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Chefman Anti-Overflow vs Euro Cuisine WM520 Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)6.6/10
- Design (20%)8.8/10
- Ease of Use (30%)5.6/10
- Performance (50%)6.3/10
- Design (20%)9.8/10
- Ease of Use (30%)6.6/10
The main difference between the Chefman Anti-Overflow and the Euro Cuisine WM520’s lies in the patterning of their waffle plates. While the former is imprinted with the traditional Belgian-style pattern, the Euro Cuisine WM520 has a beautiful heart-shaped pattern (also called “Norwegian-style patterning”).
Both models bake waffles that measure 7 inches across. However, the Chefman’s Belgian-style plates are deeper, so the resulting waffles are much thicker than the thin waffles that the Euro Cuisine WM520 produces. This makes the Chefman Anti-Overflow a great option if you want to cook a filling waffle in the morning.
However, if you want to spice up the look of your breakfast platter, the beautiful heart-shaped waffles from Euro Cuisine WM520 will do the trick. These heart-shaped waffles will be especially fitting for meals around festive times like Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Chefman Anti Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker’s Performance
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.3/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)6.9/10
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.3/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)6.4/10
Self-Mixed Recipe
- Heat Level: 3
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
The coloration was decent but could be improved. But the texture, which was dense and very mushy, needs the most improvement. Despite all that, the texture of the waffle was good. The waffle would have received a perfect score if it wasn’t for the pulpy mouthfeel due to the mediocre texture.
Color (35%) — 6/10
- Color tone: Very dark brown (Both)
- Color distribution: Uneven
The overall coloring of the waffle was not impressive. The crust was a patchwork of golden brown and dark brown spots. Because of its blotchy appearance, the waffle doesn't get a high score in terms of color distribution.
Texture (25%) - 5/10
- Texture: Mediocre
- Aeration level: Low; next to no air bubbles present inside the waffle’s interior
The texture was mediocre. After 5 minutes, the core of the waffle still hasn’t been aerated. Cutting the waffle in half, we found very few air bubbles within. And sure enough, the low aeration rate resulted in a mushy waffle.
Taste (40%) - 7.5/10
- Flavor: Buttery and sweet, slightly salty
- Mouthfeel: Very mushy due to low aeration
The bad texture, fortunately, didn’t prevent the Chefman from receiving a good score from our chef. Its mushy mouthfeel was a turn-off, but the waffle maker did a great job developing the waffle. The final waffle has all the flavors we expected from the batter. The creamy butter, sweet sugar, and slight saltiness of the single teaspoon of salt came out nicely.
- Heat Level: Medium-high
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes 30 seconds
The waffle has beautiful coloration: golden-brown on the outside with dark brown spots within the wells. However, the interior was mushy, which also affected the taste of the waffle by introducing a slight raw batter-like taste to its flavor profile.
Color (35%) — 7.5/10
- Color tone: Light brown
- Color distribution: Even
We rated the waffle to have great coloration. The outer crust had a light brown tone, and the diamond-shaped wells had a dark brown color. Examining the wells closely, we found that they weren’t charred, which is ideal.
Both sides of the waffle were roughly the same color, but the wells at the bottom were lighter-colored than the top.
Texture (25%) - 5/10
- Texture: Mediocre
- Aeration level: Low, minimal presence of air bubbles and air pockets
Though the outside of the waffle looked splendid, the interior was a different story. It was clear that the batter hadn’t had the chance to fully develop, judging by how mushy it still was.
The low aeration level was also apparent in the low number of air bubbles and air pockets within the waffle’s interior.
Taste (40%) - 6/10
- Flavor: Sweet and savory, with a hint of raw batter
- Mouthfeel: Soft and fluffy, but slightly dry
Our chef found the flavor of the waffle to be acceptable. The sweetness and the savory taste of the batter were there. However, there was also a slight taste of raw batter due to the undercooked interior, which effectively ruined the tasting experience.
Birch Benders Mix
- Heat Level: 3
- Cooking Time: 7 minutes
The waffle received a beautiful, light golden brown color throughout. But while it looked excellent, the waffle's interior hadn’t fully developed. Luckily, the waffle maker's heat still unlocked the full range of flavors that the batter had to offer. So, despite being a bit mushy, the waffle tasted excellent.
Color (35%) — 7.5/10
- Color result: Light brown (Both)
- Color distribution: Even
Coloring was good. Both the top and the bottom had a light, golden brown tone. We deducted a few points due to its undeveloped color. It almost appeared like the waffle wasn’t thoroughly cooked.
The color was distributed evenly across both sides of the waffle. It wasn’t perfect as there were still lightly seared spots within the wells. Nevertheless, the bottom and the top could be considered acceptably uniform.
Texture (25%) — 6/10
- Texture: Mediocre
- Aeration level: Low, air bubbles were few and inconsistent in size
The texture could be better. Although bubbles began to form within the batter, they were small and their numbers were few. It resulted in the core of the waffle being moist and less fluffy than it should be.
Taste (40%) — 7/10
- Flavor: Sweet and savory
- Mouthfeel: Mushy and moist
Despite the texture being less-than-ideal, the Chefman did its job. The machine extracted this batter's complete flavor profile: sweet and savory. The slight mushiness hampered our enjoyment, but overall, it was an acceptable Belgian-style waffle.
- Heat Level: Medium-high
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes 30 seconds
The Euro Cuisine WM520 managed to carry over the same level of performance it displayed in the self-mixed recipe test to this second test. The coloration—slightly lighter than in the previous test—was still considered good. Texturally, the waffle has a marginally better aeration rate compared to the waffle from the previous test. It resulted in a slightly better taste score from our chef due to the improved softness.
Color (35%) — 7/10
- Color result: Light brown (Both)
- Color distribution: Even
Both sides of the waffle were covered in a light brown-gold crust. While beautiful, it was a smidge lighter than ideal, resulting in a slightly lower score than the waffle made from our self-mixed recipe. Within the diamond-shaped wells of the waffle, the coloring was an attractive light brown.
Texture (25%) — 5.5/10
- Texture: Mediocre
- Aeration level: Low, few air bubbles
The aeration rate of the waffle remained low, but it still has more air pockets spread out throughout the interior than the waffle from the previous test. Texturally, the waffle was moist and mushy.
Taste (40%) — 6.5/10
- Flavor: Savory, slightly sweet
- Mouthfeel: Fairly soft, but mushy
Due to the improved texture, the tasting experience was also better. Since the Birch Benders mix had a different composition than our self-mixed recipe, the flavor was different too. It was more savory and less sweet, but tasty nonetheless.
Though the waffle was still considered mushy, our chef welcomed the soft texture.
Chefman Anti Overflow Waffle Maker’s Design
- Build Quality (60%)8.0/10
- Waffle Plates (30%)10/10
- Control Panel (10%)9.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)9.0/10
- Waffle Plates (35%)10/10
- Control Panel (10%)9.5/10
In The Box
- Chefman waffle maker
- Instruction manual and quick-start guide
- A measuring cup
Besides the waffle maker itself, you will also get an instruction manual and a quick-start guide. A measuring cup is included to help you pour the correct amount of batter.
- Euro Cuisine WM520 waffle maker
- Instruction manual
In the box are the waffle maker itself and an instruction manual. No other accessory is included.
Dimensions & Weight of the Chefman Round Waffle Maker
- Length:10.6" (26.9 cm)
- Width:8.3" (21.1 cm)
- Height:4.3" (11.0 cm)
- Weight:3.6 lbs (1.7 kg)
The Chefman waffle maker is compact and lightweight. It doesn't take much space on our countertop or storage shelf. It can even be stored vertically with the aid of a convenient supporting foot at the back.
- Length:10.0" (25.4 cm)
- Width:8.0" (20.3 cm)
- Height:4.5" (11.4 cm)
- Weight:4.0 lbs (1.8 kg)
The Euro Cuisine WM520 has an average size relative to other standard-size waffle makers in our database. It weighs 4 pounds and has a broad body that measures 10 inches long and 8 inches wide. Thus, it will take up quite a lot of space on your countertop.
Since it’s roughly the same size as the average Belgian or classic-style waffle maker, it shouldn’t be any more challenging to store.
Build Quality
Depending on the version you selected, the build materials will be different. The one we chose has a top lid made from a matte plastic material. In pricier versions, the top is made from stainless steel. The matte plastic exterior looks less attractive than stainless steel, but it’s less likely to scratch or defaces.
Overall, the build quality is good. The matte outer coating has a smooth, high-quality feel. Other components of the waffle maker are built durably.
We initially liked the elaborate lid-locking system, but it turned out to create some problems which we’ll detail below.
The build quality of the unit is very decent.
The outer chrome plate has a mirror finish, which looks stunning out of the box. However, like with any other mirror-finished surface, we noticed that it’s highly susceptible to scratches and fingerprints. Oil splashes during cooking can also cause faint black stains on the lid.
Due to being mounted on a pair of loose hinges, the lid tends to wobble when in use.
The chrome-plated lid aside, other components like the control panel and the bottom casing are made from plastic. The front handle is also made from plastic and is rubberized to protect the user from the heat.
Underneath the handle is a rubber piece that comes off very easily, only needing a light tug. Behind it is a pair of screws. We presume the screws are to attach the handle to the front of the lid. It’s a clever way to hide the hideous screws and make the design look seamless.
However, many people may throw it away, not knowing what it does since Euro Cuisine did not mention it in the manual. Or, it could be easily lost due to its size and how it comes off so readily.
Waffle Plates
- Number of Plates:2
- Grid Pattern:Belgian-style
- Plate Area:54.11 inch2
- Plate Length:8.3" (21.1 cm)
- Plate Width:8.3" (21.1 cm)
- Material:Cast aluminum
- Non Stick Coating:Yes
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:No
This section gets a rare perfect score from us.
The non-stick coating works well. After it was cooked, the waffle fell off the plates easily and didn't stick. Additionally, we rarely found any debris stuck to the plates.
An "anti-spill" moat wraps around the bottom plate. The moat usually prevented the liquid batter from spilling onto the counter when the batter overflowed during our tests.
- Number of Plates:2
- Grid Pattern:Norwegian-style
- Plate Area:50.27 inches2
- Plate Length:8.0" (20.3 cm)
- Plate Width:8.0" (20.3 cm)
- Material:Cast aluminum
- Non Stick Coating:Yes
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:No
The waffle plates are built remarkably well. The patterning on the plates is clear and precise. Within each heart-shaped segment are several “spikes” in the shape of diamonds. They are responsible for creating the wells on the final waffle. Each spike is sharp and well-built.
According to Euro Cuisine, the plates are coated with a layer of non-stick ceramic. Additionally, it’s completely PFOA and PTFE-free. In our test, the coating worked well enough that we never had to deal with a sticky waffle.
Control Panel
- Indicator Lights:Yes
- Audible Alarm:No
- Timer:No
- Browning Control:Yes
The control panel consists of two indicator lights and a browning control knob. The knob is tactile and makes a satisfying clicking sound as it turns.
This waffle maker would’ve gotten a perfect score if it had an audible alarm or a timer.
- Indicator Lights:Yes
- Audible Alarm:No
- Timer:No
- Browning Control:Yes
The control panel consists of two indicator lights and a browning control knob.
The knob is tactile and makes a satisfying clicking sound as it turns. There are markings on the dial, which correspond to four heating modes.
These amount to a MIN and a MAX mode. In-between are two unnamed heating modes marked with one and two dots. For easier identification, we named these settings “Medium” and “Medium High,” respectively.
Above the dial are two indicator lights; each one is marked. A red POWER button turns on when you plug in the unit. The yellow READY button at the back will turn on once the plates are heated and ready for use.
Chefman Anti Overflow Belgian Waffle Maker’s Power Cord
- Plug Style:Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
- Length:2.3 ft (0.7 m)
- Cable Management:Yes
The power cord measures 18 inches long, which is shorter than average. You may find you need an extension cord.
The underside sports a pair of hooks that you can wrap the cord around and prep the waffle maker for storage.
- Plug Style:Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
- Length:2.3 ft (0.7 m)
- Cable Management:Yes
The power cord is relatively short, measuring around 26.5 inches. You will need an extension cord if it can’t reach an outlet in your kitchen. The user manual has more information on what type of extension cord you can use with the waffle maker.
Underneath the waffle maker is a convenient cord wrap that you can use to make storage simpler.
Accessories
- Material:Plastic
- Removable:Yes
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The Chefman waffle maker comes with a measuring cup. You will find two markings on the cup that tell you the amount of batter you need to make a thin or thick waffle. This cup is dishwasher-safe.
On the handle is a notch that can be used to hang the cup to the side of the batter bowl.
- Material:N/A
- Removable:N/A
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
The Euro Cuisine WM520 doesn’t come with any accessories.
Chefman Belgian Anti-Overflow Waffle Maker Review
- Handling (25%)7.5/10
- Safety (40%)2.5/10
- Cleanability (25%)7.0/10
- Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
- Handling (25%)8.5/10
- Safety (40%)2.5/10
- Cleanability (25%)10/10
- Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
Handling
Handling is acceptable. The waffle maker is easy to operate and the controls are simple. Most people can immediately get started using only the information on the one-page quick-start guide.
The lid opens and closes smoothly.
However, we deducted points due to the awkward locking system, which is integrated into the lid, facing downward. You have to bring your hand very close to the waffle maker's hot surfaces to unlock the lid. We burnt our fingers more than once trying to open it.
The Euro Cuisine WM520 is rather straightforward to use. Tune the browning dial to the desired setting, wait for the READY light to come on, then load in the batter. If you have used a waffle maker before, you should be able to do everything without consulting the user manual.
During our test, the wobbly lid was a point of annoyance. Fortunately, the wobbling motion wasn’t serious enough for it to become an obstruction or an outright safety problem.
Safety
- Top Side Temperature:202°F
- Bottom Side Temperature:124°F
- Handle Temperature:190°F
Besides the problem with the lid lock, the design of the bottom waffle plate makes it difficult to extract the waffle after cooking. The bottom plate is deep, so getting your tongs to the bottom is tricky. Sometimes, we had to use our hands to pry the waffle up, then pick it up with the tongs.
The top surface of the machine gets piping hot after several sessions, with a surface temperature of 202°F.
The bottom of the handle, where you need to put your hand to operate the lid lock, was dangerously hot at 190°F. This is hot enough to cause a burn injury. It is also why the Chefman waffle maker ultimately failed the performance test.
The front side, which most people will need to grip onto to transport the waffle maker, can get uncomfortably warm. We measured a surface temperature of 124°F. If you need to move the waffle maker, wait a few minutes for it to cool down.
- Top Side Temperature:146.8°F
- Bottom Side Temperature:107.6°F
- Handle Temperature:137.8°F
The Euro Cuisine WM520 gets a fairly low score in this section. The entire waffle maker became piping hot after only three cooking sessions.
In particular, the control panel area became so hot that we had to use oven mitts to safely turn the browning control dial. Using a thermometer, we recorded a temperature of 146.8°F. You could receive a burn injury if you held your bare fingers there for only a few seconds.
The temperature at the bottom of the waffle maker was, fortunately, merely warm at 107.6°F.
The handle is our most serious concern. After three cooking sessions, it had already heated up to a toasty 137.8°F. which may result in a minor burn. So, wear your oven mitts while handling the waffle maker.
Cleanability
- Machine-Washable: No
The anti-spill moat helps prevent spillage, but it is not infallible. Rather than relying on the moat, use the measuring cup to ensure that you pour in the correct amount.
Cleaning the waffle maker is difficult. The rubber outer coating can hold on to dried-out batter stubbornly. It took us several minutes of vigorous scrubbing with mild detergent to remove the worst of the dry, stuck-on batter. Even then, traces remained.
The non-stick layer on the waffle plates makes it very easy to clean. In our performance tests, very little debris or residue was left behind. Any leftover could be easily wiped off with a clean cloth.
In the case of a batter spill: as the exterior of the waffle maker is made from smooth plastic, the dried-out batter doesn’t stick. We only had to apply a little bit of detergent and scrub lightly with a cloth to knock any dried batter traces loose.
Indicator Light Visibility
The indicator lights are bright and can be seen even under harsh studio lighting.
The indicator lights are bright. They can be seen from afar and underneath harsh studio lighting.