Customer Reviews

Oster 3874 Flip Nonstick Belgian Waffle Maker

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I agree with reviewer Reuben that this is a very good product at a very good price. I was never able to make waffles consistently until I stayed at a motel that had a flip-style wafflemaker at the breakfast buffet. I have been on the lookout for a consumer-grade model and this one suits just fine.

The Oster Flip is sturdy, the non-stick griddles are non-stick and thick, it cooks thoroughly, the operation is straigthforward, and the waffles are thick, light and crisp on the outside. I made a batch of waffle mix using the standard recipe on Hungry Jack Complete Pancake mix, which adds oil and an egg to the "complete" mix, poured it into the Oster, flipped and watched for the Ready light to come back on and Voila! perfect Belgian waffle. It came out whole with no gymnastics (or fork) and it was ready for the next one. Much less stress than making pancakes!

Note: if you are on the market and want to spend more money, two features to look for are an audible alarm when it's time to open (so you can safely wander around the kitchen) and clip-in removable griddles that can go into the dishwasher. Neither interfere with making perfect waffles on the Oster, but would improve the experience further.

At $30 this is as good as any other waffle maker you can find for triple the price or more. It has three temperature levels (low, medium, high). You plug in the device and it automatically turns on (with a red power light to let you know), it takes 2 or so minutes to heat up from a cold start. You then let it heat up until the green light turns on (there is a green light on each side of the device) and then add your waffle mix. Immediately after adding the mix you close the device and flip it over. The green light then goes off and comes back on when your perfect waffle is ready. If need be you can leave it in a few extra seconds to darken up. It takes about 2 minutes to cook.

I have found that the best heat setting is about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up between the medium and high dots. They truly are perfect waffles every time. It is amazing. Just as good as the hotel breakfast bar where I first used a waffle maker. If you like waffles you need this device. I chose this device over the Presto 03510 Flip-side because this one had adjustable heat and didn't require a separate battery to operate the timer. Plus it is made by Oster (I'm sure you have their blenders in your kitchen like I do) and the flip function seemed more durable. You can't go wrong with this waffle maker. You will be very happy with it. One tip is to use tinfoil underneath for an easy clean up and be sure to oil the inside waffle plates before the first use. Other than that the rest is all self explanatory. Stay tuned for durability updates.

We tried a pair of other similarly priced waffle makers out before settling on this particular model. The first brand we tried had poor construction quality -- the lid clip snapped while we unpacked it! The other device we tried made shallow waffles and didn't seem to cook all the way through. We had to let them sit for double the recommended time just to get something edible.

The Oster flip allows us to make Belgian waffles just like the ones we've enjoyed at restaurants. These aren't like the tiny Kellogg waffles you buy at Walmart, these are deep large waffles that you can make a meal of. The flip allows the batter to settle evenly, flowing into the deep grooves to make perfect waffles every time. The construction is solid and the cook time is accurate. As a bonus, you can turn the flip sideways so the waffle maker requires less storage space!

Looked at 6 or 8 waffle makers and bought this one just to try it. It was an affordable flip style, and had better temperature control and monitoring lights than some similar priced, like the Presto. I really preferred the simplicity of the Presto flip mechanism, but wanted more control over the cooking temperature for different batters. Besides, no one had a Presto for the same price locally to try.

Based just on performance this waffle iron would get 5 stars, but the quality is only 3-stars, so I'm giving it a 4 overall. It feels light and has some loose fittings, but it does the job very well. Time will tell if the reliability matches the performance. The 1000 watt element is nice for quick heating and getting the waffle cooked in 3 to 4 minutes. I have not timed it, so it could be faster. Speed was not an issue for the me and the wife.

Based on the construction this is not a unit that can be roughly handled. I think it could be easy to break if you are prone to force things or don't take your time. There is plenty of leverage in the handle to force the flip in the wrong direction and break the plastic fittings. The temperature control knob does feel loose or flimsy, but the control works well for regulating browning and how done the waffle is. The lights are very helpful for guiding the cooking time. Red light indicates unit is plugged in. Green light indicates unit has reached cooking temperature. Normal cooking cycle is to heat unit till green light comes on, open waffle iron, hit the grids with some oil spray if first waffle, lay on the batter, close and flip, green light will go out as iron starts to heat and cook. When the green light comes on again the waffle is done. If not, close and let cook longer, and turn up the heat for the next one. There is a whole wheat recipe in the owner's guide that is very good. I substitute apple sauce for the oil (still don't understand why that works!) but still can cook 2 or 3 waffles with one spritz of oil. Yummy guilt-free food, if you lay off the whipped cream, butter, and chocolate sauce (those were the days). Don't overdo the amount of batter; less is more. So I can't tell you how easy it is to clean up an overflow, and hope I never can.

Also looked at the $80 flip brands and found they were no better at twice the price, and less convenient to store due to their size. Turn the Oster sideways and it slips into the cabinet with no problem.

So it is good so far. If it is still working a year from now will be the real test.

UPDATE 12/8/2009: Still performing very well. Does not get a lot of use, but very consistent and prompt waffle making. The sideways storage option is an unexpected benefit. Really wish I had a second one for large breakfast crowds. The recipes that come with it are great. Would buy again, and might actually do so if I can get the second one for a good discount :).

The lid seemed a little loose when it arrived but we used it and it works just fine. Our first waffles turned out perfectly. We didn't have a non-stick spray to use so we just applied cooking oil with a cloth the best we could and it worked. The appliance does seem a little "cheap" but if we take care of it, it should last a while. I would prefer if the plates were removable to clean, but honestly, there was little to clean anyway.

I just purchased today and used for the first time this evening the Oster Flip Belgian Waffle Maker model 3874. Removing the product from the original packaging was a breeze, and simple instructions in the owners manual and easy to read diagrams made this a very quick and painless process from start to finish.

It took approximately 15 minutes to remove, read directions on first time use, and cleaning the product before first use to get it ready for the first, experimental batch of waffle mix. The materials seem fairly durable, although the flip of the handle can seem a little awkward on the first or second try. You will grow accustomed to how aggresive or gentle you'd need to be with flipping the handle to avoid doing any uncessary damage to that part of the unit.

The cooking process seemed painless, but I would recommend reading the Oster manual about suggestions they offer. It states not to fill past the top of the squares in order to avoid spill over, as the batter will fluff up nicely without overfilling. Temperature information on how to cook the waffles to your liking is also provided. Again, following these simple steps seems to lead to effortless cooking. It will help you determine what texture you want in your waffles, whether you'd like them to turn out crispy versus soft, and temperature choice on the unit will help you achieve that.

Clean up was very easy, as I opened up the unit and exposed both grids to allow the waffle maker to cool down. There were not any remnants of batter left sticking to the grids (the non-stick spray put on just before heating helped with this, I'm sure), and it was a simple as wiping the grids down with a paper towel. It can then be folded sideways for tight storage, and put away in almost any cabinet because of its sideways design.

Overall, I've been intimidated since I received my first Betty Crocker waffle maker back in '97 when I got married, and had not used a waffle maker for YEARS! The clean up and hassle of using that unit kept me away from making these at home for the last twevle years. However, I am very fortunate for taking the time to read the other reviews online here at Amazon and at Target.com (I bought the unit at Target). Both websites had very good reviews from many buyers, and I must agree with most of them as well. For a $29 purchase (on sale), I would certainly buy this again.

I can't say enough about this waffle maker! I too stayed at a hotel that had a similar waffle maker in the breakfast buffet and have since been trying to find a waffle maker that made the same crispy, yet fluffy waffles. I have finally found it! You can't beat the price and the waffles turn out perfect every time. They are a nice size like the typical large ones you get in breakfast bistros and diners across America. I've made batters from scratch and I've used mixes and they turn out the same perfect waffles every time with perfect consistency - no soggy or mushy spots anywhere! Just perfectly crisp and light in texture! I like mine extra crispy and the longest timer setting is perfect for us. It is such a breeze to clean up too. All I do is take a damp soapy paper towel and wipe it down after it's cooled and it's good to go the next time you use it.

I also love that it cooks the waffles quickly. Each one takes about 2 mins to make. I can make waffles for 4-6 people in less than 15 mins with time included for mixing the batter!

The other nice thing is the batter catcher that sits below. I've had many spill overs but oddly enough it never effects the size/shape or consistency of the waffles when they are finished unlike other makers/models I've used and if you get it right away you can just wipe the sides down for easy cleanup. I've even made blueberry, put dried cranberries in mine etc and again they always turn out perfect - sometimes when you add fresh fruit it doesn't cook evenly but not the case with this one! I encourage others out there who are debating whether to buy this waffle maker or another to give THIS one a try you will not be disappointed, and you really can't beat the price for the quality!

I got this waffle maker because I wanted one like in the hotels where they flip. They seem to work so much better than the ones that don't flip. When I used it for the 1st time I didn't have any trouble at all figuring out how it worked. It really does make a perfect waffle every time. You don't have to have a "brown" outside for the inside to be done if you don't want. I know some people mentioned it would be better for it to have removable plates, but really I don't see any need for them. The non-stick surface really works so why remove the plates to clean off what isn't stuck on!

Pros:
-True non-stick thick plates (not just a little layer of pretend non-stick that doesn't even work)
-Black and stainless steel look (very stylish)
-Sturdy heavy material (not cheap feeling)
-Green ready light (no need for timer, it does the trick)
-Flipping action (helps the center cook along with the outside)
-Extremely easy to use (pour, flip, wait on light...no timing it yourself!)
-Quick clean up..REALLY!! (The waffles don't stick, so just wipe down the plates)
-Catch tray (love..love..love this, when done just rinse it off, counter stays clean)
-Adjustable settings that really work and are precise
-Excellent for the price (I consider it a steal!)
-Compact (handle folds down for less storage space)
-Nice big waffles (restaurant style not eggo's style)
-Again...it makes PERFECT WAFFLES

There are probably a ton more pros that I haven't thought of.

Cons:
-It's not free
-Only makes one waffle at a time
-Waffles are so good you might over eat

I am kidding on the cons, but after sitting and trying to come up with some, I really couldn't. Seriously! I guess there has to be something wrong with it, I just can't think of any right now, sorry.

**UPDATE** as of January 2012. **3 year review**
I use the waffle maker only about once a month so I am judging it only on that much use. It has been about 3 years now and it is still in great shape. I have yet to have any problems with it what so ever. The no stick coating is still as good as the day I bought it. The rest of it is still in great shape as well. I have learned to fine tune my cooking with it now and have no issues with the waffles sticking or getting too dark. I really can't say enough good things about it. A wonderful product, would purchase again in a heartbeat!

I purchased this waffle maker from Target and after a few uses the handle broke. It got stuck on the turn around and would not turn either way. When forcing the turn in order to open it to get the buring waffles out, it broke. The company was good and professional enough to send me a replacement. Within a short amount of time the handle broke again. I am looking for a good sturdy waffle iron. I would not buy this product again nor am I interested in getting another for free.

I received this for Christmas and have used it almost every morning since. My family LOVES the waffles and it is just a nice variation of just pancakes each day. I have not had an issues and as long as you lightly spray it with a little PAM the first time you use it each morning, you won't have any sticking problems. One thing about this waffle maker that is better than others at its same price is that it has a "light to dark" feature so you can control how dark your waffle gets cooked and it has a "ready" light to let you know when your waffle is done. It's something I would definitely recommend to others.

Update - I have had this waffle maker for two months now and use it every Saturday and Sunday - making multiple waffles each of those days for my family of four. Still going strong and Love Love Love it!

**Sidenote - One of the reviewers on this site said they had a problem with some of the plastic pieces breaking in the back. I think this would only happen if they are putting too much batter in the waffle maker. When you flip it over, it locks and if there is way too much batter in there, it will expand and try to "seep out" but since it's locked, there is no where for the batter to quickly come out. Yes, there is a tiny crack the entire way around where the two plates meet but if there is way too much batter, it can't get out quickly enough and it expands and basically "explodes" breaking the back pieces in the process.