Now before I get on to telling you how to make classic waffles ("Sage waffles" as they're known in our house) allow me to share some of my favourite features on this brilliant machine:

Look for designs with interchangeable hotplates and variable temperature settings to vastly expand your waffle maker’s repertoire to include flat plates for paninis and grilling and toasted sandwich inserts for cheese-filled lunches. There is a variable temperature gauge which allows you to cook them how you like – if you like crisp and crunch then crank up the dial to max or if you favour a lighter texture just lower the heat. A few trial runs and you will know what works best for you. The total baking time is a bit longer than the other models tested – approx. 5 -10 minutes and it was hard to ascertain when to flip. The instruction manual suggests part-way through so it will take a few practice runs to get the timing just right. You will need to peek at your waffle from time to time to see what is going on (but make sure you leave them alone for the first few minutes). This waffle maker is smart by name, and smart by nature. By that I mean it cooks waffles smartly. It lets you cook your batter for as long as you want, depending on how light or dark you want your waffles. So you get to cook your classic, Belgian, buttermilk, chocolate waffles (as well as a custom waffle setting) as perfectly as you desire. So for example, I have found that on the classic waffle setting my preferred browning setting is number five. Much like pancakes, the basic ingredients for waffle mix couldn’t be more humble – flour, eggs and milk. But despite this, don’t expect to make perfect waffles on your first go. You will need to get to know your machine and perfect your batter mix before hosting a waffle party. However, once you have whipped up a few, you will feel like a pro. Jamie Oliver’s Brilliant Breakfast Waffles is a good throw-it-all-together starter recipe. You can easily modify this with sweet or savoury ingredients and pimp with delicious toppings.Once you tell the Smart Wafflewhat kind of waffle you're making,the cooking time is automatically calculated to suit your waffle style and colour

If you want to make a large batch and eat together with friends or family, then you can keep cooked waffles warm in the oven. A few minutes in the oven can actually improve their crispiness. Don't wrap them in foil as they may go a bit limp and soft. Choose a waffle maker with an audible or visible alert to help you know what is going on. Most will light up or chime when its preheated enough, ready to cook another batch or when your waffles are done. A sound is preferable to light as it allows you to step away and get on with other things instead of hovering nervously over the machine. 6. Ease of storage As a rule, a waffle maker that flips will produce a more perfectly cooked waffle because it spreads out the batter and cooks it evenly on both sides. These designs can take up more room, however, due to the large handle and drip-catcher tray. What else should I look out for in a waffle maker?

I have to admit that until the Sage by Heston Blumenthal no mess waffle maker landed in my kitchen I was slightly skeptical about the need for a top notch waffle maker. We do already have a very ordinary bargain waffle maker that makes very unremarkable waffles, but there is nothing I enjoy more than playing with a new gadget so was happy to be converted.

The Smart Waffle™ Pro is all about delivering pinpointed precision with every function, from the precise even colouring of the waffle to varying heat settings and adjustable timings. It also wants to know what style of waffle you’re looking to make so it can ensure it comes out perfectly. From classic buttermilk to chocolate, they’ve even made it that much easier for us as there’s a dedicate ‘Belgian’ setting. *bows to waffle gods* The machine is about the same size as a mini health grill – about 28 x 23cm standing about 15cm high, it is nicely solid weighing about 3kg. To make the waffles simply switch it on choosing your heat setting, wait for the blue “ready” light to come on, pour in the batter, close the lid and wait for the waffle to cook then remove and eat. Sage by Heston Blumenthal No Mess Waffle Maker – Key Features Even the most basic machine will turn out a tasty waffle – the secret is in the recipe, after all – but the key to consistent and really fluffy results is power, so look for at least 800W or ideally 1,000W. Fast preheating saves time, but patience is key and you should expect to wait at least five minutes for your waffles to cook. Waffles can be flavoured with just about anything but adding a little sugar to the mix will help to crisp them up. READ NEXT: The best sandwich toasters available Sage The No Mess Waffle Maker review: Should you buy it?There areoptions for different batter types (Belgian, Classic, Chocolate or Buttermilk), plus a special "custom" setting To guarantee the mix was cooked in the middle, I found these waffles took almost 8-10 minutes to cook properly - a little longer than some machines but it actually gave me enough time to fry up some bacon, grab the maple syrup and blueberries to create my brunch of dreams. The Smart Waffle Pro is incredibly simple to set up, and making your waffle batter is similarly a cinch. While there are several batter mixes available in supermarkets, nothing can beat the homemade version, whipped up freshly from scratch. You’ve got a cup measure included which handily indicates how much batter to make per amount of mouths to feed. Seriously – the phrase’ mama I want pancake waffles (not potato waffles mama)’ is a weekly constant around here.

For large families it’s worth going for a double or even quadruple waffle maker, which can create enough for the whole family. Those who are short on space will be able to make the most of a mini waffle maker or a waffle maker for one, which can be easily stored when not in use. After the first waffle I was smitten. Perfect waffles on our first attempt – light, golden brown and with a crispy and crunchy exterior – so so much better than from the now defunct cheaper machine. The waffle maker is super speedy taking a few minutes to both heat up, and to cook. There is an audible beep once cooked so you can get on with other things and do not have to watch the machine. Each quarter waffle is smaller than a traditional sized waffle making this machine very suitable for those with children, the machine can be used by a (supervised) 8 year old, and the handy drip moat will catch overflowing batter caused by over enthusiastic pouring. If I were to reach for a true complaint, I would say that the handle on the waffle maker can slam shut a little abruptly from a lifted position if it’s bumped or moved. For safety’s sake, a soft-close hinge or something similar would be a welcome addition. All waffle lovers out there know that one of the biggest annoyances we have is dribbling waffle batter all down the side of our machines during cooking. The Smart Waffle maker solves this as it has a wide wrap around moat that catches the extra batter AND cooks it too for some extra munching. Awesome right? We’ve often returned home from Brussels, shop-bought waffle mix in tow, but we’ve struggled to recreate that iconic flavour in our own kitchen, leaving a void needing filling and a craving unsatisfied! We had contemplated investing in a waffle iron, but often put off for several reasons, but then the Smart Waffle™ Pro from Sage Appliances came into our lives. Those clever clogs at Sage put a challenge to us to see if we could recreate the magic of our beloved Belgian-style gaufres right in our own kitchen.Sleek and narrow, this waffle iron is designed to be flipped 180 degrees during the cooking process for a super consistent bake. In fact, most chefs opt for a flipping waffle maker so let’s trust their advice on this one. Once plugged in it takes about 4 minutes to heat up. A green light will come on to let you know it’s ready for your batter. Making two waffles at a time, pour your mix into the centre of the trays and close the lid.