Everybody loves waffles! (Even the federal government)

Apparently FEMA uses something called "The Waffle House Index" to gauge the severity of a disaster.  It's easy.  You call all the local Waffle Houses and ask them two questions.

1. Are you open?
2. Are you serving a limited menu*?

Map the data with red for closed, yellow for limited menu, and green for open and unlimited.  You are basically collecting data on how hard hit an area is.

True?  I don't know and I don't care.  It is awesome and it makes sense. ** 

http://blog.ushahidi.com/2013/08/13/data-resiliency-and-waffles

*Waffle House has a "gas only" menu for when the power grid drops, they have emergency generators, and they keep bottled water on hand to make coffee if there is an issue with the water supply.

**According to the FEMA blog it is, in fact, true.

I Am Weak

Over the years you may have tuned into this blog in eager anticipation of the next tidbit on antique waffle irons.  You may have followed my serial posts on the acquisition and restoration of old waffle irons.  Or you may have stumbled on this post by accident and are wondering what this crazy person is raving about.  Stop right now and read the two previous posts.  If you love waffles.  AIKYD.  Everyone does.

So yesterday I stop by an estate sale.  Older gentleman headed for a home from what I overheard.  There it is.  The fifth waffle iron that I don't need.  Seriously, I have four, I am single, and even if I wasn't, what kind of person needs five waffle irons.

Oh.  That would be me.  After all, it is a really clean Dominion, made in the late thirties or so.  Apparently it became a fad for a few years to have two small irons to make dessert sized or smaller appetite sized waffles, until the customers found out that it took longer to clean up and just wasn't worth effort.  Well, if you have a waffle iron collection, this is the coolest addition and will come out when the nieces and nephews are over for waffles.  Just right. 

The Continuing Adventures of "Waffle Iron"

Browsing the internet one day (or possibly over the course of several days) and I found a website called Toaster Central. These guys ROCK! All they do is refurbish old small kitchen appliances. As you may or may not know, I have several antique waffle irons. The first waffle iron I ever owned belonged to my grandmother and was made, according to my research, in the Late 20s - Early 30s. Needless to say it was not in the greatest condition. The first waffle generally stuck, it looked quite hideous, and one had to wonder about the eighty year old wiring.

Off to Toaster Central it went. For about $100 they stripped it down, rewired the whole thing, polished everything until it shone like new, and provided a new power cord, as well as a copy of the original owner's manual, instructions on seasoning the grid, and a brochure with a variety of classic waffle recipes.

Here are before and after pictures.

I couldn't be happier. I was hoping to send my Great Aunt Mary's to them but they said they can't work on it. I guess they won't do them unless they can find factory manuals for various specifications. If you are reading this and you have a box full of Electrahot factory manuals, please give the guys at Toaster Central a call. Then let me know so I can ship them a waffle iron.

Everybody Loves Waffles

Well, Brigid reminded me of how much I love waffles today. I went on a low carb diet regimen about two years ago, it's worked nicely both weight-wise and health-wise but I don't get waffles very much. So instead I am going to tell you all about the antique waffle iron "collection" I inadvertently stumbled into.

First, when in college, my mother gave me my grandmother's old waffle iron, a Universal 9324A manufactured in the mid to late 20s. Beautifully designed, decorated with scrollwork,

I loved it so much that my roommates found me a comic to commemorate my love (or to make fun of me, still not totally sure).

That was on or about 1987. A few years ago I was in Anacortes at a flea market. I had ridden down with some friends and we were in full leathers including back patches. On a table marked "Free, Everything Works" was antique waffle iron number two. Sunbeam W2A (Late 40s to mid 50s). Off I go, waffle iron under one arm.

Later at that same market, chatting with a lady who has a Homelectrics 1703 (Late 20s to early 30s) for sale.

Obviously I don't want it as I already have two antique waffle irons. Until she says I can have it if I want as she is no longer going to do flea markets. Waffle iron number three has just created an instant and official "collection".

Fast forward a couple months, I am joking with my family about my "collection" and my aunt mentions that she has Auntie's (our great aunt Mary who we all called Auntie) waffle iron from Maryhome (her house in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire) packed in a box and I can have it if I want. Well of course I do. Enter Electrahot 148 (Early 30s).

It's official. I actually have an excessive number of waffle irons posing as a collection. Well, might as well make it official. Onto amazon.com to order a copy of Antique Electric Waffle Irons, 1900 - 1960 by William F. George.

The best part, I can make enough waffles for the whole family without anyone having to wait at all. Too bad I'm single.