Best Pizzelle Maker
Ever had pizzelle and wonder… wow, I wish I could have these at home whenever I wanted. Well, you and me both. Turns out, having fresh pizzelle at home is not difficult at all. You just need the proper recipe, a bit of practice and of course, the best pizzelle maker possible.
It’s really hard to choose which iron has the makings of a good pizzelle maker and it’s important to get the best because being specialty cookware, it’s not worth the purchase if it doesn’t deliver perfect results. So I did some research, which took a fair bit of time if I’m being honest. I managed to find 10 absolute beauties:
The Best Pizzelle Makers You Can Buy
PRODUCT |
NO. OF PIZZELLE |
BEST FOR |
HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES |
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2 | Best Overall |
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2 | Best Value |
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2 | Best for Cannoli |
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4 | Best for Mini Pizzelle |
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1. Cuisinart WM-PZ10
Highlighted Features
- Sturdy design
- Non-stick
- Dual light indicators
- Strong lock
- Easy to store
Design: The Cuisinart Pizzelle Press has a shiny silver exterior with black plastic that makes for a built that’s not only modern, it’s also sturdy. The interior is entirely non-stick so your pizzelle won’t break when you lift them. It has two indicator lights, the ‘power’ and the ‘ready’ light that lets you know when the appliance is hot enough for you to get cooking and when your cookies are ready. It has a strong lock that keeps the plates pressed together for even pizzelle. The appliance doesn’t have a long handle.
Cooking: The Cuisinart pizzelle maker yields 2 pizzelle at a time. The pizzelle are 4 inches in diameter and are a great in-between size, as most pizzelle makers either make 5-inch cookies or 3-inch cookies. The plates have an even heat distribution and no hot spots which means that your pizzelle won’t come out unevenly browned. You won’t have to hide your cookies with toppings. The pizzelle take around 30-35 seconds to cook. The appliance comes with a control dial that lets you decide if you want light, dark, crispy or soft pizzelle. A really handy feature!
Cleaning & Maintenance: The plates of the pizzelle maker don’t remove so you can’t wash them in the dishwasher. However, the appliance is really easy to clean, with it only requiring a wipe-down of the plates to clean them. It stores in an upright position and lacks a long handle to boot, which makes it really easy to store.
Pros
- Non-stick
- Control dial
- Dual light indicators
- Makes 2 at a time
- Easy to clean
- Easy to store
Cons
- 4-inch pizzelle might be too small for ice cream cones
2. VillaWare V3600-NS Nonstick
Highlighted Features
- Non-stick
- Makes 2
- Steam guard
- Easy to clean
- Easy to store
Design: The VillaWare Pizzelle Baker has non-stick plates, so you won’t have any trouble getting your cookies off of them. The exterior is a shiny chrome that will brighten up any space. There is a short handle that makes it easier to close the plates. The plastic of the handle will also keep you from burning your hands. A built-in steam guard protects your hands from any accidental blistering. The appliance boasts an automatic thermostat and also has a light indicator that lets you know when it is ready to be used. There is also a cord wrap.
Cooking: This pizzelle maker makes 2 pizzelle at a time, like many other models. Each one is 5 inches in diameter which is about as big as a pizzella can get. Each batch takes around 30 seconds to cook to perfection, so you can make about 4 pizzelle in a minute. The heat is evenly distributed, resulting in gorgeous, evenly browned cookies that do not require any toppings to hide spots. There are also shallow overflow channels that will catch a bit of extra batter if you were to accidentally put in some. Don’t over-do it though.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The non-stick interior of the VillaWare is easy enough to clean, requiring you to just wipe it down properly and thoroughly after each use. Don’t use any sharp tools or metal implements on the plates or you might scratch the xylan non-stick coating. The appliance is designed to be stored upright, so you can save some space in your kitchen.
Pros
- Non-stick
- Makes 2
- Steam guard
- Easy to store
Cons
- Shallow overflow channels
3. Chef’sChoice 834 Pro
Highlighted Features
- Non-stick
- Indicator light
- Makes 2 at a time
- Even heat distribution
Design: The PizellePro by Chef’s Choice has non-stick baking plates so your cookies will come off perfectly. The exterior is a shiny silver which will provide a spot of brightness in your kitchen. The lock, however, is a bit of an issue. It’s made of plastic and therefore may wear away sooner than the rest of the appliance. Be sure to not press too hard on it as it may snap off in your hand. The indicator lights let you know when the pizzelle are done. There’s no temperature control, so it’s a bit trial-and-error.
Cooking: The PizellePro takes about 30 seconds to cook your pizzelle to perfection, although you might need some practice before you figure out the exact time required for your recipe. It cooks two pizzelle at a time, of almost 5 inches (4 ¾, to be exact). The even heat distribution makes your cookies a uniform color, enhancing their beauty. The plates press really tightly so the cookies will always be ultra-thin; you cannot make thick cookies. The overflow channel will catch a bit of the batter but not much, so don’t pour a lot because you’ll end up trimming every cookie.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The non-stick interior of the pizzelle maker ensures that nothing remains on the plates after you’re done. Even so, a light brushing of oil on the plates will definitely make it easier to remove the cookies and the extra batter from them, thereby making clean-up easier. All you have to do is wipe the plates down thoroughly. It can be stored easily since it doesn’t have a long handle.
Pros
- Non-stick
- Thin cookies every time
- 2 pizzelle at a time
- Easy to clean
- Easy to store
Cons
- Lock is plastic, may break
4. CucinaPro Non-Stick
Highlighted Features
- Non-stick
- Makes 4 minis
- Indicator light
- Heats quickly
Design: The CucinaPro Mini pizzelle maker has a shiny silver exterior of stainless steel, so the construction is quite durable. The interior is black non-stick, so your pizzelle will always spring away from the hot plates easily. There is an indicator light as well which will help you know when the appliance has heated up and is ready for use. The long handle is provided with a metallic clip that functions as a lock to hold the plates down securely. The appliance heats up quickly and you don’t have to wait long before you get to the cooking part.
Cooking: As the name says, this pizzelle maker makes 4 small-sized pizzelle at a time. Each one is about 3.25 inches in diameter, the perfect size for a snack. The plates don’t press together very well, however, so the cookies can sometimes turn out a bit thicker than you would like, but the high heat of the plates cooks them well. The heat distribution of the plates is a bit uneven which makes the pizzelle have patches all over them. It doesn’t affect the taste, but you’ll have to add some toppings to make them pretty, like powdered sugar.
Cleaning & Maintenance : Since the interior is non-stick so cleaning the appliance is not an issue. If you season it before every use, nothing will stick to the plates and all you’ll have to do is wipe them down well. Take care not to use any sharp or metallic instruments, as the non-stick coating might chip off. You can store it easily in an upright position.
Pros
- Non-stick
- Makes 4 mini cookies
- Indicator light
- Steam guard
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Uneven heat
- Might make thick cookies
5. Chef’sChoice 8350000 Pro
Highlighted Features
- Mirror-chrome exterior
- Makes 3 at a time
- Color-control dial
- Dual indicators
Design
The Chef’s Choice PizzellePro has a non-stick surface so a light brushing of oil is all you need to get your pizzelle out of the plates comfortably. The appliance also has ‘heating-up’ and ‘ready’ lights. A refreshing feature as many pizzelle makers only have one light indicator. The PizzellePro has a plastic lock, so you might want to be a bit careful as you go about your business, you don’t want it to snap in your hands. The appliance doesn’t have a long handle but has a mirror-chrome exterior that will look beautiful in your kitchen.
Cooking
The PizzellePro makes 3 pizzelle at a time which is a great balance between the ones that make either 2 or 4. The pizzelle only take about 45 to 60 seconds to cook, and you are provided with a control dial to decide which level of brown-ness you want for your pizzelle. There are also overflow channels in the plates so if you put in a little extra batter it won’t seep out and make a mess. The even heating of the plates provides you with evenly-browned pizzelle, no matter which degree you choose, so your cookies turn out pretty.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The non-stick plates are pretty easy to clean. since nothing sticks anyway, and you just have to wipe them down carefully. Be careful not to use sharp implements of metallic utensils on the plates as the non-stick coating might scrape off. You can store it in an upright position, so it stores quite compactly.
Pros
- Non-stick
- Makes 3 pizzelle
- Mirror-chrome exterior
- Dual indicator lights
- Dial for choosing color
- Easy storage
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Plastic lock – can break
6. CucinaPro Polished
Highlighted Features
- Polished interior
- Makes 2
- Steam guard
- Easy to clean
Design: This pizzelle maker does not have a non-stick coating. Rather, it has a polished interior that gives a very traditional look and feel. If you season the polished plates properly before pouring in the batter, there won’t be any problems with sticking. A steam-guard protects your hands while you bake. The long handle gives a good, comfortable grip and the metallic lock holds the plates securely together so your pizzelle are pressed evenly. There is an indicator light as well that lets you know when the appliance is ready for your batter, and when the cookies are done the machine turns off automatically.
Cooking: This polished pizzelle maker makes two pizzelle at a time only, but the size of the pizzelle more than makes up for it. Each pizzelle is 5 inches in diameter, the perfect size for rolling into ice cream cones. The large size is perfect for a hearty snack as well. The machine has overflow channels on the plates as well, so a bit of extra batter won’t seep out when you press it shut. In 25-30 seconds, the appliance provides you with two, large, beautiful cookies to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The appliance’s lack of a non-stick coating means it is even easier to clean than non-stick models. If you season it properly, nothing will stick. But even if it does, you can use a brush to clean away the mess without worrying about harming the plates. You can even use metal utensils with this one. The long handle can be a bit problematic when it comes to storage.
Pros
- Polished surface
- Makes large pizzelle
- Steam guard
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Handle might cause storage issues
7. Palmer 1000T Non-Stick + Electric
Highlighted Features
- Non-stick
- Makes 2
- Even heating
- Made in the USA
Design: The Palmer 1000T is a solid, sturdy appliance with a completely non-stick interior that will facilitate you as you remove your cookies from the plates. There aren’t any indicator lights, however, so there has to be a bit of a trial-and-error run before you land on the perfect timing for your iron to heat up and then for the cookies to cook perfectly. The pizzelle maker features a long handle, which makes it easier to close the plates without blistering your hands from the ensuing steam. There is a metallic clip on the handle that serves as a sturdy lock.
Cooking: The good old made-in-USA appliance makes 2 thin pizzelle at a time. Every batch requires 30-35 seconds to yield the 2, perfectly-cooked cookies. The pizzelle measure 5 inches across, which is the ideal size for rolling into ice cream cones. The chrome and cast-aluminum construction provides even heating and no hot spots so your cookies come out beautifully browned, with no unsightly patches on them that might need to be covered up. The appliance has overflow channels as well which will catch any extra batter and prevent a mess on the counter-top.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The appliance is non-stick so it’s easy enough to clean. Just give it a thorough wipe-down and you’re good to go. If anything sticks, clean the surface with a soapy cloth, wipe it with a clean cloth and air-dry. This pizzelle maker is not designed to be stored in an upright position so you have to store it flat. As such, the long handle might be a bit of a problem.
Pros
- Non-stick
- Makes 2
- Strong lock
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Difficult storage
- No indicator lights
8. CucinaPro Non-Stick + Electric
Highlighted Features
- Non-stick and polished models
- Steam guard
- Even heat distribution
- Extra-thick baking plates
- Easy to clean
Design: The CucinaPro pizzelle maker has a silver exterior that will look really pretty in your kitchen. It has a long handle that provides a comfortable grip as you press the pizzelle maker down on your cookies. It also has a steam guard, so you don’t have to worry about blistering your hands as your raw batter sizzles to golden-brown perfection. It has a single indicator light that, when the appliance is ready, audibly goes from yellow to green. The lock is a metallic clip that holds the two parts firmly together to ensure the flatness of the pizzelle.
Cooking: The plates are non-stick so the pizzelle don’t break when you pry them off. The model also comes in a polished interior, as opposed to a non-stick one, if you want to take a more traditional approach. The appliance makes 2 pizzelle of 5 inches at a time. The plates are provided with shallow grooves that serve as overflow channels so any extra material doesn’t drip out. Each batch takes around 30 seconds to become perfectly brown. Even distribution means your beautiful pizzelle aren’t marred by any ‘hot spots’ and are of an even tone.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The appliance has a non-stick interior so the batter or dough won’t stick to the surface. That means that all you have to do to clean it is just wipe it down when it cools down a bit. In the case of the polished model, if you season it as instructed before use, nothing will stick to the surface and you can clean it easily. Even if it does, you don’t have to worry about a non-stick coating coming off with a less-than-gentle brushing. You can store the appliance quite easily, as the handle is long but not that long.
Pros
- Non-stick and polished models
- Steam guard
- Even heat distribution
- Snow-flake pattern
- Makes 2 at a time
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Long handle might cause storage issues
9. Palmer Classic
Highlighted Features
- Classic, polished look
- Makes 2, 5-inch pizzelle
- Easy to clean
- Made in the USA
Design: The classic model of this pizzelle maker by Palmer is made of cast-aluminum. It’s quite similar to the Palmer 1000T but this one is without a non-stick coating. This model offers you a more traditional experience as you go about making pizzelle. There aren’t any light indicators so, like the 1000T, you’ll have to experiment a few times before you land on your ideal time for the plates heating up and perfect crispness of your cookies. The long handle features a metallic lock that swings down over the bottom handle for a secure fit. The exterior is a shiny silver.
Cooking: The Palmer Classic makes 2 perfectly thin cookies at a time. The pizzelle are 5 inches across and are a good size for lots of recipes. Every batch takes about 30-35 seconds to cook to perfection, although you might want to experiment a bit. All recipes behave differently and this maker doesn’t have any indicators or control dials to help you. The plates provide even heating which ensures your pizzelle come out evenly browned, with no spotting on them. The plates also feature overflow channels so the extra batter is caught in them before it drips out of the plates.
Cleaning & Maintenance: This pizzelle maker is super easy to clean as the plates are polished, not non-stick. If anything sticks on it you can simply clean it away with a brush or something similar without worrying about damaging the non-stick coating. The appliance cannot be stored upright, so the long handle might cause storage problems.
Pros
- Polished
- Classic look
- Makes 2
- Sturdy lock
- Easy to clean
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Long handle-storage issues
- No light indicators
10. Palmer 3 Round
Highlighted Features
- Classic look
- Cast-aluminum
- Metallic lock
- Overflow channels
- Made in the USA
Design: This Palmer pizzelle maker has a classic construction that will give you all the traditional feels when you use it. It has cast-aluminum plates that are polished to perfection and, with a little seasoning, your pizzelle will spring free very easily with no breakage. There aren’t any indicator lights or control dials so you’ll have to experiment a bit with some batches to figure out exactly what time your recipe requires for a perfect finish. The long handles have a metallic lock that keeps the plates pressed firmly together for cookies that are thin and even.
Cooking: This Palmer pizzelle maker has the unique feature of making 3 pizzelle at the same time. Most makers make 2 pizzelle, some make 4, but not many make 3. Each of the 3 pizzelle is 3 inches in diameter and can be used as a snack by themselves or rolled into cannolis. Each batch takes about 30 seconds to cook, so you get 4 cookies in approximately a minute The plates have an even heat distribution so your cookies are perfectly browned. The plates are equipped with deep overflow channels that will catch extra batter and prevent a mess from happening.
Cleaning & Maintenance: The polished cast-aluminium plates are easy to clean. You can wipe them down with a cloth or you can even brush away anything that gets stuck to the plates, just in case. Since there’s no non-stick coating, you are free to use whatever utensils you want. The pizzelle maker cannot be stored upright, so the long handle can be a bit of a problem when it comes to storage space.
Pros
- Classic look
- Cast-aluminum
- Makes 3
- Overflow channels
- Easy to clean
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Long handle-difficult storage
Things To Look For Before Buying!
To find a great pizzelle maker you need to keep some things in mind, as you most probably don’t want to end up with something that you only use once or twice and then it gathers dust in a corner of your kitchen.
In a pizzelle maker, you should look for:
- Number of pizzelle
- Size of pizzelle
- Heat controls
- Locking mechanism
- Overflow channel
Buying Guide
Should You Be Careful When Buying A Pizzelle Maker?
A pizzelle maker is a specialty appliance. You won’t be using it a lot, and you won’t be using it to make anything else besides pizzelle. Therefore, you need to be absolutely sure that you’re getting the best one for you because you don’t want to have to replace it any time soon.
What Is A Pizzelle Maker?
A pizzelle maker is a tool used to make delicious, thin Italian cookies. There’s either thin batter or soft dough that is pressed between two hot metal plates to cook the pizzelle. The maker can be manual – heated over a stove-top – or electric. A good pizzelle maker for anyone will be an electric one as it’s rather difficult to cook each pizzella individually and manage to cook all of them to the same degree.
What Are The Components Of A Pizzelle Maker?
A pizzelle maker generally has baking plates that heat evenly, handles, a lock to keep the plates pressed firmly together so the pizzelle turn out even and a power cord. Some models have light indicators and control dials, others don’t. In every case, you have to run a little trial-and-error to figure out what timing works best for your recipe.
What Material Are Pizzelle Makers Usually Made Of?
The baking plates are usually non-stick and covered with Teflon, a PTFE, or xylan, a fluoropolymer. Some models have a more traditional built and are polished and quite non-stick, but do not have any coating on them. You have to take extra care with non-stick coatings because you don’t want them to be damaged or end up in your food because that is quite harmful to health. So you can’t use sharp implements on them. The traditional models are better in this sense as they don’t require much care in terms of what utensils are being used on them. Ultimately, though, it depends on what kind of a maker you want to choose according to your personal preference.
How To Choose A Pizzelle Maker?
When it comes to choosing a pizzelle maker for yourself you need to keep a few things in mind. Do you want a non-stick one or a polished one? How many pizzelle would you want in one go? Is storage an issue for you? For example, if you are someone who has a problem with non-stick coatings, you should probably choose a polished model.
If you intend on making a lot of pizzelle then you should probably get a model that makes 3 or 4 pizzelle at a time. A downside to this is that the pizzelle will be smaller than what you normally see. If you want 5-inch pizzelle, you’ll have to go with the models that make 2 at a time.
Some makers have very long handles, or cannot be stored in an upright position. If storage is an issue for you, you’ll probably want a model that can be stored upright.
How To Use A Pizzelle Maker?
A pizzelle maker is one of the easiest appliances to use. All you have to do is plug the unit in and wait for it to heat up. If it has indicator lights, this will be very easy. Otherwise, you’ll have to test a bit to see if the plates have heated up enough. Then, depending on your recipe, you put a ball of dough or a bit of batter onto the pizzelle maker and press the plates close. Half a minute later you have gorgeous Italian cookies!
How To Clean And Maintain A Pizzelle Maker?
It’s quite easy to clean pizzelle makers because the recipes call for so much grease that the cookies don’t stick to the grid. Non-stick ones are easy to clean because of their coating, and polished ones are easy to clean because you can use a soft brush or something similar to clean if anything gets stuck.
Once you have found a good pizzelle maker, you should also take care of it. Always wipe it down carefully when you are done using it. If it has a non-stick coating, don’t use sharp tools on it. Store it carefully; if it’s not meant for upright storage, don’t do it.
What Safety Measures Can You Take Around A Pizzelle Maker?
Using your pizzelle maker is easy enough and quite safe. However, you should watch out for steam. Once you press your pizzelle batter/dough between the hot plates they will sizzle. When you open the plates, steam will escape. Be sure to be careful while you open the lock. Take care to never touch the cooking surface while in use as it will likely burn you quite badly.
Conclusion
This is it! I’ve discussed my 10 picks in minute detail and I sure hope it helps you out. For me, the Cuisinart pizzelle maker is the best one, but anyone of the ten discussed above can be your best one!
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