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Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Double vs DASH No-Drip Belgian 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%)6.7/10
- Design (20%)8.7/10
- Ease of Use (30%)9.6/10
If you don’t know what to pick between the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 Double waffle maker and the DASH No-Drip Belgian, ask yourself this question: Is it quality that you’re looking for or quantity?
If your answer is “Quality,” then there’s a good chance that the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 is the one for you. It is considered a high-end waffle maker, so its performance is expectedly very good. In fact, it is the highest-performing model in our database. In our tests, our in-house chef rated all the waffles it made highly.
As for the DASH No-Drip Belgian waffle maker, its performance is only mediocre, and its large waffle plates can make four square waffles, each measuring 4 inches. If you have to make a lot of waffles regularly (large family breakfasts, for example,) then it’s going to be a far better choice than the WAF-F20P1.
Of course, be warned that the DASH No-Drip Belgian waffle maker won’t have as many features as the WAF-F20P1. That’s to be expected, considering the DASH No-Drip is far more modestly-priced than the WAF-F20P1.
Cuisinart Double Waffle Maker’s Performance
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.5/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)9.6/10
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.5/10
- 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: N/A
- Cooking Time: 3 minutes
The coloration of the waffle wasn’t great but still passable. There were some prominent burnt spots on the crust that introduced a degree of bitterness and dryness to the waffle. The interior of the waffle was soft, which garnered a good score from us. However, it was still slightly mushy. And taste-wise, our chef judged the waffle to be flavorful, despite the bitter aftertaste that the burnt spots on the waffle produced.
Color (35%) — 5
- Color tone: Very dark brown (Both)
- Color distribution: Uneven
There were prominent dark spots on both faces of the waffle. They mainly concentrated inside the wells and on the right side. On the left side, the coloring was light.
The uneven color distribution and the burnt spots ruined the waffle’s aesthetic. But since the burnt spots weren’t charred black and the light spots weren’t so pale that they looked undercooked, the waffle still passed this part of the test.
Texture (25%) — 7
- Texture: Good
- Aeration level: Medium, small bubbles were filling the interior of the waffle, but large cavities hadn’t formed yet
The texture of the waffle was soft and spongy, which was a pleasant surprise considering the half-burnt state of the crust. Additionally, though not numerous, there were a lot of tiny air bubbles and cavities within the waffle, which explained its softness.
Unfortunately, the waffle's interior was still developing, so the consistency was slightly mushy.
Taste (40%) — 7.5
- Flavor: Sweet and rich, but with a hint of bitterness due to burnt spots on the crust
- Mouthfeel: Soft and pliant, dry at the burnt spots
Though it didn't look quite as appealing, our chef judged the waffle as flavorful. The mouthfeel was great (soft and pliant). But, as we mentioned earlier, the burnt spots were dry, tough, and bitter in the mouth. Due to the bitterness, we knocked a few points off for this section.
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: N/A
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
The waffle was mediocre in all aspects: the coloration and texture were acceptable but weren’t outstanding. Taste-wise, according to our chef, it was palatable and relatively flavorful. The spongy mouthfeel, however, prevented it from getting a better score.
Color (35%) — 6.5/10
- Color tone: Very light gold (Both)
- Color distribution: Even
The waffle has the appearance of being undercooked with its pale gold crust. Some of the wells on the waffle were dark brown, slightly improving its look. But, as a whole, we still found the coloration to be poor.
Texture (25%) - 6.5/10
- Texture: Soft and pliant, lacks crispiness
- Aeration level: Medium
The waffle was nicely aerated but compared to some of the better waffles we have tested (like that of the Cuisinart WAF-F20P1), the air pockets were quite small few in number.
Still, despite the room for improvement, the waffle was soft and pliant. It was a bit limp and there was little to no crispiness but not to the point of being gooey.
Taste (40%) - 7.5/10
- Flavor: Sweet and slightly salty
- Mouthfeel: Fluffy and soft
Our chef gave the waffle a “Good” score. It was flavorful: the sweet and slightly salty flavor of the Birch Benders mix goes very well with the soft texture of the waffle. However, the waffle could use some crispiness in the crust, which would have improved its score significantly.
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%)9.5/10
- Waffle Plates (30%)10/10
- Control Panel (10%)0/10
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.
- DASH No-Drip Belgian waffle maker
- Instruction manuals and leaflets
The shipping box contained the waffle maker, instruction manuals, and leaflets. This waffle maker does not come with any accessories.
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:6.3" (16.0 cm)
- Width:5.0" (12.7 cm)
- Height:2.5" (6.4 cm)
- Weight:8.0 lbs (3.6 kg)
Due to its bulky frame, the DASH DNMWM400AQ takes up a lot of room on the countertop. It is heavy to boot at 8 pounds. Unless you just leave the waffle maker on the countertop, finding somewhere to store it could be a problem.
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.
Overall build quality is good despite the cheap-looking design. The unit was spotless when first taken out of the box (no scratches, scrapes, or dents). Every detail is well-built and solid. The hinges have very little travel, so the lid doesn’t wobble when we shake it.
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:69.6 inch2
- Plate Length:8.7" (22.1 cm)
- Plate Width:8.0" (20.3 cm)
- Material:Aluminum
- Non Stick Coating:Yes
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:No
The plates are the most impressive part of this waffle maker. They are made from aluminum and coated with a Teflon non-stick layer. During our performance tests, the coating worked very well. It didn't take much effort to coax a cooked waffle off the plates.
The plates are divided into four equal quadrants, each measuring around 4 inches.
DASH have built large gaps onto the lines that divvy up the plates to form "links" between the four waffles. You can shear off these links with your hands and separate the waffles. However, these gaps are troublesome if you want to pour enough batter to fill one section and cook a single waffle. The waffle will form stubby lumps that you must cut off if you want a symmetric waffle.
Attached to either side of the waffle plates are large trenches. In the event of a batter spill, the trenches will catch the excess and stop them from flowing out of the machine. The plates are smartly designed with four "ventilation holes'' on each side to discourage the liquid batter from flowing through the machine's front or back.
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:No
The DASH No-Drip Belgian waffle maker does not come with any control feature. It has a pair of indicator lights at the top so that you can monitor the cooking process, but that’s it.
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 cable of the unit is fairly long, at 31.5 inches. You most likely won’t need an extension cord for it.
There is a grommet built onto the back foot of the waffle maker. The cord can be wrapped around it for easier storage.
Accessories
- Material:Plastic
- Removable:Yes
- Dishwasher Safe:Yes
The Cuisinart WAF-F20P1 comes with a dishwasher-safe measuring cup.
- Material:N/A
- Removable:N/A
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
The DASH waffle maker does not come with any accessories.
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%)9.5/10
- Safety (40%)9.2/10
- Cleanability (25%)10/10
- 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.
The DASH waffle maker is easy to handle. As we said earlier, the lack of a control panel makes using it as straightforward as can be. You can start using it without having to read the user’s manual at all.
The lid can be opened and closed via the large handle at the front, which doesn’t heat up at all despite being made from plastic.
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:202.3°F
- Bottom Side Temperature:151.5°F
- Handle Temperature:120°F
Safety is great for this particular model. After several continuous cooking sessions, using a thermometer, we found that most of the waffle maker’s surfaces were still at acceptable levels. Especially the handle, which was only warm to the touch, not scorching hot.
Top side temperature was recorded at 202°F.
The temperature at the bottom, around the front foot of the unit, was at 151°F.
In the areas surrounding the handle, we recorded a relatively cool temperature of 120°F, which was merely warm.
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.
The large anti-spill channels to the side of the waffle maker are very effective at catching excess batter. We noticed that these channels are easier to clean than the add-on drip tray that many waffle makers use these days.
The non-stick coating of the waffle plates further improves cleanability. We never encountered one sticky waffle throughout the performance test phase.
Indicator Light Visibility
The READY lights can be seen clearly, even under harsh studio lighting.
The indicator lights are bright enough to be clearly visible under studio lighting.