Waffle Iron w/ High Base

[garlin]

Steve
I can understand that you have had 30 years of standing over a hot stove flipping waffles and thinking about why Griswold had a logical reasoning for the manufacturing of a High Base Waffle Irons. Thank you for this conversation.
Howard g. Cutler

[awdye]

Well you've convinced me.  I have an electric waffle iron and use it now and then, but after reading this extensive thread, I went and bought 1 wagner 1408 #8 low frame with alaskan handles.  Bathed and brushed it last week and reseasoned it today and we had waffles for dinner out of it.  1st one stuck a bit, second one was limp, by the 3rd pass I had it down.  Gas range, largest burner, medium heat.  Used Steve's method (smoking on 1 side, pour and flip, 3 minutes on 2nd side) and got perfect results until we ran out of batter.

While on vacation in Phoenix last week, just happened to pick up 3 more, a Wagner high frame (patented 1910, old logo) with alaskan handles, and two Griswold low frame,one with the button hinge (patented June 1880)  and short wood handles, and a second one with long handles (broken, i'll need to replace them) that was patented in 1901.  They were all too good to pass up.  I really don't need 4, but I'm already thinking of adding a Griswold high-frame, a Piqua, Lodge, others...

Recommendations on replacing the handles?

[Steve_Stephens]

Recommendations on replacing the handles?

Alan, if the handles are the straight wood ones they are easy to replace.  Go to hardware store and buy a length of hardwood dowel that is a fraction larger diameter than what will fit.  Then turn down the dowel to fit the waffle handle socket but only far enough to fit into the socket.  Should be a tight fit.  Held in place with a wire brad or small nail.  You will have to cut down what you buy and it goes where the small notch is under the iron handle sockets.  I use my shopsmith disc sander to turn down the dowel to size.  Paint black and away you go.  If you have an original handle to measure and copy it makes it very easy.  I've made many this way and make them EXACTLY as original with the proper radius at the handle end.

I think you will find the Griswold irons make the best waffles but try several brands; you may find you like another brand.

Steve

[Roger Barfield]

I think you will find the Griswold irons make the best waffles but try several brands; you may find you like another brand.
 

Alan, the Alfred Andresen Heart waffle makes some great waffles as well.  That's my favorite one of all to make waffles with.  Steve, have you tried one of them before?  I can't explain how, but it cooks them differently to me.

[Steve_Stephens]

Roger,
Agree with you on that.  I've made a lot of Andresen waffles but not in years.  And my Heart Star Griswold made a lot, too, but it's been retired for now.  Recently got an Andresen again and will resurrect it one of these days to try again.  I'd say that possibly the Andresen irons turn out the best waffles of all.  They are a bit more crispy/less doughy and release from the pans more easily than other irons.  Pretty reasonable on ebay these days so an iron that more people should try.

Steve

[moosejaw]

 [smiley=nono.gif] Andresen waffle irons are the worst......you really wouldn't want to collect these, Alan.   [smiley=hyper.gif]

[awdye]

Well,  I was going to buy a griswold high-base next, but Marty's warning has me wanting an Andresen more than ever now.  And Steve's comment about crispy and light isn't helping.  The Wagner waffles were delicious but a bit more 'substantial' than I've experienced before in a waffle.  They were heavy enough that 2 waffles were almost more dinner than I could eat, and I'm not a small guy...

[moosejaw]

Well,  I was going to buy a griswold high-base next, but Marty's warning has me wanting an Andresen more than ever now.

Nooooooo....they are really bad.....you'd probably want to look at Wagner, Favorite, Griswold, Stover, no names.....anything but Andresen.  You see, most of those Andresen waffle irons were used by the Norwegians to cook their lutefisk in.  So if you buy an Andresen, your waffles will taste like lutefisk.  

Ask Neitzel......he'll confirm what I am saying.