When then iron is hot, add a teaspoon or so of water, close the iron without batter in it and let it steam for 30 sec - 1 min or so. ( not scientific). If the water is not sizzling and steaming, your iron is not hot enough. Then spray with a non-stick/oil spray and put in your batter. Less is better where batter is concerned. Cook until steam stops puffing out of the sides (or greatly reduces). I use wooden chopsticks to pop the waffle out of the iron. (Metal utensils will damage the non-stick surface).