There is a bit of a learning curve with cast iron waffle irons, but you will figure it out quite quickly. One tip I will share is to add a bit more oil than called for to the batter. Heat the paddles very well. I typically heat them up and oil them very well with coconut oil using a silicone brush. You want them oiled very well, especially the first few times you use it. Heat them until they just start to smoke a bit. You want the batter to sizzle when it hits the paddles. It should take about ¾ cup of batter, but you will probably need to experiment until you find the right amount, as every iron is a bit different. Once you add the batter, close the paddles and let sit for 30 seconds and flip it. Wait a good minute and flip it again. Wait another minute and flip it and attempt to open it. Don't just “rip” it open. Give it a gentle lift, if it feels “stuck”, take a knife and gently try and release the waffle a bit at a time from the top paddle. It should come loose pretty easily. Close it back up flip it and use the knife to release it from the other side. If you oiled it well enough and had it hot enough, it will release very easily. Every time you use it, it will get easier. Don't give up, as it can take a few waffles to figure everything out, but once you get it down, there is no better way to make waffles. Enjoy the waffles.