Black & Decker Belgian Waffle Maker

Why I reached for this waffle maker

My weekend breakfast routine is simple: coffee, a sturdy mixing bowl, and a waffle iron that won’t dominate my counter or my morning. This compact Belgian-style waffle maker fits that bill. It’s a no-frills appliance—one round, 7.25-inch waffle at a time—wrapped in a stainless finish with a cool-touch handle and a single ready light. I used it over several weeks for classic buttermilk, yeasted overnight batter, and a thicker pumpkin-spice mix to see how it handled different styles. It’s not a powerhouse, but with a little technique it can deliver reliably good waffles without fuss, then tuck away vertically with its cord wrapped neatly out of sight.

Setup, size, and first impressions

Out of the box, the footprint is friendly to small kitchens. At roughly 13 by 10 inches and just under 5 inches tall, it’s easy to stash. Standing it upright on its base is stable and genuinely handy for tight cabinets. The cool-touch handle stays comfortable to grab, and the plates are extra-deep, which helps with thicker batters and reduces overflow if you get overenthusiastic with your pour.

You won’t find removable plates or a browning dial here—just nonstick grids and a single indicator light that flips on when preheat is done. The hinge design allows the lid to float a bit as batter rises, but it’s not designed for pressing down like a panini press. In fact, don’t. More on that in the durability section.

Heat-up and consistency

Power is rated at 650 watts, which is modest for a Belgian-style machine. In practice, that means:

• Preheat takes about 5–6 minutes to truly stabilize, even if the light clicks on a bit sooner.
• A typical waffle cooks in 3.5–5 minutes depending on batter hydration and sugar content.
• You’ll get less aggressive searing than a 1000–1400W unit, so edge crispness takes a touch more patience.

On my first few runs, the center browned before the outer ring, especially with thicker batter. After some experimentation, I got much more even results by making three small changes:

1) Extend the preheat. Let it run 2–3 minutes past the ready light on the first waffle, and 30–60 seconds between consecutive waffles.

2) Distribute the batter. Pour in a spiral from the outside toward the center, then nudge with a silicone spatula to get it right up to the edge of the grid.

3) Don’t lift early. Wait until steam has nearly stopped and give it another 20–30 seconds if you want crisper edges.

With those tweaks, edge pallor disappeared and I consistently hit an even, golden brown. Light, lean batters (buttermilk with a touch of oil) finished closer to four minutes; denser, sugary mixes (pumpkin spice) took five-plus minutes and benefited from that extended preheat.

Waffle quality

This machine produces a Belgian-style waffle that’s moderately thick with deep pockets—ideal for catching butter and syrup. Texture skews toward tender on the inside with a crisp shell if you let it ride long enough. Because the unit doesn’t flip, you won’t get quite the same uniformity or blistered surface that higher-watt, rotating irons can produce, but the results are still satisfying. The extra-deep plates help the waffle rise well and avoid compressing the crumb.

A few batter notes from testing:

• Yeasted overnight batter: Beautiful lift, even color, slightly longer cook time. Excellent texture.
  
• Classic buttermilk: Best balance of crisp and tender around 4–4.5 minutes after a long preheat.
  
• Thick pumpkin batter: Spread the batter to the edges and add 30–45 seconds past the steam stop to get the edges crisp.

If you’re chasing ultra-crisp restaurant-style waffles every time, you’ll work a bit harder here due to the lower wattage. If you’re fine with a classic, golden waffle with good pockets and you’re willing to preheat thoroughly, the quality is absolutely there.

Controls, ease of use, and cleaning

The simplicity is both a strength and a limitation. There’s no doneness dial or audible alert—only a ready/preheat light—so timer discipline matters. I used my phone timer set to four minutes and adjusted by sight and steam. The cool-touch handle is reliable; I never felt heat creep into it, even after several consecutive waffles.

Cleanup is straightforward. The nonstick plates release easily if you give the grids a light seasoning before first use and every few runs afterward. I avoid aerosol sprays (they tend to gum up over time) and instead brush on a teaspoon of neutral oil for the first waffle of the day. After cooking, I unplug, let it cool slightly, and wipe with a damp cloth or soft brush. Because the plates aren’t removable, you’re limited to wipe-down cleaning, but the deep grids and nonstick finish make it manageable. Drips are rare if you keep batter to about 1/2–2/3 cup; go beyond that and you’ll find the seams.

Durability and build

At 4.3 pounds, the body feels light but not flimsy. The stainless finish is mostly cosmetic over a plastic shell. My concern lands squarely on the hinge area. The caps and pins feel lightweight, and the lid exhibits a bit of lateral play when open. I didn’t abuse it, and it held up fine during my test period, but it’s not a hinge that invites any force. If you’re tempted to press the lid down to “sear” a sandwich or compact a thick batter, resist; this design isn’t built for that. I would treat the hinge with care: open and close gently, don’t torque the lid sideways, and allow the waffle to finish rising instead of pushing.

On the safety front, the exterior gets warm, but the handle and front face remain comfortable. The cord wrap is thoughtful and makes vertical storage tidy.

What it’s missing

• No adjustable browning control
  
• No audible alert (light only)
  
• Fixed plates (no dishwasher cleanup)
  
• Lower wattage than many Belgian irons
  
• Non-rotating design

These trade-offs are consistent with its compact, budget-friendly positioning. If you want faster recovery between waffles, an ultra-crisp finish without technique, or the convenience of removable plates, you’ll be happier jumping up a class.

Tips for better waffles with this unit

• Preheat longer than the light suggests, especially for the first waffle.
  
• Portion 1/2–2/3 cup batter; spread to the edges before closing.
  
• Watch the steam: when it slows dramatically, give it 20–30 seconds for extra crispness.
  
• Rest between batches 30–60 seconds to recover heat.
  
• Lightly oil the plates occasionally; avoid aerosol sprays.
  
• Cool waffles on a rack to preserve crispness, or hold in a 200°F oven while you finish the batch.

The bottom line

This is a simple, compact waffle maker that rewards patience and a little technique. It won’t bulldoze its way to a shattering crust like a high-watt flip iron, but it does produce evenly browned, nicely pocketed Belgian waffles once you dial in the preheat and pour. The nonstick is effective, the handle stays cool, and the vertical storage makes it easy to live with in a small kitchen.

My only real hesitation is the hinge. It’s serviceable if you treat it gently, but it doesn’t inspire confidence for rough handling or multi-purpose use. If your plan is to make waffles once or twice a week and store the unit between uses, you’ll likely be satisfied. If you want to press sandwiches, rush batches, or cook for a crowd every weekend, you’ll be happier with a heavier, higher-watt model.

Recommendation: I recommend this waffle maker for small households and occasional waffle nights that prioritize compact storage, straightforward operation, and easy cleanup over speed and heavy-duty build. It’s capable of producing very good waffles with a bit of attention to preheating and portioning. If you need fast recovery, a crisper edge with no fuss, or a more robust hinge for rough-and-tumble use, step up to a higher-powered, flip-style machine with adjustable browning and sturdier hardware.