I had bought my first waffle iron, and loved it.  But it made snowflake shaped waffles, and it was impossible to clean.  So I started the hunt for a reliable waffle maker with removable, dishwasher safe plates.  This one fit the bill.  I've made waffles with it 3 weekends so far, and absolutely love it!  It takes about 10 minutes to heat up, but once it's hot, the waffles themselves take 5 minutes to come out golden brown!  And the plates are incredibly easy to pop in and out, and come out of the dishwasher totally clean.  It beeps to tell you when it's warm enough to cook your waffles, and beeps when your waffles are done, based on the level of brownness you select.  And then, to finish up, it stores vertically, so that it takes way less cupboard space!  Really, quite perfect.