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Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic vs Euro Cuisine WM520 Side-by-Side Comparison
Our Verdict
- Performance (50%)7.2/10
- Design (20%)7.7/10
- Ease of Use (30%)8.8/10
- Performance (50%)6.3/10
- Design (20%)9.8/10
- Ease of Use (30%)6.6/10
The biggest selling point of the Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic is that it can help you cook diner-style waffles. Also known as the classic-style or American-style waffle, this waffle is thinner and has smaller pockets than a Belgian waffle. On the up side, it cooks faster because of its smaller size. It’s also the one most Americans have grown up eating, making it a nostalgia-inducing treat!
On the other hand, the Euro Cuisine WM520 makes Norwegian-style waffles. The cooking plates are imprinted with a heart-shaped pattern, and the resulting waffle will also assume this unique, beautiful shape.
The Norwegian heart waffles will be awesome to have on the table during festive times, like Christmas or Thanksgiving. But nothing is stopping you from serving them for breakfast or daily meals!
So, it mainly comes down to what type of waffle you’d prefer: classic-style (Cuisinart WMR-CA) or Norwegian (Euro Cuisine WM520).
Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker’s Performance
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.7/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)7.7/10
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.3/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)6.4/10
Self-Mixed Recipe
- Heat Level: 3
- Cooking Time: 3 minutes
The waffle has a bright color but noticeably lacks uniformity. Rings of burnt batter were stamped to the top and bottom of the waffle. The texture and taste were surprisingly decent. The interior has begun to fill with air bubbles, producing a soft, fluffy texture. And the taste—while not exceptional—was decent enough to make for a hearty breakfast.
Color (35%) — 6.25/10
- Color result: Very dark brown (Both)
- Color distribution: Uneven
After spending only 2 minutes in the waffle maker, our self-mixed waffle already achieved a dark gold — almost brown — color. Reaching this color after such a short stint and only half power suggests that the heating element must be extremely strong. This was further evidenced by the large circle of burnt batter on the top of the waffle.
Texture (25%) — 7/10
- Texture: Mediocre
- Aeration level: Medium, air bubbles have begun to fill the interior
The interior of the waffle has started to aerate. Thanks to this, the waffle had a soft, almost fluffy texture. But the size of the bubbles was small, and their number was few compared to the waffles we had baked with other models. This led us to believe that the overall texture of the waffle could be improved further.
Taste (40%) — 7/10
- Flavor: Bland, unexceptional. Still tastes like raw batter.
- Mouthfeel: Dry on the outside, mushy on the inside
Flavor-wise, the waffle was great. The sugar and salt in the batter were converted into a delectable sweetness with a slight hint of savoriness. Combined with the buttery aftertaste, the waffle was quite delicious.
The mouthfeel was unexceptional. As we mentioned earlier, we believed that the Cuisinart WMR-CA hadn’t managed to unlock the full potential of the batter here. It could be far softer and fluffier.
- 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: 4 minutes
The waffle’s coloring is excellent in this taste. An appealing golden-brown crust covers both sides of the waffle uniformly. The interior has filled out nicely with air bubbles and becomes soft and pliant. However, it’s still slightly mushy in certain parts. It is flavorful and without a trace of bitterness.
Color (35%) - 7.5/10
- Color result: Light brown (Both)
- Color distribution: Even
The pre-made mix managed to bring out more of this machine’s potential. After 4 minutes, the waffle maker produced a beautiful waffle with a light golden tone, highlighted by faint pockets of browning near the center.
Color uniformity was also good. But for a faint brown circle on the upper surface, its light golden brown tone was spread evenly throughout the entire waffle. We’re pretty sure the brown was caused by the unit’s powerful heating element, and is the main reason the WMA-CA lost points in this category. In contrast, the distribution of color at the bottom was almost perfect.
Texture (25%) — 7.5/10
- Texture: Good
- Aeration level: High, air bubbles were large and well-developed
The waffle filled out well. Its interior ended up nicely aerated, and we found large bubbles when we cut the waffle open. In terms of texture, it was soft and fluffy. Regrettably, our chef assessed the waffle to be still slightly mushy, so its score took a hit.
Taste (40%) - 8/10
- Flavor: Sweet, slightly salty (due to the mix). No bitterness.
- Mouthfeel: Soft and spongy. Slightly mushy.
The waffle received a high score from our chef. The crust reached just the right level of crispiness, and the inside was reasonably soft. The batter had fully developed on the inside, unleashing its complete flavor profile. However, as previously mentioned, our chef still noticed a faint hint of mushiness.
- 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.
Cuisinart WMR CA Round Classic Waffle Maker’s Design
- Build Quality (60%)8.0/10
- Waffle Plates (30%)7.0/10
- Control Panel (10%)8.0/10
- Build Quality (60%)9.0/10
- Waffle Plates (35%)10/10
- Control Panel (10%)9.5/10
What’s In the Box of the Cuisinart Round Classic Waffle Maker
- Waffle maker
- User manual
In its small shipping box you will find just the WMR-CA waffle maker and the user manual. It doesn’t come with any extra accessories.
- 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
- Length:9.7" (24.6 cm)
- Width:7.9" (20.1 cm)
- Height:3.3" (8.4 cm)
- Weight:1.0 lbs (0.5 kg)
The compact size of the WMR-CA is an advantage in terms of storage. It will fit snugly in a small cupboard. Since it doesn’t take up a lot of space, you can also leave it on the kitchen island.
At 1 pound, the WMR-CA is lightweight. You can bring it in and out of storage with ease.
- 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
The exterior shell of the waffle maker is made from brushed metal. All external parts are made from plastic, except for the waffle plates.
Cuisinart benefited greatly from the WMR-CA model’s simple design. There appear to be no significant design flaws. We didn’t find any part that was poorly tooled, either.
While it’s not a sophisticated or high-end design, all parts of the WMR-CA fit together and — more importantly — work together well.
There were a few minor annoyances, though. The metallic exterior is prone to fingerprint smudges and scratches. The metal went from pristine to worn after only a few days in the lab. It’s not difficult to wipe off the smears with some mild detergent, but the scratches remain.
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.
Control Panel
- Indicator Lights:Yes
- Audible Alarm:No
- Timer:No
- Browning Control:Yes
The control panel is bare-bones, befitting an entry-level waffle maker. You can use only a single slider at the front to adjust the temperature.
The slider is easy to manipulate, but there’s a lack of resistance. A light touch could push the slider out of the desired position.
The base features a pair of indicator lights beside the slider: a red POWER light and a green READY light.
The POWER indicator turns on when you plug in the waffle maker. The green READY light will turn on when it has reached the temperature you set using the temperature slider.
- 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.
Waffle Plates
- Number of Plates:2
- Grid Pattern:Classic-style
- Plate Area:47.78 inches2
- Plate Length:7.8" (19.8 cm)
- Plate Width:7.8" (19.8 cm)
- Material:Cast iron
- Non Stick Coating:Yes
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:No
The waffle plates are made from cast iron and coated with Teflon (PTFE), which is the non-stick layer.
Teflon is generally safe for use as a non-stick coating due to its relative inertness at average cooking temperatures. However, in special circumstances, the Teflon may become carcinogenic (if it’s heated beyond 570 ℉, for example).
Also, note that you should not use metal utensils on non-stick surfaces — they can scrape the coating off. The Teflon flakes aren’t harmful if you ingest them so long that it’s not overheating. Nonetheless, it’s a good idea to try and keep the non-stick coating as intact as possible.
These waffle plates are designed to make classic-style waffles; they have shallower wells (the indents) compared to Belgian-style models. This is crucial information to know before you buy.
- 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.
Cuisinart WMR-CA Waffle Maker’s Power Cord
- Plug Style:Type A (Flat Blade Attachment Plug)
- Length:3.0 ft (0.9 m)
- Cable Management:No
The power cord measures x long. The short length can be a problem in some kitchens. There’s a good chance that you’ll have to resort to an extension cord if you don’t keep the waffle maker near an outlet.
- 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:N/A
- Removable:N/A
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
The Cuisinart WMR-CA waffle maker doesn’t come with any extra accessories.
- Material:N/A
- Removable:N/A
- Dishwasher Safe:N/A
The Euro Cuisine WM520 doesn’t come with any accessories.
Cuisinart WMR CA Round Classic Waffle Maker Review
- Handling (25%)9.0/10
- Safety (40%)8.9/10
- Cleanability (25%)9.5/10
- Indicator Light Visibility (10%)6.5/10
- Handling (25%)8.5/10
- Safety (40%)2.5/10
- Cleanability (25%)10/10
- Indicator Light Visibility (10%)10/10
Handling
We noticed no significant problems while working with the WMR-CA. All the controls are easy to figure out, even without a user manual. Opening and closing the lid is easy and safe, thanks to the large handle at the front. The user will still be able to use the handle even after several cooking sessions.
The lid is solidly built. When open, the lid rests at a slightly backward-tilted angle. It won’t unexpectedly snap closed while you’re adding the batter.
We dropped the handling rating to a nine because the temperature control slider feels so loose.
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:181.7°F
- Bottom Side Temperature:94°F
- Handle Temperature:96.4°F
The Cuisinart WMR-CA received an excellent safety score. Even after multiple cooking sessions, the control panel and the handle don’t become too hot.
We recorded the handle’s temperature at 96.4°F, only slightly above room temperature.
The upper shell of the waffle maker gets quite hot, though. The metal conducts heat very well, so it could become hot enough to give you a burn after a waffle or two. The plastic piece at the top can also become hot enough to cause a burn. We recorded a temperature of 181.7°F.
We’re able to touch the bottom side of the waffle maker without feeling any heat at all. It measured a comfortable 94°F.
- 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
The WMR-CA is relatively easy to clean. The dry batter will come off with a few spritzes of detergent and a little scrubbing.
On the inside, the non-stick layer makes it very easy to clean.
For the most part, all we had to do was run a dry cloth through the waffle plates’ grid pattern to pick up the gunk. However, the narrow indents can be hard to reach.
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
This model’s indicator lights are dim. They are difficult to see under harsh studio lights or bright sunlight. However, both the red and green lights should be easy to see in the average kitchen.
The indicator lights are bright. They can be seen from afar and underneath harsh studio lighting.