Pasta Machines

[Bren In Pots]

Manda I find it takes around 10mins from start to finish to make pasta, longest part of all is putting it over the rack to dry.
I think its well worth the effort

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks Bren.
How long does 'dry' pasta keep, do you put it in the fridge or can you freeze it? Oh one last question, does the kenwood attachment make macaroni?

[Mrs Dobby]

We have one of the hand powered Pasta Machines, have to say its deffo worth the effort as it makes fab pasta, you really can taste the difference, BUT because of working hours we only tend to use it when we are off and have the time to do so, generally in winter and when we dont need to be on the plot all day, otherwise we generally make do with dried pasta, even if the flavour isnt anywhere near the same!

[Bren In Pots]

Manda never tried freezing or saving pasta it does seem to go dry and easy breaks after so long so we tend to make a batch just before its needed.

Have look at Kenwoods website, there's instructions and a couple of pasta recipes in pdf format it'll give you some idea how the attachment works.

[Sue]

OMG
This is the thin end of the wedge, been trying not to buy a Kenwood for ages and now I've got a whole new reason to get one....it sounds as if this is the best way to do it? And I get to play with all the other bits and pieces with it.
oh dear
Still can't do anything till I get my new gas cooker sorted out and room enough in the kitchen for a nice new machine...
best wishes and thanks
Sue

[smallblueplanet]

Lol! sorry Sue - gadgetmania! We bought a reconditioned Chef from Billingtons (I think, I can check if you're interested?) it was a good price.

[valmarg]

I have to admit to being an absolute 'gadget freak'.

I have a 'hand cranked' pasta roller/cutter, very seldom used. When I bought my Kitchen Aid, it came complete with a pasta roller/cutter attachment, used twice.

I also have a SIMAC PastaMatic 700, which I bought years ago. It had been gathering dust in the back of a cupboard, until someone on another site asked if anyone had a spare tagliatelli 'disk'. The suggestion was that they make good money on ebay, and having been in the back of a cupboard for many years, I thought I may be able to sell it.

Anyway, dusted it off, and OH used it and I would have to say, of the three machines, the PastaMatic is the best way of making pasta. It has a tub on top, with a paddle, you put in the ingredients, mix together, then you extrude the mixture through whichever disc to produce whichever type of pasta you want, spaghetti, tagliatelli, lasagne, ravioli, etc.

If you want further information do a google search on simac pastamakers.

valmarg

[smallblueplanet]

Just looked them up Val, can't see the 700 but the Simac machines look the bizz - they're now on the 'gadgets wanted' list! Thanks a lot!

[valmarg]

SBP, also try www.simac-pastamatic.co.uk.

Most of the recipes are for the larger 1400 model.

My plea in mitigation is that I did say I was a gadget freak!!!+++

valmarg

[TPeers]

Does the Kenwood make maccaroni - yes if you get the maccaroni disk.
Is the kit good - yes, if you get the METAL pasta attachment - the plastic one is inclined to be a little fragile.
How long does it take to dry pasta - depends! If you are air drying pasta in an average kitchen it will take between a few hours to a few days depending on the shape and thickness.
Can you freeze pasta - yes, this is how I generally keep my pasta. Spaghetti and other long cuts I weigh into individual portions and bag, shorter, hollow forms I dry for a few hours until surface dry before open freezing as otherwise they tend to crush and stick to each other.

Next!

[Sue]

Valmarg
After posting yesterday, I looked up the cost of the Kenwood, the pasta bits have to be purchased as extras and the total cost would be over £450. I have a Magimix which I'm happy with and even a gadget freak like me can't really justify spending so much money that would duplicate a lot of what the Magimix does. Now Valmarg, that pasta machine, total cost with all the bits around £250, looks good. I've bookmarked the site so when I've saved up I'll know where to find it.
Thanks for everyone's advice
Sue

[shirlthegirl43]

Does the Kenwood make maccaroni - yes if you get the maccaroni disk.
Is the kit good - yes, if you get the METAL pasta attachment - the plastic one is inclined to be a little fragile.
How long does it take to dry pasta - depends! If you are air drying pasta in an average kitchen it will take between a few hours to a few days depending on the shape and thickness.
Can you freeze pasta - yes, this is how I generally keep my pasta. Spaghetti and other long cuts I weigh into individual portions and bag, shorter, hollow forms I dry for a few hours until surface dry before open freezing as otherwise they tend to crush and stick to each other.

Next!

Do you happen to know offhand the number for the metal pasta attachment and will it fit a 901 chef? (sorry, learner Kenwood owner) Mother in law didn't have one - boohoo!

[smallblueplanet]

Valmarg
After posting yesterday, I looked up the cost of the Kenwood, the pasta bits have to be purchased as extras and the total cost would be over £450. I have a Magimix which I'm happy with and even a gadget freak like me can't really justify spending so much money that would duplicate a lot of what the Magimix does. Now Valmarg, that pasta machine, total cost with all the bits around £250, looks good. I've bookmarked the site so when I've saved up I'll know where to find it.
Thanks for everyone's advice
Sue

If you're interested in the pasta machine there's some new ones going cheap on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Simac-PM1000-A...QQcmdZViewItem

[SarzWix]

Do you happen to know offhand the number for the metal pasta attachment and will it fit a 901 chef? (sorry, learner Kenwood owner) Mother in law didn't have one - boohoo!

It's A910 for the metal one (about £60 on eBay) and A936 for the plastic one (about £30 on eBay). They both say suitable for all models except A700 range. Was thinking about getting this attachment, but the metal one's a bit steep this close to Christmas...!

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for that Sarah - something to add to my Christmas/Birthday list. Actually, maybe not - I am the only one in the family who doesn't enjoy pasta meals - so they can buy it for themselves!!