Do the waffle, grill, and sandwich plates all come with the WM2000SD, or do I need to buy extras?
All three plate sets ship in the box: waffle plates, grill plates, and sandwich plates, alongside the WM2000SD base unit itself. You swap one set in at a time rather than running multiple modes simultaneously, and BLACK+DECKER stresses attaching both plates fully before plugging in, to ensure proper heating and safe operation.
Why do the plates melt or the coating get sticky for some buyers?
Buyers are negative on both durability and non-stick for this model, and they specifically report the bottom plates and middle stand melting, along with the non-stick surface turning very sticky over time. BLACK+DECKER warns against aerosol cooking sprays and low-fat spreads in favor of butter or oil, which may be a contributing factor to the sticky coating, but it does not account for the melting reports. It's a recurring complaint, not a rare fluke, so weigh it before buying.
Is 700 watts enough to cook waffles quickly?
It runs at 700 watts on a 120V circuit, and buyers are split on waffle quality rather than clearly positive. One owner who is very happy with the even results would still like a little more power to speed up cooking. It heats quickly, and one family who makes big weekly batches reports their waffles take five to six minutes, though that will vary by batter. Buyers are negative on heat distribution, which may explain the uneven results some describe.
How does the ready light know when to start cooking?
BLACK+DECKER says the ready light signals when the plates are preheated, so you know when to add batter or filling. That preheat signal is separate from how evenly heat spreads across the plate surface, which buyers are negative about for this unit, so 'ready' means the plates are hot, not that every spot on them is equally hot.
What's actually in the box, and how big is the unit on a counter?
The WM2000SD measures 9 inches deep by 9 inches wide by 4 inches tall and weighs 6.2 pounds, with stainless steel accents over the housing. Included components are the waffle, grill, and sandwich plate sets alongside the base unit. At that footprint it's sized for storage between uses rather than a permanent appliance-garage fixture, which fits BLACK+DECKER's pitch at small kitchens and apartments.
Is it good value given the mixed durability reviews?
Buyers are split on value for money rather than clearly positive. Most owners are satisfied, and one family has used it several times a week for more than two years, but the negative feedback on durability and non-stick means a meaningful share of owners feel it doesn't hold up long-term. It is a versatile machine for the money, and following the butter-or-oil advice gives the coating its best chance, but if you want something built to shrug off years of heavy use, look carefully.
