The final season of Stranger Things is officially here, and with it comes a wave of merchandise. And while I have never watched an episode of the Netflix show, I heard there’s a beloved character named Eleven, who loves to snack on Eggo waffles. So it makes sense why Dash has teamed up with Target to offer a limited edition Stranger Things Mini Waffle Maker. In this review, I will be examining this Dash appliance from inside and out (but not upside down) to help you decide if this product is worth adding to your kitchen or your Stranger Things fan collection.
The Collaboration: Dash, Target, & Netflix
Dash is no stranger when it comes to mini makers. The brand is home to various small-scale appliances, including rice cookers, egg cookers, portable blenders, and even mini donut makers. The retail giant Target has been known to sell many of these popular Dash products both in stores and online. To celebrate the premiere of Stranger Things Season 5, Dash took part in Target’s co-created merchandise campaign with Netflix. The Dash Stranger Things Mini Waffle Maker is just one of over 100 limited edition products in this collection, and you can find many of them in a dedicated Stranger Things in-store experience at your local Target store.
Unboxing & Contents
What you see on the box is what you get: the packaging shows the front of the mini waffle maker, decked in the show’s distinctive red and black color scheme. An image of the Stranger Things cast is located on the side of the packaging, a design detail if fans are debating if the box is worth keeping. Like most of these compact Dash mini makers, the box contents are refreshingly minimal and leave little room for confusion, pairing the Dash waffle maker with only a combined instructional manual and recipe book.
Exterior Design
Fans will notice right away the famous show logo emblazoned on the casing, along with simple silhouettes of two creatures: the Demogorgon and a flock of Demobats, both a part of the alternate dimension known as the Upside Down. The details may be subtle, but it adds exclusivity and gives Stranger Things fans a reason to display this Target merchandise.
Interior Plate
If you’re expecting a snazzy waffle plate stamped with the Stranger Things logo or a character design, you might be disappointed. The interior plate is no different from the standard design as the original Dash mini waffle maker. That being said, this compact appliance’s classic waffle mold sets the stage for what other waffle makers already do on the inside.
Quick Specs
| Dimensions | 2.75″ x 4.84″ x 6.29″ |
| Weight | 1.14 lbs |
| Waffle Size | 4-inch diameter |
| Wattage | 350 watts |
| Additional Features | Ceramic nonstick surface, Auto shutoff indicator light, built-in cord with wrap for storage |
Testing the Dash Mini Waffle Maker
For my first test, I kept the recipe simple, and I wondered if it would be Eleven approved. While the included manual offers several options, from a classic 7 ingredient waffle to a handheld and savory mashed potato snack. My experiment relied on what I had in my pantry: baking mix, water, and cinnamon sugar. It would be a fine test to see if Dash could handle basic functionality.
⚠️ Critical Warning: No Aerosol Sprays.
Something I noticed straight away in the instruction manual was the warning against using aerosol cooking sprays to grease the waffle plate. The booklet says sprays can create buildup and complicate the cleaning process over time. I was mildly irritated by this, but I easily switched to a little vegetable oil with a basting brush as a replacement.
Like many mini makers from the Dash product line, there are no complicated buttons on the Stranger Things waffle maker. You can’t miss the large red indicator light on the front exterior, which activates the moment you plug the device into an outlet. The built-in cord is around 32 inches long, a reasonable length for most countertop spaces, provided you have an outlet close by. After plugging it in, the unit took over 2 minutes to fully preheat (indicated by the red light turning off). From there, you can apply oil or butter before adding your waffle mix.
Cook Time and Texture
My humble batter of baking mix, water, and cinnamon sugar managed to yield three mini waffles. I used a spoon to carefully pour the batter onto the hot plate until all the grooves were concealed before closing the outer lid. The red light activated again to commence cooking, and after the first minute, I noticed a tiny trail of hot steam emitting from the mini waffle maker. This concerned me slightly, but powerful compact makers are known to work hard to deliver the goods.
Much like the preheat timing, the red light turned off seconds before the 2-minute mark. Safety note: you have to be careful lifting the lid to retrieve the waffle; it’s recommended to lift from the side and not the center to avoid catching all that hot steam.
The resulting waffle looked golden but was more soft and pliable than crispy, which didn’t bother me. I’m sure if Eleven were here to compare it to her beloved Eggos, she would approve. While I abide by the red light to determine when the mini waffle was ready, users of the Dash appliance who prefer a crispier finish may want to let the waffle cook for an additional 30 seconds to reach their preferred texture. And like most cooking appliances, it’s recommended to unplug the unit after you’re done using it!
Making Eleven’s Favorite Snack: Strawberry Waffles with 3 Ingredients
After discovering that Eleven specifically had an affinity for strawberry-flavored waffles, I got to thinking: why don’t I give this Stranger Things Waffle Maker another try using an inspired recipe?
Below is the easy 3-ingredient recipe I created using the mini waffle maker, resulting in a soft and tasty snack (with just a hint of strawberry), perfect for binge-watching Stranger Things.
Stranger Things Strawberry Waffles
Equipment
- Dash Mini Waffle Maker
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking mix
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tbsp strawberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat Dash Mini Waffle Maker. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl using a whisk.
- After the preheat process ends, brush oil or melted butter on the waffle plate and carefully spoon enough batter until the grooves on the plate are covered. Close the lid of the waffle maker and wait for the indicator light to turn off before removing the cooked waffle.
Notes
Cleanup Process
Thanks to the non-stick surface of the Dash mini maker and following the instruction manual, the cleanup process is a breeze. It’s important to let the Stranger Things waffle maker cool completely—this takes about 30 minutes—before cleaning and storing the limited edition unit for later use. A damp cloth helps wipe away any residual batter and oil from the waffle plates and the exterior casing. I highly advise switching to a dry cloth to remove existing moisture after wiping and scraping spilled batter.
Final Thoughts: Is the Waffle Maker Worth the Purchase?
With a budget-friendly retail value of $12.99, the Dash Stranger Things Mini Waffle Maker has both pop culture appeal and kitchen practicality. It’s easy to use, thanks to its small scale and plug-and-play design. Functionality is simple, 4-inch waffles are ready in minutes, and cleanup is a cinch. The subtle Stranger Things-inspired casing adds a special touch geared toward fans of the TV show, making this limited edition appliance worthy of purchase.
Like most Dash mini makers, this product works best for single users and small kitchens. If you plan to make a large stack of waffles for multiple people using this mini waffle maker, expect to take some time cooking one at a time. And if you don’t feel like eating breakfast in the Upside Down or in the town of Hawkins, Dash also has an identical mini waffle maker without the Stranger Things branding.
Buy Dash Limited Edition Stranger Things Mini Waffle Maker at Target 🔴
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Check out my other appliance review: IMUSA Espresso & Cappuccino Maker ☕
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