Long story short: Don’t let your son put canned cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker to make a giant cinnamon waffle or it will be such a sticky mess that you toss the waffle maker into the trash.
Lesson learned. Hence, my search for a brand-new waffle maker.
Not Your Mother’s Waffle Maker
Based on the reason I discarded the old waffle maker, you won’t believe what I found in my search for a new waffle maker. The innovative Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick™ model has a special setting for cake and brownie batter! But I did not select it only to satisfy my son’s waffle sweet tooth. I was immediately attracted to its unique design that solved a huge problem that I’ve tackled when making waffles. It eliminates batter spills from traditional waffle makers, one of the most annoying goopy cleanups.
And while those features convinced me to purchase my Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick™ on Amazon.com for $99.99, let’s discuss whether it produced the thick fluffy Belgian waffles I was expecting.
Unique Vertical Design: Does it “Stand Up” to My Expectations?
Instead of the traditional horizontal, “clam shell” opening waffle maker design, the Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO stands up on the counter vertically. So, you pour the batter down a top funnel-type spout. The slim, vertical space-saving orientation is ideal for any home with limited counter or cabinet space. However, the most important element of the vertical design is that Ninja engineered it to heat evenly to yield consistent waffle-making perfection.
Note: The vertical orientation takes a little practice as it’s definitely different from traditional waffle makers. For example, you need to grab the side handle (stays cool to the touch) to retrieve your cooked waffle not the top funnel that gets hot. Once you get used to it, you will appreciate the batter spill-proof design.
Set Up is Quick
The initial setup took just minutes. I washed all the removable parts and when placed back together, I was ready to make my first waffles. The operating instructions, complete with helpful illustrations, were clear and understandable.
In the box contents:
:: Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO Neverstick™
:: PrecisionPour cup
:: Illustrated instructions
:: Recipe guide
Additional Standout Features of the Ninja Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick
The Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO Neverstick™ boasts a “no mess, every time” feature and they nailed that claim! In addition to the unique vertical design, here are some other outstanding features:
:: Makes fluffy 1″ Belgian waffles with a crisp finish.
:: Select from 5 different shade settings
:: Exclusive specialty setting for high-sugar batters like brownie and cake mix
:: Included PrecisionPour cup makes it easy to measure and pour the batter
:: Waffle provides audio and visual alerts when waffle is ready
:: Easy to clean, non-stick surface
PrecisionPour Cup For Consistent, Fluffy 1” Belgian Waffles
The included PrecisionPour measuring cup makes batter pouring much easier. It’s sturdy and well-marked for accurate measurements. It eliminates batter guesswork along with the over-filled batter mess. Just fill the cup to the marked line and pour into the top funnel spout. You’ll yield 1″ thick, delicious fluffy waffles every time. The size of each large waffle produced is approximately a 6″ square that can be then broken into 4 smaller waffles. And if you accidentally pour in too much batter, the removable drip tray catches any excess batter, making cleanup easy.
5 Shade Settings Plus a Specialty Setting
The 5 shade settings allow you to customize your Belgian waffles from light and fluffy to deliciously crispy, get exactly the texture you enjoy. The specialty setting for cake and brownie options made this waffle maker a must-have in our home. Sometimes it feels like a science experiment as we dig in the food pantry for different flavored cake mix or brownie batter. If you never tried brownie batter for a waffle, you’re sadly missing out on an extra special “gooey” breakfast treat.
Audible and Visual Alerts Eliminate Guesswork
Yes, for decades I’ve been known to burn waffles. With the Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO Neverstick™, there is no more overcooked or undercooked waffles. The waffle maker beeps when the waffle is done so no guesswork for me. That means, no more standing over the waffle maker, you can pour the batter, walk away, and simply wait for the audible beep.
Non-Stick NeverStick™ Surface, Easy Clean-Up
Don’t underestimate the NeverStick™ coating feature on this waffle maker. It’s one of the most important features as the waffles practically pop out when the cooking is complete. That is certainly not the case with my previous so-called “non-stick” waffle maker. After cooling, simply wipe off any residual batter from the cooking plate. The cooking surface is not removable but the removable drip tray and pour cup are dishwasher safe. For your health, the NeverStick PRO coating is PFOA-free .
Easy to Operate and Spectacular Results Every Time
I can assure you that the vertical orientation makes it easy to fill with batter, and the audible alert signals when your waffle is ready.
6 simple steps to creating your home-made waffles:
<1> Plug in power cord and turn the waffle maker on
<2> Select preferred shade setting from 1 to 5 or the specialty setting
<3> Wait for the preheat light and beep alert
<4> Pour batter using the precision pour cup
<5> Close the lid and listen for the audible beep
<6> Open the lid and remove your Belgian waffle
The results are always amazing. Every waffle is fluffy and delicious. The Belgian-style grid pattern creates deep wells that capture every drop of maple syrup and other toppings.
Product Construction and Specifications
Constructed with high-quality materials and a stainless steel (fingerprint and smudge resistant) finish, the Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick™ feels stable during use and the lid with handle clicks to securely close. All the control buttons are bright and dials are easy to read. The 32-inch power cord allows for adequate reach to a kitchen outlet.
Specifications:
:: Model: BW1001
:: Color: Black/Stainless Steel
:: Product Dimensions: 7.72″ D x 6.57″ W x 11.92″ H
:: Weight: 5.7 lbs.
:: Cord Length: 32″
:: 120 volts
:: 1000 watts
:: 1 Year Limited Warranty
Pros and Cons of the Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick™
Pros:
:: Space-saving vertical design
:: Precision pour cup for mess-free, perfectly-sized waffles
:: 5 shade settings plus specialty setting for cake and brownie batters
:: Audible alert prevents overcooking or undercooking
:: Easy to clean NeverStick PRO non-stick surface
:: Drip tray catches spills, easy clean-up
Cons:
:: Higher price point compared to traditional waffle makers
:: Vertical design a bit awkward at first, takes time to get used to
Breakfast For Dinner, Anyone? YES Please!
If you’re in need of a waffle maker, I suggest the Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick™ – Model BW1001. With the unique vertical design, PrecisionPour cup, and the audible beep, I make perfect, fluffy and golden pancakes every time without the mess of overflowing batter. And the specialty setting to make waffles with cake or brownie batter has elevated our brunch menu. Guests are quite impressed. And when experimenting with batters, whatever you do, don’t let anyone on social media convince you to place canned cinnamon roll dough in your waffle maker. Instead, make a batter from scratch and select the specialty setting on the Ninja® Belgian Waffle Maker PRO NeverStick™. You can thank me later.
