Dash Mini Maker Griddle Review

Pros: Small and convenient, stores easily, cooks evenly, lots of recipes readily available
Cons: No timer, only makes one small waffle at a time
Manufacturer: Dash
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Impressive Cooking Performance
Our favorite part of the Dash Mini Maker Griddle is how well it cooks. One might expect a small and inexpensive appliance to make sacrifices in cooking performance, but the Mini Maker Griddle manages to buck that assumption. Waffle after waffle it cooked things evenly and thoroughly in our testing. It also generally avoids burning and scorching. Even when we left waffles on the griddle for a few minutes longer than we meant to, we just got a deeper level or browning instead of burning.
A Plethora of Recipes and Possibilities
Waffles aren't the only things you can cook on a waffle iron, and the Mini Maker Griddle makes experimenting with those alternative recipes both easy and fun. First off, the Mini Maker Griddle comes with a recipe book to broaden your waffle horizons. Secondly, there is a bit of community that has sprung up surrounding this waffle maker, which has led to a multitude of recipes being available online. Finally, the smaller, 4-inch waffle that this maker produces is better for most recipes (or even making waffle sandwiches) than a full-sized waffle maker would be. For instance, as delicious as a cheesy hashbrown waffle is, a giant 8-inch one can feel a bit excessive.
Perhaps most importantly, we found the even and consistent cooking of this iron translated to whatever foodstuff we threw at it. Whether it was batter, tater tots, eggs and cheese, or dough, the Mini Maker Griddle cooked everything all the way through without burning the surface or edges.
Minimal Mess
Though the batter overflow basin of the Mini Maker Griddle is quite shallow and somewhat ineffective, we found that most spills came out of the front of the machine. Because the machine is so small it was easy to move it and quickly take care of these messes. Because the griddle is small it can be easy to overload batter if you're used to a bigger machine, but you quickly get a gauge for how much batter should go in.
Simple Operation
You use this machine simply by plugging it in and waiting for the preheat light to turn on. Once it's on the griddle is up to temperature and you can start cooking. You can't do things like set the exact heat level or set a timer on the machine, so you'll have to keep track of cooking time on your own.
Value
The Mini Maker Griddle is one of the least expensive models we've tested, providing a lot of functionality and creative opportunities for a very low price. As long as the 4-inch waffle it makes is sufficient for your tastes and needs, it is a great value.
Conclusion
The whimsical Dash Mini Maker Griddle can't churn out giant waffles, but it is sure to become a cornerstone of creative snacks and delectable treats.
— Michelle Powell and Max Mutter