****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
If like me, you prefer thinner waffles there aren't a lot of choices. This iron offers many benefits, but isn't perfect. First of all, the hearts are cute, but not why I purchased the iron, especially since it's about twice as expensive as some others. I hoped the great review by Cook's Illustrated regarding its brother, the Belgian version, would apply here too, and I liked the idea of the iron being a multitasker. Who has room for an appliance that only does one thing unless you're obsessed with that one thing?Depending on the recipe used, these somewhat more delicately shaped waffles can be used as teacakes, cookies with ice cream, a 'brownie' base for a sundae or a 'toast' accompaniment for soup or a salad. Since I don't often have bread in the house and don't need a whole pan of brownies or cookies, this simpler (and much smaller batch) version appealed to me. One caution, though, DO NOT make the blueberry waffles unless you have the rest of the day to spend cleaning the thing. I don't know what possessed me to try it. It seemed like a crazy idea, but the recipe was there. . . I was wrong. Heed the warning. I suspect the same fate with the chocolate chip waffle. I've learned my lesson.I like a crisp outside to my breakfast waffle with a fluffy textured inside, and I've not been able to get quite that in spite of the claim that you can. I've experimented and have been able to get a fairly decent result with good color and pretty good crispness, but not ideal.The first thing I learned about this iron is you have to follow the directions unless you want a mess. It says to use a measuring device to pour in 1/3 cup of batter and they aren't kidding. The overflow if you're trying to use the last bit of batter to clean the bowl, is awful, and cleanup is a pain, plus the quality of the waffle suffers. I learned that it's better to throw away any leftover then try to use it up, or if you want, make a tiny waffle with the remains.The iron heats up quickly and bakes quickly, signaling the readiness of both phases with a beeper and light, and after the initial oiling (per directions) I've not had to oil it again (as it said I wouldn't) and the waffles release perfectly if you stick to the 1/3 cup program (and don't try blueberry! After that cleaning I had to reoil.).For the careful cook, the extra care won't be a problem. I'm a little more slap/dash, but will have to control myself with this device, and the quality of waffle resulting is very good, attractive and evenly cooked, but not perfect if you want a really crispy outside texture. For the price I was hoping for perfect, but am satisfied enough to keep the unit and I will enjoy the other opportunities for use where the more cookie like setting will be useful.The unit is easy to store up on end and lightweight so can be easily put up on a shelf. The cord is quite short (like about 24") so you have to be close to an outlet for use. The cord can not be wrapped around under the unit as described in spite of clips for that purpose. After many attempts to figure it out, I resorted to the directions and found the cord shown in the diagram is coming from a different place in the base than it is on my unit, so the plan they show won't work. I just stuffed it under there best I could. The outside stays cool so handling the unit is not stressful during the cooking. It's worth a bit shy of four stars for me--as in good enough to keep and it will be useful, but for the price I hoped for more.
