The Best Pasta Makers (Review) in 2020

Pasta forms the basis of many modern dishes and while pasta is synonymous with Italy, it is first believed to have been eaten by the Chinese as early as 5,000 BC. By the 13^th Century, the Pope was setting the quality standards for pasta. The first American pasta factory was opened in 1848 by Antoine Zerega. The whole factory was powered by one horse he kept in the basement. Today pasta can be purchased cheaply in most stores, but nothing beats the taste of homemade pasta. However, to get perfect homemade pasta you need the perfect pasta maker. In this section of the guide, we explore what it takes to make a good pasta maker, the different types of pasta makers, how to use your pasta maker, and how best to care for your pasta maker. We will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about pasta makers.

What Makes A Good Pasta Maker

There are two main types of pasta makers, and while many of the aspects that define the best are the same for each category, there are specific differences and aspects that need to be considered. Given this, we will look at each type separately and explore what you should look for in each.

When it comes to a manual pasta maker stability, durability, and ease of use are top of the things that you need to look for. If your pasta maker is wobbly once it is clamped to the countertop or the cranking handle does not fit well, then this will negatively affect the consistency of the pasta you create. The thickness adjustment dial needs to be easy to use and durably designed so that you get exactly the thickness of pasta that you expect every time. The machine as a whole should be easy to use and easy to clean. The best machines also have optional attachments that allow you to create a wider variety of pasta.

Automatic pasta makers also require the three key components of stability, durability, and ease of use. However, you also need to decide exactly what it is that you want your pasta maker to do. Some of the best automatic pasta makers are able to mix, knead, and extrude the dough as well as cutting and shaping it. In fact, automation of these early stages is one of the main reasons why individuals choose automatic machines over manual ones. The number of attachments is a further consideration with an automatic machine. The best ones are able to create a wider variety of pasta shapes and sizes. Further considerations include the size of the machine and the speed at which it works. A good automatic machine will work at variable speeds to suit your needs and will sit comfortably in the space you have available. Easy cleaning is also an aspect to consider with an automatic machine and some of the best have parts that are dishwasher safe.

Types of Pasta Makers

The two main types of pasta maker are manual and automatic as stated above. However, there is a third type which can be considered a hybrid between the two. This type of pasta maker attaches to a mechanized kitchen appliance, such as a standing mixer, to give you the benefits of an automatic pasta maker without needing extra space to use and store it. There are a number of pros and cons to using either a manual, an automatic, or a hybrid model.

• Manual pasta machines

Manual pasta machines are more traditional and are designed to simply roll and cut pasta dough. They achieve this through a set of rollers that are turned with a hand crank. The space between the rollers determines the thickness of the pasta and this is set using a thickness dial. Different cutting blades are then used to determine the type of pasta that is produced.

One of the main benefits of a manual pasta maker is that there are few working parts, which means that they rarely go wrong, and if they do, the issue is usually easy and simple to diagnose and fix. There is also a pleasure in creating pasta by hand and knowing that your hard work has helped to produce the end results.

However, creating pasta with a manual machine is time-consuming and can be hard work. You need to first create and prepare the dough and then hand cranks the machine to get it to the length and thickness you require. Getting all of this right takes practice and you can often be left feeling like you need another pair of hands.

With many manual pasta machines, you are also limited in the type of pasta you can create. Most are only designed to cut and create long forms of pasta, like spaghetti, lasagna sheets, and tagliolini. However, the best manual machines do offer additional attachments that broaden the types of pasta you can create.

That being said, manual machines are always the most cost-effective as they are cheaper to buy initially and tend to last longer. However, that is not a guarantee of better or more consistent pasta.

• Automatic pasta makers

The best automatic pasta makers do everything for you. You simply add in the ingredients and it mixes, kneads, and extrudes the pasta. All you need to do it cook it. One of the many benefits associated with an automatic version is that it is a lot less work for you and it can create consistently perfect pasta every time and in under 15 minutes. Automatic pasta makers also enable you to make a wider variety of pasta shapes without needing to buy additional equipment.

The problem with automatic pasta makers is primarily that they have more working parts and therefore carry a greater risk of something going wrong. There is also much less of a chance that you will be able to fix it by yourself if something does go wrong. Automatic pasta makers are more expensive, have a shorter life span, and just do not carry with them the spirit of pasta making.

• Hybrid pasta makers

A hybrid pasta maker provides the basic aspects of a manual pasta maker but connects to your stand up mixer allowing the cranking process to be automated. Some of the top hybrid versions have the additional capabilities that you would find on an automatic pasta maker. While these pasta makers do save space and time, they require a compatible mixer and can be difficult to set up and operate effectively, depending on the mixer and your level of patience.

Step by Step: How to Use a Pasta Maker

Using an automatic machine is very straightforward and involves adding the ingredients in one end, pressing a button or series of buttons, and catching the pasta out of the other end. Of course, there is a little more to it than that, you do need to place the right cutters where they are needed and ensure that you understand which buttons to press, but there really isn’t anything else to it.

When you are using a manual pasta maker, like our top choice, making pasta is more of an art form, and like any art form, the right preparation is essential to the perfect outcome. Here we take you through step by step how to prepare your pasta and use your pasta maker effectively.

1. The first step is to combine all your ingredients. For a basic pasta recipe, you need flour, eggs, and salt.
2. Once you have your dough, it needs to be kneaded, wrapped in plastic, and left to rest.
3. While the dough is resting get your water on the stove ready. This avoids your pasta drying out once it has been through the pasta maker.
4. Now you are ready to set up your pasta maker. Clamp it firmly to the countertop, ensuring that you have good access to both where the pasta is going in and where it comes out, as well as being able to comfortably reach the cranking handle.
5. Set your thickness dial to its widest setting and then cut your dough into more manageable pieces. Cover those not being used immediately.
6. Take the piece you are going to work and flatten it roughly into a rectangular shape
7. Place the shorter edge of your rectangle into the machine and begin to feed it through the pasta maker’s rollers
8. Once the rectangle has been through the machine fold one edge into the middle and the other across the top – fold in a similar way you would a professional or business letter. Press down gently to seal the three layers.
9. Feed the pasta dough through the machine again – starting with the narrow edge as before.
10. Repeat this process on the widest setting five times
11. Now you are ready to begin forming your pasta sheets. Reduce the space between the rollers using the thickness dial. You may want to do this in small increments.
12. Pass the pasta through the machine being careful not to catch or tear the sheet. It often helps if there are two of you at this stage. If the pasta becomes too long, cut it in half to make it more manageable
13. Now attach the cutting blade to your machine and pass the sheet through to get the pasta of your choice.
14. Repeat the process with the remaining pasta.
15. All that is let to do now is cook your pasta and add your favorite sauce

Caring For Your Pasta Maker

The easiest way to ruin your pasta is not caring for your pasta maker. It needs to be cleaned after each use and put away carefully to ensure that it is not damaged or left open to dust and other dirt or debris. It is important to check your user's manual to see exactly how to clean your specific make and model of the pasta maker. This is even more important if you have purchased an automatic model.

Basic cleaning for any manual pasta maker includes removing debris and old bits of pasta from between the rollers. To do this you can simply push a soft cloth into the rollers and roll it through. You can also use a scraper to remove old pieces of dough from the rollers.

Cutters can be removed from the pasta maker and thoroughly washed in hot soapy water. Some are even dishwasher safe. Ensure that they are completely clean and dry before replacing them in your machine.

To get to the internal workings of the pasta maker and remove old pasta, flour, and other particles, you may need to carefully take your pasta maker apart. Ensure you check with your user guide before attempting this. Do not immerse your pasta maker in water and only use a soft dry cloth to clean the internal parts. This helps you avoid the moving elements becoming rusty or stuck.

If the internal workings need oiling, remember to use an edible oil and to remove any excess oil before you put the machine back together.

Best Pasta Makers FAQ:

Q:  Can special flour be used for the dough?

A:  Yes, special flour can be used for the pasta dough. However, it may take you a few attempts to get the right consistency to use in your pasta maker. Finely ground semolina flour is usually recommended as the best flour for making pasta. However, many automatic pasta makers are designed to deal with a variety of different ingredients, including different flours.

Q:  What is the most effective way to clean the accessories?

A:  While the basic pasta maker machine should never be exposed to water, many of the accessories can be cleaned with warm soapy water or even put in the dishwasher. It is important to read your user’s manual before you attempt to clean your pasta maker and accessories for the first time.

Q:  Can I grind rice?

A:  Rice can be ground into flour and it is possible to use the rollers on a manual pasta maker to do this. However, it is a long process and risks jamming up the internal workings of the machine. Buying rice flour already ground and prepared is the better option.

Q:  How long will a pasta maker last with good care?

A:  There is no limit on how long a manual pasta maker can last if it is correctly cared for. The only limits with an automatic pasta maker are how quickly the electronic elements wear out. Again, there is no set time limit and much depends on how often it is used, how much pasta you make each time, and where it is stored when not in use.

Q:  What types of pasta will I be able to make?

A:  Depending on the type of cutters that are included with your machine, there is no limit to the types of pasta you can make. Most manual pasta makers are built to create pasta noodles of varying thicknesses, so everything from fine angel hair spaghetti to tagliolini. Manual machines are also set up to make pasta sheets for lasagna. However, additional cutters can be purchased for most models that broaden the variety of pasta shapes you can make to include small tubular shapes such as penne and spiral pasta. All these and more are feasible with an automatic pasta maker; however, again you may need to buy additional cutters separately.

Sources:

1. HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PASTA, Genius Kitchen
2. How To Make Homemade Pasta With a Machine, HowStuffWork