A friend of mine has a very old one made to fit in the hole of a wood stove. The hinge is ball shaped when it is closed so you can just flip it over in the hole. For even heating I assume.
I used to make my batter from scratch and different every time. I'm old and lazy now. I buy toaster waffles.
I have 2 irons like your friend. They also work well on a gas or electric stove (not the flat top).
I, also, sometimes buy the toaster waffles but the difference in taste is like night and day.