WI: high- or low-base?

[curiousmom]

Which would be better to use on a normal low-end Hotpoint gas range?
The only waffle iron I've ever used was an electric one, with a red light that blinks on/off to signal when the waffle is done.

Thanks,
Jane

[Troy_Hockensmith]

Great question and you'll probably get some opinions. I used an electric stove for years and had it down with a low base. Basically I could do a perfect waffle everytime.

When I built the new kitchen we went with a gas range and I've found I have trouble regulating the heat as well. I have the opinion that a high base will work better on gas but haven't tried it yet. I tend to get it two hot with a low base now.

[grivolas]

Hi jane
I perfer a low base WI with a bail. I don't like the iron handle type as well, esp. if your making a lot of things at one time it just gets in the way and it's harder to move out of the way when your done. The high base works equally well, but I find I have to turn the heat up just a little bit more. However. if you like camping the high base is the way to go as you can use it there as well. ;D
W Petersen

[g0028069]

Jane,
It is really a matter of figuring the correct amount of heat to put to the iron.  Either low or high base should work equally well with some experimentation.  I prefer a low base with a handle rather than a base with a bail.  I find it easier to use; however I still use both.  A plus is if the base has the little feet that went into the stove eye.  The feet help to keep the base from sliding on the burner.    

[maloney108]

I'll share something I found out from this site a while ago:  the low base was for wood stoves and the high base was for gas stoves.  I think Steve told me that this info is in the catalogs.

[Steve_Stephens]

Yes, the high bases were made for gas stoves.  But the flame on many or all old gas stoves was somewhat different I think and the flames came out of the burner straight up.  On many new gas burners the flame comes out of the side of the burner so might have a tendency to be directed at the sides of the frame instead up to the irons.  Here a low frame may be better.  Look at the flame on your stove and you should be able to figure out which will work best on your stove.

I use a high frame on an electric coil stove but low also works.  I find the high easier to turn.

Steve

[curiousmom]

Thanks!!  It sounds like a low base, with careful low heat would work the best.  Our flame at its max is not very powerful, and those high bases look pretty dang high.

[danduhman]

I use my high base heart star waffle iron when I go camping it works great on a coleman stove

[Dwayne Henson]

I've used both high and low bases on our electric stove without any problems.