Cook's Essentials Grill Panini Maker and Waffle Maker Combo

Its working great, heats fast and seems to last. I've been using it a lot for paninis aa well for waffles. It's a bit loose on the hinges. But it hadn't fallen apart. For the prize its great!

I bought this nearly a year ago, made waffles with I again yesterday that were such a huge hit I decided to check to see if I'd ever gotten around to writing a review. I have 4 sons, ages 15-23, let me tell you, I have made a lot of waffles in my day! I've also been through a few waffle makers and his is a keeper! Of all the waffle makers we've had over the years this one is by far the best and it's not jus because the plates can be removed for cleaning, I've had others that the plates could be removed.1. Look more closely at the pics of the plates, each batch you make provides 4 decent sized waffles. When I make waffles here's always at least one boy that's STARVING and wants to sneak one before we sit down together to eat. Making 4 at a time is beyond awesome, starving boy can snag an early bite and I've still got 3 on the serving platter. Yesterday I made 16 waffles in he time it would have taken me to make 4 with my previous machines. Plus, if you're just cooking for one it's no problem to just batter one square.2. The plates are so easy to remove for cleaning and completely cover the cooking elements, protecting them from batter and spray oil. I have not once in nearly a year had to try to clean the heating elements, no problems with food or oil getting where it doesn belong.3. My waffle maker is a panini maker! And a good one! Try this: Place your panini bread in he maker for a couple of minutes, remove, assemble your sandwich and then return to the panini maker. Heaven! It toasts the bread on all sides and just makes each bike so incredibly good, prevents any kind of sogginess, keeps your sandwich crisp and fresh. Such a small step, so essential!4. Heats fast, doesn't seem to slow down if you're making a bunch of waffles or sandwiches. When we make panini's we usually make a bunch, is like a sandwich bar. I buy a pound each of several deli meats, plus all the grilled veggie and cheese options. The last is just as crisp, toasty and fresh as the first. The waffles jus keep coming out perfect.There is only one minor issue that I have noticed and it really hasn't been a problem for me. There isn't any kind of temperature adjuster. It's on or off, you can't turn it up for crispier waffles, just cook them longer. Basically, I determine how many minutes for the perfect waffle and make each batch for that many minutes. Done.Any questions? Let me know...

Let me start by saying that I normally don't buy something that has no reviews, but I thought what the heck...maybe if I'm the first, they'll be sure to send me a really good one so I would leave a glowing review....nope.Ok, I like the look, I like the size...hard to find a removable plate waffle iron with more than 2 waffles. The plates were super easy to remove and replace. The cool thing was you could open it flat and use as a surface grill on both sides. It indicated that it was ready in about 3 minutes...not bad. Really cool design concept and layout...very user friendly....this is where the praise ends. This is why 2 stars.The plates are VERY thin. I can only imagine that this is why the cooking was so completely uneven and unable to produce browness on any of the 4 grilled cheese sandwiches I was making. I had them going for 6 minutes. I had to remove them because all the cheese had melted out of the bread and burned in the plate...yet the bread had not browned.I waited for it to cool, cleaned it up, packed it up and I'm sending it back.Oh, by the way...the smell when I opened the box was enough to bring tears to the eyes. Thought it was the coating on the plates...but didn't go away even after washing. Turns out it was the unit itself. The smell only got worse when I turned it on.I'm bummed...I really DID want to like it....

Purchased for the waffle-making capabilities-- I was hunting for a waffle maker that made waffles similar to the size of the frozen ones in stores that can be popped into toaster for a quick breakfast so I could make healthier versions for my kids. The size of the waffles and the fact that it makes 4 at a crack is fantastic. Negatives: the poor design means that any overflow of batter runs INSIDE the machine and can't be cleaned out without completely dismantling with a screwdriver! Moisture collects inside machine so be prepared for water to run out when you tilt for storage. *For anyone purchasing, I use an 'ice cream scooper' that is 2.01 oz and it is the perfect amount of batter.

We too rec'd the wrong item at first, but the seller went out of his way to make that right with us, and we rec'd the correct item shortly thereafter. Yes, the plates are lightweight, but that is actually one of the things I like best about about it. They are easy to remove, clean and store. Not sure how it will hold up to extended use, but we like it well enough that I just bought one for our camper and one as a gift for our son.

It's ok I guess..I grilled very thin pork chops but the didn't brown..to me it doesn't get hot enough to grill. Hope it's better with panini sandwiches and waffles..the removable plates I love cleanup is a breeze.. I'm giving it 3 out of 5 stars..will update after making waffles

Would have given it a 5 but the unit really needs a grease tray or catcher of some sort like most other brands.