After years of using electric, teflon coated waffle makers that broke (see my review for Waring Pro WMK300 Belgian Waffle Maker, Brushed Stainless), I purchased this waffle maker to try. I absolutely love it! After the initial seasoning period, it has performed on a weekly basis without a hitch. It is simple, compact, durable and just gets better with time.

To address the previous poster's comments about the short handles, I use a thermal glove on my left (non dominant) hand while I do the batter pouring and spreading as well as lifting the waffles out using a fork with my right hand. I have never burned myself and find the ritual of making waffles to be fun and relaxing (even with 3 kids asking for the first waffle!)

Since it can take a long time to have a beautifully seasoned piece of cast iron cookware (think grandmas's skillet), I do add a little bit of oil to the plates for the first waffle each time I use this maker. With each use, it gets better. Also, I opted not to buy a wooden handled version since I couldn't use one with wood handles over a campfire and felt like the ones with wooden handles that I had seen were not as solid as this waffle maker.

I highly recommend this waffle maker.

As you can see from the photograph, this cast iron waffler has very short handles.

Every time I tried to make a waffle on the stove, I was dealing with the very good possibility of burning fingers, hands, or arms flipping the thing to cook the other side of the waffle.

Today I use both parts of this cast iron waffler as a display on the pegboard storage wall in my kitchen.

If you are serious about using a cast iron waffler, purchase a Nordicware Belgian Waffler, or, the updated version of this product with longer handles.