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Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Double vs Chefman Anti-Overflow Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)8.0/10
- Design (20%)9.2/10
- Ease of Use (30%)8.7/10
- Performance (50%)6.6/10
- Design (20%)8.8/10
- Ease of Use (30%)5.6/10
The Cuisinart WAF-20P1 is a high-end model, while the Chefman is on the low to mid-range spectrum. This disparity showed in our tests.
The Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 packs a lot more features than the Chefman Anti-Overflow.
Besides having a flippable design, the Cuisinart also has a double-sided body that can cook two waffles at once. The Chefman is a far more basic waffle maker in comparison. The only notable feature is an “Anti-overflow” moat surrounding the waffle plates.
Performance-wise, the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 is significantly better. It received a far higher score on all of our tests. The coloration and taste of some of its waffles even impressed our chef - not an easy thing to do!
Plus, the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1’s cooking speed is faster (4 minutes compared to the Chefman’s 5 minutes in our self-made recipe test), and it can cook two waffles at once.
Cuisinart Double Waffle Maker’s Performance
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.5/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)9.6/10
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.3/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)6.9/10
Self-Mixed Recipe
- Heat Level: 3
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
The Cuisinart waffle maker did a great job in the second version of the self-mixed recipe test. Compared to the result from the first attempt, the scores saw significant improvements. The coloring was darker than we’d prefer, but the crust wasn’t charred. And despite the texture being fairly mediocre, the waffle was flavorful, nevertheless.
Color (6.5/10) — 35%
- Color tone: Very dark brown — Light gold (Both sides)
- Color distribution: Even
The coloring was not optimal. Both sides of the waffle have a dark, toasted-looking appearance. The dark brown shading notably concentrated inside the waffle's wells and on the waffle's outer sections. Outside the wells and toward the center, the waffle has a very beautiful golden brown color.
Texture (5.5/10) — 25%
- Texture: Mediocre
- Aeration level: Low; bubbles were few and under-developed
Unfortunately, the texture was mediocre. Aeration was minimal, resulting in a fairly dense waffle that wasn’t as soft or spongy as we would have liked.
Taste (7/10) — 10%
- Flavor: Tasty; creamy from the butter and sweet, slightly salty
- Mouthfeel: Mushy due to the dense, un-aerated core
Despite the less-than-ideal coloring and texture, our chef gave the waffle a decent score. The addition of new ingredients to the recipe has fortified the waffle’s flavor profile. Alongside the usual sweetness of sugar, there was a rich, creamy taste of butter. And with one teaspoon of salt mixed in, the waffle also gained a slightly salty taste.
Overall, the WAF-F20P1 did a great job unlocking the batter's flavor profile.
- 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.
Birch Benders Mix
- Heat Level: 3
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
The waffle maker performed wonderfully in our test with the Birch Benders mix. It is the first waffle maker so far to get two consecutive perfect scores from our chef. The coloration is excellent, with an evenly cooked golden-brown crust. The waffle's texture can still be improved, but ultimately very good. Taste-wise, though there were minor issues here and there (like an interior that's a bit too moist), our chef gave it a perfect score due to its great flavor and mouthfeel.
Color (10/10)
- Color tone: Golden brown
- Color distribution: Even
The coloration is one of the best we’ve seen. Thus, it got a perfect score in this section. The crust on both sides has a beautiful golden brown tone, distributed evenly across the entire waffle.
Texture (8.5/10)
- Texture: Excellent
- Aeration level: High; air bubbles were fully developed
The waffle has nicely developed. Air bubbles can be seen throughout the waffle’s core, which explains the soft and fluffy texture. Unfortunately, it is not perfect: the waffle still contains too much moisture.
Taste (10/10)
- Flavor: Sweet and slightly savory
- Mouthfeel: Soft and pliant
It is a delicious waffle with a sweet and savory flavor. The mouthfeel is excellent, with it being soft and pliant in the mouth.
Although, as previously mentioned, the texture is too moist, it didn’t affect the overall tasting experience much. Our chef was willing to overlook this detail to give the waffle a full score.
- 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.
Cuisinart Double Belgian Waffle Maker’s Design
- Build Quality (60%)9.0/10
- Waffle Plates (30%)9.5/10
- Control Panel (10%)9.5/10
- Build Quality (60%)8.0/10
- Waffle Plates (30%)10/10
- Control Panel (10%)9.5/10
What’s in the Box of the Cuisinart Double Waffle Maker
- Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 waffle maker
- User manuals
- Measuring cup
The shipping box includes the waffle maker, the user manual and quick-start guides, and a measuring cup.
- 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.
Dimensions
- Length:15.0" (38.1 cm)
- Width:9.5" (24.1 cm)
- Height:9.0" (22.9 cm)
- Weight:12.0 lbs (5.4 kg)
Due to the double-sided design, the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 is larger and bulkier than your average waffle maker. Additionally, because it is primarily made of metal, it’s also heavier than most, coming in at 12 pounds. Moving the waffle maker in and out of storage is difficult.
- 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.
Build Quality
Build quality is good. Many of the machine’s parts are made of stainless steel, such as the lid shells. They give the machine an aesthetically-pleasing look and a luxurious shine.
However, only some parts are made from metal. The outer rim of the base, as well as the supporting legs, are made from plastic. They’re merely painted silver to mimic the look of brushed metal. Cuisinart didn’t disclose this information in the marketing spread, which has angered many customers.
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.
Waffle Plates
- Number of Plates:4
- Grid Pattern:Belgian-style
- Plate Area:36.32 inches2
- Plate Length:6.8" (17.3 cm)
- Plate Width:6.8" (17.3 cm)
- Material:Cast aluminum
- Non Stick Coating:Yes
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:No
Cuisinart designed and constructed the waffle plates well. They’re made from cast aluminum and coated with a non-stick Teflon layer.
Our temperature tests found that both sets of waffle plates heated evenly. Most of the time, they were at the same temperature.
Unfortunately, the waffle plates aren’t removable, so they’re tricky to clean.
- 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.
Control Panel
- Indicator Lights:Yes
- Audible Alarm:Yes
- Timer:No
- Browning Control:Yes
The control panel consists of a temperature knob and a power switch. Both are easy to use.
There are two indicator lights on either side of the waffle maker. These green lights (READY lights) turn on when the waffle plates have been heated to the correct temperature. This model also comes with an audible alarm, which beeps when the waffle maker is ready.
The Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 does not have a POWER indicator to show if it’s receiving power. We had to hold a hand over the warming waffle plates to confirm the machine was getting power. Not only is that a hassle, but it’s also a possible safety issue. If you’re not in a hurry, you can always wait to see if the READY lights illuminate.
- 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.
Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Double Belgian Waffle Maker’s Power Cord
- Plug Style:Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
- Length:2.6 ft (0.8 m)
- Cable Management:Yes
The power cord of the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 measures 31 inches long, which is reasonable. Underneath the base, you’ll find a pair of hooks inside a large enclosure. You can wrap the power cord around the hooks, then nestle the cord bundle into the compartment. It makes storage neater.
- 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.
Accessories
- Material:Plastic
- Removable:Yes
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 comes with a dishwasher-safe measuring cup.
- 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.
Cuisinart Double Waffle Maker WAF-F20P1 Review
- Handling (25%)9.0/10
- Safety (40%)9.5/10
- Cleanability (25%)6.5/10
- Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
- Handling (25%)7.5/10
- Safety (40%)2.5/10
- Cleanability (25%)7.0/10
- Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
Handling
The lid opens and closes smoothly. An intuitive lid lock mechanism secures the lid. The lock disengages on its own when you pull the handle upward. The safety will click into place again when you close the lid.
The waffle iron section rotates smoothly and easily. However, it is heavy, so it takes a little force.
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.
Safety
- Top Side Temperature:234°F
- Bottom Side Temperature:85°F
- Handle Temperature:105°F
The most noteworthy issue is the lack of a POWER light, which, as we mentioned earlier, is a safety risk.
Other than that, the waffle maker is safe to use. The lid is rock-solid and won’t snap down suddenly. After several cooking sessions, the handle was only warm to the touch (105°F).
The top side measures around 234°F.
Because the base is removed from the waffle maker’s body, it remains at room temperature (89°F).
- 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.
Cleanability
The Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 doesn’t come with a drip tray, so spills weren’t easy to clean up. We also found it very difficult to clean the side of the waffle maker once the batter had solidified. The batter’s grip on the metal was so firm that we had to use detergent to get it off. Even after getting the clumps off, we could still see residue.
The waffle plates were easy to clean, thanks to their non-stick layer. Cooked waffles usually slid cleanly off the plates. Leftover crumbs and debris could be quickly swept up with paper towels.
- 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.
Indicator Light Visibility
The READY lights can be seen clearly, even under harsh studio lighting.
The indicator lights are bright and can be seen even under harsh studio lighting.