Chef'sChoice 4-square WafflePro Belgian WafflePro Waffle Iron  Product Reviews

"I used a recipe out of the back of the instruction book and only the first waffle came out too crispy. So, I used the temperature dial and turned the heat down. The next waffle came out perfect. Now, I leave the settings where they are and all the waffles I cook come out soft in the middle with the perfect crunch on the outside. The 2-minute cook time is FAST. I don't try to store hot food in warming drawers or ovens; personally I prefer to eat my food freshly cooked. No matter how it's cooked or stored, if you store hot food the quality is going down quickly. The instruction booklet says to use 1 cup of batter, I found that to be too little so I use a bit more and have no problems. Overflow is not an issue since there is a handy ridge that collects it. As soon as the batter dries in there it flakes right off. Also there is not really a chance of getting batter on the controls. Although it is not submersible, this wafflemaker is still easy to clean. After your last batch of waffles, leave it on and put in several tablespoons of water. Close the lid, let it run for a single 2-minute cycle, and unplug the thing. When it cools if there is anything left it will wipe off easily with a paper towel. This thing cooks big waffles. I cook 3 waffles and it is more than my family of 4 can eat. Personally I eat 1 full waffle to myself, everyone else seems to like just a couple of the 1/4 sections. PROS - Cooks waffles well, with a wide variety of settings for individual taste - Easy to clean - Good instructions - Cooks large waffles - Cooks them FAST; I wouldn't want it much faster than 2 minutes. - Power cord stores underneath, wrapped up CONS - Costs a lot - Power cord is a little short - Not submersible in water for cleaning"

"After using a Villa Ware 4-square for the past seven years (since I opened my B&B) in conjunction with an ancient Vitantonio 2-square (when I have a "full house" and need several waffles fresh and ready at the same time), the old Villa Ware finally bit the dust. Note: The "ancient" Vitantonio is still going strong!! Obviously, waffle makers in my kitchen get a LOT of action, so I set out to find the "perfect" one. I did all my research -- I read all the reviews; I consulted Consumer Reports; I talked with fellow B&B owners. I decided on the Chef's Choice with the $180 price tag -- not the MOST expensive waffler, but close. (I think the Kitchen Aid Pro takes the honors in that department.) I have been trying it out for the past week and have yet to be satisfied with the results. The "thin" part of the waffle (not the "ridge," in other words) is totally flat -- like tortilla-flat -- and, therefore, becomes extremely crunchy. I have a warming drawer to hold my breakfast items until my guests arrive at the table, and these waffles become downright hard. I don't know about you, but I want my waffles to have a crispy (not rock-hard) exterior and a soft (mmm-good) interior -- which is the way the description of this waffle iron reads. Not so, thank you. I've tried a number of my guests' favorite recipes (Maple Pecan Waffles, Honey-Yogurt Waffles, Yeast Waffles, plain waffles, etc.)and they've all turned out the same -- crispy critters! If this waffler had cost $80 instead of $180, I might be tempted to just continue experimenting with it and try to get used to the texture. However, that's not the case. And, even in my semi-professional kitchen/world, that's a lot of money to spend on a waffle iron that doesn't make me happy! There are also issues with the amount of batter to use, run-over and batter not reaching the outer corners of the grids. The only way I'm giving this item two stars is that it IS fast and it IS totally non-stick. With all these things considered, I'm going back to the Villa Ware (I just wish Vitantonio was still in business!!) -- or I MIGHT try the Cuisinart; I'll let you know!!"