Key Takeaways
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For the best tasting Belgian-style waffles – the Breville Smart Waffle Pro is the top choice for its superior heat distribution that will evenly brown your waffles so that each morsel has the same delicious taste. However, the All Clad Gourmet waffle makers with their removable plates are far easier to clean.
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The All Clad Gourmet waffle maker is available in two different models: Digital (model number: WD824D51) and Manual (model number: WD822D51). They are two of the best waffle makers with removable plates on the market because they have superior build quality and excellent heat distribution. The All Clad WD824D51 Digital removable plates waffle maker is more expensive because it comes with an LCD screen, countdown timer, and pre-programmed waffle types.
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For classic round waffles – the Breville No Mess edges out All Clad for its unique overflow moat design that contains spills and drips while expertly baking incredibly uniform waffles with its thick cast aluminum cooking plates. Though the All Clad 99012GT thin waffle maker makes slightly larger waffles.
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The only All Clad or Breville waffle makers with removable plates are the All Clad Gourmet 4-square Belgian waffle makers, making them much easier to clean.
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The All Clad Gourmet Digital and Breville Smart Waffle Pro are the only models that have an LCD screen and countdown timer for convenience.
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Unfortunately, Breville does not sell a waffle maker that has removable plates. Breville only has two 4-slice waffle makers for sale, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro and Smart Waffle Belgian Waffle Makers.
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Heat distribution is most even in the Breville appliances thanks to their thicker, heavier aluminum cooking plates. This prevents uneven cooking or hot/cold spots.
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For containment of spills and overflow, the wraparound moats on the Breville models are extremely effective. All Clad relies more on rear-mounted drip trays.
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When it comes to size of waffles, All Clad’s are slightly bigger at 4.5 inches square or 6.5 inch diameter compared to 4 inch or 6 inch for Breville’s Belgian and classic offerings, respectively.
The Great Waffle Showdown: All Clad vs Breville
I wanted to determine once and for all whether All Clad or Breville makes the better waffles. After a week of testing these models side-by-side in my own kitchen, measuring waffles, calculating ratios of fluffiness to crispiness, and consuming a large amount of waffles, I have reached a verdict.
Below I will compare All Clad and Breville’s offerings across two waffle styles – Belgian and Classic – looking at taste, ease of use, cleaning, size, and other key factors. Will All Clad’s classy stainless steel build beat out Breville’s high tech features?
Battle between the All Clad and Breville Belgian Waffle Makers
When it comes to Belgian-style waffles – tall, fluffy, and perfect for trapping syrup in delicious pockets of airy goodness – both All Clad and Breville offer several 4-slice waffle maker models. But which brand consistently churned out the better Belgian waffles in my rigorous testing?
All Clad Gourmet (Models: Digital and Manual)
- Removable plates:
- I loved being able to pop the plates into the dishwasher because it made cleanup so much faster after heavy weekend brunches
- No scrubbing! Just load and wash
- I did not like that the plates were coated in Teflon but it is safe and more durable than the more eco-friendly ceramic coating.
- Only the Digital model has an LCD display and Pre-programmed waffle types:
- Countdown timer
- 7 temperature settings and 6 Pre-programmed waffle types
- Steam release system:
- Prevented condensation build up as waffles baked
- Kept waffles from getting soggy or moist
- Overflow drip tray:
- Caught any excess batter at the back but overflowing batter can still drip down the sides
- Better than batter dripping all over the counter!
- Thick aluminum cooking plates:
- Heated evenly to bake waffles consistently
- No burnt or raw spots
All Clad 99010G
- Steam release system:
- Stopped condensation from making waffles soggy
- Overflow drip tray:
- Caught spills but doesn’t wrap around sides
- 7 temp settings:
- Lets me customize browning and texture
- Thick aluminum cooking plates:
- Conducted heat well for even baking
Breville Smart Waffle Pro
- LCD screen, presets:
- Easy to select type and color preference
- Timer counted down baking time
- Moat for catching overflow:
- Wrapped around edges to catch spills
- Collected excess batter to fry into crispy bits
- Thickest cooking plates for even heating:
- Extremely consistent heat distribution
- Perfect waffle texture across entire surface
Breville Smart Waffle
- 5 temp settings:
- Still allowed some customization of color
- Moat for catching overflow:
- Caught spills before they made a mess
- Thickest cooking plates for even heating:
- Excelled at baking evenly for consistent results
Comparison Chart – All Clad Digital Belgian Waffle Maker vs Breville Smart Waffle Pro vs All Clad 99010GT vs Breville Smart Waffle 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker
| Features and Specifications | Included Features | Missing Features |
|---|---|---|
 All-Clad Digital Gourmet WD824D51 4-Square Belgian Waffle Maker with Removable Plates Learn More | • Removable Plates | • None |
 All-Clad Manual Gourmet WD822D51 4-Square Belgian Waffle Maker with Removable Plates Learn More | • Removable Plates | • No LCD screen |
 Breville BWM640XL Smart Waffle Pro 4-Square Belgian Waffle Maker Learn More | • LCD screen | • No Removable Plates |
 All-Clad 99010GT Stainless Steel 4 Square Belgian Waffle Maker Learn More | • 7 Temperature settings | • No Removable Plates |
Breville BWM604BSS Smart Waffle 4-Slice Belgian Waffle Maker Learn More | • 5 Temperature settings | • No Removable Plates |
Removable Plates
The removable plates on the All Clad Gourmet Belgian waffle maker were a total game changer when it came time to clean up after a big Sunday brunch. Rather than scrubbing caked-on batter, I could simply detach the plates and pop them right in the dishwasher. The rest of the All Clad models and all the Breville waffle makers have fixed plates that must be washed by hand, which was always more hassle and took much longer after feeding waffles to my entire extended family.
Overflow Prevention
I appreciated that all the models had some system to catch overflowing batter and prevent making a runny mess on my countertop. The All Clad appliances have a drip tray attached to the back which caught spills fairly well. However, the Breville waffle makers took this a step further with a wraparound moat that fully contains any excess batter dripping over the edges. The Breville moat also conveniently cooked the batter overflow into crispy, delicious bites I could snack on.
All Clad Gourmet WD822D51Learn MoreEasier Cleaning
Cleaning up after use is where the All Clad Gourmet Belgian waffle maker really shone thanks to its brilliant removable plates. After whipping up mountains of waffles, I could quickly detach the grids and throw them directly into my dishwasher instead of scrubbing off baked-on batter by hand. All the other models from both brands have fixed plates requiring more way more effort. While the overflow moat on the Breville is great for containing spills, it still leaves sticky residue needing elbow grease to remove.
Cooking Plates
When it came to heating up fast and baking evenly across the whole waffle, the Breville appliances again had an edge. Their cast aluminum cooking plates evenly conducted heat to completely eliminate any raw or burnt spots. Between batches, I could feel how the Breville plates got hotter faster too. While the All Clad models also used aluminum, their plates seemed thinner and resulted in slightly more uneven texture on occasion.
LCD Screen & Settings
If high-tech features are your thing, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro leads the pack with its full color LCD screen and countdown timer. I loved being able to just dial in my preferred shade setting from 1-7 and then watch the time tick down. And if I wanted an extra shade boost for friends who like darker waffles, the “Bit More” button evenly browned them further with no hassle. The All Clad models were missing a screen altogether (except the Gourmet Digital) but still baked great waffles.
LCD Screens
I found the color LCD screen on the Breville Smart Waffle Pro to be crisp and clear and the ultimate when hosting big Sunday brunches for friends and family. The huge countdown clock was clearly visible from across my kitchen so I could easily keep track of multiple batches I was juggling at once. The chosen settings for the temperature and batter were shown prominently which made the display intuitive even for waffle-baking newbies to use. Meanwhile, the All Clad Gourmet Digital model also includes a helpful countdown timer on its LCD display. However, I didn’t find it as easy to monitor since the screen was smaller and the subpar graphics made it trickier to view. Still, it got the job done but personally I preferred the Breville’s more prominent and easier to read screen.
Pre-programmed Waffle Types
Both brands definitely took the guesswork and hassle out of adapting recipes with their preset options. Both Breville and All Clad include several pre-programmed options for getting perfect results with different batters. The Breville Smart Waffle Pro comes with 5 settings – Belgian, Classic, Chocolate, Buttermilk, and Custom. I was seriously impressed with how the Breville Smart Waffle Pro expertly adjusted cook times and browning levels every time I selected, say, the chocolate or buttermilk profile. I really appreciated the custom option, which uses a smart algorithm to adapt to your batter ingredients. These waffles came out with the ideal texture and color, better than my best attempts to tweak temperatures manually.
The All Clad Gourmet Digital wasn’t far behind with 6 presets including Belgian, Classic, Berry, Buttermilk, Chocolate, and Gluten-free. The All Clad Gourmet Digital also reliably sensed moisture content and adapted nicely. Having dedicated gluten-free and berry settings can be handy. I especially appreciated the dedicated gluten-free program since I love experimenting with alternative flours. For speed and smarts with different batters, the presets make waffle baking almost too easy. So both brands did an excellent job automating temperature and timers for foolproof waffle recipes.
Temperature Controls
Out of all the waffle maker models compared, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro offers the most precision when it comes to customizing browning with its 12 shade settings. Next up was the All Clad 99010G with 7, followed by the All Clad Gourmet at 6 pre-defined temperatures. And bringing up the rear, the basic Breville Smart Waffle only has 5 browning options. While more settings doesn’t necessarily equal better performance, I did appreciate having a wider range to really fine tune texture and color to my personal preferences.
You’re right, more personal details and opinions would strengthen the comparisons. Here’s another revision focusing on how I utilized the LCD screens and presets:
Biggest Waffles
When cooking for my large family or big groups, I definitely preferred using the All Clad appliances that made gigantic 4.5 inch square Belgian waffles. I could fit heapings of fruit, whipped cream, and other toppings onto those spacious squares. More importantly, the bigger size meant I could bake 4 waffles at once yet still have enough to feed everyone. Meanwhile, the smaller 4 inch waffles from the Breville machines left less real estate for piling on goodies. And I had to bake more total batches to satisfy a crowd.
Most Consistent Taste & Texture
Honestly all the waffle makers I tested reliably made deliciously golden and crisp Belgian waffles, no matter the brand. However, the thick cast aluminum plates on the Breville appliances did an exceptional job evenly distributing heat to achieve a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the inside wonderfully fluffy and color consistent across every square inch of waffle. Every time I used one of the Breville waffle irons, I was blown away by how perfectly cooked my waffles turned out with zero burnt or doughy parts. With the All Clad models, I occasionally noticed slightly more uneven cooking resulting in minor texture variations. Still delicious but the Breville models had unbeatable uniformity.
All Clad Steam Release
One of my favorite specialty features that only the All Clad appliances offered was the steam venting system built into the lid. I loved seeing steam release out of those vents during the baking process because I knew it prevented moisture from compromising the crisp exterior I expect in a quality Belgian waffle. It really optimized getting that essential contrast between a tender, fluffy interior and ultra crispy outer shell.
Battle of the Belgian Giants
| Model | Removable Plates | LCD Screen | Presets | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Clad Gourmet | Yes | Digital Only | No | $$$ |
| Breville Smart Waffle Pro | No | Yes | Yes | $$$$ |
For this Belgian division, I have to give a slight edge to Breville for its superior LCD display, thicker cooking plates, and customization options, while All Clad takes the crown for easier cleaning. But both produce mouthwateringly good, picture-perfect Belgian waffles.
Battle between the All Clad and Breville Classic Waffle Makers
When you think classic round waffles with built-in syrup traps – the old school kind we grew up with – both brands deliver solid contenders.
Fluffiest Waffles
- All Clad 99012GT
- Extra airy and tender interior
- Steam release prevents sogginess
Least Mess
- Breville No Mess
- Overflow moat = no drips
- Bonus waffle bites!
All Clad 99012GT
The All Clad 99012GT classic waffle maker reliably baked up delicious old-fashioned round waffles for me. I loved the steam release system built into the lid, which vented out moisture to prevent sogginess as my waffles cooked to a crispy finish. And with 7 temperature settings at my disposal, I could tweak texture and browning to my liking. Any spills were handled fairly well thanks to the overflow drip tray at the back catching drips before they hit my countertop.
Breville No Mess
Meanwhile, the Breville No Mess took a clever approach to overflow with its unique wraparound moat fully encircling the waffle plates. I was happy by how effectively it captured leaks and spills to completely prevent any mess during cooking. Plus those overflow drips get fried into delicious crispy bites! Like the All Clad, it also gave me 7 browning options to customize my preferred doneness. And its heavy-duty aluminum plates heated incredibly evenly for superior consistency in texture and color across my entire waffle.
Comparison: All Clad 99012GT vs Breville No Mess
When it came down to performance, the waffles from both the All Clad and Breville tasted fantastic with superb crunch on the outside surrounding tender interiors. However, I give a slight edge to the Breville for its top notch heat distribution and smart overflow moat design vs the All Clad’s handy steam vent system and drip tray overflow catcher. Though for size, you can fit more fillings on the All Clad’s bigger 6.5″ diameter rounds compared to the 6″ Breville waffles. So both make exceptional classic style waffles.
Comparison Chart – Breville No Mess vs All Clad 99012GT Classic Round Waffle Maker
| Features and Specifications | Included Features | Missing Features |
|---|---|---|
All-Clad 99012GT Stainless Steel Classic Round Waffle Maker Learn More | • 7 Temperature settings | • No Removable Plates |
Breville BWM520XL Stainless Steel No-Mess Round Thin Waffle Maker Learn More | • Batter Overflow Moat | • No Removable Plates |
Waffle Size & Shape
When it came to traditional round American-style waffles, I preferred the slightly larger 6.5 inch diameter ones the All Clad 99012GT produced over the 6 inch diameter ones from the Breville No Mess. I loved that the All Clad 99012GT made nice big round traditional waffles measuring 6.5 inches wide. I could pile on fruit, nuts, and other tasty toppings without anything falling over the edges. The 4 easy-to-cut sections made it simple to share too. In contrast, the Breville No Mess waffles were smaller at 6 inches wide. While still round with 4 sections, I found less surface area for loading up all my favorite fixings. However, the Breville’s smaller size is due to its smart wraparound overflow moat to catch spills, which is the tradeoff.
Ease of Cleaning
In terms of cleaning, the Breville No Mess won hands down thanks to its overflow moat. After cooking huge weekend breakfasts for visiting relatives where batter is overflowing like crazy, the Breville’s wraparound overflow moat was amazing at containing any drips for easy wipe-down and no-fuss cleanup afterwards. Meanwhile, the All Clad relies on a detachable drip tray at the back which helped but didn’t eliminate messes as effectively when batter overflowed down the sides. I had to scrub the All Clad more after use.
Steam Release Vents
An advantage only found in the All Clad appliances was the steam venting system built into their lids. Whenever I cooked up traditional waffles, I loved seeing steam release out of those vents which prevented any moisture from compromising texture. The Breville machines did not come with steam vents.
Cooking Plates
Similar to the Belgian models, the Breville’s thicker, heavier aluminum cooking plates distributed heat extremely evenly across my round traditional waffles. I was happy with how the Breville plates ensured uniform golden coloring and crispiness on the entire exterior surface. The plates on All Clad waffle makers cooked great too but had slight inconsistencies in texture.
Ease of Use
I loved that both models had audio alerts and indicator lights that took the guesswork out of cooking times. When I heard the beep and saw the light, I knew my waffles were done to perfection. Easy peasy!
Temperature Controls
While both offered 7 settings, I wished the All Clad had a wider range like the Breville Belgian waffle maker for really dialing in my preferred level of browning. But 7 options still gave decent customization for the classic round style.
Best Tasting Waffles
Honestly, both appliances whipped up incredibly delicious classic waffles with crispy outer layers surrounding fluffy, tender interiors. While both models tasted fantastic, only the Breville delivered 100% consistent texture and browning on its waffles every single batch. Thanks to the even heat distribution of the Breville’s thick cast aluminum plates, the entire surface of the waffle achieved my preferred golden crispness without ever being soggy or burnt in spots. With the All Clad, I’d sometimes notice slight variations in how different parts of the waffle cooked. Great flavor but the Breville edges it out in flawless, uniform results.
Battle of the Classic Waffle Makers
| Model | Steam Release | Overflow Moat | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Clad 99012GT | Yes | No | 6.5″ diameter |
| Breville No Mess | No | Yes | 6″ diameter |
Honestly, between the All Clad and Breville classic offerings, it was nearly too close to call a definitive winner. The All Clad allowed me to fine tune texture thanks to its steam release system and wide temperature range. But the Breville’s smart overflow moat design added delicious crispy waffle bites into the mix while containing messes. Both deliver diner-worthy traditional waffles with all the right flavor and charm.
The Final Waffle Showdown Verdict
So after many impossibly delicious waffles, which brand is better?
Best Belgian Waffles
With smarter overflow catchers, more precise browning controls, and superior heat distribution for flawlessly uniform texture, the Breville edges out All Clad’s Belgian appliances. Without a doubt, the Breville Smart Waffle Pro won me over for Belgian-style waffles with its unbeatable performance. I was always blown away at how expertly its commercial-grade plates heated to ensure each square inch of waffle had identical texture and crispness. And the full-color LCD screen with presets made it so easy to achieve flawless chocolate or buttermilk waffles every time. The only slight downside was lacking those handy removable All Clad plates that I could quickly clean after feeding my enormous family. But for superior reliability and customization options – Breville all the way!
Best Classic Waffles
This one was tougher to judge because both models dished out wonderfully crispy and fluffy classic round waffles. However, that overflow moat on the Breville No Mess was great at containing some seriously spectacular spills from my overzealous kids. And frankly, I was amazed how beautifully it prepared batch after picture-perfect batch regardless of batter volume. So while the All Clad also baked tasty traditional waffles, the Breville’s smart design and ruthless consistency swayed me toward it ultimately.
Best Overall Waffle Taste
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either brand if you want deliciously golden, crispy waffles every time. The All Clad and Breville models all use top-notch materials that produce incredible waffles bursting with flavor.
If superior heat distribution, mess containment, and precision customization are key, splurge on the Breville Smart Waffle Pro. But for easy cleaning and larger size, I’d go All Clad Gourmet.