Dash Mini Waffle Maker Single Product Review

Is the Dash Mini Waffle Maker worth it?

When you wake up, it's probably been at least 8 hours since you've eaten. A healthy breakfast provides the nutrients, vitamins and minerals you need to fuel your body and brain so you can function at your peak. Unfortunately, because of hectic schedules, many people reach for a stimulant instead of a nutrient to get their day started.

While you have to be careful about refined flour and sugary toppings, waffles can be rich in protein, calcium and essential minerals, especially if you make them yourself. Owning a quality waffle maker can help you start your day off fully fortified and ready to go. 

According to its claims, the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is easy to use, heats up quickly and produces consistent cooking results. To see if these statements were true, BestReviews Testing Lab evaluated the performance of this product to determine if it's worth purchasing.

Testing the Dash Mini Waffle Maker 

The Best Reviews Testing Lab is made up of a variety of people who enjoy using products that simplify their lives. Some of these individuals may have in-depth familiarity with products, while others have never used them. This provides a broad swath of testers who represent a cross-section of everyday users.

The Testing Lab scrutinized the performance of the Dash Mini Waffle Maker to determine how it held up under the rigors of daily use. The testers focused on not only how well the product cooked, but how easy it was to clean and if it would be an asset to morning routines.

What is the Dash Mini Waffle Maker?

The Dash Mini Waffle Maker is a compact and colorful appliance that's best described as cute. While you can use it to make adorable 4-inch waffles, you can also get creative with ingredients, such as hash browns, cookie dough and even keto chaffles, to make a variety of tasty dishes.

This model is kid-friendly (as long as your child is old enough to use electrical appliances that get hot), and there's no setup required — you just plug it in and it's ready to go. It also features a nonstick surface that makes cleaning up less of a chore. For convenience, this waffle maker comes with a recipe guide to help get your creativity flowing.

To see how the Dash compares to other products in its space, check out our reviews for the best waffle makers.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker price and where to buy

The Dash Mini Waffle Maker is available on Amazon in a wide variety of colors and designs that start at $12.99 for a basic model.

How to use the Dash Mini Waffle Maker

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When the BestReviews Testing Lab received this product, it had minimal but adequate packaging. After unboxing and giving the cooking surface and the rest of the appliance a quick cleaning, the waffle maker was ready to be used.

Immediately noticeable was the complete lack of controls. There is no temperature dial or on/off switch. To use the waffle maker, you simply place it on a clean, dry and stable surface, then plug it in. There is no user interaction required during the cooking process, as there would be with a rotating waffle maker. The indicator light turns on to let you know the waffle maker is heating. Once the light shuts off, it's at the optimal temperature. Preheating only takes a couple of minutes.

The Testing Lab liked that the handle on the lid never got hot and the lid could stay open on its own. On the downside, the handle is very short, so grabbing it puts your fingers close to the heat source. This means you must be careful whenever opening or closing the lid.

After extensive testing, BestReviews determined this appliance cooks waffles evenly with a consistent quality. No pieces of waffle got stuck on the grill, and just a little bit of cooking spray seemed to be sufficient to cook several waffles. While there are no drip channels in this product, it has a seal that works very well to enclose the batter. If you add too much, the waffle simply ends up on the taller, puffier side.

Regular cleaning is required to prevent the buildup of food and oil to keep The Dash cooking properly. Before cleaning, unplug the waffle maker and let it cool completely. The Testing Lab found that using a damp, soapy cloth was often all that was needed to keep this appliance spotless.

Dash Mini Waffle Maker benefits

The Dash is a mini waffle maker that produces consistent results with even cooking. The Testing Lab discovered it is cleaner to use than many other models because there is no dripping and the waffles don't get stuck to the grill. Its 3-foot cord is long enough to reach an outlet on most counters (as long as there are no other appliances in the way), and you can use the appliance to cook more than waffles. It's so simple to use, you almost have to intentionally try to overcook a waffle for it to burn. 

Dash Mini Waffle Maker drawbacks

The biggest drawback the Testing Lab uncovered was the unit's short handle. Though no testers burned any fingers, BestReviews believes this could happen if users aren't careful when opening or closing the lid while the waffle maker is hot. If you don't wipe down the waffle maker after each use, it could make cleaning difficult. The other aspect worth considering is this only makes one small waffle at a time, so it's not practical for larger families.

Should you get the Dash Mini Waffle Maker?

The Testing Lab concluded that the Dash Mini Waffle Maker is an excellent option for anyone who enjoys making waffles every now and then. It has a low price and offers reliable performance, making it a great value.