Chefman Anti-Overflow vs BLACK+DECKER WMB500 Side-by-Side Comparison
If you’re on the fence about whether to pick the Chefman Anti-Overflow or the BLACK+DECKER WMB500, this short guide can help you out.
Specifications
Design
Given the Chefman’s relatively budget-friendly tag, the quality of its design is very markable. The housing is made from sturdy plastic with a nifty rubber coating at the top of the lid.
If you're searching for an easy-to-use waffle maker, you'll be pleased to find that the control panel is easy to operate. The non-stick plates were also delivered as promised. We didn't have to deal with sticky waffles or lumpy batter residues at any point during our dozens of cooking tests.
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 has a simplistic, blocky design—typical of an entry-level waffle maker. It looks quite similar to the Cuisinart WMR-CA, which is in the same price range.
However, its stainless steel baking chamber adds a shiny touch to the otherwise mundane look, making for a visually pleasing aesthetic overall.
Despite its low price point, the construction quality is great. The only downside is the noticeable absence of a control panel. Rather than buttons or the like, an indicator light at the top alerts you when your waffle is ready to eat.
Usability Comparison
Unfortunately, the Chefman lost the momentum it had built in the previous tests in this section. During our safety tests, we found numerous issues. The lid-lock, while well-built and engineered, is difficult to use and potentially dangerous. The waffle maker's surfaces also heat up to dangerous temperatures after a few cooking sessions, which we consider another hazard.
Besides these two grievances, the Chefman did okay in other tests like cleanability. The non-stick coating of the plates makes cleaning the waffle maker after cooking much easier.
It’s simple to start with the BLACK+DECKER WMB500, mostly because it doesn’t have a control panel. Most of BLACK+DECKER’s budget-friendly offerings don’t have a control panel (case in point, the BLACK+DECKER Double waffle maker.)
All you need to do is plug it in and wait for the power light to go off, signaling that it's ready for use. Pour in your batter, wait for the waffle to cook, then lift the lid and extract your waffle.
The waffle maker did excellently in both fields regarding cleanability and safety.
Performance Test
The Chefman offers value well beyond its cost. All of the waffles it baked were good-looking and tasty during our performance tests. Even though the waffles may not be restaurant-grade, they could still serve up a wholesome breakfast for the family.
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 displayed impressive cooking performance across both test recipes. The resulting waffles weren't restaurant-level quality, but certainly more than enough for a healthy homemade breakfast. It’ll be an ideal choice for families who simply need a reliably good option for breakfast.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- High-quality and sturdy design
- Works well with boxed waffle mix
- Anti-overflow moat can minimize spillage
- Well-built waffle plates with a non-stick layer
- Tactile, easy-to-use control panel
- Comes with a measuring cup
- Affordable pricing
- Decent cooking performance across both test recipes
- Good-looking stainless steel baking chamber
- The lid can dampen the force of a strong push, preventing the lid from accidentally snapping close to the user’s hand
- The non-stick coating on the waffle plates works very well
- Excellent safety rating
- Didn’t perform well on self-mixed recipe
- Awkward and potentially dangerous lid lock
- Too many hot surfaces
- Can be difficult to clean
- Lacks control panel
- The stainless steel baking chamber needs regular cleaning to look its best
Conclusion
The Chefman Anti-Overflow and the BLACK+DECKER WMB500 have many things in common. They are both Belgian-style waffle makers that bake 7-inch waffles and have an almost similar price. In our cooking tests, too, the two models also come very close to one another for their waffle quality.
However, upon close inspection, there are certain features that set them apart.
The BLACK+DECKER WMB500 has a noticeably “cheaper” look due to its plain design. This is in line with its affordable pricing. The WMB500 is also devoid of many essential features, like a browning control dial.
On the other hand, the Chefman has a reasonably presentable and well-built design. And unlike the WMB500, the Chefman does come with a browning control dial.
Overall, while both models will do a good job of cooking waffles, you’ll get better value out of the Chefman.
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.
