Do I need to wait until the waffle maker has completely cooled down before cleaning it?

Yes, you need to wait until the waffle maker has completely cooled down before cleaning.
Firstly, during the heating process of making waffles, the internal temperature of the waffle maker will be very high. If cleaned immediately, high temperatures may burn the skin and damage certain components of the waffle maker, especially those with anti stick coatings.
Secondly, when the waffle maker cools down, residues such as oil and batter become easier to clean. You can use a dry tissue or damp cloth to wipe off the crumbs and absorb any excess oil droplets on the grid board. For stubborn baked batter, you can add a few drops of cooking oil to the batter, let it soften for a few minutes, and then dry it with a damp cloth or tissue.
Therefore, it is recommended to wait for the waffle maker to completely cool down before cleaning. After cooking, you can unplug the plug and let the waffle maker cool naturally. Once the surface and interior of the waffle maker have cooled to room temperature, cleaning can begin.