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- Verified Buyer
I believe as a dedicated (Belgian) waffle maker it is outstanding.Time and quantity per serving may not suit everyone if time is always short and many mouths to feed that are impatient, but please read on. The ACTUAL time per waffle (not including your mix prep), is 3+ min to warm machine is quick, & then 4-5 min Per Waffle, (+/- seconds you apply to preference, like crispier...) & by how many you need to make-do the math! A full 1-cup (max) of waffle batter cooked is actually much larger than a frozen square you toast (probably 3 of them) and breaking one into the four sections that are created by design will certainly get any 4 kids started until you produce another in 4-5 minutes. While cooking, you fill your measure at the ready, when-beep/open/remove/plate/pour a new one & set timer/flip/serve 4 pc/& repeat. Process goes that quick and really not that much more time IMO. By then, maybe they want another piece or just a couple bites, you know how kids eat! Again, this size of waffle halved as two servings for adults may be enough for most, so waiting for more may not be that big a deal. I am a larger eater and I could barely finish one whole myself if that helps. Add toppings like whip cream and fruit and 1/4 servings to most will suffice. (Yum...Try the batter from GOLDEN MALTED.com The same as the good hotels use, and fast prep! )The unit is made well, and function was easy.You can pour left or right side position, does not affect operation. Be sure to leave room for the flipping while in use on your counter or u may have a batter mess. If your batter is to runny, wait to flip 45sec. for it to crust helps. You could leave it and not flip it and yes it will still cook, though the finished product will have a different appearance as the batter will not be as airy. You do NOT need to spray oil or wipe oil on the ceramic grids for ANY waffle, they work that good, plus you have oil or butter in your mix (right?), and this is why it’s so much faster to make the next one! Once hot, no need to worry about the red light, just the timer. The handle works as designed, though it looks...???, stays cool at the grab portion, just don’t grab it next to the metal which does get hot, and when you do flip be sure to grab both sides of that handle and use one continuous motion and you never see a mess ever! 1-cup max no mess ! How great is that. Occasional wipe of grid (COLD), and done![ TIP: Warm up serving plates in microwave for 30-sec+ when the waffle timer 1-min beep is herd,then plate when done. You will have less moisture forming from a cold plate leaving a warm & crisp to last bite treat instead of cold and soggy finish! ]Speaking of heat, on the very first heating, do it outside if you can so the burn off smell stays outside. I let mine heat for 5 min then left it to cool. I then reheated and tested the heat balance of both grids (you don’t have to do this) and they were only 5° different which is well balanced. Heat was peaked at 420° then cycled to 340° and repeated. Plug it in for ON! Unplug it for OFF!It will take an hour to cool down in the closed position, so be patient, and yes the metal will be hot so don’t touch it their! Storage after the cool down is in a space saving upright position with the attached & provided red flip up clip, and the cord can then wrap around the base area. I used the tie that came with it to keep it tied in place.Note: Instructions say pour batter, set timer, close and flip. I prefer, close, set timer, then flip. A few extra seconds with the lid closed sets up the batter for a flawless flip IMO, and if you forget to flip immediately, just flip when you remember which does not affect timer. Don’t open it for first 2-3min. to check on it or batter will not form a perfect solid waffle.I will update later on the longevity to see how it performs over time. Some have reported that theirs have failed early. Now I want a waffle from all this explaining, “Bon Appetit” RH