If you’ve recently been looking for a pizzelle maker to replace an old one, you’ve probably seen far fewer original ones available with polished aluminum grids. Most of the irons now have nonstick-coated grids.

The irons are coated with this coating to ensure that the pizzelle doesn’t stick to the grids and that cleanup is easy afterwards. While there are still some models available with both nonstick and uncoated options available for people who don’t like nonstick coatings, most makers these days are coated.

Some people prefer to not use nonstick cookware. For several years, there has been much controversy surrounding cookware manufacturers’ claims that there is no link to potential toxins released from nonstick cookware, affecting users’ health later in life. Although manufacturers insist that normal daily use of the cookware is not toxic, the possibility that it could be hazardous makes some consumers uneasy.

Not only that, but some people just don’t like using the nonstick cookware. They don’t like that the coating chips, that you have to be careful storing it so it doesn’t chip, and that you cannot use metal utensils on it. Yet others remember when their mothers and grandmothers made pizzelle using the makers with polished aluminum grids, and maintain a sense of nostalgia.

Many people have no problem when they use nonstick pizzelle makers. Some people also think that the pizzelle will surely stick to the maker if it’s uncoated, or not even realize that there are other options available to buy. Luckily, both are really just myths. Before you heat the plates, rub them with a paper towel with a bit of cooking oil so they are coated well. Then, don’t make any of the cookies until your iron is heated up to the right cooking temperature. For owners of nonstick pizzelle makers who experience these same problems, it will help them as well.

Regardless of your reasons, if you would rather not buy a pizzelle maker that has nonstick coated grids, then you can still find a few models without the coating on them. There are some brands known for making pizzelle makers for a long time, like Palmer and CucinaPro. If you can’t find a new one without the coating, or if you do not like the look of the ones you do find, then you can sometimes find old but still functioning pizzelle makers available at flea markets, yard sales, or secondhand stores. A lot of times, you can find a great quality maker at a really good price this way.

Want to know more about pizzelle? Learn more, find a recipe, and see pizzelle maker reviews at these links.