Who doesn't love the wonderfully tasty pizzelle cookies? These treats originated from Italy and have taken a firm foot hold in the hearts of anyone who has tasted them all across the globe.
But, if you're reading this article the chances are you're looking at making some of your own.
The good thing is they are a simple yet impressive treat to make.
So, cutting to the chase, if you're going to make pizzelle you need a pizzelle iron.
It is the iron which makes these pizzelle delicately thin and produces the embossed snowflake and grid pattern on either side of the cookie.
Trying to make pizzelle in a frying pan or waffle iron just won't work.
So what tips can I offer you when you're hunting for your pizzelle maker? Fortunately I'm quite a savvy shopper anyway, and having done a considerable amount of research before purchasing my first iron I'm in an ideal position to help.
Let's first talk about the big player in pizzelle iron world which is Palmers.
They are known for producing some of the best, high quality and durable makers on the market.
Nearly all of there irons are solid cast aluminium construction which will obviously withstand years of use and get a 'seasoned' feel to them over time.
This really helps prevent the pizzelle from sticking to the baking plates and because there's NOT a non-stick coating this means the inside won't peel or degrade.
If you've ever owned anything that's non-stick you'll know exactly what I mean.
After some use the non-stick coating begins to flake off and chip.
Palmers are more expensive than some of the other brands but if think you'll be using your iron a reasonable amount I'd recommend spending the extra $20-$30 or so and get something you won't need to replace in a few years.
After the above you'll probably be dissuaded from buying a cheaper model, but the point I'm trying to make is that you need to buy for YOUR requirements.
So, if you think you'll only have your pizzelle maker out a few times a year then a cheaper model will suit you just as well.
Some of the more popular (and cheaper) brands include Chef's Choice, Conair and Cuisinart.
These are ideal if you're not planning any heavy use.
So, what do you look for when you're buying? This is so simple and you've got to love the internet for this - reviews! Forget the manufacturer hype and rubbish and just see what those who have actually bought the thing are saying.
Here's a tip for you: competitors sometimes leave negative reviews for each others products but these are so simple to spot.
They're often vague, non-descript and just give really informing (not!) comments like 'It didn't work, what a waste of money not like my Cuisinart pizzelle iron which was great'.
The real people who review will talk about what the packing was like, how they go on the first time they used it, what their mom thinks and so on! You'll get a real level of detail that you just don't get with fake reviews.
Once you know you're onto a winner with some good, real reviews take a look at the features that work for you.
So, if you want some help cooking your pizzelle iron make sure you get one which has an indicator light or beep which will tell you when the pizzelle are cooked.
If you want to make sure you can have your pizzelle cooked to the right level of browness for you make sure you get one which has a variable temperature control.
Think about YOUR needs and make sure you're pizzelle maker fits those.
I could go on, but I think you're getting the idea.
If you follow the hints above you'll get the right pizzelle iron for your needs.