Fracino MULTI Waffle Machine: How to Use It & Make Perfect Waffles
Last updated: September 2026
In 30 seconds:
- The Fracino MULTI is a British-made LPG (or mains-gas) waffle maker, griddle and panini press in one — from £1,199.
- The waffle irons are 360° rotating cast iron — that rotation is the trick to an even, fluffy-centred, crisp-edged waffle every time.
- It runs on propane for mobile catering (dual burners, 4.6 kW total), and heats up in about 10 minutes.
- The plates come pre-seasoned with edible oil and get more non-stick the more you use them — so the golden rule is don’t scrub the seasoning off.
- Biggest first-time mistake: stripping the seasoning with harsh cleaning, then thinking the plates are “sticking” or “faulty” — they just need re-seasoning.
Quick specs
- What it is: LPG/mains-gas waffle maker + griddle + panini press (three configurations)
- Gas: Propane 37/50 mbar (or Natural Gas 20 mbar) — propane for mobile catering
- Burners: dual, piezo ignition, 2-way gas valves
- Heat output: 2.3 kW per burner — 4.6 kW total (min heat input 1.05 kW)
- Heat-up time: about 10 minutes from cold
- Size: 393 (H) × 570 (W) × 453 (D) mm
- Weight: 38 kg
- Waffle irons: 360° rotating cast iron, 224 × 163 × 40 mm each, pre-seasoned
- Griddle plates: dual reversible cast iron (ridged + smooth), 405 × 245 × 10 mm each
- Build: heavy-gauge stainless steel, removable drip tray. CE / UKCA marked and certified to EN 203-1:2014 / EN 203-2-9:2005 (Type A gas appliance)
- Price: from £1,199
- View the MULTI Waffle Machine product page →
Which configuration do you need?
- Waffle Maker — the 360° rotating cast-iron waffle irons. Best if waffles are your headline product.
- Griddle — dual reversible plates (ridged for sear marks, smooth for eggs/pancakes). Best for burgers, bacon and breakfasts.
- M-Ultimate — both combined: waffles, panini, burgers, bacon & eggs, steaks, all in one unit, with quick swaps between them. Best if you want one appliance to cover breakfast, lunch and dessert.
You can buy the basic Waffle Maker or Griddle now and add accessory plates later to build up to the full M-Ultimate — so you’re not locked in.
New to the machine? Read our full Fracino MULTI review to see how it performs day to day, or compare models in our best commercial waffle maker buying guide.
How to make the perfect waffle
- Light the burners and heat up. Use the piezo ignition and give it about 10 minutes to reach cooking temperature — a cold iron gives a pale, soft waffle.
- Lightly oil if needed. The cast iron is pre-seasoned, so a well-used iron needs little or none. A very light wipe of edible oil on a newer iron helps release.
- Pour your batter into the centre. Don’t overfill — the batter spreads as you close and rotate.
- Close it and rotate a full 360°. This is the key step: the rotation spreads the batter evenly across the iron for a fluffy centre and crisp edges.
- Cook until golden. Leave it closed so both sides colour evenly; steam easing off is a good sign it’s nearly there.
- Release and serve. A seasoned iron lets the waffle lift cleanly. Wipe the iron between batches — don’t drown it in water.
The fix most people miss: oil in the batter, not just on the plates
Fracino ran full cooking trials on a brand-new MULTI, and the lesson is worth knowing: cast iron isn’t Teflon. A few things make the difference between a waffle that sticks and one that lifts cleanly.
- Get enough oil into the batter. The proportions on a waffle-mix packet aren’t always enough for cast iron. In Fracino’s own tests the packet mix stuck; adding a little more oil to the batter released the waffle cleanly and gave a more even result. If yours sticks, add oil to the mix before you blame the machine.
- Oil the grids before cooking too. The plates are seasoned at the factory, but the non-stick surface keeps building with use — a light oil before each cook helps, especially when the machine is new.
- Preheat 10–15 minutes at full flame, then cook about 3 minutes a side, check, and give it another minute if needed. Five minutes a side over-cooks it.
- Keep the grids closed until the waffle has set. Opening too early — while steam is still pouring out — is what tears the waffle and makes it stick. Wait until the steam eases, then open.
Some colour variation from front to back is normal on any gas, cast-iron waffle iron — it doesn’t mean the waffle is undercooked.
Seasoning & cleaning — the bit that prevents “sticking”
Most waffle-plate complaints come down to heat and seasoning, not a fault — and they catch people out at exactly the wrong moment, like a busy festival in front of customers. Two real causes: plates that aren’t fully up to temperature, and a brand-new machine whose cast iron hasn’t built its non-stick yet. The good news: both are avoidable. Protect and build that layer:
- Don’t scrub the seasoning off. No harsh detergents, wire wool or dishwashers on the cast iron — that strips the non-stick and is what makes plates start to stick.
- Wipe warm, not soak. Wipe the plates clean while still warm, then a very light re-oil keeps them seasoned.
- Empty the drip tray. The removable tray keeps it food-safe and easy to clean — empty and wash it separately.
- If waffles start sticking, re-season rather than assuming the plates are faulty — a light coat of edible oil, heated on, restores the surface.
For a step-by-step on protecting that non-stick layer, see how to clean and season a commercial griddle.
Running it safely on propane
- Propane only for mobile catering (37 mbar) — butane fails to vaporise in the cold, so it’s no use for outdoor trading.
- It’s a Type A gas appliance — make sure your gas installation and ventilation are signed off as part of your normal gas-safety checks.
- Dual burners mean strong, even heat — but let it reach temperature before the first cook for consistent results.
Not sure which fuel? Here’s why propane wins for mobile catering, plus the LPG cylinder storage rules for food trailers.
Warranty & support
The MULTI is covered by a back-to-base warranty — if it ever needs a workshop repair, the unit goes back to base rather than an engineer coming to you, so factor collection into your plans. Day to day, the machine is built to last (heavy-gauge stainless steel, cast-iron plates); the vast majority of issues are seasoning or cleaning, which the care steps above prevent.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Fracino MULTI waffle machine run on LPG?
Yes. It has dual burners that run on propane (37/50 mbar) for mobile catering, or natural gas (20 mbar) for a fixed site. For food vans and events, use propane.
Is the Fracino MULTI gas waffle machine CE marked?
Yes. The MULTI is CE / UKCA marked and certified to EN 203 — the European standard for commercial gas catering appliances — so it meets UK gas-safety requirements as a Type A propane/LPG appliance.
How long does it take to heat up?
About 10 minutes from cold to cooking temperature. Always let it come fully up to heat before the first waffle, or it’ll be pale and soft.
Why is my waffle sticking to the iron?
Almost always seasoning, not a fault. The cast iron builds a natural non-stick layer with use — if it starts sticking, re-season with a light coat of edible oil rather than scrubbing the plates, which strips the seasoning.
Can I make more than waffles on it?
Yes, in the M-Ultimate configuration. With the reversible griddle plates it also does panini, burgers, bacon and eggs, steaks and more — swapping between waffle and griddle plates quickly.
How do I clean the cast-iron plates?
Wipe them clean while still warm and give a light re-oil to keep them seasoned. Don’t use harsh detergents, wire wool or a dishwasher on the cast iron, and empty the removable drip tray separately.
My waffles are cooking unevenly or sticking even though I seasoned the plates — what’s wrong?
Two things cause it, and both are avoidable. First, heat: if the plates aren’t fully up to temperature (give it the full 10 minutes), the batter sticks and cooks unevenly — a cold plate is the number-one culprit. Second, a brand-new machine: cast iron only builds its full non-stick over the first several cooks, so early on apply a thin, even coat of edible oil each time and keep the batter from being too wet. If uneven cooking or sticking continues after the plates are hot and well seasoned, treat it as a warranty matter — the unit goes back to base for Fracino to inspect.
How much does the Fracino MULTI cost?
From £1,199, depending on configuration (Waffle Maker, Griddle, or the full M-Ultimate). You can start basic and upgrade with accessory plates later.
What size and weight is it?
393 mm high × 570 mm wide × 453 mm deep, and 38 kg — compact enough for a trailer counter but heavy, so site it on something solid.
See the MULTI Waffle Machine, configurations and price →