Black & Decker Belgian-style rotary waffle maker

I’ve been testing the Black+Decker rotary waffle maker for weekend breakfasts and the occasional midweek “brinner,” and it’s a compact, approachable machine with a few quirks that matter depending on how you cook. At its best, it turns out thick, classic Belgian-style waffles with deep pockets and a crisp top. At its worst, it can struggle at the edges and shows some weaknesses in its hinge design. With a little technique, though, it can be a reliable everyday waffle partner.

Design and build

This is a single-waffle, 180° rotating unit rated at 800 W. The footprint is modest (roughly 26.8 x 14.2 x 36.5 cm), and it weighs just over 2 kg, so it doesn’t dominate a counter and stores vertically without fuss. The body is predominantly plastic with cool-touch handles, and there’s a slide-out drip tray to catch overflow. The plates are non-stick and divided into four quadrants, with deeper-than-average grids for generous syrup pools.

Controls are simple: a temperature dial, a power light, and a ready/preheat light. There’s no audible alert or timer. The rotating mechanism is smooth, and the handle stays comfortable to touch throughout cooking.

A note on the hinge: the pivot caps and overall hinge assembly are plastic. They keep the price and weight down, but they don’t inspire the confidence of a metal-hinged unit. I’ll come back to this in durability.

Setup and usability

Out of the box, I did a quick “season” on the plates with a thin film of neutral oil (don’t use aerosol cooking spray—it can build up and degrade non-stick over time). The ready light illuminates fairly quickly, but I found a true, even preheat takes longer than the light suggests. For most batters, letting the machine heat for 6–8 minutes and allowing the ready light to cycle at least twice before the first pour improved my results dramatically.

Because it’s a rotary design, you fill, close, and immediately flip 180°. The rotation redistributes batter for even thickness and ultimately better browning. The handle is large enough to grip confidently, and the balance during the flip is good; there’s no wrist strain.

One practical note: this is a single-waffle unit. With a 3–4 minute cook time per waffle (more on that below), you’ll be working in batches for a family. That’s normal at this price and size, just plan for it.

Cooking performance

Once fully preheated, the machine builds heat consistently for its 800 W rating, but it’s not as forceful as higher-wattage models. Here’s what I observed across a few batters:

• Classic buttermilk (medium thickness): At a medium-high setting, the waffle hit a uniform golden in about 3 minutes, 45 seconds. The centers browned reliably. On my first few runs, I saw paler edges, especially with lighter fills. Extending preheat and slightly increasing the batter volume solved most of it.
• Yeasted overnight batter (looser): Needed closer to 4 minutes, 30 seconds for acceptable browning. A final 30–45 seconds at max temperature crisped the exterior without drying the interior.
• Pumpkin spice (darker batter): The plate delivered even color in roughly 4 minutes at medium-high.

A few technique adjustments made the biggest difference:
- Preheat thoroughly. Ignore the first ready light; wait for it to cycle twice.
- Fill adequately. About 1/2 to 2/3 cup batter (depending on viscosity) gave me edge-to-edge coverage without chronic overflow.
- Flip back midway. I got more even browning by flipping immediately after closing and then flipping back at around the 90-second mark.
- Finish hot. If you like crispier edges, bump the dial to high for the last 30–60 seconds.
- Watch the steam. There’s no chime, but steam tapering off is a reliable cue that the exterior is set.

With those tweaks, I could produce crisp, well-browned waffles consistently. If you underfill or rush preheating, edges can stay blond and soft.

Non-stick and overflow

The non-stick plates release cleanly when lightly oiled at the start of a session. I didn’t need to re-oil for subsequent waffles, and nothing glued itself to the grids—even with stickier batters. Overflow happens if you overdo the pour (those grids really are deep), but the drip tray catches the worst of it. Because the plates aren’t removable, accuracy on fill helps minimize cleanup later.

Cleaning and maintenance

Cleanup is straightforward if you do it while the iron is still warm (unplugged). I wipe the plates with a damp microfiber cloth and run a soft pastry brush through the pockets. The drip tray slides out and rinses clean under the tap. Avoid scouring pads or harsh detergents that can damage the coating.

The exterior plastic cleans up with a mild dish soap solution. I recommend storing it vertically only after everything is fully dry to keep moisture from lingering along the hinge and drip tray channels.

Durability and safety

Functionally, the unit feels stable during use, and the handles stay cool. The main durability concern is the hinge assembly. After several weekends of use, mine shows mild play at the pivot caps—nothing catastrophic, but enough to notice. This seems to be where corners were cut to hit the size and cost targets. A few practical precautions reduced stress on the assembly:

• Don’t press down on the lid. Let gravity do the closing and the rotation handle do the flipping.
• Avoid prying at stuck batter. If something resists, give it another 15–20 seconds rather than forcing the lid.
• Don’t overfill repeatedly; wiping baked-on overflow off the hinge area is where many users end up tugging on the top.

It’s worth noting the two-year warranty, which is longer than some budget competitors. If you’re gentle with the mechanism, you may never need it, but it’s good insurance.

Speed and capacity

At 800 W, cook times are respectable but not blistering. My average was 3.5–4 minutes per waffle at medium-high heat. For a household that wants to serve four waffles at once, you’ll either stagger meals or consider a double-capacity maker. If you’re cooking one or two at a time, the pace is perfectly fine.

Everyday usability

A few quality-of-life observations:
- Indicator lights are basic. There’s no doneness indicator, just power and heat, so you’ll use time and steam cues.
- The rotating action is smooth and comfortable, and the cool-touch handles live up to the name.
- Vertical storage is stable, and the footprint is small enough to tuck into a cupboard.
- No cord wrap, but the cord is short enough to coil cleanly.

Who this suits

• Apartment cooks and small kitchens: Compact, light, and easy to stash upright.
• Occasional waffle makers: Simple control scheme, low-maintenance non-stick, and predictable results after a brief learning curve.
• Budget-conscious buyers: It’s an approachable entry into Belgian-style waffles without paying for high-end bells and whistles.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Heavy weekend brunchers: If you regularly cook for a crowd, a double-plate or higher-wattage model will save you time.
- Durability hawks: If you want a tank-like build with metal hinges and removable plates, this plastic-hinge design may frustrate you long-term.

Tips for best results

• Preheat longer than the first ready light. Wait for at least two cycles.
• Use 1/2–2/3 cup batter and rotate immediately, then flip back halfway.
• Brush a thin layer of oil for the first waffle of the session—no sprays.
• Finish the last 30–60 seconds at higher heat for a crisper shell.
• Let the waffle rest on a rack for a minute; steam off equals crisp edges.
• Clean while warm and be gentle around the hinge.

The bottom line

I like the Black+Decker rotary waffle maker for what it is: a compact, affordable, single-waffle appliance that can produce thick, evenly browned waffles with minimal friction once you understand its pacing. The non-stick plates are effective, the rotating mechanism is user-friendly, and the drip tray does its job. The two areas where it shows its budget roots are heat headroom (800 W means longer preheat and cook times) and hinge robustness (plastic caps that benefit from a gentle hand).

Recommendation: I recommend it with caveats. If you’re an occasional waffle maker who wants a small, easy-to-store machine and you’re willing to preheat thoroughly and treat the hinge gently, it’s a solid value that delivers tasty results. If you cook for a crowd, demand faster throughput, or want rock-solid, metal-heavy construction, consider stepping up to a higher-wattage model with a more robust hinge and, ideally, removable plates.