Black & Decker WM1404S Review
It’s a fair bet that just about every home in North America has at least one Black & Decker product laying around. The seminal tools maker has been in operation since 1910, building everything from lawnmowers to blenders. The Black & Decker WM1404S is one of their many fine kitchen gadgets, and is a great buy for any breakfast connoisseur.
The twisting handle is an innovation and makes flipping much easier and safer than turning the entire unit over. The waffle pan twists on the base without having to lift the unit up off the counter, reducing the likelihood of spills.
As a flip waffle maker, the WM1404S is meant to be literally flipped over during the cooking cycle. Flipping allows the waffle to evenly cook on both sides, as gravity brings the batter down on one heating element, and then the other.
Black & Decker WM1404S Features
- Rotate and Cook system allows for easy flipping by twisting the handle
- Produces waffles at least 1” thick
- Folding handle for easy storage
- Non-stick pans
- LED indicator turns green when waffles are ready
This waffle maker is a little more expensive than other waffle making options, but produces a nicely thick waffle, well-cooked with crispy edges and a fluffy interior. The non-stick coating is quite good, though not perfect. Using a little oil or butter is advised, but avoid cooking sprays as they will damage the coating.
The non-stick coating also makes cleaning a breeze as long as the maker was not overfilled with batter. A little warm water and soap will wipe away leftover batter from the heating pans, but it can be difficult to clean the unit if batter has spilled over the sides.
Flipping the waffle cooker partway through cooking is a foreign concept to many, but it is a tried and true technique that has been improved upon by the WM1404S. The evenly cooked waffles this waffle maker yields are only possible with the flip, and they really do taste better when they are crunchy on both sides.
The twisting handle is an innovation and makes flipping much easier and safer than turning the entire unit over. The waffle pan twists on the base without having to lift the unit up off the counter, reducing the likelihood of spills.
Cooking takes about five minutes, and the LED indicator on the WM1404S turns green when breakfast is ready. Many owners report that even if they leave the maker on for another few minutes, the waffles still come out quite well and do not burn easily. Some have left the waffle maker running for as long as ten minutes past the “done” indication with no problems.
On the down side, the innovative twisting action of the handle comes at the cost of durability. Care is advised when opening, closing, or flipping the unit, as the handle may break off. This may also happen when the handle is folded in for storage.
This unit also does not feature a heat adjustment, though this is fairly common with waffle makers in this price range.
Black & Decker does provide a two year manufacturer warranty, which should protect the modest investment in this waffle maker.
Other than possible issues with the handle, the WM1404S is an excellent flip waffle maker at an excellent price. Flipping the waffle maker is fun, and so is eating the superior waffles that result. This is a great buy for anyone looking to add something special to their breakfast routine.