Last Updated on June 18, 2020 by MakeThingsReal
Pasta is a favorite food in almost every household all over the world. It is versatile, delicious, quick and easy to make and it can be healthy. When you consider how often you eat and make pasta, it may cross your mind to buy a manual pasta maker. If you have thousands of recipes continually running through your mind or you imagine not having to buy pasta from a local store when you can easily make it yourself, then a pasta machine may not seem like such an extravagant purchase.
There are two types of pasta machine that you can buy, there is the old-fashioned hand-crank machine that you operate manually, and there is the faster, considerably more expensive manual pasta maker. The machine you choose to buy ultimately depends on your budget, how often you make pasta and how well you make it and how much pasta you plan to make on a regular basis.
Manual pasta machines make smooth sheets of dough that you can convert into different types of pasta; you can use the sheets to make ravioli, lasagna or even tortellini. Attachable blades are available as well for linguine, spaghetti or reginette. Manual pasta machines also tend to be long-lasting especially if you maintain it properly.
The electric pasta makers are far easier to operate, you can get thin sheets of dough at the touch of a button. Some machines have all-in-one functions and can mix, knead and extrude dough in a very short time. Some electric pasta makers also come with built-in scales that can coach you through the pasta making process; it will tell how much water or eggs to add. However, for this models, you have to spend quite a lot of money, and it only makes sense to buy the high-end machines, cheap machines tend to produce poor output like stiff or grainy dough.
If you own a stand mixer, a pasta machine may not be necessary as stand mixers tend to be versatile kitchen equipment. All you need to do is purchase a pasta rolling attachment and allow the mixer mix, knead and extrude your dough and the process is quick.
A pasta roller and cutter is a much better investment to make if you are wondering why you should buy one, here are a few reasons;
Difficulty
It is quite challenging to roll pasta with your hand especially if you are looking for precise thickness and with pasta, even thickness is a necessity for even cooking time.
Cutting your pasta into noodles can also present a bit of a problem as the width may turn out to be inconsistent. Cutting it with your hand will also be time and energy consuming and it may not be worth your while.
Most pasta rollers and cutters are reasonably cheap and affordable. You can get a good quality product for as low as twenty-five Dollars.
The machine is also widely available, you can find them in thrift stores or even your local supermarket.
It is possible to dry out the pasta if you plan to use it at a later time.
The time it takes to turn your raw material into noodles is much shorter, you only need about twenty to twenty-five minutes of preparation and the cooking time is quite short as well.
If, however, you decide to buy a manual pasta maker, you should consider these things;
Cost
As mentioned earlier, there are two types of pasta makers, and they vary in prices with the manual models at the lower end of the price scale and the electric models at the high-end. The brand of pasta maker you buy may also determine the price of the product as popular or reputable brands usually cost more. These brands are likely known for making high-quality machines that are also durable and perform efficiently, so it is expected that they charge more for their products than the brands that are not as established.
Price
The price of the machine may also be determined by the number of the different types of pasta the machine can make or the features the machine possesses. Before you splurge on an expensive high-end manual pasta maker, consider if you are likely to use the product often, if not, then it may not be worthwhile to buy the machine.
Ease of use
If the machine you intend to buy does not simplify the pasta making process, then it is not worth it. Usually, the model of the machine, that is, whether it is manual or electric determines how easy it will be to operate the machine. Apart from this, some features are present on each machine that may make it easy or harder to operate it.
When it comes to ease of use, electric machines are usually the go-to as the majority of them are made to knead and mix your dough and make the pasta all at the push of a button. The only contribution required from you is adding the necessary raw materials to the machine.
Manual machines usually include functions that ensure the machine does not move while you mix and knead, the average manual machine includes a knob to adjust the thickness of the dough. It also includes a handle that stays put.
If you want to find out how easy it is to use the manual pasta maker that you intend to buy, all you need to do is check the customer reviews on the product. People who have previously purchased and used the machine will give you better insight on how it works.
Speed
Manual pasta machines tend to be slow while some of the electric models can produce your pasta in as little as fifteen minutes. If you need a manual pasta maker that works quickly, your best bet is an automatic pasta machine, the speed of the product is usually included in the manufacturer’s handbook or under the specifications of the machine. If you make a lot of pasta or you make it often, then you should look into buying a fast pasta maker.