<p>After spending way too much time trying to clean mine, I’m looking for something better. Mine is a little rectangle that closes but the mix gushes out the back and gets stuck everywhere. I think the flip handle makers are cool but they are pretty big. Are they easy to clean? Does anyone have one that they like?</p>
<p>I have one. Received it as a Mother’s Day gift years ago - my kids and H knew how much I would enjoy making waffles for them…but that’s another thread 
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<p>It is heavy and big but very easy to wipe down and clean. Not much of a mess. The key being using the correct amount of better. </p>
<p>Try a toothbrush</p>
<p>I have a $20 round one from amazon that I have never had the slightest problem cleaning, and now we have a more expensive flip one that is just as easy. The flip one is nice because it comes with a drip tray you can just run under the faucet, but if you put in the correct amount of batter there should be no spillage… I’ve never had a problem with spillage in my $20 one, the new flip one I am still learning how to use so it’s a bit messy-- my round one is thinner round waffles and my flip one is belgian so I am working on getting the batter amount right! The manual tells you to put, I think, about a quarter cup too much. Clean up is easy for both though, you just wipe with a damp cloth while they’re still warm before the batter has a chance to bake on or anything. I’ve never had an issue, this is one of the easiest, cleanest appliances we have. I would try less batter! </p>
<p>For my belgian maker, I am realizing I need less batter than it looks like. The manual advises pouring into the center of the iron and then quickly smoothing to the edges with a heat proof spatula, which makes a little bit of batter go a lot further. I made a perfect waffle using a quarter cup less batter than they said, when I used their full amount about a quarter cup sprayed out into the drip tray.</p>
<p>The secret is spraying oil before every waffle, no fruit additions the way you would with pancakes, and don’t overfill. You could also try a less runny waffle recipe.</p>
<p>Yep, spray it well before and during use with cooking spray. Don’t overfill- this is critical!!! Should not spout out. </p>
<p>I don’t have to do much with mine besides wipe it with a paper towel or use a knife or fork to get out a few random pieces.</p>
<p>If you have a bunch of baked-on stuff on the inside, if you can heat it up and cook it some more, then let it cool, it’s often easier to clean it off. If the mess is on the outside, though, it probably wouldn’t get hot enough.</p>
<p>I clean the outside with a sponge; if it’s really a mess you can use a cleaner like 409 and then make sure it’s really rinsed well so the cleaner doesn’t impact the taste of future batches. </p>
<p>I disagree - don’t use spray on oil - ever. It builds up and is impossible to remove. The instructions on a new waffle iron even say not to use it. If you prime your waffle iron properly it won’t stick. I have flip one and it’s great. I did use spray on oil for awhile before I realized how bad it was and I had to clean it all off and reprime the iron. I think I used a washcloth and dishsoap. I haven’t had to clean it (on the inside) since and the waffles don’t stick either. Just wipe off the outside with a damp sponge before putting it away. If you use a batter measuring thing it doesn’t spill over too much. If your waffles start sticking, reprime the iron (heat it up, brush on some vegetable oil).</p>
<p>I use a q-tip to get in the nooks and crannies. And I agree, no oil on my non-stick iron.</p>
<p>This one was overfilled and oozed out the back which has lots of nooks and crannies and openings where the cord comes out and vents so it was a mess. I’m going to look at some different designs. I always love the Belgian makers at the hotels. I think having the maker parts farther away from the cord would be good.</p>