Compare Waffle Makers
GreenPan Stainless Steel 2-Square Waffle Maker scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the GreenPan Stainless Steel 2-Square Waffle Maker 8.6/10 and the Appalachian Cast Iron Great American Waffle Iron 6.1/10 on the same waffle makers scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The GreenPan Stainless Steel 2-Square Waffle Maker comes out ahead, led by its safety score (10.0/10 vs 8.7/10).
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on GreenPan Stainless Steel 2-Square Waffle Maker vs Appalachian Cast Iron Great American Waffle Iron.
Unlock the full GreenPan Stainless Steel 2-Square Waffle Maker vs Appalachian Cast Iron Great American Waffle Iron breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want GreenPan's top-tier Thermolon ceramic safety in a more compact 2-square format
You cook for one or two people and 4-square output is more than you need
Chemical safety is your top priority and you're willing to pay a significant premium for the Best-tier classification
Counter space is limited and a 2-square unit fits your kitchen setup better
You already season and maintain cast iron cookware and are comfortable adding a waffle iron to that routine.
You want a waffle iron with zero synthetic nonstick coating and cast iron is your preferred material.
You cook on a gas stovetop and want direct flame control over your waffle browning.
You're buying this as a long-term piece that you'll pass down — cast iron lasts decades with proper care.
The main thing to know
Wattage isn't published anywhere accessible for this model — you can't verify heating performance or compare recovery speed, which is unusual for an appliance at this price point.
This is a stovetop cast iron waffle iron — it requires seasoning, careful heat management, and hand-washing every time. The cast iron surface is genuinely PFAS-free, but the ownership experience is demanding enough that most buyers return it or stop using it.
Skip this if you...
You regularly cook for three or more people — multiple rounds at 2-square output adds up in time
You need wattage specs to compare cooking performance — this is the only model without a published wattage figure
The $230 price point is above your budget — there are PFAS-free alternatives at $60–$80
You want a plug-in appliance — this is stovetop only and requires you to flip it mid-cook.
You're not willing to season and hand-wash cast iron after every use.
You're looking for strong value at this price point — the cooking capacity is average and the ownership friction is high for $90.
You need consistent results quickly — cast iron waffle irons have a steep learning curve for heat management.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Waffle Makers options at every price pointEvery Waffle Makers in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated GreenPan and Appalachian Cast Iron across 3 independent criteria: Safety (78%), Efficacy (16%), Usability (5%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with GreenPan GreenPan Stainless Steel 2-Square Waffle Maker - it scored 8.6/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Waffle Makers across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
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