Customer Reviews

VillaWare V3600-NS Prego Nonstick Pizzelle Baker

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

UPDATE 5/16/2011

It's been almost 5 years since I've purchased this pizzelle iron, and I'm happy to say that it's still functioning just as well as the first day I got it. We actually use this machine a lot more since we have kids now - these little wafer cookies are still a breeze to make...best part is that it's so fast that the kids don't have time to start whining "are they done yet?" Quick tip - use a mini cookie scoop to scoop out the batter. It's just the right amount to use, and you won't have to fiddle with two spoons when dropping the dough onto the griddle. The Norpro 25mm cookie scoop (a little over a teaspoon) is just the right size, so you don't have to worry about batter squeezing out through the sides.
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I love this pizzelle iron - it's fast, clean, and helps me make one mean pizzelle! I bought this for my husband for Valentine's Day (and yes, I did make the pizzelles for him - his favorite dessert!) and he's been asking for more pizzelles ever since! Another plus - the pizzelle sizes are big enough to make one scoop ice cream bowls - perfect for people like me who don't like a huge serving of dessert all at once (but who won't turn down a second serving if it was around..!) I would definitely buy this again!

For my dollar, this pizzelle baker was definitely worth it. It bakes the pizzelles very evenly, does not require any non-stick spray or anything like that, and it cleans up in a snap!

I would still like to know what I have to do to pour exactly the right amount of batter & where to place it to get a perfect pizzelle every time. It would also be nice if there were a signal to let you know when it's done.

Bottom line, if you don't want to spend a fortune, and you like pizzelles, I highly recommend the VillaWare V3600-NS PREGO Pizzelle Baker !

OK...IN LONG ISLAND NY, THERE IS THIS BRICK OVEN, OR COAL BURNING PIZZERIA CALLED NICK'S.

THEIR CANOLIs are THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

I CHALLENGE THE WORLD TO DISCREDIT ME!

SO..I finally get the nerve and ask "WHAT DO YOU USE FOR YOUR SHELL?" (I have used WONTON WRAPPERS, ROLLED AND FRIED which are GREAT....).

THEY SAID A PIZELLE MAKER.

THEY SHOWED ME THE PIECE.

"VILLAWARE" I wrote on a NAPKIN.

13 minutes later, I CRASHED INTO MY GARAGE, DOVE OUT THE WINDOW, as my wife yelled "TAKE ONE OF THE KIDS!".

I shouted "YOU TAKE THEM.....I'M GOING ON THE COMPUTER!".

Whether or not they made it in the house I am not sure....BUT ONE THING I AM SURE ABOUT!

I GOT TO AMAZON, FOUND THE PIZELLE FOR LESS THAN EBAY, and VILLAWARE ITSELF! (I was tempted to become a DISTRIBUTOR).

THE REST IS HISTORY!

PERFECT COOKIES, that once ROLLED, become the ULTIMATE SHELL!

MARSCAPONE CHEESE WITH CONFECTIONER'S SUGAR....and BAM!

SORRY EMERIL!

OR FAT FREE with FAT FREE CREAM CHEESE, and CONF SUGAR.

THINNED WITH RICE MILK AND CONF SUGAR.

WHATEVER and CONF SUGAR!

WHEW! I just typed for more time than I HAVE EVER BEEN AWAY FORM MY PIZELLE MAKER....back I go!

TIME TO MAKE THE PIZELLES!

Smitty

PS YOU CAN MAKE THEM and REFRIGERATE THEM...when company comes...FILL THEM AND BAM AGAIN!

Sorry this is so long but a lot of people don't know what pizelle are so I'm being really detailed.

Pizelles are thin Italian cookies cooked 1- or 2-at a time in a pizelle iron. A century ago cast iron pizelle irons were held over the stove, but my grandmother gave hers up as soon as the decent electric ones came out in the 1960s.

This pizelle baker is VERY nice. The non-stick coating is easy to clean and the pizelle don't stick (be sure to use wooden utensils and only wipe clean with a paper towel so you don't scratch the coating). The iron heats quickly (maybe 5 minutes) and keeps constant temperature (I've had it about 2 years and have made at least a dozen batches of pizelle and haven't had any problems). Like MANY kitchen appliances, however, the cord is too short, IMHO - they do that so you don't accidentally pull the hot iron off the table, but you really shouldn't use an extension cord. For countertop use the cord length is fine. When I make pizelle, however, I like to sit (it takes about an hour to cook a 12-egg recipe), so I move my kitchen table near an outlet and put the iron on the table.

The baker comes with a recipe book. The first recipe is the traditional anise-flavored pizelle (anise tastes a lot like licorice, but don't let that discourage you if you've never tried it), and it's a good recipe. I skip the anise extract and add a slightly heaping teaspoon (for 6 eggs) of real anise seed that I crush in my palm before adding (anise seed is available in Hispanic markets). If you have an old recipe that calls for oil, you'll have to switch to butter to use the electric irons. Compare you old recipe to the modern ones and use a little experimentation and they'll taste just like your grandma's pizelle.

If you've never made pizelle, don't be afraid. Use a mixer to make the batter, which will be thick (again, if you remember your grandma making these, the old batters are thin and runny - those don't work well in the electric irons). Preheat the iron until the light goes off. Use 1 Tablespoon of batter per pizelle (you cook 2 at a time in this iron). A small cookie scoop works brilliantly. Place the batter a little behind the center of each 'waffle' pattern and a little towards the center of the iron, because closing it spreads the batter forward and out a little. Let the iron close gently (don't push down), and then gently close it all the way - you'll see steam come out and hear hissing. Latch the handle shut and cook the pizelles until the steam mostly stops - open gently so if the pizelle isn't cooked enough you can close the iron again to continue cooking. The lights have nothing to do with the cooking - they just let you know the iron is plugged in or heating. Some people prefer pizelle browned and others like them pale - your choice. When it's cooked, use a wooden spoon or fork to gently move the pizelle to where you can grab it (watch for singed fingers - you can use tongs) and put it on a rack to cool. It will crisp as it cools - don't taste it until it gets a little crisp (so you know what it really tastes like). If you haven't used the iron in a while throw out the first batch. After you've cooked a few pizelle you'll be a pro.

The big problem is using too much batter or placing the batter in the wrong place. Put too little rather than too much. If you put too much some batter will ooze out the sides - scrape it off with a wooden spoon after it cooks and don't worry about it, but be sure to clean the iron carefully (dry paper towel only!) after you've finished and cooled it off. Store it with a clean paper towel folded and placed in it. You don't really wash the iron and you don't have to oil or season it. Cooking the first 2 pizelle each time seasons the iron.

When you're done leave the iron open to cool. You should only have to wipe the cooled iron carefully with a paper towel.

If you want to make ice cream cones or dessert cups, you shape the hot pizelle right as it comes from the iron. Drape over a small Pyrex cup (or place inside) to make a dessert cup. Drape over a rolling pin to make a `dessert taco shell'.

The pizelles made with this iron usually don't `fill out' to the edges of the molds, so you get irregular-shaped edges, but they're still delicious. I think if you really wanted the molds to fill completely the batter would have to be a little thinner than called for in the first recipe in the cookbook (the only one I've tested). Pizelle keep for several days, if they last that long.

if you have a problem with your pizzelle sticking just add more butter or margerine. Also if you use one teaspoon full it will be perfect. I also just used a flast spatulla to take the pizzelles out. also if you have a digital timer it makes pizzelle making much easier. it would take me about 40-45 seconds for each pizzelle. depends on how brown you want them. the digital timer i used was bought at a dollar store. they are a wonderful gift. hope you enjoy making them as much as i do.

Great pizzelle iron. Large cookie shapes compared to other irons. It cooks the cookies FAST, so DON'T walk away from it! I always have family and friends hovering around me, waiting for the batch to be done, so speed is a big plus.

I also use nonstick spray, even though it is teflon coated. If I don't, the dough gets stuck in the tiny pattern grooves and its a pain to scrape out with a toothpick.

If you want to mold the cookies (Ice cream cones, pudding bowls, canoli tubes, etc.) you need to do it quickly, as the cookies cool off and harden within seconds of removing them from the iron.

This is actually my second purchase of this same baker. I have had the other for a few years and decided I needed to up my production capabilities. Love the nonstick aspect; it cleans up easily.

I don't use the recipe that comes with the baker.

I bought this one as a replacement for my previous VillaWare non-stick pizzelle baker, that I had for about 15 years. It got a workout, trust me. This one is even better. The dough doesn't ooze out the sides like the old one did, and I don't get the dreaded steam burn on my hands from the handle. There is a typo in the quantity of baking powder for the traditional Italian pizzelle recipe, which I've reported. It states four tablespoons, it should be four teaspoons! Easy to clean, fast to heat up, fast to cool down, and makes a wonderful pizzelle. Life is good!

The VillaWare V3600-NS Prego pizelle baker makes two 5-inch cookies at one time. It comes with a booklet containing easy-to-make recipes. The results are wonderful. You can roll the pizelles when they first come off the baker to make cannoli shells. It says not to use metal utensils, so I just used a toothpick to pry them off the baker. It was very easy to do. They keep well in an air-tight container, but don't really last long, since they are so delicious. I put a hard chocolate icing on some of the pizelles. The baker is easy to clean. High recommendation!

I have had another pizzelle maker for 20 years. The PREGO is so much better. It's easy to use. Clean up is fast. The pizzelles are thin and crispy. I would highly suggest buying it.