Chef's Choice Waffle Pro Express 840 Review

For those who prefer traditional, American-style waffles, experts say the Chef's Choice WafflePro Express 840 is an excellent option. In professional testing, it outperforms other waffle makers for efficiency and convenience. It makes one large perforated waffle that can be split into five heart-shaped pieces. Reviewers say the grids heat up quickly and consistently produce evenly cooked waffles in about 90 seconds.

The WafflePro Express 840 has two texture settings that allow users to choose between "fast bake," which makes waffles crisp on the outside and moist on the inside, and "deep bake," which evenly cooks waffles throughout. It also has six temperature settings to permit the use of a variety of waffle recipes. The iron has four heating elements, two on the top and two on the bottom, that are embedded in the waffle plates. This allows for instant heat recovery and evenly baked waffles.

A few users at Amazon.com say waffles made in the WafflePro Express are on the small and thin side. If you prefer thicker waffles, this Chef's Choice iron is available in Belgian style -- model number 840B -- for the same price. The KitchenAid Pro Line Waffle Baker (*Est. $200) is more expensive but can make two larger Belgian waffles at the same time.

We found the most thorough testing of the Chef's Choice WafflePro Express 840 at Cook's Illustrated magazine, where editors test and compare six traditional waffle makers. ConsumerGuide.com doesn't explain testing methods and its reviews are a bit dated, but editors offer a detailed description of this waffle iron and rate it highly. User reviews at Amazon.com and Cooking.com corroborate the findings of professionals.