Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker with Non-Stick Removable Plates, Browning Control, Drip Tray, Stainless Steel (26030)

I really like this one! Waffles are my thing and I make them 1-2x/week faithfully. I like having removable plates but did not want to purchase the same brand I owned previously which had removable plates. After a lot of searching and considering, I went with HB for the ceramic, removable plates. I've used it a couple of times and love it. Waffles are perfect, plates remove and clean up with ease. I hand wash after each use and give a quick spray of oil prior to use. I have not had an issue with sticking--waffles lift right out. If you are having a time deciding like I was, move this one to the top of the list if it sounds like this will suit your needs!

This Hamilton Beach Flip Belgian Waffle Maker is capable of making some excellent waffles--every bit as good as the kind many people enjoy at the continental breakfast line at some hotels, with the only difference being that this waffle maker does not have an automated timer that beeps when the waffle is ready. Instead, you dial in the desired temp setting (I set mine on 1, the second-lowest option), pour on the batter, close the lid and rotate the handle to turn the griddles over, then wait approximately five minutes until the steaming tapers off. Lift the lid and VOILA! You have an exquisite waffle!Obviously, the taste and cook time of the waffles depends on the recipe for the batter you use. I find that mixes which include eggs make the fluffiest most authentic tasting kind, but if you look around you can find a good one that does not require you to whip/beat the egg whites, which is tiring and time-consuming. There are also some good instant mixes out there.I noticed other reviewers commenting that some of these do not heat properly. I did not have that problem. Mine gets piping/steaming hot and has given me no trouble. It takes about 5-7 minutes to initially warm up, at which point a green "Ready" light illuminates. After every 2 waffles you cook, it's good to let it re-heat for a moment because if you keep pouring on the batter in rapid succession, it will overwhelm the heating element, causing it to take noticeably longer to re-heat and cook the third waffle (and will cook that waffle inconsistently as a result). Not a big deal. The only quibble I have here is that this waffle maker doesn't feel particularly durable. It works fine, but only time will tell if it holds up. For $22 on a lightning deal, I think it was an outstanding value regardless.One last point: These waffles are quite large. Many folks will be satisfied to split one in half with a significant other. Otherwise, you had better be hungry if you're going to eat a whole one yourself.[UPDATE 12/18/2017: One year later and this waffle maker is still going strong! I love it! I've used it at least 50 times this year, probably quite a bit more than that, and all the waffles have come out great!]

I purchased this item for use at my beach house, in spite of many reviews that stated the product would not heat up sufficiently. The waffle iron arrived as promised and works like a charm. Removable, dishwasher safe grids are fantastic. Folding handle helps with storage. My family was so impressed that another one was purchased for use at our primary residence.The 2nd waffle iron DID NOT HEAT TO NEEDED TEMPERATURE (as indicated by many other reviews). A call to Hamilton Beach customer support was no help. I was advised to pre-heat and cook longer. Still did not finish waffles. I turned on the waffle maker with the grids removed, and realized that the heating elements were not turning red. Another call to Hamilton Beach was no help at all. Due to a family vacation, I waited too long to return the 2nd none-functioning waffle maker.But I still love the 1st working unit.I purchased a 3rd Waffle Iron. When it arrived and was fresh of the delivery truck, I unboxed the unit, removed the grids and plugged the unit in. The heating elements glowed a reassuring red and generated lots of heat.Bottom line is that the product is outstanding if you get one that works. Do the "red heating element visual test" as soon as your product arrives. If you got a good one congrats, if not, send that puppy back and request a replacement, repeat as needed. My batting average is .666 (2 for 3).I love this product's design and the waffles that it makes. Just make sure the one that is delivered can heat up to the desired temperature...

Pros:Makes perfect waffles, I mean absolutely amazingBrowning adjustment dialCeramic plates are truly nonstick, no oil needed (my recipe has butter in it)Ceramic has lower toxicity than other teflon models which is why I bought this oneRemovable plates are easier to clean, which is why I bought the pricier versionPretty easy to use, easy to flipCons:Horrible chemical smell that impacts my whole house, hoping it will “burn off” soon (the smell is from the electronics, not from the plates touching the food) or I will return itTakes up a ridiculous amount of storage spaceCord doesn’t rotate when you flip waffles, so if you don’t turn it back the right way, you can over twist and damage the cordRemovable plastic drip plate is kind of a lame design- pretty easy not to drip the batter if you know what you’re doing, so it seems like another cheaply made part to deal withCosts more than othersMy two cents:It says you can put the plates in the dishwasher but I think over time that will impact the nonstick performance so I play it safe and handwash.I hope the smell fades or back it goes.