A waffle iron is a cooking appliance used to make waffles. It usually consists of two hinged metal plates, molded to create the honeycomb pattern found on waffles. The iron is heated and batter is poured between the plates, which are then closed to bake the waffle.
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Traditional waffle irons are attached to tongs with wooden handles and are held over an open flame, or set on a stove. Most modern waffle irons are self-contained tabletop electrical appliances, heated by an electric heating element controlled by an internal thermostat. Many have a light that goes off when the iron is at the set temperature. Most modern waffle irons are coated with a non-stick coating to prevent the waffles from sticking to them.
Modern waffle iron makers offer a large variety of choices. Some waffle irons can make a very thin waffle, capable of making waffle cones or Pizzelle. While there is no set standard of classification for waffle shapes or thicknesses, models that fall within the most common shapes and thicknesses are often labeled as "traditional" or "classic". Models that make thicker and/or larger pocketed waffles are often labeled as "Belgian" waffle makers. In the USA, the most commonly used determining factor of whether a waffle is a "Belgian waffle" or not is the thickness and/or pocket size, although the recipes between Belgian waffles and American waffles do differ.
The earliest waffle iron originated in the Low Countries around the 14th century.[1] These waffle irons were constructed of two hinged iron plates connected to two long, wooden handles. The plates were often made to imprint elaborate patterns on the waffle, including coat of arms, landscapes, or religious symbols. The waffles would be baked over the hearth fire.
Dutch pilgrims brought waffle irons to America in the 1620s.[2]
In 1869, American Cornelius Swarthout (also spelled as Swartwout) patented the first U.S. waffle iron. This iron sat atop wood or gas stoves. The cast iron plates were joined by a hinge that swiveled in a cast iron collar.[3][4][5]
In 1911, General Electric produced its first electric waffle iron, with the help of Thomas J. Steckbeck[6](see Abbottstown, Pennsylvania) Steckbeck is credited with designing the first-of-its-kind heating elements that used a built in thermostat to prevent overheating, a common problem with early versions. With his revolutionary design and General Electric funding, the first fully electric waffle iron rolled off the assembly line July 26, 1911. Later, as the waffle iron became more prevalent, designers worked on making the appliance more attractive on the countertop.
In 1971, Oregon track coach and Nike Co-founder Bill Bowerman used his wife's waffle iron to experiment with the idea of using waffle-ironed rubber to create a new sole for footwear that would grip but be lightweight. Bowerman's design inspiration led to the introduction of the so-called "Moon Shoe" in 1972, so named because the waffle tread was said to resemble the footprints left by astronauts on the moon. Further refinement resulted in the "Waffle Trainer" in 1974, which helped fuel the explosive growth of Blue Ribbon Sports/Nike.[7][8]
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