Great gift I never knew I wanted

In the market for a new waffle iron? Whether looking for a new addition to your kitchen or a gift for a friend, the Cuisinart Waffle Maker is a great idea.
We received our waffle iron as a wedding gift in May 2000, but since we don't eat breakfast often it didn't even make it out of the box until a few weeks ago. Had I known how great it would be I would have bought one for myself long before now!
Now, my opinion might be a little overzealous since it is just a waffle iron. When I was growing up my mother made waffles for us on this 20-year-old green 12 x 12 iron that was almost too heavy for us kids to try to move, and regardless of the nonstick spray, everything cooked on it took some serious prying to be removed. So you can understand my excitement about my new treasure.
First off, the design is pretty cool. The silver and black are pretty chic and match just about any kitchen. The 5 temperature settings allow for a variety of tastes. What is really neat, I think, are the red and green indicator lights. The red comes on when plugged in, then the green when the iron is hot. After the batter is poured on and the lid shut, the red light comes on again. When the waffle is done, depending on the setting, the green light comes on. No guesswork here. Also no picking up the lid of the iron to see if it's done, only to rip and tear breakfast into pieces. Because of the truly nonstick surfaces, the waffle is very easily removed with a plastic spatula. Clean up is a snap - just wipe with a soft damp cloth. Another great thing (someone should have thought of this a long time ago) is that it is stored standing vertically on end, so it doesn't take up a lot of precious cabinet space. The power cord is exactly long enough to wrap around the iron, then the plug is inserted into this nifty slot on the side of the iron, keeping everything in place.
The only down-side I can see is that the iron does get hot when cooking. Most of the outside is metal and therefore conducts all that heat from the iron. That could be a problem if you have small children who tend to reach up on the counter. And don't try to put more batter in the iron than the 1/2 cup recommended. I can attest that it will seep out the sides and make a nice waffle soup all over the counter.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this produce both for yourself or as a gift. If you're getting married soon, register for it.