If you already own one pasta machine and you have found your favorite pasta recipe (I would recommend these ravioli), you may have a lingering question: What's the best way to clean a pasta maker?
While cleaning the base is relatively simple, the cutter connector (which does the actual cutting of pasta strands, like fettuccine, lasagna, tagliolini, etc.) can—and should—be disassembled for deeper cleaning. The build-up of scraps can prevent the rollers from creating smooth, pliable strands of dough, leading to uneven pasta. Additionally, pieces of dried dough can get caught in the rollers and cutters, affecting the quality of your pasta, causing the machine to jam and damaging it over time. By cleaning your pasta machine regularly, you can ensure consistent results and extend the life of your appliance.
And another tip: Clean your pasta machine before you put it in! “This ensures you're not faced with a chore when you're eager to whip up your next batch,” says King Arthur Recipe developer David Turner. “You'll get better pasta results and you won't run into surprises—like pasta crumbs that attract unwanted critters to the pantry.”
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Caring for your pasta maker
Mix enough pasta dough through your pasta maker and it will inevitably get messy. Cleaning it can be tricky because of all the nooks, crannies and tight spaces. To begin, clean the exterior surfaces of the base and cutter assembly with a dry cloth and a soft toothbrush or paintbrush. Next, shift your focus to deep cleaning the more complicated cutter attachment.
How to clean the cutter attachment of a pasta maker
Note: This guide is for our pasta machine, Atlas Mercato 150a crank pasta machine featuring an adjustable thickness setting and a cutting device for creating different pasta shapes.
1) Use a brush or dry cloth to wipe off as much of the dough as you can.
2) If there are still bits of flour or dough left, start by removing the attachment from the base. Turn over the attachment and you will see four long metal rods. Use your thumb to push down on an individual bar and push it to the side to detach; detach all four of these parts.
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
3) You will now be able to remove the plastic combs that are designed to naturally clean the rollers while the machine is in use. Lift each of the four plastic combs straight up to remove.
4) To clean the rods and combs, you can wash them with a dish towel or microfiber cloth, or you can wash them with cold water or a food-safe sanitizer to make sure they don't be leftover pasta particles.
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
5) With the rods and combs removed, you can now clean the exposed cutters (the part that cuts the pasta dough!) with a brush. Make sure you remove any debris between the cutters as well.
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
6) Like rods and combs, scrapers can be washed in cold water or with a disinfectant for compatible food contact surfaces. It is essential to allow all components to dry completely before reassembling.
7) Once everything is dry, insert the rods and combs back in by reversing the removal process – place the four plastic combs in place on their matching roller, then insert the rods by inserting them on one side, pushing down and placing the side the opposite in place. Your machine is now ready for your next pasta making session!
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Food photography and styling by Liz Neily
Additional tips for cleaning your pasta maker
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Storage: Store your pasta machine in a dry place to avoid any moisture-related problems such as rust, corrosion, mold or mildew.
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greasing: If you notice any squeaking during use, a few drops of food-grade petroleum jelly applied to the ends of the rollers can help maintain smooth operation. Our test kitchen chooses a few drops of mineral oil.
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Avoid the dishwasher: Never put any part of your pasta maker in the dishwasher, as heat and detergents can damage them.
While looking after your pasta machine may not be the most glamorous part of the pasta making process, it is essential to keeping your equipment in good working order. By following these simple steps, you will ensure that your machine remains a reliable workhorse homemade pasta for years to come.
Pasta machine
51 Assessments hearing
$119.95
Cover photo by Raymond Prado.
