Pasta maker advice

[InHisName]

Anyone make their own noodles, ravioli's, etc? Looking to buy one, probably used through eBay, but want some advice. I've used an Atlas before, and it was simple enough, has anyone used an Atlas ravioli attachment? We do not eat tons of pasta, but like the whole wheat, and it looks like a good investment. Thanks!

[dragonchick]

If you buy one through eBay make positively sure it has never been used for clay. This is the one thing I worry about when buying a used one. Polymer clay is rolled out using a hand cranked pasta machine. I have an electric pasta maker that my mother gave me, I think it came from a yard sale.

[7thswan]

Do you have a Kitchen Aid? They have an attachment. I made noodles for many years just rolling them out. My sis got me a Imperial Titania. It makes diffrent size noodles and you can adjust it to make it as thin as you like. Hand crank and has a bracket that tightens it down to the counter top. It works very well.

[mustangsally17]

http://duluth.craigslist.org/zip/1877115377.html
this is a free one on craigs list, maybe you can work out something on shipping.

[ldc]

I made it in the past when I was "a woman of leisure" about 40 years ago; a high school student playing hooky with my best friend! And yes! to ravioli; you roll it out wide and than fit it in a pan (like a muffin pan but shallow), or just cut, stuff and fill by hand. It's delish. I remember noone could sit down anywhere at my friend's house, cause we covered the back of every chair w drying pasta! As a change of pace, we'd sometimes do huge batches of English muffins! Another delight! But once her brother ate 70 the day we spent 20 hrs baking, and we never did them again! ldc

[Wisconsin Ann]

I have an attachment for the Kitchenaide, which I love, and also have 2 hand crank ones. If you can get your hands on it to check it out, try to get one that is HEAVY (for the hand crank ones). Some of the new ones are just too light weight for much work.

One of mine is an atlas, and it works well. I make ravioli using a cutter (looks like a fancy branding iron) so I'm no help with the ravioli attachment, sorry.

A food processor can mix the dough for you, or a heavy duty mixer...or I guess a bread machine, now that I think about it. Let the dough rest so the liquid is absorbed by the flour. (makes it easier to roll) First time out, don't try to do too much or you'll swear NEVER AGAIN.

[InHisName]

Thanks for the answers- I do have a kitchenaid, so will check that out. Hand cranks are nice for visiting children and no electricity-

[Fae]

I bought an atlas hand crank years ago and was going to start making pasta. It is still in the box, has never been used and is stored in the shed. I don't have any attachments for it and don't know if you can still buy them. Thanks for the reminder. I think I will find it and learn to make pasta. Good luck with your search.

[Bells]

Love my kitchenaid attachment. Used to do them by hand and had a pasta maker/extruder - I am much, much happier w/the kitchenaid.