The History of the Waffle Iron

The waffle iron is surprisingly ancient. In fact, the ancient Greeks used a version of the device to make wafers that closely resembled modern waffles. Europeans also used waffle irons to make an early version of waffles during the Middle Ages. Most of these early devices were made with two iron plates fitted with wooden handles and were designed to be held over an open fire or hearth. As time went on, some versions featured plates with ornate designs, but as people began to add toppings to waffles, the grid shape became more popular, as it held fruit, syrup, and other toppings more effectively. However, early versions of waffle irons often came with a significant risk of burning either the waffle itself, the user’s hands, or both. The modern version of the waffle iron was invented by Cornelius Swartwout and patented in August 1869. Swartwout’s modern stovetop waffle iron was easy to flip and far less likely to burn a cook’s hands. Notably, his patent also named Joseph Foxell, Thomas Jones and Edward W. Millard, all of whom were from Troy, New York. Swartwout’s invention became quite popular all across the country. Electric waffle irons were then developed by General Electric in 1911 and released several years later. They quickly caught on, particularly when convenience became increasingly important in the postwar period. Today, electric waffle irons are highly popular kitchen tools and are available from a variety of brands, while antique waffle irons are often sought after by collectors.