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Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic vs Holstein Housewares HH-09125016B 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%)7.0/10
- Ease of Use (30%)6.5/10
The Cuisinart WMR-CA Classic is very popular amongst the classic-style waffle makers. Compared to the more popular Belgian-style waffle makers out there, the likes of the Cuisinart WMR-CA bake diner-style waffles that are thinner and have smaller pockets.
While they aren’t as filling as Belgian waffles, classic-style waffles cook much faster. The Cuisinart WMR-CA, for example, took less than 3 minutes to deliver a cooked waffle in our performance tests.
The Holstein Housewares HH-09125016B is a mini waffle maker. Built as compact and lightweight as possible, this waffle maker is no larger than a softball. The size makes it highly attractive for travelers and campers as it can easily fit inside a backpack to make fresh waffles on the go.
You can also use the Holstein Mini at home to bake snacks. The 4-inch waffles it makes are excellent for this purpose.
Cuisinart Classic Waffle Maker’s Performance
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.7/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)7.7/10
- Self-Mixed Recipe (50%)6.4/10
- Birch Benders Mix (50%)6.3/10
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: 3
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
The coloration was decent but looked slightly burnt. The interior was filled nicely with bubbles and softened, though it was still mushy. As for the taste, the waffle only received a mediocre score from our chef, on account of its mushy core and slightly bland taste.
Color (35%) — 5.75/10
- Color tone: Very dark brown
- Color distribution: Uneven
Most of the waffle’s crust was a light gold color but within the deep wells are dark brown spots that indicate overcooking. Several of the wells were darkened beyond the point of “overcooked” and into “burnt” territory.
The color distribution is messy. The upper left-hand side is darker than the rest, which is a symptom of an uneven heating grid.
Texture (25%) - 7/10
- Texture: Soft and fluffy, but still slightly mushy
- Aeration level: High, with multiple air bubbles and pockets within the waffle’s core
Texturally, the waffle had filled out nicely with bubbles and air pockets all through its interior. This resulted in a decently soft and airy consistency. But our chef assessed the interior to be excessively moist and mushy still, resulting in only a “Good” score.
Taste (40%) - 6.5/10
- Flavor: Sweet and buttery, but has off-tastes from burnt spots on the crust (bitter) and undercooked spots in the interior (raw batter taste)
- Mouthfeel: Soft and fluffy, dry at burnt spots, and mushy on the inside
The overall taste was flavorful. The waffle’s flavor profile was sweet and buttery. However, burnt spots on the crust imparted a slightly bitter taste. And within the waffle, the mushy, undercooked spots also gave the waffle a raw batter-like taste. They effectively ruined the overall tasting experience.
In the mouth, the waffle was generally soft and spongy, but it wasn’t a consistent experience. Burnt spots on the crust felt dry on the tongue. And the undercooked portions within the waffle’s interior were disconcertingly wet and mushy.
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: N/A
- Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Though the waffle may not be the most attractive or have the best texture, it was edible and, most importantly, quite tasty. It would do the trick for breakfasts or snacking.
Color (35%) — 5.25/10
- Color tone: Very light gold (Both)
- Color distribution: Even
The waffle had a very light gold crust, with the deep wells having a dark brown tone. Although the color distribution on both sides of the waffle was even, we noticed the wells at the top to be more erratically colored. Notably, some wells are darker than others. This may indicate that the top lid's heating element is slightly unbalanced.
Texture (25%) - 6.5/10
- Texture: Soft, but overly moist and mushy
- Aeration level: Medium
The waffle’s texture was acceptable. It had a medium aeration rate, and air pockets had populated the waffle’s interior. But many portions of the waffle were still quite dense. These thick, mealy parts significantly affected the overall texture.
Taste (40%) - 7/10
- Flavor: Sweet and slightly savory
- Mouthfeel: Soft, but certain parts are mushy
The flavor was well-developed. Our chef appreciated the sweet and slightly savory taste of the waffle. The tasting experience was impacted by the mushy mouthfeel of the underdeveloped parts, though.
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%)7.0/10
- Waffle Plates (30%)9.5/10
- Control Panel (10%)0/10
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.
- Holstein Housewares 4” Personal Waffle Maker
- User manual
The box contains the waffle maker itself and the instruction manual.
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:5.1" (13.0 cm)
- Width:6.5" (16.5 cm)
- Height:3.5" (9.0 cm)
- Weight:1.1 lbs (0.5 kg)
The Holstein 4-inch waffle maker fits perfectly into the Mini class size, weighing only one pound and compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Its compact, lightweight design may put it on the radar of hikers and travelers who want a portable waffle maker to cook on the go.
For those at home, the small size takes up very little space on the countertop. And when you have to put it away for storage, it can fit easily into a cupboard or a drawer.
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 Holstein 4-inch is acceptable.
It is made almost entirely from plastic except for the cast-aluminum waffle plates. The plastic shell feels far cheaper than some other waffle makers we have tested that are made of metal. And of course, compared to metal, plastic can be more prone to damage, too. Still, at this price point, we can't ask for more.
Certain parts of the waffle maker are very well-built. The lid hinges, for example, are solid and don't wobble a lot when opened or closed.
But when inspected closely, various manufacturing flaws reflect this waffle maker's budget price. We observed hideous gashes on the plastic at the back of the unit and exposed electrical wirings.
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:No
The Holstein 4-inch waffle maker doesn’t come with a control panel. The only thing it has is an indicator light at the top. When you plug the unit in, the light will brighten to indicate that it is receiving power. Once the plates are heated and ready for use, the light will turn off.
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:Classic-style
- Plate Area:17.72 inches2
- Plate Length:4.8" (12.1 cm)
- Plate Width:4.8" (12.1 cm)
- Material:Cast aluminum
- Non Stick Coating:Yes
- Removable:No
- Dishwasher Safe:No
The waffle maker has a set of two cast-aluminum waffle plates. They are treated with a layer of smooth non-stick that, throughout our performance test, seemed to work very well. We never had to deal with a sticky waffle, and we could easily wipe off debris and residues.
Surrounding the plates is a small anti-spill channel. It will help minimize the mess in the event of a minor batter spill.
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:2.1 ft (0.6 m)
- Cable Management:Yes
The power cord measures roughly 25 inches long, which is shorter than average compared to other models in our database. Some users may have to rely on an extension cord.
Integrated to the back foot of the waffle maker is a small grommet. When you have to put the waffle maker away into storage, you can wrap the cord around it for easier management.
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 Holstein 4-inch waffle maker does not 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%)9.0/10
- Safety (40%)1.8/10
- 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.
Since the waffle maker lacks any control feature, the Holstein is a “plug-and-play” device. You only need to plug it in and let it handle the rest.
We can open and close the lid smoothly. When pushed back, the lid leans at an angle. As a result, there’s no risk of it unexpectedly snapping shut on your hand while you’re pouring the batter.
However, the lack of a control panel greatly reduces the waffle maker’s versatility.
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:234°F
- Bottom Side Temperature:85°F
- Handle Temperature:105°F
The waffle maker doesn’t do well in our safety assessment. It suffers from the same all-surface heating issue as the other mini waffle makers we tested. Particularly, after two or three cooking sessions, every surface on the unit becomes piping hot, including the handle. It warrants wearing oven mitts throughout the entire process.
But with our thermometer, the waffle maker fared significantly worse than any other mini waffle makers we have tested.
The top lid measured 219°F. This is hot enough to cause a serious burn injury.
The bottom is considered warm at 113.7°F, which is great if you need to move the waffle maker immediately after cooking. However, we still recommend wearing your oven mitts when you touch the unit, just in case.
At 160.7°F, the handle is unacceptably hot.
We also noticed a problem with steam. After a few cooking sessions and when the plates are thoroughly heated, a plume of hot steam can eject from the plates whenever the lid is lifted. It’s not going to seriously injure, but it can be startling if you’re unprepared or aren’t wearing oven mitts to insulate your hands.
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 waffle maker has excellent cleanability from a variety of factors. The non-stick waffle plates are helpful during post-cooking clean-ups. Any cooking residue can be easily wiped off with a cloth. And if there were to be a batter spill, the anti-spill channel surrounding the plates will minimize the amount of batter ending up on the table.
As it is made from smooth plastic, the exterior of the waffle maker doesn’t grip the batter tightly. So, even after the batter had dried out, we could quickly deal with it with a few spritzes of light detergent followed by a little buffing with a cloth.
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 sole indicator light on top of the lid is fairly bright. We could easily observe it from afar, under harsh studio lighting.