's.

Given the apparent popularity of the shape in Scandinavia, I'd guess that stove-top irons are still in production there. If you're passionate about this, you might want to e-mail some of the people who've posted "Swedish waffle" recipes.

Good luck on your search,
BDL

ON EDIT: OK. I found them. Google the terms, "skeppshult waffle." Skeppshult being the place these particular irons are made. However, given that these beauties are going for UK 60 pounds, I think I'd buy the Prima electric iron from Amazon.uk for UK 20 pounds. But that's me.

Check out Lehman's, they sell all sorts of equipment for folks intent on living off the grid, conveniently near Ohio Amish/Mennonite country.

 

Perhaps, not *exactly* what you're looking for as they don't produce heart shaped waffles, but they seem close:

 

 

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Outdoors___Camping___Campfire___Long_Handled_Round_Cast_Iron_Waffle_Iron___1122410?Args=

 

or

 

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Kitchen___Cookware___Cast_Iron_Cookware___Round_Cast_Iron_Waffle_Iron___1100865?Args=

 

 

They have other types stove top waffle irons as well. Just stick "waffle" into their search engine.

 

Doug

Edited by Phreon - 12/21/10 at 6:34am

 

Most of the good cast iron vendors in the US tend to be hunting stores, or outdoors stores with a strong fishing/hunting focus. This also tends to the conservative wing of politics in its customers. The store with the best selection and prices in my area is an Army Navy surplus store.

 

I have one of those waffle irons with the clumsy base. Works great actually but is a bit clunky until you figure it out. Longish handles.  Pretty much like this:

 

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=cast+iron++waffle+iron&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8004405726494801940&ei=qL8QTZ7BDonUtQOq3MWLCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDIQ8wIwAA#

 

The odd base with the ball socket that holds the hinge makes flipping the iron a breeze. No drips, no hesitations, no strength required.

 

The Rome one BDL mentions is more compact with a more traditional hinge.

When it comes to waffles, Belgium comes to mind.

I'll have a look see if I can find anything that's not electric.

Maybe ChrisBelgium can help?

check out

http://www.qvist.nl/OC%20SHOP%20Dutch%20Ovens.htm#PI

they are in Europe, prices in Euro and got something like you are looking for.

Contact me if you need a translation......

Many of these cast iron waffle makers are antique. Both my granmothers had a thing like that, which fitted in a space they had to open in their coalstoves!

They looked like the one in the picture;

Butzy, that link is a nice find, didn't know they still made them!

 

Hi,

I am just cleaning up an old waffle iron.

Made in Sweden, Husqvarna No 10, are you interested.

I'm based in the UK

Sarah

Nordic ware makes a good belgian waffler, which cooks on the top of the stove.  I really like mine, picked it up on eBay for $12 plus about $8 shipping (it is heavy).   I made delicious, yeasty, belgian waffles the first time I tried.   My suggestion:  get an older model with the temperature gauges on both sides.  The newer ones don't have them. :)

Donna

 

UPDATE:

I recently made true Liege style Belgian waffles on this iron.  The recipe I used was this one. 

http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/Liege-Waffles---The-Other-Belgian-Waffle/43864/

They turned out tender and light in the middle and substantial and crisp on the outside.  I HAD already read the recipe below, so I knew that the iron temperature was critical to get the sugar to carmelize, but not burn.  I used an instant read thermometer on the iron, just as suggested.  (I used sugar crystals, not pearl sugar, stirring them into the rather stiff batter at the last minute. 

 

But if you prefer to take fewer thing by chance, then try this link: http://liegewaffle.wordpress.com/liege-waffle-recipe-liege-gaufre-recette/  It will give you most everything you need to know in order to make great, true Liege style Belgian waffles.

 

 

Last update:  I finally settled upon this recipe.   Easy, fast and gives a very good result. http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com/2009/04/brussels-and-liege-waffles.html   The thing I like about it is that it puts in some baking powder in the final batter for the "extra lift" to make the center light.  My other recipes relied upon beaten egg whites (and the yolks were included in the batter too)  - Which gave a good texture, but I happen to dislike baked items that are "too eggy".  (I was so excited to make popovers then discovered they are WAY too eggy for me.)  This recipe has only one egg, so I like it best.  Others may like the egginess.

 

Edited by IndyGal - 6/30/11 at 5:38am

I have one of those heart shaped waffle irons that I picked up when I was living in Sweden if you are interested but only I am currently living in the States. They do make good waffles.