BELLA 13991 Classic vs DASH No-Drip Belgian Side-by-Side Comparison
Can’t decide which is the better waffle maker to buy between the Bella 13991 Classic and the DASH No-Drip Belgian? Check out this comparison.
Specifications
Design
With its glossy stainless steel exterior similar to pricier models like the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 or the Hamilton Beach 26031, the Bella 13991 has all the hallmarks of a premium machine. But upon closer inspection, we found that the build quality isn’t very high, mainly due to the dangerously wobbly lid.
Apart from this glitch, other components of the Bella 13991, like the waffle plates, control panel, and power cord, are all up-to-par.
Although the design of the DASH No-Drip Belgian Waffle Maker isn't very luxurious with its plain plastic housing, the build quality is excellent. The lid hinges are solid, the waffle plates are coated in an effective layer of non-stick.
Unfortunately, there is one issue: this model lacks a control panel. For the price point it’s at, this is a clear drawback.
Usability Comparison
The Bella 13991’s flimsy construction didn’t do very well in both our handling and safety tests, but it scored points for being very easy to clean. Overall, the waffle maker only squeaked past the test by a hair.
Using the DASH waffle maker is easy overall — plug it in, wait until the READY indicator lights up, and start pouring your batter!
The lack of a control system is troublesome, though. You can't adjust the browning or doneness to your liking. Instead, you'll have to time the cooking process to get your desired browning level.
On the plus side, safety and cleanability are both excellent for this model.
Performance Test
Although our first impression of the waffle maker wasn’t great due to some glaring design issues, the Bella waffle maker did fairly well across both waffle test recipes. The texture and flavor of its waffles were great — they’re not restaurant-level, but they aren’t bad for family breakfasts and light meals.
The DASH No-Drip performed acceptably in both performance tests. However, it was found lacking in one key area: cooking a waffle's crust to a nice color tone. The waffle maker failed to make waffles with our desired golden-brown tone in both test recipes.
Fortunately, the texture and flavor were spot on. So, for breakfasts and snacks, the DASH No-Drip belgian waffle maker won’t disappoint.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Affordable
- Did a good job in both of our performance tests
- Overall design looks very premium
- The non-stick coating functions well
- Affordable
- Capable of bulk cooking (can make four waffles at once)
- Did an acceptable job in our test with the self-mixed recipe
- Solid build quality
- High safety rating
- Easy to clean
- Poor build quality
- The lid is dangerously loose
- The unit’s appearance looks quite cheap
- Lacks a control panel
Conclusion
If it’s a Belgian waffle maker that you’re after, the Bella 13991 Classic Belgian waffle maker is one of the better choices out there. This model’s cooking performance was one of the best in our database. According to our chef, the waffles made in this waffle maker were decently tasty. They weren’t restaurant-grade, mind you, but the Belgian waffles made by the Bella 13991 should be good enough for breakfasts and daily meals.
Being a mid-range model, the Bella 13991 also comes with various extra features, like a flippable design to help the waffle cook more evenly.
On the other hand, the DASH No-Drip Belgian is built for bulk cooking. It has a large set of waffle plates that can cook four 4-inch square waffles at the same time. For those with large families or who have to cook large batches of waffles regularly, the DASH No-Drip Belgian waffle maker will make for a good investment.
Behind the Comparison
Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.
Tuyet Pham is an award-winning Saigonese chef passionate about delicious and healthful foods. At HealthyKitchen101, she develops recipes and collaborates with our Research, Testing, and Review lab to evaluate the performance of cooking appliances. Her assessments add a strong authoritative voice to our product scoring process.
Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.
