We were making waffles first use... Hinge pins broke (both at same time and in same place) leaving us with a hot waffle maker that would not close. The hinge assembly is weak and poorly designed.. Prone to breakage. Note, we did not drop, over extend nor stress the hinge in any way... It broke while opening the waffle maker when in use... I suspect a cold shot area on the hinge pins or stress cracking of the plastic due to heating???... Whatever the case hinge pins are a big problem here. do not buy. it is unsafe....