Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker Vs Philips Pasta Maker
Pasta is one of those foods that is simple yet complex at the same time. Just a few ingredients of flour and eggs can be transformed into hundreds of different shapes and sizes that form the basis for so many iconic dishes. While handmade pasta has an unmatched texture and flavor, it can also be quite time consuming to knead, roll out, and cut pasta dough. This is where electric pasta makers come in handy. They automate the process so you can churn out pounds of pasta in a fraction of the time.
Two of the most popular brands of electric pasta makers are celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and kitchen appliance giant Philips. But which one truly reigns supreme for home pasta making? I decided to do a thorough comparison of the Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker Vs Philips Pasta Maker to find out.
Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker Vs Philips Pasta Maker at a Glance
| Feature | Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker | Philips Pasta Maker |
| Number of pasta shapes | 8 | 3 |
| Dough roller thickness | 9 positions | 9 positions |
| Pasta cutting thickness | 3 positions | 5 positions |
| Automatic dough mixing and kneading | Yes | No |
| Slow juicer attachment | Yes | No |
| Compact design | No | Yes |
| Ease of use | Easy | Easy |
| Cleaning | Easy | Easy |
Overview of the Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker
Emeril Lagasse is one of the most famous chef personalities in America. He’s known for his over-the-top “Bam!” catchphrase and mastery of Creole cuisine. Lagasse partnered with Tristar Products to create a line of kitchen appliances bearing his name.
The Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker is one of the flagships of the brand. At first glance, this pasta maker is quite imposing with its bulky all-black exterior and industrial quality build. But behind the tough exterior lies a versatile machine ready to churn out pasta and a whole lot more.
The Emeril Lagasse pasta maker accessories have 7 interchangeable die discs that can make spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna, ravioli, angel hair, and hollow macaroni. The discs are made from heavy-duty anodized aluminum for durability.
In addition to pasta, the Power Maker part of the machine can also be used to make food like meatballs, bread crumbs, pesto, and nut butter. So it’s a mini food processor as well!
The Pasta Maker has a large 5 cup capacity so you can make decent batches of dough. All the Emeril Lagasse pasta maker replacement parts as the mixing chamber dies, and tamper are dishwasher safe too.
Overview of the Philips Pasta Maker
Philips is one of the biggest electronics companies in the world and has been making kitchen appliances for over 50 years. The Philips Pasta Maker is one of their most popular products and is packed with features tailored for home pasta making.
At first glance, the Philips Pasta Maker looks much more elegant and streamlined compared to the Emeril Lagasse machine. It has a sleek white plastic housing with black accents. The machine is also significantly more compact.
The Pasta Maker comes with 4 interchangeable pasta discs – spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, and lasagna. The discs are made from non-stick coated aluminum which Philips claims makes it easier to release stuck pasta.
A unique feature is the mixing blade that scrapes and mixes the dough continuously. Philips says this results in better hydration and texture. There’s also an adjustment dial so you can customize the thickness of your pasta.
For easy cleaning, the discs can be rinsed under running water, unlike the Emeril which requires handwashing. The mixing chamber is also removable.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, I have to give the win to the Philips Pasta Maker. Its streamlined design and compact size make it easier to store away and set up on the counter. The Emeril machine is much bulkier in comparison.
The digital display and controls on the Philips are also more intuitive than the knobs on the Emeril. You can see what pasta thickness setting you are on. Cleaning is easier too thanks to the removable parts and lack of nooks and crannies on the smooth plastic housing.
However, the Emeril isn’t difficult to use by any means. It just requires reading the manual more thoroughly to understand the function of each knob. And if you plan to leave it on your kitchen counter, the size difference won’t matter.
Both pasta makers take under 15 minutes to make a batch of pasta dough from start to finish. So they are pretty equal when it comes to actual pasta making time.
Pasta Making Performance
At the end of the day, the most important factor is how well each machine can make pasta dough and extrude the pasta. This was the closest category in my tests.
The Emeril Pasta Maker produces pasta dough that is smooth, elastic, and just slightly chewy. I found the texture to be closest to hand rolled pasta. The Power Maker attachment also evenly kneads and mixes dough better than the Philips.
However, Philips has some advantages when it comes to extruding pasta. The non-stick dies seemed to work better with smaller shapes like macaroni. The Emeril would occasionally get clogged with sticky pasta dough.
Across the board, both were able to make pasta shapes with good thickness consistency. And they could handle whole wheat and gluten-free doughs which can be trickier to work with.
For most common pasta shapes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and penne, the Emeril and Philips performed on par with each other. The pasta tasted great once cooked with a fantastic texture.
Versatility
I give the Emeril Lagasse machine the clear advantage for versatility. With the 7 interchangeable discs, you can make a wider variety of pasta shapes. Angel hair, lasagna, ravioli, and macaroni are all options with the Emeril.
The Power Maker attachment also unlocks so many more functions. You can grind meat, make bread crumbs, whip up hummus, grate cheese, and more. It’s a versatile mini food processor.
The Philips Pasta Maker only comes with 4 shaping discs. That’s enough for basic shapes but limits what you can make. Without a processing attachment, it also can’t do much beyond mixing and extruding pasta dough.
Durability
Both pasta makers seem very durable and stable during operation. The Emeril’s metal construction makes it feel virtually indestructible although the plastic base has some flex. I don’t have any concerns about parts wearing down over time even with frequent use.
The Philips uses more plastic so I question if it can withstand years of regular use. But so far none of the parts have cracked or shown signs of structural damage. The noodle discs do develop surface scratches but that’s just aesthetic.
Due to the more robust metal construction, I give the Emeril a slight edge for durability. But it’s close as both appear capable of lasting for years if cared for.
Price and Value
The Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker typically costs about $100 while the Philips model retails for around $300. So that’s a $200+ price difference between the two!
Given the close performance for pasta making, I think the Emeril is a much better value purchase. You get nearly the same pasta extruding abilities for a fraction of the cost.
The Philips is a worthwhile splurge for its sleek design, easier cleaning, and compact size. But based on function alone, the Emeril can keep up at a lower price point. That extra $200+ buys you the versatility of the Power Maker attachment which isn’t needed if you just want great homemade pasta.
Final Verdict
So, in comparison to Emeril Lagasse Pasta Maker Vs Philips Pasta Maker, which pasta maker reigns supreme? I have to declare the Emeril Lagasse the winner by a slight margin over the Philips.
For pure pasta making, the two devices are nearly equal contenders. But the Emeril just edges out for its versatility, durability, and much lower price tag. Philips still makes high-quality pasta and has design advantages but I couldn’t justify the steep price increase.
So, for the home cook who wants restaurant-worthy pasta night after night, I recommend the Emeril Lagasse Pasta and Power Maker. Bust it out when you’re feeling your inner Italian chef and craving homemade linguine or lasagna. But stay patient when working with trickier doughs as they may need some hand stretching to prevent clogs.
For those who value sleek design and space-saving size over versatility, the Philips offers a more modern take on a pasta maker. It can adorn your countertop and pump out batches of pasta neatly. Just be prepared to hand wash components and pay top dollar.
No matter which pasta maker you choose, now you can enjoy freshly rolled fettuccine, cheese tortellini, and spaghetti carbonara anytime at home. Forget spending $20+ per entrée at Italian restaurants when you can DIY restaurant-quality pasta for a fraction of the cost. Give in to those pasta cravings with the satisfying taste of homemade noodles! What shapes will you try making first?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Emeril Lagasse and Philips pasta makers?
The main difference is that the Emeril Lagasse pasta maker comes with a Power Maker attachment that allows it to also function as a food processor. The Philips is just dedicated to pasta making.
What pasta shapes can each maker produce?
The Emeril can make spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna, ravioli, angel hair, hollow macaroni, and more. The Philips is limited to spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, and lasagna shapes.
How easy are they to clean?
The Philips is easier to clean with removable, dishwasher safe parts. The Emeril requires hand washing but is still simple to clean.
Which is more affordable?
The Emeril Lagasse pasta maker is significantly cheaper at around $100 while the Philips costs over $200.
Which pasta maker produces better quality pasta?
They are extremely similar in pasta making performance. Both churn out high quality homemade pasta.
