Cuisinart's Griddler also has waffle plates and can be used as a regular flat griddle.

We received one as a wedding gift over 8yrs ago and while it wasn't used much in the first 5yrs of our marriage, definitely began to get more use once we had a child and that child turned into a lover of anythign drowned in syrup! But, I do wish we didn't have a belgian waffle maker and would prefer the old school traditional one. Those are hard to find.

It's justified if a) you have the space and b) you live with someone who loves being treated to waffles occasionally.

And that space doesn't have to be in the kitchen - I can't be the only person with a portion of a closet set aside for small appliances (toys!) that don't get used often.

My parents just upgraded their 3rd gen Foreman grill for the latest model with the removable plates and waffle option. They love it! And I can attest that the waffles come out really nicely!

http://www.amazon.com/VillaWare-V2002-UNO-Belgian-Waffler/dp/B0007SXISG/ which are not available any more.

Round waffles are the best waffles, due to more even cooking. My hero, Alton Brown, had a really good episode ('The Waffler!') about this.

If only I could find a UNO-V2002

I use mine as a panini press! Delish!

I love waffles, and I have one from Target that cost something like $25--totally worth it. I'd recommend a Belgian-style one. I think they make the best waffles.

We got a very small waffle maker. http://www.cuisinart.com/products/waffle_makers/wmr-ca.html

It's a classic and takes up about 1/5 of the large flipping types and works just as good! It's only $29 and makes the best waffles. It's light, compact and the cords wrappes for easy storing. It's smaller than a box of cereal.

Uh yeah! I have this one (but an older model), and it's fantastic: http://www.amazon.com/Chefs-Choice-830-WafflePro-Waffle/dp/B00004RKG0
Also, waffle makes can double as pannini presses, I make a lot of different kinds of panninis in mine, and they turn out great!

Three words: Will. It. Waffle.

http://www.waffleizer.com/

I have an enormous crank-turn waffle maker and I love it. We use it every weekend to justify its space in our kitchen.

Waffles freeze really well. Sometimes I'll make a big batch on the weekend and freeze the leftovers. Then when I need a quick breakfast I'll throw a couple in the toaster oven and cut up some fruit to put on top while it's heating.

If you really like waffles, a waffle maker is worth having. If you don't, it's not.

(I happen to really like waffles -- with apples and pecans or blueberries and walnuts. Mmmm!)

Also, waffles are easier to cook than pancakes.

Our waffle iron's plates reverse to smooth plates. I use it at least one a week for grilled cheese sandwiches. Put them and they are grilled on both sides at once!

i think i read it on this site that you can use waffle makers to make cookies.

Dual use, now there is my excuse to get one.

I left my waffle maker to an ex-boyfriend when we broke up - because even tho it was mine he always made the waffles. But oh - what amazing waffles that boy made. And he made them every Sunday (or on a Saturday if we were not going to the market) morning. We also sometimes had waffles for dinner.
I really want one now but haven't bought one yet. I also never got that recipe for the amazing waffles.

Anyway I think it's important to think realistically about how often you'll make waffles. Also I will vouch for the waffle mixes. We used to use one on lazy mornings that you added veg. oil too. WAffles do not have to be a huge task, it's perfectly reasonable I think if you like them to make them at least once a month. Plus, who says they have to breakfast food? And, if you are a clean-as-you-go type the cleaning of our waffle maker was not that horrendous.

We got one as a housewarming gift once. We used it once, maybe twice, and now it's in the back of a cupboard collecting dust. I think it's a cheaper one, and when the waffles start rising, it starts opening.. but it's just a clam-shell opening so one end stays squished and gets overcooked and the other balloons and stays white.. ugh.

I own a waffle maker, but mine is no unitasker. I use it to make French Toast, and Garlic Bread, oh, and let's not forget waffles.

I love my waffle maker, a basic cheapie one. I tend to use it a lot in the summer, when it's so hot that even using the stovetop to make pancakes is unpleasant (I have a very powerful gas range). Hmm, now that I think of it maybe I should buy one of those electric griddles for summertime pancakes too...

I have a basic Belgian-style waffle maker and love it. My partner spotted it in a shop and insisted in buying it. I love to host brunches where waffles are a staple but also vamp up a humble weekend breakfast with homemade waffles. Some jam, some fruit, agave syrup or yogurt: yum! Fresh Coffee, newspaper and foamy milk, year that's sunday!

http://www.waffleizer.com/
30 reasons to get one!
Awesome blog.

My husband and I purchased our waffle iron at a local thrift store named "Savers". It's a cool old thing that looks like it came out of the 70's...pea green with yellow flowers on it. The plates reverse to make grilled cheese or other toasted sandwiches. We only paid $10 for it, and we always see others in the thrift stores for around the same price. It's great for making quesadillas, fried eggs for one or two people, panninis, and even just buttering some bread and toasting it before rubbing it down with a piece of garlic. You may not eat waffles as much as you'd like to justify the gadget, but I'm positive you'll find other uses for it that will outweight the clutter downside. Also...they are small...so they store anywhere.

We just bought a nice round metal version yesterday. They freeze so nicely, that we decided it was worth it to keep one on hand, and freeze what the two of us don't eat.

Bought a used Cuisinart at the thrift store for $5.00... use it every weekend and some times during the week too, if I have batter left over from the weekend!!! I love me some waffles!!!

I have a super cheap Proctor Silex "Morning Baker" model Belgian waffle maker that stands on its side for easy storage. I LOVE it. It was a gift, but it goes for about $25-30 and makes awesomely crispy waffles. It smells a little like an iron when it's on, but I've never tasted anything weird with the waffles. I highly recommend it. Haven't had crispier waffles from a fancier way more expensive waffle maker, so why spend all that money? I don't make waffles more than once a month or so, and I don't feel bad about it with such a cheap and easy to store maker. BUY IT!

We got one as a wedding present, and while it doesn't get used regularly, it is one of the two wedding presents my husband cherishes more than any other, so we keep it for exactly that reason!

I received one from an lady in her 80's. She had it for eons and I have to say I have had in my kitchen for almost 20 years. They are not made that heavy duty anymore.

I think it is sad that people eat waffles out a box when it is so easy with two tools. A waffle iron and a blender to whomp up the batter.

I have one with removable teflon-surfaced plates for grilled sandwiches, general grilling and waffle making. I have it now for nearly 2 years and constantly using it for all its purposes. The waffles come out wonderfully and a favourite treat for my breakfasts guests and lover. :)

I love ours. I have 3 kids who love waffles and I refuse to let them eat the crap from a store. They are so easy to make, freeze well (I add a piece of wax paper in between to keep from sticking. and they toast right up (I believe even better the first day)

I'm with those who endorse the http://www.waffleizer.com/ blog...it takes the unitasker and uses it to make everything from burgers to desserts. Personally, I've had great success with rapid making of cornbread, polenta and 90 second cookies (make and freeze cookie dough, then press in the waffle iron until done- your cooking time may vary)

I have a wonderful old one with cast iron plates that I got for $2 at a garage sale. The plates are waffley on one side and flat on the other, so we use it for panninis. I love waffles and we probably have them once a week, so it's an obvious need in this house.

I just bought a waffle maker thanks to a surplus if Bed, Bath & beyond gift cards. It's become one of my favorite pieces.

The boyfriend loves being treated to Belgian waffles every sunday. We've even had waffles for dinner some nights.

Totally worthwhile purchase for us.

We have not 1 but 2 waffle irons. A newish belgian style that makes thick crispy waffles to perfection, and my grandma's electric griddle from the 60s.

Grandma's waffle iron makes great thin waffles and the removable cast iron plates can be flipped over to make the best pannini/grilled cheese press on the planet. We use our iron(s) nearly weekly - a must have kitchen gadget for us.

Corn bread is awesome made in a waffle maker.

I don't know why people consider these to be uni-taskers. As far as I'm concerned a good waffle maker works just as well a Foreman grill, and will even give you hatched grill marks. A non-belgium-style waffle maker works great as a panini press, with its closer ridges.

I have a stove-top Belgian waffle maker that I can't get the hang of. Boo. Also, I don't like Belgian-style waffles. I miss the little squares.

I use a George Foreman Grill with the removable plates, a multitasker for me.

I have used mine with muffin batter. Works perfectly for me in the summer when I might not want to start the oven up.