Pasta Maker

ryantt

So Norah Grace has been asking for a pasta maker for sometime and I honestly do not know which one to order for her.   They range in price greatly, but I have no idea what makes one better than another.  Any suggestions on who makes a good one?    I have read that the ones for her mixer aren’t that great.  

Thanks in advance for the assistance.  
This is the one my wife is thinking.  

lkapigian

I have the Macato Ampia like the one above, about 30 years now , solid no issues ...you have to be able to clamp it and "can be" a 2 person operation towards the end when you are cutting.....your pasta dough is key....FWIW make you some pasta dough ( I prefer egg ) roll it out with a Pin fold and cut with a knife...makes killer pasta just the same

Botch

What mixer does she have?  I gave up on my Atlas and went with the Kitchenaid attachment, haven't looked back.
The Atlas worked okay, but as @Ikapigian mentioned, it requires three hands.  Also, the countertop clamp is (imnsho) very poorly designed, comes loose all the time, and didn't fit my countertop at first (had to mod it).  Finally, there's not a lot of clearance for the pasta to exit on the crank machines; with the Kitchenaid, you have about a foot and makes handling much easier.  

ryantt

@Botch She has a kitchenaid 7qt professional model.  

bgebrent

Get the kitchen aid pasta attachment set.  Works great.

lkapigian

@Botch, I would go for the KA Adaptor....

Lit

I have one like the one you posted above and it works great. Got it at a garage sale in the box for $5. The dough is key and it’s way different than any other dough I have made before it’s very dry and has to be worked some.

DoubleEgger

Another vote for the KA attachments. 

NorthPilot06

100% KA attachments.  I used to have a manual pasta maker and I struggled with the clamping mechanism for ages.  The KA attachments make it a 1-person job...wayyy too easy.

NorthPilot06

I have the genuine KA attachments (bought at BBB, but I think these are the same): https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KSMPRA-3-Piece-Roller-Attachment/dp/B01DBGQR1K/ref=sr_1_5?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1544806163&sr=1-5&keywords=kitchenaid+pasta+attachment

blasting

I've got the Atlas.  Pasta making is still oddly satisfying for me.

For any of you with an Atlas style machine, check out this video starting at the 4 minute mark.  I'm trying his method next time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpIBAR_7NRY&t=84s

Carolina Q

I have a manual Imperia (like Atlas) that I got at Home Goods for about $30. I've only used it a few times, but it works fine. I knew it would see limited use so I didn't want to spend the money on the KA attachments. Mine makes 5 1/2" sheets and has two cutters for fettuccini and tagliatelle. Haven't tried it, but after watching Gennaro Contaldo make ravioli from sheets, it looks like that would be very easy too

epcotisbest

Here is another vote for the KA attachment.

SonVolt

Those manual pasta makers are cool to look at but a major pain in the ass to use. As others have said, go for the KA pasta attachment. 

smokingal

I can vouch for the Marcato.  I've never had an issue with handling it solo, but I did buy the motor accessory, so both my hands are free to manage the dough.

Botch

smokingal said:

I can vouch for the Marcato.  I've never had an issue with handling it solo, but I did buy the motor accessory, so both my hands are free to manage the dough.

I looked long and hard at that motor (since I already had the machine) but, at the time, it was roughly the same cost as the KA atch; I'd still be struggling with the countertop clamp, plus it would then weigh a bunch more when it fell off and hit my foot!  

WeberWho

Another vote Kitchenaid but I have no experience using it. If she doesn't end up using it very often and want's to sell down the road the Kitchenaid pasta attachment's will bring in good money if you were to resell. Like Lit mentions above, he bought a hand crank version for $5 at a garage sale. 

For me personally the easier something is the more likely I'm going to pull it out of the cabinet and use it again. The Kitchenaid version might be the way to go in this scenario.

smokingal

Botch said:

smokingal said:

I can vouch for the Marcato.  I've never had an issue with handling it solo, but I did buy the motor accessory, so both my hands are free to manage the dough.

I looked long and hard at that motor (since I already had the machine) but, at the time, it was roughly the same cost as the KA atch; I'd still be struggling with the countertop clamp, plus it would then weigh a bunch more when it fell off and hit my foot!  

So this is what I purchased for 159.81 back in 2010.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000679FZ8

I no longer own the kitchen table that I had when I made the purchase which fit it perfectly.  I adjusted for the difference in table thickness when using my kitchen island by placing the pasta machine on a cutting board and then attaching the clamp.  The motor is not heavy.

However, I don't have a KA mixer, so buying one and the pasta attachment was not a desirable option.

ryantt

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

fishlessman

ryantt said:

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

it depends which ka they tested, the smaller ones dont have the power. a 7 qt pro would be plenty big enough

DoubleEgger

ryantt said:

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

Probably because they didn’t get a kick back. You know how “reviews” are...

NorthPilot06

DoubleEgger said:

ryantt said:

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

Probably because they didn’t get a kick back. You know how “reviews” are...

If it lacks, then let me tell you how much a hand crank, counter-mounted model lacks   Agree with @DoubleEgger above, some reviews have a small bias...

ryantt

@fishlessman that makes sense.  I’ll have to find the review and video again.   

DoubleEgger

NorthPilot06 said:

DoubleEgger said:

ryantt said:

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

Probably because they didn’t get a kick back. You know how “reviews” are...

If it lacks, then let me tell you how much a hand crank, counter-mounted model lacks   Agree with @DoubleEgger above, some reviews have a small bias...

In 1996, Consumer Reports said Old Milwaukee was the best beer in America. Since then, I always look at reviews with a skeptic's eye. 

HeavyG

DoubleEgger said:

NorthPilot06 said:

DoubleEgger said:

ryantt said:

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

Probably because they didn’t get a kick back. You know how “reviews” are...

If it lacks, then let me tell you how much a hand crank, counter-mounted model lacks   Agree with @DoubleEgger above, some reviews have a small bias...

In 1996, Consumer Reports said Old Milwaukee was the best beer in America. Since then, I always look at reviews with a skeptic's eye. 

If I remember correctly they said it won the best "mass market beer" category, not best beer in the US.

Didn't they also say that Spam was the winner of the best "canned meat" category? I seem to recall the outrage that set off among the Vienna sausage crowd.

ryantt

Well after review, they said the ravioli attachment  is no good.  The other attachments were well received.  So it is now on order for Christmas for Chef Norah Grace.   
Post surgery I’m only catching about half of what I listen to or read.  So it no wonder I was wrong.  

bgebrent

Check this resource out.  Homemade pasta is unmatched.

ryantt

@bgebrent ordered.  Thank you for the recommendation she’s going to love it.  

DoubleEgger

HeavyG said:

DoubleEgger said:

NorthPilot06 said:

DoubleEgger said:

ryantt said:

Thanks everyone for the info.  I will look at the KA stuff again.  For some reason I thought America’s test kitchen said it lacked, but for the life of me I can’t remember why. 

Probably because they didn’t get a kick back. You know how “reviews” are...

If it lacks, then let me tell you how much a hand crank, counter-mounted model lacks   Agree with @DoubleEgger above, some reviews have a small bias...

In 1996, Consumer Reports said Old Milwaukee was the best beer in America. Since then, I always look at reviews with a skeptic's eye. 

If I remember correctly they said it won the best "mass market beer" category, not best beer in the US.

Didn't they also say that Spam was the winner of the best "canned meat" category? I seem to recall the outrage that set off among the Vienna sausage crowd.

I believe you are correct. Still very high on my BS meter. 

blasting

bgebrent said:

Homemade pasta is unmatched.

@bgebrent  Agree  ^^ 100%.  No comparison.  I'll check out the book, thanks.

@ryantt Don't forget a drying rack, or you'll be using coat hangers.

bgebrent

blasting said:

bgebrent said:

Homemade pasta is unmatched.

@bgebrent  Agree  ^^ 100%.  No comparison.  I'll check out the book, thanks.

@ryantt Don't forget a drying rack, or you'll be using coat hangers.

Drying rack is important and the above is SOA.  Have fun.