Waring WMK600 Double Belgian Waffle Maker

Up until today, I haven't been a huge waffle eater. Not to say I don't like waffles -- I just don't have the means of making them.In fact, the only time I eat waffles is when I am traveling. And, you can't imagine the excitement I get from staying at one of those hotels that has the complimentary breakfast that includes the waffle maker that you pour the mix into, flip, and then wait for the beeps to finish. I mean, sometimes I would race to be at breakfast early enough that I wouldn't have to wait on line to use one of these things.So, the prospect of having one of these waffle makers in my home is something I have been pondering over for quite some time. One of the big reasons I abstained from an initial purchase is because it's just another device that takes up room on a crowded countertop. However, as time went on, my inner needs took over, and I ordered one of these devices.This morning, I went from unpacking box to my first batch of waffles in under 15 minutes.For those of you getting to ready to buy one of these babies, I will be more than happy to give you an overview of use -- plus a tip on what kind of mix to buy.To explain how easy it is to go from box to your first set of waffles, here is the quick setup guide...1. Unpack. Plug unit in wall. Remove the filler shipping inserts from both waffle grills. Wipe any possible shipping dust (I had none) from each grill using a moist cloth.2. Turn on Waffle Maker unit to preheat. Set dial to 3.5 (mid-point) as an initial start. Allow unit to preheat for about 5-7 minutes. It will beep 6 times to tell you it is ready.3. For first use, prime both waffle grills by spraying or brushing cooking oil on the grills. Manufacturer claims that you don't need to use any non-stick spray afterwards.4. Once unit beeps 6 times to tell you it is preheated, pour batter into one of the two grills. Use spatula to even it out. Close and flip. Indicator light on grill will go out. If making another waffle, repeat process for second waffle grill.When waffles are done, the unit will beep three times.I suggest purchasing very cheap plastic waffle tongs. They will work perfectly in removing your waffles. This is the one I purchased from Amazon..http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006OVZRT8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01On my very first try, the waffles came out PERFECT! I mean, PERFECT! I couldn't have messed this up if I wanted to. Put the hot waffles on my plate, doused it with maple syrup....and mmmmmm......perfection. The 3.5 setting seems to give the perfect balance between delicately crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.As for what mix to use....I did a lot of research on Amazon. I poured over reviews of several mixes. I ended up going with Hungry Jack Belgium Waffle Mix. The reason was because all one has to do is add water to the mix. The others require you add eggs and oil or melted butter. I just didn't want that hassle.And, let me tell you, I don't believe you can get better tasting waffles from a mix that requires all those extras to be added. When you make waffles, you want it to be a simple process. Trust me when I say that the Hungry Jack Belgium Waffle Mix makes outstanding waffles. Certainly the best waffles I have ever tasted.I am completely happy with my new waffle maker. It's effortless to make outstanding restaurant quality waffles in a short period of time. Clean up seems non-existent. The waffles left no residue behind. Once the unit cools, you simply wipe it down with a cloth.Construction seems very solid. It certainly doesn't feel cheaply made. I can't speak for long-term use as today was the first day I have actually used it. However, I anticipate that it will serve me well for many years to come.

I have had the single Waring unit for 6 years, and upgraded to the double when I started cooking for a very large crowd. I can crank out about 30 waffles in a half hour.The waffle maker is very good. It cooks evenly, quickly, and is easy to clean up.To people who experience "uneven cooking", perhaps it is because: you are using too much pan spray, your temperature control is too low (I find 4 to be about the perfect setting), or possibly you need to wait just a little longer to start cooking. The directions tell you to apply pan spray "every time", and to wait until the unit is completely up to temperature before applying the spray. When you apply the pan spray, be sure to just give it a light mist coat - hold the can 10 inches or so away from the unit, point the can right at the middle, and give the spray-nozzle a quick jab - otherwise the waffle, although completely cooked, will be uneven-looking, and will have areas that are very light and don't look done. If your waffle is uneven, immediately try another without spraying the waffle iron.I get away with applying pan spray every two to three waffles, even on my old unit. The non-stick surface is very good.I would say that the single Waring unit that I have is more rugged, and that you need to be just a little more gentle with this unit. I went through two boxes of Kroger's Belgian Waffle mix (also highly-recommended) last Sunday - kept myself ahead of the demand, kept everyone happy, and all but a couple of waffles were completely even (due to heavy-handed pan spray application), all with minimal cleanup afterward.UPDATE:Two years later the waffle iron is still working fine! In addition to my home use, I cook waffles every other weekend for most of the year for an organization, and there are some Sundays that I don't even have to apply pan spray anymore - the waffles just come right out. (I keep the temperature dial just past 1/2 way - at about 1 o'clock if the marker were the hour hand of a clock - and the waffles are crispy, golden brown, and come out with virtually no coaxing.)I have easily made more than 800 waffles so far with this machine, and it gives me no indication that it is going to stop any time soon.