Compared To Cast Iron Press***** COMPARED TO CAST IRON PRESSIf the Verve press is better or not better than a cast iron press is subjective. For my preferences this Verve press fits my needs. I do not want the hassle of having to baby a cast iron press such as seasoning or immediately drying if it gets wet to avoid rust. This is my main issue with cast iron. Aluminum will not rust.My goal is to flatten a ball of dough and make a tortilla into various thicknesses. This verve press did a fine job just as a quality cast iron press will do. It worked for both flour and corn tortillas.***** NOTES ON QUALITYI purchased a cheaper priced aluminum press from another brand and returned it because it was very light weight and somewhat flimsy. This Verve press is lighter than cast iron, but heavy enough to get the job done. It's made of thick cast aluminum and appears to be hand made as stated by the manufacturer. If this Verve press is used as intended it can last a lifetime. It's expensive compared to some other presses, but for me it is worth the price of $70.00 as of the date of this review. Instructions and recipes are on the cardboard foldout attached to the press. See attached review photo.***** NOTES ON POLISHINGI've read about some aluminum presses being coated with paint or another substance and the coating would flake off periodically. The Verve product description says the press is polished. I looked at close up Verve photos in an effort to confirm and it appeared to be polished. If a close up of a painted press is studied it will appear just too perfect. Non-painted polished cast aluminum will not have a perfect appearance.To confirm I sent a message to Verve via their website. See the quotes below:“Q: Is the XL Tortilla Press painted or coated? Or is it just polished aluminum and nothing else? Thanks.A: Hi xxxxxx! Our XL Tortilla Press is just polished aluminum, no coats of paint!”***** NOTES ON DISHWASHERI did not notice any references to a dishwasher on the Verve Amazon product page. NEVER RUN ANY ALUMINUM KITCHEN STUFF INCLUDING THIS PRESS IN THE DISHWASHER. There is a good chance discoloration will occur. This is a known fact. For more info do some research on google or wherever.