Trying to decide between a manual or electric pasta maker? Or perhaps you’ve had a manual for a while and now feel ready to graduate to electric. While manual pasta makers have been around since 1789, they can be a bit monotonous to use (although not nearly as onerous as, say, in the 1600s when pasta was always made and cut entirely by hand!).
With a manual pasta maker, first you need to combine the ingredients and knead the dough; then you must feed the dough into the machine and crank out the pasta by hand. Why do all that when an electric pasta maker can do it all for you?
Nothing this convenient comes without expense, though. Electric pasta makers can be much more costly than their manual counterparts. But if you’re willing to part with some extra ‘dough’ (pardon the pun), they can be a welcome addition to your kitchen.
It is important to keep in mind there are two ways that pasta makers cut pasta – either by using a roller, or by extruding (pushing) the pasta through a device much like squeezing toothpaste out of its tube.
Here are some of the most popular options for electric pasta makers on the market today:
Best Overall: Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine Electric Motor
Most electric pasta maker lovers agree the Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine with Electric Motor is one of the best devices on the market today. It is a traditional pasta maker, and yet not traditional at all, since you don’t have to mix or roll or knead the dough manually at all. Simply drop in all the ingredients and this machine will do it all for you. Before you know it, perfectly formed pasta will appear before your very eyes.
This model is stylish enough that it could be kept out as a centerpiece in your kitchen. It is mostly made of chrome-plated steel, which makes it sturdy yet lightweight. The rollers and cutters are made of lightweight anodized aluminum. One other benefit of having rollers made of aluminum is they do not introduce any harmful heavy materials to your pasta, which can be found in lower quality models.
The device is easy to set up and it firmly clamps to your table or countertop, so it does not rock or budge while making your pasta. It locks with a lever so it cannot be knocked over if you bump into it while it’s in use. It has a powerful motor and a double cutter that is easy to remove for cleaning and maintenance. The speed of the machine can be adjusted to your liking.
Users love this model for its durability and long-lasting quality. They also like the wide range of pasta types it can make (fettuccine, spaghetti, and lasagna sheets), and the nine different pasta thickness settings that can be easily changed with its large adjustable dial.
With all of these features, you might expect the Marcato Atlas Pasta Machine to take up a lot of counter space, but actually it is considered to be a compact model that fits nicely in any kitchen.
It can also be used manually, but why would you want to do that?
Pros
- Sturdy and long lasting
- Strong table clamp to ensure it doesn’t move while making pasta
- Makes a wide range of pasta types
- Nine different pasta thickness settings
- Adjustable speed
Cons
- Machine contains nooks and crannies which may be hard to clean
Most Versatile: Philips HR2375 Avance Pasta Maker
The Philips HR2375 Avance Pasta Maker is another popular brand with electric pasta maker enthusiasts. This automatic model boasts advanced engineering and numerous controls. It is very easy to use thanks to its LED display and preset cooking function, and takes a short amount of time to make the pasta. In fact, it has the shortest processing time of all the electric pasta makers – only 15 minutes from adding ingredients to popping out the pasta! It is the most automated pasta maker and provides top notch performance. It’s perfect for using on a very frequent basis.
This model is versatile and powerful, and all-in-one. No need to buy extra parts. The control panel is simply and easy to use, with only four clearly labeled buttons, so there is no confusion when using the machine. The display tells you how much time is left during the cooking and extruding process, as well as how much pasta you are making.
It includes four shaping disks, to make your choice of lasagna, penne, spaghetti, or fettucine. All you need to do is add your ingredients, press the button for the type of pasta you want to make, and turn on the machine.
There are additional pasta disks, as well as measuring cups and cleaning utensils. It also has a drawer at the bottom where you can store the attachments. The drawer has a spot for all the disks and attachments, and keeps them well organized.
The only drawbacks are the price, the limited number of pasta thickness options, and the limited number of speeds. But really, when you’re working with the fastest electric pasta maker on the market, perhaps you don’t need a variety of speeds.
Pros
- Fastest pasta maker on the market
- Easy to use
- Most automated pasta maker, with top notch performance
- Compact and durable
- Handy storage drawer
Cons
- Limited speeds
- Limited thickness options
- Sometimes hard to clean
Best Electric Roller: KitchenAid KSMPRA (previously called KPRA) Pasta Roller And Cutter
If you already have a KitchenAid mixer or are willing to purchase one, this electric pasta roller and cutter attachment will transform it into a pasta maker extraordinaire. Your stand mixer becomes the hub for this attachment, which specializes in rolling and cutting dough into wide or thin flat noodles.
This system is completely made of metal, which means it is very durable and will last for many years. It comes in a three-piece set including the roller and two cutters of different widths. With this device, you can make a wide array of pasta including fettucini, tagliatelle, spaghetti, linguine, and even ravioli squares.
The KSMPRA (previously KPRA) system is heavy duty, high quality, and manufactured in Italy.
First you use the pasta roller to knead and roll your dough to exactly the pasta thickness you prefer. It has eight thickness settings, and can be adjusted accurately enough to even achieve super fine angel hair pasta.
The device comes with a wooden cleaning brush. It is easy to clean by first air drying for an hour and then scraping off any remaining dough. This device does not need to be washed by hand or put in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Great attachment if you already have a KitchenAid stand mixer
- High quality and durable
- Flexibility to make many different types of pasta
- Eight pasta thickness settings
Cons
- Need to already have a KitchenAid stand mixer to use it with
- Only makes flat noodles
- Expensive
Easiest to Maintain: Shule Electric Pasta Maker Machine
The Shule Electric Pasta Maker Machine is simple to use and easy to maintain. It has a body of stainless steel, which makes it very durable. Its rollers and cutters are made from anodized aluminum, which is easy to clean. It features two speeds and nine pasta thickness options. Its cutters are capable of making wide style pasta such as lasagna, as well as spaghetti and other noodles.
One nice option with this device is you can choose to run it with or without electricity. There is a hand crank if you want to do it yourself, although once you have an electric pasta maker, it is hard to go back to manual. The powerful electric motor is especially handy if are having a lot of guests over.
This pasta maker is small, making it ideal for a tight space, and it is lightweight, so it can be easily stored.
Pros
- Easy to use and maintain
- Choose from electric or manual mode
- Nine pasta thickness options
- Small and lightweight
Cons
- Limited number of speeds
Best Electric Extruder: Lello 2720 Pastamaster 2200
The Lello 2720 Pastamaster 2200 is a wonderful, reasonably affordable, full-cycle extruder that is speedy and safe. With its powerful motor, the Lello 2720 can make two pounds of pasta in only 20 minutes. It is also easy to use. Simply add your precisely measured ingredients and it will mix, knead, and extrude! It has six pasta disks for great versatility. You can make ravioli, gnocchi, spaghetti, penne, shells, and more.
Pasta maker connoisseurs feel this is a very reliable brand that produces high quality pasta. Its mixing blade is patented to provide perfect kneading of the dough. As a result, the pasta that comes out is tasty and delightful.
It has a valuable safety override feature – the machine will not work if the mixing bowl is out of place. Also, the motor will shut off automatically if it starts to overheat. However, one drawback is some people find it difficult to clean.
Pros
- Quick – can make two pounds of pasta in 20 minutes
- Easy to use
- Wide variety of pasta options
- Reliable brand that produces high quality pasta
- Excellent safety features
Cons
- Some find it difficult to clean
Taking care of an electric pasta maker
Once you have your pasta maker, you need to know how to take care of it. Maintenance is essential, to ensure your device performs well and lasts for a long time. Many devices are well made and easy to clean, but here are a few tips.
First of all, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you do not have them, you can try downloading them from the manufacturer’s website.
Clean your machine after every use. You definitely do not want to leave little bits of trapped dough in your machine. After a while the dough will harden and cause problems. Plus, leaving the dough in there is simply unsanitary.
Before you begin cleaning, see what parts and attachments you can take apart from the machine, if any. Your device will be a lot easier to clean if it has parts that can detach.
Your manufacturer’s manual will tell you which of these attachments can be washed in the dishwasher. Usually, stainless steel attachments are dishwasher safe and plastics may need to be washed by hand with soap and water. If you don’t know for sure if an attachment can be put in the dishwasher, wash it by hand to be on the safe side. When washing by hand, you can use cotton buds to clean the small attachments and cotton towels to clean the bigger components. Make sure to let all attachments dry before you reuse them.
If you have a component that has pasta stuck on, try using some water containing a bit of baking soda and gently scrub.
You can use a wet cloth to wipe the outside of the machine. Make sure to plug it out first.
Do not submerge the machine in water. Also do not take apart the machine if your manufacturer advises against it, or if you don’t know if you can. Taking it apart could cause it to stop working and you could possibly damage your device.
Once you get used to the maintenance involved, an electric pasta maker can be a true gem in your kitchen. You can have freshly made pasta without sacrificing time and effort. You’ll wonder what you ever did without it.