Thin-crepe cooks
If you want broad, thin crepes or savoury galettes rather than only thick pancakes, look for a flat plate, adjustable heat and a batter spreader.
For thin crepes, choose an open, flat non-stick plate with adjustable heat and a spreader. A 30cm plate offers a smaller cooking surface than a 33–35cm model, so decide how wide you want your crepes before making room for a larger appliance. A hinged waffle-and-pancake maker serves a different purpose and is not a direct substitute for an open crepe plate.
If you want broad, thin crepes or savoury galettes rather than only thick pancakes, look for a flat plate, adjustable heat and a batter spreader.
If you plan to make wider crepes or several servings, compare plate diameter and the tools supplied. If pancakes are also a regular choice, check whether the appliance offers a separate plate for them.
If crepes are an occasional treat, check the appliance’s overall dimensions and cleaning instructions before giving it cupboard space. A smaller plate may be sufficient if you do not need wide galettes.
Start with the cooking format: an open, flat plate lets you spread thin batter, while shaped or hinged plates serve different recipes. Then choose the plate size and cleaning arrangement that fit how you will use and store the appliance.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Heat control for thin crepes | Look for an open, flat plate and adjustable temperature; check whether a spreader is supplied. | If I make thin crepes, I want to spread the batter and adjust the heat as it browns. Around 45% of consumers put that cooking control first. |
| Crepe size and cooking format | Compare cooking diameter with overall footprint, and distinguish flat plates from dimpled or hinged ones. | For wider galettes or varied family breakfasts, I need to decide whether plate area or a different cooking format matters more. Making size and format the main priority describes around 33% of consumers. |
| Storage and cleaning | Check overall dimensions, whether the exact plate detaches and what its cleaning instructions permit. | When I cook crepes only occasionally, I need an appliance I can store and clean without difficulty. Around 22% of consumers put those ownership needs first. |
A wattage rating does not establish how evenly a crepe maker heats or whether its surface suits thin batter.
Compare the plate shape and diameter, adjustable heat and supplied spreading tools before treating wattage as a deciding factor.
Non-stick describes the cooking surface, not how the appliance can be cleaned. Russell Hobbs UK lists no dishwasher-safe parts for its 20920; a detachable plate does not, by itself, establish that it can go in a dishwasher.
Check the cleaning instructions for the exact model, including whether the plate comes off and how to clean the electrical base.
Shaped, hinged pancake-and-waffle plates suit a different cooking routine from an open plate on which you spread and turn thin crepes.
Choose an open flat plate if thin crepes are the priority. Consider interchangeable plates when waffles or shaped pancakes are also a regular part of your cooking.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards maintains a searchable UK list of product safety alerts and recalls.
Check the exact brand and model before first use, particularly when buying older stock, and keep the appliance instructions and proof of purchase.
The Russell Hobbs UK listing for the Fiesta 20920 describes a dedicated crepe-and-pancake maker with a 30cm non-stick plate.
The Andrew James 33.7cm Crepe Maker Black represents the larger, dedicated flat-plate format.
Tefal UK’s documentation for the Pro PY700528 describes a 35cm detachable non-stick plate with a Thermo-Spot ready indicator.
Quest Appliances describes its Pancake and Crepe Maker as a dedicated model with a 30cm non-stick surface.
Choose the diameter according to the width of crepe you want to make, then check whether the whole appliance fits your counter and cupboard. Russell Hobbs UK and Quest Appliances describe 30cm surfaces, while Tefal UK documents a 35cm plate for the Pro PY700528; diameter alone does not tell you how evenly a model cooks.
Yes, if you want to change the heat as you cook or switch between thin crepes and thicker pancakes. Russell Hobbs UK and Quest Appliances both specify adjustable temperature on their referenced models, but batter quantity and spreading still affect the result.
Only put parts in the dishwasher when the instructions for that exact model permit it. Russell Hobbs UK lists no dishwasher-safe parts for the 20920, so neither a non-stick surface nor a removable plate should be taken as permission to machine-wash an appliance.
Let the appliance cool and follow its model-specific instructions rather than washing the electrical base like a cooking plate. For the Pro PY700528, Tefal UK says not to clean the heating coil; if needed, wipe it with a dry cloth after it has cooled.
Check the exact brand and model, particularly if you are buying older stock. The Office for Product Safety and Standards provides a searchable UK list of product safety alerts and recalls.