BLACK+DECKER WM1404SX Flip review

The BLACK+DECKER WM1404SX is a single-round Belgian flip maker whose two green lights do different jobs. One signals cooking temperature; another, on the flip side, signals that the waffle is ready to check. That is more informative than a single power lamp, but it is still a visual cue, not a timer, audible alert or hands-off stop.

Follow the two-light sequence, not just the first green lamp

The exact US product page links instructions for the WM1404S, and those instructions name separate power, temperature-ready and waffle-ready indicators. The red power lamp stays lit while the appliance is plugged in. The green temperature light beside it means the plates have reached cooking temperature, then cycles as the heater operates; the booklet explicitly warns that it does not mean the waffle is finished. A second green waffle-ready light sits on the opposite, flip side. It is this separate cue—not the preheat light—that the manual associates with the end of a cook.

That distinction is useful if a household member tends to open a waffle maker as soon as any “ready” light comes on. It does not make cooking automatic. The manufacturer does not specify a countdown display, audible finish signal or automatic shutoff when the waffle-ready lamp illuminates, so plan to stay nearby and watch the appliance.

A short, manual turn is part of the cooking routine

WM1404SX makes one round Belgian-style waffle per fill. Its divider lines may portion that waffle, but they are not separate cooking wells. The instructions suggest about three-quarters of a cup of batter, poured into the center of the lower plate; less or more may be appropriate for a different batter, but overfilling risks batter running over the edge. Close the lid with the cool-touch handle without forcing it shut.

After about ten seconds of cooking, the booklet tells you to turn the handle clockwise until the chamber is upside down. This step is central to the rotate-and-cook design, not an optional stand-storage position. It adds a hand movement while the appliance is hot and requires room to swing. Allow for that motion, escaping steam and a safe place to set the handle before you choose it for a crowded counter or for someone who finds turning a hot appliance awkward.

The manual gives about three to four minutes as an approximate cook, using the reduction in steam and the separate waffle-ready light as cues. Ingredient mix, amount and starting temperature can change the time, so do not treat the estimate as a measured guarantee. Opening too early can split a waffle or make it difficult to remove. If you prefer a crisper result, the manual says to cook it a little longer. You can adjust that by observation, but the unit does not display elapsed time or let you set an exact minute count.

Single round waffle, fixed grids, removable tray

The cooking plates are nonstick and remain attached. The drip tray is the removable part; its presence should not be mistaken for detachable waffle plates or dishwasher-safe cooking surfaces. When cool and unplugged, brush crumbs from the grid, then follow the booklet’s damp-cloth cleaning instructions. It cautions against immersing the appliance, putting it in a dishwasher, running water directly onto the grids, or using abrasive pads. This is a wipe-and-brush routine rather than a full plate-removal wash.

Before first use, the manufacturer says to condition the plates with a light coating of cooking oil and wipe away excess; it specifically discourages aerosol cooking spray because buildup may reduce the nonstick surface’s effectiveness. For storage, the cool-touch handle folds inward. That can reduce the handle’s projection, but neither the manual nor the current product page establishes that this model may be stored upright, so do not assume a vertical cabinet slot is suitable.

Counter fit and honest limits

The current manufacturer listing describes a 120-volt, 1,000-watt appliance weighing 6.3 pounds and lists dimensions of 14.3 inches long, 8.08 inches wide and 9.2 inches high. Those figures help estimate a starting footprint, but the page does not identify them as a full turn-clearance envelope. Measure the usable counter around the unit and preserve extra room for the flip, steam and opening the lid. The manufacturer advertises a cool-touch handle and a handle lock; neither makes the heated metal body safe to touch.

Choose this exact model if one round waffle at a time, an active flip and distinct visual preheat/waffle-ready cues suit the way you cook. It is less appropriate when you need multiple separate waffles per fill, an audible alert, a numerical timer, removable plates or verified upright storage. The current product page still identifies the WM1404SX but marks it sold out, so availability should be checked rather than assumed; it is not a reason to substitute a similarly named model.

Alternatives solve different constraints

The BLACK+DECKER WMD200BX Double Flip makes two separate waffles per fill, but uses its own indicator routine; do not transfer the WM1404SX’s second ready-light behavior to it. The Presto 03518 is a better direction if a numerical countdown and audible signals matter. For easier plate washing, consider the Hamilton Beach 26030MN, whose cooking grids remove for washing. Each trade changes the routine, not just the color or styling.