How to Assemble a Pasta Machine

Cooks who are serious about their pasta usually acquire a pasta machine at some point. The pasta that emerges out of a pasta machine is unsurpassed for flavor and freshness. The hard, packaged pasta purchased in stores cannot measure up to fresh pasta. Pasta machines typically are easy to use with a manual crank handle or a motor on the side. They clamp onto a table or counter top during use, and then clean up easily for storage.

Things You'll Need

• Pasta machine
• Assorted parts

Instructions

1. Lay out the pasta machine and any accompanying parts. A pasta machine is manual or electrically powered. A manual pasta machine has a hand crank and an electric pasta machine has a small motor. Find the clamping mechanism that attaches the pasta machine to a table or countertop.

2. Insert the hand crank into the roller hole in the side of the pasta machine for manual pasta makers. Insert the motor into the proper hole in the side of the pasta machine. This likely will be the same hole as for the hand crank.

3. Attach the clamp into the appropriate hole of the pasta machine. This hole should be located on the same side as the hand crank or motor. Position the clamp around the table or counter top. Tighten the clamp securely so the pasta machine will not move during use.

4. Flatten the dough by passing it through the pasta machine several times until it is the desired thickness. Attach a cutter to the pasta machine by fitting it into the appropriate slot at the front of the machine to cut the pasta into various shapes.

Tips & Warnings

• Most pasta machines are made of stainless steel. Do not submerge a pasta machine in water when cleaning because inner mechanisms may rust. Clean with a damp cloth and a dry toothbrush.

References

• Pasta Machine