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As a native New Yorker, Sunday brunch is a weekly ritual. The endless coffee (or mimosas, depending on events from the night prior), the runny eggs, the perfect stack of pancakes, the napkin math when it comes time to split the bill — the weekend tradition is not something you question. Well, until the pandemic hit. All of a sudden, heading out to a boozy, bottomless brunch seemed frivolous and unsafe — even if you were sitting outdoors and six feet away from friends. Everyone I knew was staying indoors, experimenting with Dalgona coffee, learning how to make sourdough, or perfecting their favorite pasta. My lockdown activity? Figuring out how to make my own brunch favorites, starting with a stack of pancakes that didn’t topple over whenever I moved the plate, and eventually moving onto crispy waffles that didn’t deflate under a handful of fresh berries and generous drizzle of maple syrup.
What’s So Great About the All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker?
If you like eating waffles, you’ll want this All-Clad waffle maker. Like its name would suggest, it makes two square Belgian waffles with generous pockets for all the toppings — maple syrup, butter, Nutella, fruit, powdered sugar, you name it. It works with any recipe whether you go for a true Belgian waffle, or a savory potato waffle, or even an indulgent liege waffle.
No matter what type of waffle you’re in the mood for, the All-Clad is intuitive and easy to use — just spoon in the batter (word to the wise: Less is more!), choose your preferred setting, and wait for the little light and sound to signify that you’re ready to eat. The waffles lift off the nonstick grates easily, and once the interior has cooled off, you just wipe it down with a wet kitchen towel. The grates have remained nonstick over the years, but should a waffle ever give me a bit of trouble, I’ll just let it cook for another minute and it’ll quickly release. The handle doesn’t heat up as you’re cooking so there’s no worry that you’ll burn your fingers before the caffeine kicks in.
The ability to make two waffles at the same time is great for solo diners and larger groups alike. The waffles cook up quickly so you only ever wait a few minutes before the next batch is ready. Use this time to top the waffle to your heart’s content! It’s true, though, that machines that make four waffles at a time would be more efficient for families, which is why All-Clad makes a larger version of the waffle maker I have. If you have a hangry group, this might be a better choice than my two-square model.
Storage is also a cinch. There are two tabs on the side of the lid that secure the machine to itself so you can store the waffle maker on its side, almost like a little suitcase, and save precious cabinet space. This also prevents the cover from falling open and potentially onto other appliances, creating a domino effect that no one needs — or wants. You know the sound that goes bump in the night? Well, it’s not this waffle maker!
As far as countertop appliances go, All-Clad’s waffle maker is quite sleek — I wouldn’t mind it if I kept it out. The super-shiny stainless steel is almost like a mirror, and the curved silhouette is a nice visual departure from the more angular microwave holding court in the corner of my space.
Does the All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker Ever Go on Sale?
Yes, in fact, it’s currently on sale at Sur La Table during Labor Day weekend where it’s down to $199.95 from the usual price of $275 — the lowest price on my model that I’ve seen in years — and comes with free shipping, too. The All-Clad 2-Square Belgian Waffle Maker is still an investment, but one that pays for itself in a few weekends after you realize how much you’d normally spend at brunch.