I was a little worried about purchasing this waffle maker based on a few of the previous reviews, but in my experience it makes great waffles and cleans up very easily. After reading the instructions carefully, it's clear that some of the reviewers misinterpreted the functions of the two lights on the waffle maker. Keep the following in mind and you should be able to make excellent waffles every time:
1. The machine must be preheated until the green light turns off, which tells you that it has reached the correct temperature for cooking.
2. It should then be lightly sprayed, top and bottom, with a cooking oil spray.
3. Add a bit less than 1/2 cup of waffle mix to each section of the waffle maker. Be careful not to overfill if the batter runs over the sides, this will make it more difficult to clean. A slight run over shouldn't be a problem, though, as it will come off when the waffle is removed after cooking.
4. After filling all the bins, close the waffle maker (do NOT latch the cover down!) and cook for 4:00 minutes (you can go over this by a few seconds for crispier waffles). Do not pay any attention to the lights while cooking they have nothing to do with cooking time. One simply tells you that the power is on, and the other shows you when the cooking element cycles on and off to maintain temperature. (Yes, I agree that the lights are not very useful at this point.) Just use an accurate timer.
5. Open the lid (I use the latch to avoid touching the handle, which does get somewhat hot, but not to the point of burning in my experience) and use a plastic spatula to remove the waffles.
I also suggest using a quality Belgian waffle mix such as Krusteaz to make waffles as good as any restaurant waffles.
I ordered one and during use the handle became too hot to touch. I had to open with an oven mit which is very clumsy. I called Krups and they said they have gotten a few calls about this and to exchange it. I asked if my new one will have the same problem and they said "no". Well, I exchanged it for a new one and it had the same problem. Obviously, I returned it and am now shopping for a different brand.
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Okay, the handle does indeed get hot. This is annoying to me and I think calling it a cool-touch handle is a bit insulting to my intelligence. Nevertheless, my kids got this for me for a very reasonable price and it does make excellent waffles. The trick is to get one of those heat-proof silicon brushes to apply oil on the grids and use exactly 1/3 cup of batter in each waffle. Too much batter and it gets very messy, making it difficult to clean. Cook 4 minutes max. I undercook the last 2 batches and then save them in the freezer. The kids get them out and toast them in my toaster oven for breakfast on another morning. I usually use the Krusteaz Belgian waffle mix. I also use a blunt wooden spoon to wedge the waffles out of the grid. I wipe it down as soon as it is cool and it isn't so hard to clean (as long as you don't let batter dribble everywhere. This is where technique comes in. No machine can help you with that. You just have to get it by experience.) It does store conveniently upright in the cabinet. So all in all, for the price, I'm happy with it.
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Another thing to add to the list of problems (hot handle, ridiculous tiny, deep crevices to clean with a toothpick) other reviewers have mentioned is the lack of a "floating hinge". It is unable to keep the two plates parallel as the waffle expands. So the front opens further, resulting in a back dark half and light front half. Of course, if you underfill, you'll get a dark bottom and light top.
The Krups brochure included has a motto on the front: "Quality by design." Well, quality is indeed directly related to design and this unit has rather little of either.
(BTW, some reviewers seem to have misunderstood the purpose of the "ready" light. As explained in the manual, it merely indicates whether the heating element is on. You can start baking when it first turns off, but when it comes back on it doesn't necessarily mean the waffle is done. It just means the plates cooled to the point where the thermostat kicked back in.)
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The Krups Belgian Waffle Maker is a great appliance, make no doubt about it. Don't pay much heed to the review that are 8 years old... they must have improved the product since then because it's is not a problem in 2009.
Before first use, use a pastry brush and spread on a layer of shortening. After heating, hit it with a coating of spray cooking oil and your first waffle might just release... there is always a risk of the very first waffle sticking... no matter what you do. Spray it once before each use (each batch, not each waffle) and it should be smooth sailing. Don't ever try to clean it... that will just make it sticky again. Waffle irons are like cast iron cookware... wiped, never washed. Wipe off any batter with a dishrag when it's cooled off and if the excess oil bothers you, wipe it down with a paper towel. As long as you're using it about once a month, it will be fine. If you're a once-a-year user, then, absolutely clean it as the oil will go rancid.
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It had been awhile since we had cleaned the grill. I avoid the job since it's messy and you worry about the chemicals you're inhaling from some of the other products. You do have to let this product soak in and sit for a few minutes but it works. I've used it in the oven and was pleased.
