I bought this waffle maker and the hinges broke on the first attempt to make waffles. I wrote Black and Decker and they sent me replacement plastic hinges which broke upon first use. I fashions my own hinges from 1/2 inch dowel rods which worked well then I find that it doesn't cook evenly, that is, one half cooked while the other half barely cooked and even after five minutes of cooking still not done. This is a terrible product and I wish I never purchased it.