A:AnswerThey are an extra on the cuisinart griddles. Be sure to get them when you get a griddle as they change things. I have an older model and planned on getting the plates when my waffle maker fried out and they were no longer available.
A:AnswerThe top plate is not fixed in place. The top plate is on a hinge. So when you close the top plate on various foods, that are of a different thickness, the hinge on the top plate will move to accommodate various thickness differences.
You can always go on YouTube and watch a video of it in action.
A:AnswerI found the waffle plates on Amazon and bought them for $35 Gvode Waffle Plates for Cuisinart Griddler GR-4N, GR-5B, GR-6 and GRID-8N Series, But Not for Old Model GR-4/GRID-8, Not for:GR-300WS,GR150 Deluxe