I use a ceramic coated hot comb that is heated on or in a stove to press my daughter's hair (it's natural), even though I have a fully ceramic electric one. The stove comb works wonderfully, and along with a good heat protectant does not burn her hair or cause heat damage.
I carefully test the temp on a paper towel before applying to her hair. There isn't any smoking or excessive burnt hair smell. Last week, her hair came out looking great-shining, soft, and swinging (not greasy or stiff) like I'd used a top of the line ionic/titanium flat iron. (That was my first time ever using a stove hot comb to straighten hair).
I only use a flat-iron or electric pressing comb sparingly on my roots when I've got a good amount of NG. It's not taboo, direct heat is direct heat, no matter what tool is used, and I know quite a few women who are relaxed and use a pressing comb to stretch relaxers.