In one of the reviews I read B&D reply was "...Our goal is to provide products of only the highest quality...". This waffle maker missed the mark in so many ways. I had this same waffle maker made by GE (before B&D took over) for at least 35 yrs. The heating element has started to fail.  Thinking the B&D would be the same and the GE I bought it.  What a mistake. There is nothing about the B&D that equals the GE. The waffle maker is made with lighter/thinner material, the plates are lighter and don't fit well and the heating element doesn't cook as well. The waffles are darker on one side that the other. They come out pale and wimpy unlike from the GE that make them golden brown and crispy. Where's the quality?? You need to go back to the GE way of building or do away with this waffle maker, which would be a shame because this is one of the few waffle makers that isn't a belgian waffle maker. Don't buy this waffle maker until they rebuild it.