There might be hundreds of models but all are not equally efficient in making evenly cooked round rotis. There are a few factors and features that you need to look for in a roti maker. We have a ready list of the factors that decide how efficient and reliable your roti maker will be.
Remember that kneading and preparing the dough is very different than what you do normally. You have to add more water, let sit the dough, always prepare the fresh dough and eat your rotis as soon as possible. We have included all steps with tips for making the best rotis out of your roti makers.
Choosing the best Roti Maker for You
1. Choose from Authorized Manufacturers/ Brands:
There are two major reasons to consider the brand for a roti maker- warranty and after-sales service. You can easily get a warranty of 1-2 years on a roti maker from a good brand. They offer free replacements or repairing within the warranty period. Also, a brand model comes with good after-sales services. All major brands have wide networks of service centers across all major cities and towns. They have authorized servicemen to handle any kind of troubles related to a kitchen or electrical appliance. Even after the warranty period, you can contact them for easy repairing. And if you are willing to buy from a lesser-known brand make sure you have reliable service facilities where you get to fix any trouble, whether it as small screw or power failure.
2. Don’t settle for something cheap:
There are many cases where a cheap product beats an expensive product with its quality and performance, but it is never the case with a roti maker. Price of roti maker represents its quality. A cheap product may leave your rotis uncooked or overcooked. It may not have the necessary features. Cheap models are also smaller in size making smaller sizes rotis. So you have to balance your budget with the performance of a roti maker very wisely so you don’t regret it in the future.
3. Consider Size and Weight:
Roti maker is a simple tool that you will probably use daily. Almost all roti makers are compact and easy to store in any corner of the kitchen, be it the kitchen platform or the countertop. Size isn’t a concern here, the main concern is weight. You have to lift the upper lid put it down and apply pressure to make a uniformly thin and round roti if the upper lid feels too heavy to lift it will not ease your work. Choose something that has minimum weight. You can ask the manufacturer or the dealer about the weight.
4. Consider the Power Input:
Roti maker should reach a temperature of 450 degrees F to make the best kind of rotis. It takes some time to heat at first. A roti maker which has more wattage will be able to heat up faster and will make evenly cooked rotis in no time. Choose a model that has a minimum of 800Watts power with 200-250 Voltage for an 8-inch griddle, this is the minimum power required to reach 450 degrees F. However, popular brands come with 1000 Watts or more and perform a lot better than a basic level model with 800 Watts.
5. Look for User Manual/Demo CD:
Many users blame the roti maker when they can’t make an ideal roti using a roti maker. But it’s is not always the fault of the roti maker. Users often don’t follow the instructions while using it, like the consistency of the dug has a lot to do with the taste of the rotis. So, check it if your model provides you with a user manual or includes a demo CD with the package.
6. Look for these Features:
- Griddle Size and material: The griddle of you roti make should be made of aluminium and should be coated with non-stick material to easily flip and remove the rotis without sticking it to the surface. You should select your griddle by the size of your roti- it can be 8 to 12-inch in diameter.
- Adjustable Temperature: A roti maker sometimes comes with 3 temperature settings to choose from- low, medium and high. Choosing a model with adjustable temperature allows you to select a temperature for cooking different items other than roti, such as omelette, puri or papad.
- Shockproof Body: a roti maker it has to be made shockproof to protect you from any risks of electric shocks due to short circuits or voltage up-down.
- Non-heating handles: Users often complain about the handle for being too hot to touch. Make sure the model you purchase is well insulated so the handle can stay cool even in high temperatures to protect your hands from accidental burns.
- On/Off Indicators: This feature is a must for every roti maker you buy. This will let you know when the roti maker is ready to use. Some brands have green/red light that shows after it reaches the required temperature for making rotis. Some models in the market still lack these features, so you better check it twice before you pay for it.
How to make puffy rotis with your roti maker?
Using a roti maker is very simple with just a few steps. We have listed everything from starting to the end. Read every step and finally make the puffy rotis as you see in the advertisement.
Dough Making:
- Sieve the atta/flour to remove any grains or hard particles
- Add some water and salt for taste
- Put a few drops of oil/butter/ghee for added softness and taste
- Knead the dough unit it reaches a soft and sticky consistency
Setting the dough aside:
- Let the dough rest for 30-1 hour.
- Take it out after 1 hour and start making small dough balls.
Prepare the roti Maker:
- Switch the roti maker on
- Set it to the highest temperature wait for the indicator light to turn green. The green means the griddle is hot enough and ready for making roti.
Making Roti:
- Taken the dough ball and flatten it a little; you don’t need to make it thin and round.
- Put the ball little off-centre towards the handle
- Close the top and gently press it to flatten the ball. Open it immediately
- Cook the roti for a few seconds
- Flip the side when you see bubbles appearing
- Flip it again and cook both the sides evenly
- The roti will puff up on its own
If your roti doesn’t puff, slightly close the top lid and leave it there, don’t hold it. Your roti will puff lifting the upper lid.
Follow the same steps for paratha, chapatti, papad, pancakes, and omelettes. In case of pancakes and omelets don’t close the top lid. Just flip it and cook each side evenly.
Things to keep in mind:
Dough made for a roti maker is different than what you generally use. You don’t need to knead atta too much otherwise it will be hard and rubbery. It should be stickier and softer so that you can easily flatten it by pressing. To prepare the dough, add 15-20 % more water.
After making the dough let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes for best results. By this time the gluten strands start to form in the kneaded dough which makes the roti soft and puffy. If you are in a hurry try to rest it for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Stored atta in the refrigerator cannot make soft and puffy roti; it makes them hard and crispy rotis, more like papad. Use freshly prepared dough every time you make rotis with a roti maker.
Adding a few drops to the dough will make it softer and it won’t stick to the roti maker. Adding oil will also spread the heat evenly over the surface of the roti and cooks them evenly from centers to corners. You don’t need to mix the oil deep into the dough, just dip