Pasta maker

bouicca21

Had HM fresh pasta at a friend's recently. So I'm wondering about buying a pasta machine for myself. But I'm a CFO so not sure that it's worth it. Anyone got such a machine? What sort of quantities does it make and what do you do if you end up with too much?

VfM4meplse

I bought one years ago, for a bargain price of £15. I know it was a bargain because I'd been watching the price for some time and pounced when it dropped from £35 . I didn't use it in my previous home, for the same reason I didn't use the kicthen to cook in....not enough counter space (you do need this when making fresh pasta, but less necessary if you're preparing a bowl of cereal). Now I have a much larger kitchen for six months, with plenty of space to swing a cat in, it still remains pristine in its box.

Net usage = never.

I do however freeze fresh (filled) pasta when it's at a good price, so may be tempted to make ravioli when there is a glut of butternut squash around. Its good to be optimistic

Eta: actually, I think it would be an ideal autumn Saturday afternoon activity to get my mum and niece involved in. Mum's a great cook through decades of experience, and the 3 yo is always willing to give things a go!

LameWolf

I tried one some years back, but couldn't get on with it. Arthritic hands and arms meant I didn't have the physical strength to turn the handle properly.

As it turned out, the plastic "turning" bit on the handle broke the third time I used it, so I was able to take it back to JL on that basis and get a refund.

Decided it wasn't worth the faff and the pain.

Magentasue

I have an attachment for my elderly Kitchenaid and I go through phases of using it regularly.

I'm not a great fan of pasta, but rest of family are, and I figure it has some nutritional value because of the eggs if made from scratch.

I enjoy making it - it's more forgiving that pastry and more impressive than making a loaf of bread. But it does need space to hang and dry, and it takes a while.

I see pasta makers in charity shops from time to time, so imagine it's something a lot of people try once or twice and then give up on.