DASH DMW001AQ Mini vs DASH No-Drip Belgian Side-by-Side Comparison
On the fence between the DASH DMW001AQ Mini and the DASH No-Drip Belgian waffle maker? Here’s our side-by-side comparison.
Specifications
Design
Since it’s such an affordable model, when we ordered the Dash DMW001AQ Mini waffle maker, we already expected its design to be unremarkable. And true to our expectation, the waffle maker didn’t score well in design assessments. The build quality is low and our reviewers have spotted many design-related issues, resulting in a low overall design score.
Although the design of the DASH No-Drip Belgian Waffle Maker isn't very luxurious with its plain plastic housing, the build quality is excellent. The lid hinges are solid, the waffle plates are coated in an effective layer of non-stick.
Unfortunately, there is one issue: this model lacks a control panel. For the price point it’s at, this is a clear drawback.
Usability Comparison
At first glance, the waffle maker appears quite simple to use. Wait until the indicator light at the top turns off, pour in your batter, and then patiently wait out the cooking time—easy enough.
Unfortunately, safety considerations slightly inhibited its overall score in this category.
Using the DASH waffle maker is easy overall — plug it in, wait until the READY indicator lights up, and start pouring your batter!
The lack of a control system is troublesome, though. You can't adjust the browning or doneness to your liking. Instead, you'll have to time the cooking process to get your desired browning level.
On the plus side, safety and cleanability are both excellent for this model.
Performance Test
The Dash Mini waffle maker produced less-than-desirable results in our test using the self-mixed recipe. Most of the waffles had charrings on the exterior, while the insides were still undercooked and soggy. However, after changing to a pre-made Birch Benders waffle mix, the quality of the waffles was significantly improved. The color, texture, and taste were all acceptable, according to our chef.
Compared to the other mini-style models we’ve tested, it turns out that the DASH Mini is among the best.
The DASH No-Drip performed acceptably in both performance tests. However, it was found lacking in one key area: cooking a waffle's crust to a nice color tone. The waffle maker failed to make waffles with our desired golden-brown tone in both test recipes.
Fortunately, the texture and flavor were spot on. So, for breakfasts and snacks, the DASH No-Drip belgian waffle maker won’t disappoint.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Does a decent job at making pre-mixed waffles
- The waffle plates’ non-stick layer works well
- Easy to use ‘plug-and-play’ design
- Great cleanability
- Affordable
- Capable of bulk cooking (can make four waffles at once)
- Did an acceptable job in our test with the self-mixed recipe
- Solid build quality
- High safety rating
- Easy to clean
- Unremarkable performance in the self-mixed recipe test
- Relatively slow cooking speed
- Thin layer of paint that can be easily scratched
- Many safety issues
- The unit’s appearance looks quite cheap
- Lacks a control panel
Conclusion
The DASH DMW001AQ Mini, a small and compact machine, is hugely popular among travelers. It can easily fit inside a backpack and provide freshly-baked waffles on the go. At home, it can supply you with quick snacks to keep you energized throughout the day.
On the other hand, the DASH No-Drip Belgian is made for bulk cooking. Its large set of waffle plates can produce four 4-inch square waffles simultaneously. It is an excellent purchase for large families and those who need to cook large batches of waffles regularly.
The cooking performances of both models are quite similar, with the DASH No-Drip Belgian having a slight edge over the smaller Mini.
Behind the Comparison
Matthew Lee is a writer and editor for HealthyKitchen101. With over 8 years working for various outlets and agencies, specializing in tech review and other subjects of note, such as current affairs.
Tuyet Pham is an award-winning Saigonese chef passionate about delicious and healthful foods. At HealthyKitchen101, she develops recipes and collaborates with our Research, Testing, and Review lab to evaluate the performance of cooking appliances. Her assessments add a strong authoritative voice to our product scoring process.
Lap is Head of the Research, Testing, and Review Team (RTR Team) at HealthyKitchen101.com, where he directs and supervises the testing of kitchen gadgets and appliances.
