Sarah Harris
Sarah Harris

Author Archives: Sarah Harris

Sarah Harris is a passionate artisan pasta maker, dedicated to the art of creating handcrafted pasta that delights the senses and transports you to the heart of Italy. With a deep-rooted love for culinary traditions and an unwavering commitment to quality, Sarah has turned her passion for pasta into a lifelong pursuit.

Norpro Pasta Machine

According to nutritionists and fitness experts, well balanced homemade pasta helps you to maintain a good weight while still enjoying your diet. Homemade pasta is therefore not only delicious but also nutritious and healthy. However, making pasta at home without a pasta maker machine is stressful, tedious and messy for professionals and novices alike. Do not worry, with the Norpro Pasta Machine pasta machine is making fresh pasta at home is effortless and fun. Continue reading

Premium Cucitella Pasta Maker

Sturdy, Built to Last and Easy to Use

With the rising number of pasta maker models currently in the market, shopping for a good pasta maker is now one of the most difficult undertakings. It becomes more challenging when you do not know the tips to consider when buying a pasta maker. Basically, many shoppers will consider the price, design, ease of use and performance. The Premium Cucitella Pasta Maker guarantees all that and much more. Continue reading

AN EXPERT GUIDE TO THE BEST PASTA MAKERS OF 2016

Once you have made your own pasta, you will never look back. There is something about homemade pasta that is not comparable to store bought pasta.  We call it luxury.  Homemade pasta is luxurious!

If you are making your own pasta, it is essential to own a good pasta maker.  You’re going to be spending a fair amount of time in the kitchen, and so you want to make it worthwhile.  You want a pasta maker that is easy to use, seamless to use and delivers every time.

We’ve made it easy for you by selecting five different styles of the pasta maker.  Have a look at each one before you make a selection.

  • Premium pasta maker
  • Atlas Electric pasta machine with motor set
  • Norpro pasta machine
  • G&M professional pasta maker machine with hand crank
  • Weston 6 inch traditional style pasta machine

We’re going to go through each one so you can make your decision.

Premium pasta maker

The premium pasta maker will have everyone thinking you’re a chef.  This pasta maker comes at an excellent price at the same time as offering excellent quality.  It has separate steel cutters allowing you to choose the thickness of the pasta – spaghetti, fettuccine or angel hair.

The rollers are adjustable, and the hand crank is designed in such a way that you can churn out noodles galore without getting tired arms.

Who is the premium pasta maker an ideal machine for?

This is the ideal machine if you want to make your own pasta and are just starting out.  The Cucitella is simple to use and compact enough to keep in a cupboard.  It is easy to whip out and use daily, on your own or with friends and family.  It is super durable and comes with a guarantee.

Features of the premium pasta maker

*     This pasta maker is made by Cucitella, is highly reputable and 100% guaranteed.

*     The premium pasta maker is made out of extra strong stainless steel and has a stunning matte black finish

*     There is a hand crank, easily adjustable to suit your counter surface.

*     Ideal for spaghetti, fettuccine and angel hair pasta.

*     It is a high-quality machine and excellent value for money.

*     Works with thin and thick dough, you control the thickness.

Are you a first-time pasta maker?

This is the ideal machine if you want to make your own pasta and are just starting out.  The Cucitella is simple to use and compact enough to keep in a cupboard.  It is easy to whip out and use daily, on your own or with friends and family.  It is super durable and comes with a guarantee.

Cucitella will change the way you think about making lunch or dinner.  There is nothing nicer than fresh homemade pasta, and you cannot compare it to the store-bought packet pasta.

What do you need to get going?

Take out the eggs, olive oil, flour, and salt.  Get going and note –  once you have ordered this machine you can send it back if you are unhappy with your purchase.

Cucitella is a good brand, solid, durable and easy to use.

Spaghetti for dinner tonight? Home made? The Cucitella will make it easy.


Atlas Electric pasta machine with motor set

The Atlas electric pasta maker is simple to use.  You can choose the kind of pasta you want to make, spaghetti, fettuccine or linguini, by adjusting the special rollers.  The machine comes with a motor of 110 V, which means you do not have to hand crank the dough.  This is a fairly advanced machine; it makes the pasta for you while you can do something else with your hands.

Why is the Atlas electric pasta maker a good one?

The Atlas electric pasta maker comes with a good warranty.  It is a good looking machine and fits in with any contemporary or Italian style kitchen.  It is a high-quality machine, and you will be able to make high-quality Italian pasta with this Italian machine.

Nobody knows pasta better than the Italians!  If you are a novice cook, the machine comes with a booklet of recipes.  You will learn how to make the freshest and delicious pasta, as well as an array of sauces from Neapolitan, marinara, puttanesca, creamy mushroom and more.

Features of the Atlas electric pasta maker

*    This pasta maker is made by Atlas

*    The Atlas electric pasta maker is made of chrome plated steel

*    The rollers and cutters are made of anodized aluminum

*    The motor has two speeds.

*    There are attachments for two kinds of pasta.

*    The machine is easily adjustable, working for thin or thick pasta.

*    Comes with a variety of recipes.

Why homemade pasta?

Homemade pasta is healthy and delicious.  With this machine, you get to regulate the size, type, and thickness of your pasta.  The motor is separate from the machine and can be replaced if necessary.  The machine is easy to clean, and all that is needed is a pastry brush and warm cloth. It is easy to store, looks good, is durable and the electric motor is a big plus.


Norpro pasta machine

This is excellent pasta maker for a novice cook or an experienced cook.  The machine is very well made and put together, and excellent value for money.  It comes with a 100% guarantee and warranty.  The cutters work well and cut the dough super thin.  It is an excellent machine for spaghetti, fettuccine and angel hair pasta.  You choose the thickness or thinness, and the clamp makes it very easy to adjust.

What are the benefits of the Norpro pasta machine?

You can choose the thickness of your pasta and can also adjust the machine so that you can work on any table surface.  Some cooks are taller than others, or surfaces are the difference.  The machine and the hand crank can be adjusted to suit your height.

Homemade pasta is so much better than store bought packet pasta and this machine makes it easy for you to make.  Even for a first-time pasta maker, this machine will enhance the experience.  And your pasta will be fresh and tasty.

Features of the Norpro, pasta maker

*    This pasta maker is made by Norpro

*    The Norpro pasta maker is made of chrome plated steel

*    The rollers are made of nickel plated steel

*    This machine cuts pasta sheets, fettuccine, and vermicelli

*    It is 5 inches by 8 inches x 5 inches.  (13 cm x 20 cm x 13 cm)

*    It has a table or countertop clamp

*    It comes with a recipe book

*    The instruction manual is well detailed.

*    Hand washing is recommended.

How easy it to use the Norpro, pasta maker?

Note that the pasta maker is easy to use, strong and durable machine, and also easy to clean.  Hand cleaning is important for most pasta makers and a pastry brush or similar is recommended to get in all the corners and crevices.  This machine is good quality and excellent value for money.

For fresh and homemade Italian size pasta, buy your own machine now.


G&M professional pasta maker machine with hand crank

This machine makes it easy for you to make your own Italian homemade pasta.  It is made out of stainless steel and has easy to clean anodized aluminum blades.  The machine comes together with a kneading unit, hand crank, counter top clamp, extruder and cleaning brush.

What can you do with the G&M professional pasta maker?

You can make pasta of varying thickness, including lasagna, spaghetti, fettuccine and angel hair pasta.  G&M also give you a very good recipe book and are up to date with may kinds of pasta, not just dough.  They will teach you how to make pasta out of vegetables, such as zucchini. Vegetable pasta is very healthy, especially for the gluten-free people.

Features of the G&M professional pasta maker with hand crank

*    This pasta maker is made by G&M

*    It is made out of sturdy stainless steel

*    The blades are made out of anodized aluminum

*    The pasta maker has a hand crank.

*    The pasta maker comes with a 100% guarantee and warranty.

*    It comes with a cleaning brush.

*    Adjustable rollers for kneading.

*    The recipe book is comprehensive and filled with ideas.

*    You can make pasta of any thickness you choose.

*    Ideal for spaghetti, lasagne, fettuccine and angel hair pasta.

What is the beauty of this machine?

The beauty of a pasta machine is that you get to choose the ingredients, and you control exactly what goes into your pasta.  It is excellent for healthy living, and also excellent as a family or friend bonding experience.  The machine is easy to store in your kitchen and looks very beautiful, contemporary and Italian.

What do you need to use the G&M pasta maker?

You only need flour, water, eggs and olive oil, or vegetables, and you can begin.  The instruction booklet is comprehensive and will guide even the first time cook.  You can also make ravioli with this machine and would only need to get a ravioli cutter.  The machine is reasonably priced, good value for money, durable and sturdy.


Weston 6 inch traditional style pasta machine

This pasta maker is a traditional style pasta maker, manufactured by Weston.  The thing that makes it stand out is its yellow hand crank.  It is a machine that has used modern technology, combined with old world tradition, and it is a very beautiful looking pasta maker.

What kind of pasta can the Weston 6 inch traditional pasta machine make?

It can make a wide variety of pasta, including spaghetti, angel hair pasta, linguini, fettuccine, lasagne, half moon and square ravioli.  It kneads the dough easily and strongly and shapes it with ease.

Features of the Weston 6 inch traditional style pasta machine

*    Excellent value for money

*    High-quality machine

*    Tested for health and safety

*    Made out of stainless steel

*    Multiple thickness pasta because of adjustable rollers

*    Double cutting head for spaghetti or fettuccine

*    Clamp to attach the machine to a table top or counter

*    Excellent instruction book

*    Comprehensive and inspiring recipe book

*    Performance was driven

Why choose the Weston 6 inch traditional style pasta machine?

This Weston six inch traditional pasta maker also comes in the color red.  It is a delightful mix of old and new, contemporary and traditional, and an excellent machine for hand made pasta.  Store bought pasta is fine when you are in a hurry and need to whip up a quick meal.  Handmade pasta is fresh and delicious, super tasty and also super healthy as you can control what goes into the ingredients.

How easy is it to make pasta?

Making your own pasta from a high-quality machine like this is easy.  Whether you are a first-time chef, a newcomer to the kitchen or an experienced pasta maker, this machine is strong, durable, easy to use, not intimidating, and importantly, also easy to clean.  It has a double cutting head, and you can monitor, or choose, the thickness of your pasta.  If you prefer angel hair pasta, this machine will do it.  If you like fettuccine, no problem.


How to choose the best pasta maker

Choosing the best pasta maker can feel like an overwhelming task.  How do you choose, especially when there are so many on the market?  You, of course, want to have the best pasta maker at the best possible price.  You need to choose whether you choose an electric pasta maker or a regular pasta maker.  You need to go through all the pasta maker reviews, look at the various pasta maker brands and then make a choice.

Why are you going to make your own pasta?

If you are a first-time pasta maker, you probably don’t want a machine that is very fancy. You may be looking at a hand-crank model that you can clamp onto your counter top or table easily.  You will want a machine that is easy to assemble, easy to use and then easy to clean up.  Many of the hand crank pasta makers are the best pasta makers on the market.  The crank arms fit into a socket on the side of the pasta maker, and you then turn it by hand to get the rollers going.

Are you going to make a lot of pasta?

If you are planning on making a lot of pasta, you may want the best electric pasta maker.  The best electric pasta makers will take some of the stress off you as you do not need to crank the machine by hand.  For the busy chef, this is ideal as your hands are then free to start perhaps making the pasta sauce.  Also, if you are planning on making a lot of pasta, you want to buy the machine that is more durable and that comes with a lifetime guarantee and warranty.

A durable pasta maker

It is a good idea to look for a pasta maker that is going to last you a long time.  The best pasta maker will have stainless steel and all metal parts.  You also want the kind of pasta maker that has many different thickness settings.  Five is good if you can find that.

How to test a pasta maker

A good way to test a pasta maker is to take it out the box and insert the crank arm.  It should be fairly easy to fit in it, and the arm should then be easy to crank.  If it feels impossible to turn, this is not the pasta maker for you.  The best pasta maker will have a hand crank that is easy to turn, and that does not need to much muscle.

Before you buy your pasta maker, make sure you have a tabletop or surface that you can use.  And of course, the best pasta maker will have a clamp to attach the machine to the surface.

How to choose a pasta maker model

There are many types of pasta makers on the market.  You need to have a look at the best pasta makers.  There are Premium pasta makers, Atlas Electric pasta machine with the motor set, Norpro pasta machine, G&M professional pasta maker machine with hand crank and the Weston 6 inch traditional style pasta machine, amongst others.

Read the pasta maker reviews; it is really important to do that.  Look at the best pasta maker brands.  Decide if you want a hand pasta maker or an electric pasta maker.  Look at the various pasta making machines online and see which one best suits you.

With a pasta maker you are looking for:

*    Durability

*    Reliability

*    Good value

*    Quality

*    Easy to use

*    Instructions

*    Guarantee

*    Warranty

*    Recipe Book

*    Easy to clean

*    24-hour support

*    Backup

Whereas in the past people bought over the counter pasta without a second, though, homemade pasta has become very popular.  In the long run, it is cost effective but is also delicious, fresh, tasty and healthy.  You get to choose the ingredients, and there is nothing nicer than being in your kitchen, surrounded by family and friends, making a meal from scratch.  Especially an Italian meal.

Are you going manual or electric?

In choosing the best pasta maker, you need to decide if you are going to a hand crank machine or the best electric pasta maker.  You always need to look at the price and look at the pasta maker reviews.  Look how complicated or uncomplicated the pasta maker is.  You want a machine that is good quality because a poor quality machine is not going to last for a long time.  You want a machine that is durable, reliable, long lasting, easy to use and good looking too.

There are a few more things to look at:

*    Size of the pasta maker

*    Weight of the pasta maker

*    Clamp for attaching to table or counter top

*    Size of rollers, and how many

*    What kind of pasta can it make

*    What is the ultimate thickness of the pasta

*    What is the ultimate thinness of the pasta

*    Do you want a hand crank machine

*    If it is hand crank, is it easy to use

*    Do you want an electric pasta maker

*    If yes, are the motors hardy

*    Can the engines be replaced if necessary

 


How to clean the machine

It is also very important to look at the cleaning of the machine.  Most machines come with a cleaning device, but not all of them.  Pasta makers have lots of corners and crannies that can get very dirty and only a particular utensil, similar to a toothbrush or pastry brush, can get in those corners.  You probably want to buy a machine that comes with something to clean it.

Instruction booklets and recipes

When you buy your pasta maker, and we hope you buy the best pasta maker, it will come with an instruction booklet.  It will tell you exactly how to assemble your machine, how to put the hand crank in, how to switch on the motor and how to switch it off.  It will also come with a recipe book.  Or, it should also come with a recipe book.  When you are doing your research on the best pasta maker, or looking at best pasta maker reviews, look out for information on the recipe books.

A recipe book should ideally tell you what ingredients you need to make fresh pasta with, and give you the directions.


Fresh egg pasta recipe

You only need eggs and olive oil.  You can add some salt and olive oil too.  Here is a very simple way to make your own fresh egg pasta.

Instructions:make your own pasta

*    Pour 600 grams flour into a bowl

*    Make a well in the center.

*    Crack six eggs separately and mix with a fork

*    Pour the eggs into the well

*    Use the tips of your fingers and mix the eggs into the flour

*    Knead the dough together with your hands

*    Soon you will get one smooth round ball of dough

Remember, you can do the above with a blender if you have a blender!

Once your dough feels smooth, wrap it in some cling wrap and leave it in the fridge for half an hour.    Cover it well as you do not want it to dry out.

Now the fun part, you are about to use your pasta maker.

fresh pasta recipe

How to use your pasta maker?

*    Make sure your pasta maker is clamped to the table or counter

*    Shift all clutter out of the way and have a clean workspace

*    Dust your work surface with flour

*    Take a handful of pasta and press it out flat with your fingertips.

*    Set your pasta machine at the widest setting

*    Roll the handful of pasta dough through the machine.

*    If the dough is sticking, dust it lightly with flour.

*    Go one setting lower and roll the dough through it again.

*    Fold the past in half.

*    Go one setting up and roll it through again.

*    Repeat five or six times, it will become rhythmic and easy, you won’t need to think

What you are doing above is working the dough.  Wide setting, narrow setting, wide setting, narrow setting. Once it has been through the rollers many times it will start to feel smooth and silky.

Now you are going to roll it out properly, from the widest to the narrowest.  You are going to keep rolling, as per your machine instructions, until it is soft, silky and almost see through.  Once it is the way you want it, you are going to shape or cut it.  Lay a damp tea towel over it to stop it from drying out.

And then you are going to cut it into strips, or with a cutter, cut it into shapes.

Pasta sauces

While you have been making your pasta, you can also be making your sauce.  The best pasta maker will have come with a recipe book too, and you could be making a delicious meat sauce or a vegetarian sauce, depending on what you and your family like to eat.  Remember, when you make homemade pasta, it is full of flavor and freshness, and you could choose to make a very simple olive oil sauce or just a plain tomato sauce.  Mince or bolognese is always a bit hit with the family.  If you are vegetarian, a few asparagus tossed in butter are excellent, or a creamy sage sauce too.


Manual pasta maker or electric pasta maker?

It depends on how much pasta you are going to make.  But it also depends on the kind of pasta you want to make.  A classic manual pasta maker will traditionally make spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair pasta, pappardelle, and lasagne.  You can also, with a special cutter, make ravioli or cannelloni.

With an electric pasta maker, you can make all of the above, spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagne, angel hair and pappardelle, but you can also make round-shaped pasta such as penne.  This is where a pasta extruder comes from, and when you choose the best electric pasta maker, looks for one that has a good extruder.  And remember, if you want to make ravioli, you need to busy a ravioli stamp or a pasta cutter separately.

If you are making pasta often, buy the electric pasta maker.  And look for the best electric pasta maker that you can find.  You can still use a regular pasta maker, even if you are making pasta every single day, just remember it will be a little bit more work.

Verdict / Conclusion

It is a really nice idea to have your own pasta maker.  The best pasta maker for you could be a regular pasta maker machine that you operate by hand or you might be in the market for an electric pasta maker.  You need to look at how often you will be making pasta, and what you expect from the machine.

From our research, we can say you should look at the Premium pasta maker, Atlas Electric pasta machine with the motor set, Norpro pasta machine, G&M professional pasta maker machine with hand crank or the Weston 6 inch traditional style pasta machine.

These are all excellent machines, durable, strong, guaranteed and successful.  We think they are the top six pasta makers on the market.  Each one has its own unique qualities, and you will need to look at the qualities of each one to decide which to buy.

Have a look at the guarantees and warranties so you know what you are getting.

Remember, you want a pasta maker that is easy to assemble, easy to use, easy to wash and easy to store away.  It needs to have a clamp so that it can fit onto any work surface.  If it is going to be stored on a kitchen counter, you want it to look good too.  It should be made of a strong and durable material and be sustainable.

A pasta maker should be in your kitchen for life. Often they are passed down from generation to generation.  You want your pasta maker to not only make good pasta but to look good too.

All the pasta maker machines mentioned here are of contemporary design, well made, good quality and durable.  They all come with various guarantees, and they all come with easy to use instruction booklets.  And don’t forget the recipe book, that is important too.

Are you going to be making supper for your family tonight?

Do you want an Italian-style supper?

Do you want to bond with your family while you make supper?

Do you have eggs and flour handy?

If the answer to the above four questions is yes, we hope you have a pasta maker.  If you do not have a pasta maker, we think it is time for you to buy one.

Check out all the reviews…  Look at what people are saying about the various pasta maker machines.  Decide if you want a hand-operated the machine or an electric machine.  Are you going to making spaghetti only, or do you want to make penne too?  Do you want to make pasta every day, every few days or just once a week?

All these things will determine which pasta maker you end up buying.  You are spending a fair amount of money on a pasta machine, and you want to know that it is money well spent.  Go through all the guidelines above, and have a look at each pasta maker.

You only need to go through the many pasta maker reviews to see which one is the right pasta maker machine for you.

Go forth and make your homemade pasta.

Ciao.

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