Presto Flipside Belgian vs CROWNFUL 4-inch Mini Side-by-Side Comparison
The Presto Flipside Belgian and the Crownful 4-inch Mini waffle maker are both great waffle makers. Can’t choose between them? Here’s our comparison.
Specifications
Design
Our first impression of the Presto 03510 waffle maker was that it’s a luxurious waffle maker. Unfortunately, upon closer inspection, many deficiencies were revealed. Its overall build quality isn’t very good, having many dents and gaps on various parts of its bodywork. This gave us the impression that its manufacture was done hastily.
The waffle plates were very well-built, but the non-stick finish could be further improved. During our cooking tests, we had to deal with several sticky waffles.
Lastly, the control panel itself does not have a browning control knob which some people may find slightly disappointing. But it’s not rare for waffle makers in this price range to lack a control function, like the BLACK+DECKER WMD200B or the DASH No-Drip.
The Crownful is visually striking compared to other mini-sized waffle makers in our database. Featuring a raised circular pattern on the lid and finished off with a light wooden handle, its aesthetic is the most remarkable part. The build quality is decent for the price point. A pair of solid hinges on the lid and the waffle plates are coated with a layer of functional non-stick coating.
Our only complaint is that, like many other mini-sized waffle makers, the Crownful lacks a control panel.
Usability Comparison
The Presto waffle maker is easy to use overall. You may initially feel slightly unfamiliar with its flipping function, but you'll get a grip on it in only a few minutes.
Safety is handled very well in the Presto waffle maker. We measured the surface temperatures of parts that the user regularly has to touch, such as the handle.
None of these parts get dangerously hot — they're uncomfortably warm at best.
It doesn't perform too impressively in our cleanability tests because its plastic exterior tends to grip dried batter.
The lack of a control panel doesn’t mean the Crownful is hard to use. The opposite, in fact. Plug it in, wait for the signal light to go off, and pour your batter. Getting the perfect browning level can be tricky, but you’ll get the feel of it after some time using the waffle maker.
Cleaning up is a breeze due to its non-stick coating plates. Like most mini waffle makers we’ve tested, safety is an issue since the entire waffle maker heats up after a few cooking sessions.
Performance Test
In our self-mixed recipe test, the Presto’s performance was lackluster at best. The waffles were disappointing, with a blackened, charred coloring and little to no flavor or texture.
The Presto performed much better with the new Birch Benders waffle mix in later test rounds. The coloration was great, and our chef judged the resulting waffles as being tasty. But it’s not perfect: the texture was deemed as needing improvement.
In our cooking tests with the self-mixed recipe, the Crownful CF-WM01 waffle maker managed to achieve brilliant results across all three scoring criteria: color, texture, and taste. The waffles weren’t gourmet-grade, but they can still make for great breakfast treats for families and individuals.
However, in our test with the Birch Benders mix, the waffle maker notably failed the color test by producing a very pale, undercooked-looking waffle.
Overall Scores
Pros & Cons
- Unique ‘flip-side’ design
- Far more compact than other flip waffle makers
- Includes a timer with an audible alarm
- The safety rating is high
- Affordable
- Beautiful patterning on the lid
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to clean, thanks to the non-stick waffle plates and the smooth plastic outer shell
- Mediocre cooking performance with a tendency to char the waffle
- Poor build quality
- Certain spots on the waffle maker are difficult to clean
- Fairly mediocre performance in our performance tests
- Does not have a control panel
- Low safety rating
Conclusion
If you need a good full-size waffle maker to serve your family breakfast in the morning, the Presto Flipside Belgian waffle maker represents a decent choice. On the other hand, if you want a compact waffle maker to bring with you on your trips or for making light snacks, take the Crownful 4-inch Mini waffle maker.
The Presto Flipside Belgian bakes 7-inch waffles, the standard size for Belgian waffles. On the other hand, the Crownful Mini bakes smaller 4-inch waffles. You can bake several of them to create a full breakfast platter, or you can bake one or two as snacks.
While the PResto Flipside Belgian waffle maker is a full-size model, the Crownful is compact and lightweight. It can fit easily inside a backpack, which is why it’s super popular among travelers and hikers.
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.
