Our expert has determined that the best manual machine for making fresh pasta is the Marked Atlas 150 because it is very easy to handle and offers good results.
Who doesn't like a good plate of pasta? This food is famous throughout the world, it can be made in many ways and its preparation is quite simple. Likewise, and although pasta can be bought ready to cook and eat, it is also possible to make your own pasta at home thanks to the machines that press and cut it easily.
Although it is necessary to previously make the dough and dry the pasta a few minutes before cooking it, thanks to them we can have fresh pasta without too much effort with these four models.
Ten levels of thickness: Marcato Atlas 150
For whom it is: for those who want to get started in the art of making fresh pasta
Why we recommend it: The chrome steel machine is quite compact and easy to handle. Made in Italy, the manufacturer himself offers a recipe to make the pasta (250 grams of wheat flour, 250 grams of semolina, 5 eggs and 250 grams of water). Once the dough is made, the first time it is used it is recommended to clean the rollers with a damp cloth and pass a small piece of dough over them (which must then be discarded). The dough pressing roller has up to 10 positions, allowing you to make dough sheets of different thicknesses: from 0.5 to 4.8 mm. This rolling pin works quite well and is very easy to handle: no matter the thickness of the initial dough, with the different levels it is possible to stretch the dough a lot.
It is possible to prepare lasagna (with a maximum width of 150 mm), and it is equipped with two accessories to make 6.5 mm fettuccine and 1.5 mm tagliolini. The other roller, which is used to cut the dough, works really well and in a matter of minutes the pasta is made. This is the one that has the 'forms' to make the two types of pasta mentioned previously. It is also compatible with other accessories, for other types of pasta, which are sold separately. However, for a first contact, being able to make those two types of pasta is enough. Both rollers are powered by a fairly comfortable metal crank.
Another point to highlight is that it has a non-slip base with legs that makes the machine barely move from any type of surface. As for cleaning, the rollers are cleaned with a small brush to remove debris and with a cloth moistened with water and some soap.
Its weak points: It works quite well and is easy to use but its price is somewhat high.
Datasheet
- Materials: chrome steel and aluminum
- Measurements: 20.32 x 20.32 x 17.78 centimeters
- Weight: 3 kilos
- Thickness levels: 10
- Pasta formats: 3
Very light and economical: Bremermann
For whom it is: for those looking for a simple machine
Why we recommend it: With a striking design (in red), this pasta maker is also very light, has non-slip feet and can be fixed to the counter with a kind of 'jack' that makes it very firm (the one that most of all those analyzed in the comparison). It has three rollers: one to knead the dough and two others to make the pasta. With these last two it is possible to make spaghetti, noodles and lasagna. As for the rolling pin, it has up to seven different thickness levels ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mm. At the time of testing it (and following the same dough recipe as with the first machine), I noticed that I had to insert a smaller, more manageable piece of dough, so that the rolling pin could knead and press it correctly.
The levels work well although the wheel for it seems a little flimsier. In the case of the rollers for making the pasta, I found them to be very functional and with them it takes very few minutes to make the pasta and it has a great consistency and firmness.
It also has a fairly ergonomic crank and a kind of brush to clean it after use. In this model, some pieces of the dough got stuck in the machine and although some of them can be removed with the brush, it is best to wait for them to dry and use a thin toothpick (and a lot of patience).
Your weak points: Deep cleaning is a bit tedious.
Datasheet
- Materials: stainless steel and aluminum
- Measurements: 21 x 15 x 20 centimeters
- Weight: 1,89 kilos
- Thickness levels: 7
- Pasta formats: 3
With drying accessory: VeoHome
For whom it is: for those who want to experiment
Why we recommend it: Although it is similar in terms of functionality and types of roller: one for kneading with seven levels of thickness and another for making pasta that allows you to make different types (spaghetti, linguine, tagliatelle, fettuccine…), this model stands out for its accessories. It has one to make filled pasta and another to dry the pasta once made. It has ten arms on which to place the pasta and prevent it from becoming sticky during cooking. It is all made of stainless steel and also includes a brush for cleaning and an adjustable clamp for the table.
During the tests, I found it very easy to use and that both the kneading roller and the dough roller work perfectly. It includes an instruction book so as not to make mistakes with the thickness depending on the type of pasta you want to make and it is a real plus that it comes with an accessory for drying and another for making filled pasta. As for cleaning, there is not much residue left inside so it is easily cleaned with a brush and a damp cloth.
Its weak points: The kneading roller wheel is a little flimsy but there is no problem using it. It's also a little heavy.
Datasheet
- Materials: stainless steel
- Measurements: 21.6 x 21.41 x 16.2 centimeters
- Weight: 3,54 kilos
- Thickness levels: 7
- Pasta formats: 4
Non-slip base: Monzana
For whom it is: for those looking for a stable machine
Why we recommend it: With a fairly stable and non-slip structure (it has a very firm base), it also has a support for the table. With this machine, also equipped with a pressing roller and another for making the pasta, you can make spaghetti, tagliatelle, cannelloni or lasagna sheets, as well as other types of pasta thanks to the nine thickness levels for the dough. In my case, during the tests, I made cannelloni and spaghetti. Following the same recipe as the rest, the pressing roller took a little more time than the rest of the models (you have to spend a little more time) and the pasta comes out well, although perhaps a little more 'flimsy' and less firm. than with the other machines. However, it works correctly and can be used to get started in preparing fresh pasta.
The crank that is included works perfectly and when it comes to cleaning the rollers there is no problem at all. It is done with a brush and a couple of passes with a cloth moistened with soap and water. There are hardly any stuck pieces so it is easy to clean and store.
Its weak points: Although the paste comes out well, it seems a little weaker and flimsier than with the other models.
Datasheet
- Materials: stainless steel
- Measurements: 20 x 20 x 14.5 centimeters
- Weight: 3 kilos
- Thickness levels: 9
- Pasta formats: 4
Other interesting pasta makers:
- If you are looking for a light one: InnovaGoods. It weighs two kilos and includes a recipe manual to make different types of pasta.
- If you are looking for a stable and economical one: Metaltex. It costs less than 30 euros and has support for the table.
How we have chosen and tested the products
I love pasta so I eat it at home whenever I can or I frequent Italian restaurants where I can try different types. Although fresh pasta is not something I eat every day, when I have tried it I found that it has a very different flavor and texture than non-fresh pasta, so I decided to try these manual pasta makers and check. whether it was very cumbersome or, on the contrary, it was easier than I thought.
After trying them for a couple of weeks I can say that it is a simple process to carry out and, although you have to make the dough beforehand and let it dry for a few minutes, it doesn't take up too much time if you want to eat fresh pasta from time to time. To test them, I would take into account the following characteristics:
- Materials and measurements: It is most recommended that it be made of stainless steel, be as compact as possible and weigh little, so that it can be handled without problems.
- Rollers: It is best to start with a simple machine, with which you can make 2 or 3 types of pasta to experiment little by little.
- Using experience: Before using it, you have to make the dough well because it depends on whether the pasta comes out well in the machine later. It is also important not to force the rollers and to do it patiently.
- Cleaning: It is important to have a brush on hand (if it is not included) to remove remains from the rollers and clean it with just a little soap and water, without getting it too wet.
- Accessories: that include drying accessories or for making stuffed pasta, for example, is a plus to highlight and take into account when purchasing a machine with these characteristics.
*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of March 27, 2024.
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