Pasta Makers
Pasta makers 
are not the easiest items to find but they can be a wise and delicious investment. While most people are quick to go out and buy box after box of packaged spaghetti ,linguini ,rigatoni , etc..., pasta makers can bring inspiration to a kitchen. They can help provide that fresh, authentic taste that everyone desires when they sit down in front of a hot bowl of pasta. In today's world, fresh food seems to be a delicacy all its own. Why not provide that treat to your family every few days by purchasing a brand new pasta maker!
There are two main types of pasta makers: hand-cranked and electric . (You can also get attachments for many stand mixers that will make pasta.)
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Hand-Operated - You must make the dough first, which means you will only save some time there, but not a lot. However, you will save time when it comes to cleaning -- these are easy to wash.
- More durable and reliable.
- Operates by turning a crank to push the dough through rollers.
- Can make flat pastas, such as spaghetti, angel hair, tagliatelle, linguini, and lasagne.
- Makes cutting the pasta a breeze.
- These tend to be less expensive.
- Can be used anywhere because they don't require an outlet.
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Electric - These machines can mix the dough for you so you save lots of time, which then comes back to haunt you when it comes to cleaning.
- Uses a power adapter to crank out the pasta.
- Requires that you learn how to use it so that it works properly.
- Plastic models tend to be flimsy and can crack or break if the machine is overloaded or the pasta is of the wrong consistency. Stick to metal ones.
- The motor can break over time.
- Can be used to make cylindrical and flat pasta shapes.
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Things to Consider
- Using Your Pasta Maker
- The most important part of using a pasta maker is to follow the directions. Many complaints come from problems that could have been avoided by following the manual.
- Keep in mind that a pasta maker is not a bread machine -- you don't pour in ingredients and leave it alone for a few hours. Pasta makers require a bit more finesse and care to make good pasta.
- 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.
- Attachments
- Some pasta makers can only make a few kinds of pasta; some come with attachments for ten or twelve.
- Often, if the attachment isn't included with the pasta maker, it can be purchased separately.
- Look for ravioli maker attachments in particular. If your pasta maker doesn't come with one and you don't feel like buying one separately, you can make wide, flat lasagne pieces and do the rest by hand.
- Also, if you prefer short pasta, you may not be satisfied with a machine that can only produce spaghetti and linguini. To get the shorter pieces you will have to do some extra cutting.
- Ease of Cleaning
- Attachments are great for versatility, but killer for cleanup.
- Look for dishwasher-safe attachments when available.
- Metal far outshines plastic for ease of cleaning.
- Do not immerse a pasta maker in water unless you are sure it is alright to do so. Many have components that can rust if they get wet.
- To clean dough off the machine, allow it to dry overnight and brush it off. If you immerse a dough-covered pasta maker in water, you will just get a horrible cement-like flour coating.
- Durability
- Look for a product with a warranty.
- Avoid "As Seen On TV" models. They tend to be cheaply constructed.
- When in doubt, opt for metal instead of plastic. Also, stick to manual over electric, as it's more likely to be a reliable machine.
- No machine is perfect; even the highest-rated machines have multiple complaints from owners about faulty pieces.
Major Manufacturers
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