There are a few things as tasty as pasta made fresh with a homemade pasta maker. The texture and flavor easily surpass those of the store bought dried pastas. There are a wide variety of pasta making devices available for home use. In this article, we’re going to discuss the hand-cranked variety. Here are a few things you will want to take into consideration when purchasing a new hand cranked pasta maker.

Assembly and Setup

Most models are going to require some basic amount of assembly and setup. Generally you will need to clamp the device to your countertop so that it is stable while being used. Many models will ship with the pasta rolling attachment already installed. If not, you will need to attach this to the device. Once that is done, you will want to run some dough through the device to remove any excess oil. Throw this dough away. It is not unusual for there to be excess oil on the device. The manufacturer oils the device before it leaves the factory to ensure smooth operation.

Most of these devices are fairly small in size, but you will want to make sure you have the counter space required to use it. You’ll be feeding the pasta dough in on one side and out the other, so be sure to find a spot that will allow for easy operation.

Ease of Use

The next item to consider before making your purchase is how easy the pasta machine is to use. Typically you will want to have two sets of hands available. One person will feed the dough in on one side and pull it through the other. The other person will turn the handle. Check reviews of the product to ensure that the handle is easy to turn during operation. Since most of the handles are detachable, make sure the one you select doesn’t have issues with the handle detaching while in use.

During the pasta making process you will be adjusting dials on the machine to gradually make the pasta thinner and thinner. Be sure to look at the knob or dials used to make this adjustment to ensure they are easy to use.

Flexibility

Another thing to take into consideration is flexibility of the product. Most pasta makers will come with several attachments for cutting the dough into various types of pasta. The ease with which you can change the various cutting attachments is important. Many products are modular in that you can simply remove the roller attachment and replace it with a cutter. Be sure to review the included parts to see what cutters if any are included with the machine you choose. Many devices will include a spaghetti, fettuccine, and a linguine attachment.

Ease of Cleanup

Each manufacturer will have a specific set of instructions for cleaning the product. Generally speaking you will not need to wash your pasta maker with water. The instructions will instead recommend that you remove any attachments and brush the machine and any attachments that were used when finished. They may also recommend you use a wooden pick to remove any pasta that is stuck to the rollers or the cutting blades. Since these machines are often constructed entirely of metal, there is a chance they can begin to form rust if they get wet. Most manufacturers websites will show the necessary steps required to clean their products. Do not attempt to put the pasta machine in the dishwasher or in water unless specifically mentioned by the manufacturer.

Maintenance

Maintenance for your hand-cranked pasta maker should be fairly straightforward. Occasionally you will need to apply some mineral oil or Vaseline oil to the mechanism to ensure a smooth operation. Other than that, you’ll just need to keep it from getting wet. To that effect, make sure that you store the device in a dry space. That should ensure a long life for the product.

Durability and Warranty

The durability of the device is the final consideration to take into account when deciding which product to purchase. The weight can often be a good indicator of the quality of the construction. Many of these devices are crafted from stainless steel so they are somewhat heavy. Often user reviews are the best place to look for an indication of products durability. Check a source like Amazon.com to see what previous owners have said regarding the life and performance of the product.

Depending on the manufacturer, the warranty period for your pasta maker should be somewhere between 1 and 3 years.

For more information on a hand-cranked pasta maker, reviews and recipes, please visit http://www.shoppastamaker.com.

For more information on a hand-cranked pasta maker, reviews and recipes, please visit http://www.shoppastamaker.com

Author Bio: For more information on a hand-cranked pasta maker, reviews and recipes, please visit http://www.shoppastamaker.com.

Category: Food and Drinks
Keywords: pasta maker