Removable panels
The presence of
removable panels in the delivery set of the pancake maker.
Such panels, usually, differ in the diameter of the cells for individual pancakes — and, accordingly, in the number of these cells. This allows you to cook pancakes of different sizes on the same pancake maker (for details, see “Maximum pancake diameter”).
Max. pancake diameter
The largest diameter of a single pancake that can be cooked on a pancake maker.
The choice for this parameter depends solely on the user's preferences and the specifics of the dishes that are supposed to be cooked: for example, it is more convenient to make traditional pancakes, in which the filling is supposed to be wrapped, to make large, and crepes or pancakes — small. There are also multi-purpose pancake makers equipped with removable panels (see above) and allowing you to cook both large and small pancakes.
Note that in self-leveling models without sides (see "Type"), this paragraph usually indicates the diameter of the working surface. The actual sizes of the prepared pancakes will be smaller — in fact it is very difficult to distribute the dough over the entire surface without pouring it over the edges.
Min. pancake diameter
The smallest diameter of pancakes that can be cooked with a pancake maker. This parameter is indicated only for devices equipped with removable panels (see above) with different cell sizes for pancakes, and it indicates the smallest size of such a cell.
Note that in fact the size of the product can be adjusted by changing the amount of dough: by pouring a small portion, you can get a pancake smaller than that provided by the working surface. At the same time, this option is rather complicated and has its limitations. Therefore, if the possibility of making small-sized pancakes is important for you, you should choose a pancake maker, for which such an opportunity is directly stated.
Max. number of pancakes
The largest number of pancakes that can be cooked on a pancake maker at one time. If there is a complete working surface that does not have clearly defined cells, it is considered that the device is designed for one pancake (although in some models the dimensions of such a surface can be very large, which allows, due to some tricks, to cook 2-3 pancakes at once). And for models with removable panels (see above), this parameter is indicated for the panel with the largest number of cells (and, accordingly, with the smallest pancake diameter).
"Multi-charge" pancake makers will be useful in situations where you need to cook not only a lot, but also quickly — for example, in large families or "pancake" cafes.
Now on the market there are pancake makers for such a number of pancakes:
1 pc,
2 pcs,
4 pcs,
5 pcs,
6 pcs.
Power
The total power consumption of the pancake maker. In fact, the intensity of heating depends primarily on this parameter: usually, a more powerful device heats up faster to operating temperatures and is better suited for working with large volumes of dough. Therefore, high power, usually, is characteristic of models with a large diameter of pancakes or plenty of them (both points, see above). Note that manufacturers usually select the power in such a way that the pancake maker is guaranteed to be able to cope with the stated tasks. Therefore, this parameter is of secondary importance, and it is worth paying the main attention to more practically significant points when choosing — the type of device, the size and number of pancakes (see above), the heating temperature, additional features (see below), etc.
It is also worth mentioning that power affects the power consumption of the device — however, the indicators of modern pancake makers rarely exceed 1.5 kW, which does not create problems with a normal household connection.
More features
— Non-stick coating. The crepe maker has a special non-stick coating on its surface, preventing the batter from sticking and ensuring hassle-free pancake making. This feature adds a slight increase to the price, but even affordable models have it. However, a drawback of some coatings like Teflon is their delicacy; small scratches can render them unusable. The official instructions should be consulted to know the specifics of the coating used in each model. Wooden or silicone spatulas are recommended for use with such surfaces and may be included as part of the accessories.
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Thermostat. The presence of a thermostat in the crepe maker is a device for adjusting the temperature of the working surface. This function allows you to optimally adjust the temperature to the specific composition of the dough and the thickness of the pancake — so that the product is optimally fried without burning or overdrying.
— Overheat protection. The presence of protection against overheating in the design of the crepe maker. Usually, such protection turns off the power to the heating element when the temperature rises critically, preventing breakdowns, fires and other unpleasant consequences.
— Heating indicator. The crepe maker is equipped with a special indicator that signals when the working surface reaches the optimal cooking temperature. Various indicator designs exist, such as two bulbs with one indicating the heating p
...rocess and the other showing when it's ready, or a color-changing "sticker" material that reacts to the heat. It's important to note that basic indicators, which only show if the device is connected to power, do not serve as heating indicators as they don't provide temperature monitoring.
— Power base connection. The crepe maker features a power base connection, where the heating surface attaches to a special base using quick-release contacts. This design is particularly useful for immersion models, as it allows the power cable to remain connected to the fixed base, offering enhanced mobility during cooking without getting in the way. However, compared to traditional models, the ones with a base may have slightly less reliability due to wear on the contacts from constant connection and disconnection. Yet, this is not a significant issue, and these devices are generally durable enough for regular home use.
— Compartment for accessories. The presence in the design of the crepe maker of a separate compartment for storing accessories (see below). It is usually more convenient to keep additional equipment in such a place than in a separate bag, box, etc.: the compartments, usually, are optimally suited for complete accessories, and you can lose something from the equipment only together with the crepe maker itself. This function may affect the dimensions of the device, but this effect is usually negligible.
