Pasta Makers Buying Guide

Pasta fans should always be equipped with a good pasta maker!  Though they can be tricky to figure out at first, once you get the hang of the process, tons of fresh, delicious pasta will be right at your fingertips. Think you can only get spaghetti out of pasta makers? Not so. Most machines have attachments that allow you to make all sorts of pasta shapes!

Types of Pasta Makers

There are two main types of pasta makers. Hand-cranked  and electric  pasta makers both have their pros and cons. Check out the chart below to evaluate your options and see which type of pasta maker is best for you and your needs.

Manual vs. Automatic
Hand-Cranked Pasta Makers Though you have to spend extra time making the dough beforehand, these are super easy to clean. These are far more durable and reliable than electric pasta makers. Turn the crank and push the dough through the rollers. These don't require an outlet, so they can be used anywhere, even on family picnics. These take more man-power than electric pasta makers, which automatically do all the mixing. Usually less expensive than electric pasta makers. Most only make flat pastas.	Electric Pasta Makers Though making pasta is much quicker on these machines, they are extremely difficult to clean. Always buy a metal model. Plastic ones break very, very easily and aren't worth the price. These aren't the most durable. The motor will die over time.  These make flat pastas and cylindrical shapes. A little more difficult and less intuitive to use, but super simple once you get the hang of it.

Tips

• Always follow (and read!) the directions that come with your pasta maker. Often, these machines aren't as intuitive as they seem.
• Remember, details matter. A careful and skilled hand will make much better pasta using a machine than a clumpsy and lazy hand using the very same machine.
• Let the dough rest -- many reviewers say at least 20 minutes or half an hour -- before putting it through the machine. This will help the consistency of the pasta.
• Consider whether or not you need a lot of attachments. Do you want to make every different kind of pasta shape out there, or are you satisfied with just making flat pasta?
• Check to see if attachments that don't come with the machine can be purchased separately.
• Some pasta extruders can also be used for making homemade sausage; likewise, some sausage makers can also be used to make pasta. Check for the proper attachments for your machine.
• The Ronco PAS17  is a pasta and sausage maker. Clean it thoroughly!
• Many juicers can also serve as pasta extruders. If you have a juicer already, you may just need to buy a special attachment to convert it into a pasta maker.
• The GreenStar  line of juicers come with two or three (depending on the model) pasta dies and can extrude homemade pasta.
• Remember, attachments are not all fun and games. You'll have to clean all those gadgets. Opt for dishwasher safe attachments whenever possible.
• Always look for products with a warranty. Just in case something happens, you don't want your money going to waste.
• If you want durability, always buy metal machines and go with manual over electric models.

Major Manufacturers

• Imperia 
• VillaWare  
• Lello 
• Delonghi 
• Simac 

Related Guides

Ice Cream Makers	Pasta Forks	Popcorn Makers	Rice Cookers	Ravioli Makers

External Links

• DIYLife.com: While we cannot guarantee that this actually works, this article claims that you can turn an ordinary paper shredder into a pasta maker-- and gives you step-by-step directions on how to do it.
• eHow.com: This article is all about how to buy a pasta maker.
• Taunton.com: This video shows you how to use one of these nifty machines.
• AssociatedContent.com: This article offers six tips on how to choose the best electric pasta maker for you.
• MetaCafe.com: This helpful video explains everything you need to know when looking to buy a pasta maker.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Pastamachines Shopgids