The OK American Waffle Irons are units that we sorted from regular inventory due to variations that fall outside our #1 stock requirements. They still cook Great! And still come with our lifetime warranty. The base may be our original or our updated base. Base style is luck of the draw since these are pre-packed and ready for shipment. If you specifically need the new style base, please order a Great American waffle iron. These are perfect for a family wanting a second waffle iron, or perhaps a small restaurant. A specific notch has been added to the end of the handle extension of the paddles to indicate that these are “OK’ units. Common variations include but are not limited to slightly misshapen stars or other artwork, dings, bumps, and other minor imperfections. These are a great way to save some money and add to your waffle production capability if you cook for crowds.