Yes, even waffle makers with nonstick plates need a bit of oil to prevent sticking. You should always grease a waffle maker before using it or you may end up dealing with a sticky, caked on mess! A vegetable oil such as canola is great and you don’t need a lot. Just brush a bit on before each waffle to help make sure you can easily remove the waffle. If your waffle maker has nonstick plates, avoid using cooking sprays, which can build up on the surface.