Fresh homemade pasta has a different taste to it and if making them is you new found hobby, no wonder you are here trying to figure out which is better – Kitchenaid Pasta Press Vs Roller. Like any serious cook, KitchenAid is probably one of the best investments you have made for your kitchen and now you just need the best pasta attachments.
For anyone who gets into pasta making with their versatile KitchenAid equipment, the biggest challenge is to decide – which is a better attachment. Many people get confused between the Pasta Press and Pasta Roller, but these are two different devices for making different types of pasta using different consistency of dough.
In this post, we will help you get to know each attachment closer and in detail via our extensive review. Our team has spent several hours scrutinizing the product and drawing the main differences between these two models. So, let’s get started:
Kitchenaid Pasta Press Vs Roller
The KitchenAid Pasta Roller (see Amazon) is an incredible attachment that you can use to make various items such as lasagna noodles, tortillas, perogies, and thin-crust pizza dough. It can be attached to the front of the stand mixer when you have the dough ready, and adjust it to different settings.
The roller attachment is more labor-intensive and it can be used with different types of dough used for making spinach noodles, spaghetti noodles, lasagna noodles, perogies, thin-crust pizza dough, or semolina pasta.
You just need to pass take a portion of the dough, round it up, flatten it in the flour and then pass it through the roller to produce sheets of it. Experts suggest that you fold the sheets in between and keep passing through the roller until you get uniform sheets.
The Pasta Press (see Amazon) is another amazing attachment you can use to make various kinds of dough conveniently and feed them in small batches through the tube you select to get a specific design. For example, macaroni, bucatini, spaghetti, fusilli, and so on.
Depending on the type of plate you choose, the pasta or noodles come out in the right thickness or shape. With the attached pasta cutter handle, you can cut the strings into the desired size. This one attachment can give you six different types and sizes of pasta.
KitchenAid KSMPRA Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment Set
When there’s an attachment designed, tested, and produced by KitchenAid, you can trust its quality. Made in Italy, the KSMPRA Pasta Roller and Cutter set are engineered to securely fit any KitchenAid standing mixer. The roller can roll out six-inch sheets of pasta with 8 different thickness settings.
The stainless steel cutter comes in two variations that allow you to cut pasta sheets into spaghetti and fettuccine noodles, and roll pasta too. The KSMPRA model comprises of a Pasta Roller, Spaghetti Cutter, Fettuccine Cutter, and Cleaning Brush.
With the pasta roller, you can conveniently roll the 6 inches sheets of pasta with 8 different settings to arrive at your desired thickness level. As the attachment set is compactly designed, it can be easily stored away when not in use.
KSMPRA Product Features
- Measures 9.7 × 3.8 × 2.2 inches
- Weighs 2.86 pounds
- Manufactured in Italy
- Comes in 3 pieces
- 8 different settings
- Cleaning tool for ease of maintenance
What We Like About KitchenAid KSMPRA Pasta Roller & Cutter
- The Roller & Cutter set is well-built, tested, and verified KitchenAid add-ons that find its place in a wide range of stand mixers. If you have experience working with a KitchenAid mixer before, it’s easier to get used to this KitchenAid attachment.
- With clear instructions, it’s much easier to roll out fantastic quality pasta using this accessory. As there is minimal clogging in the process, it does not call for any heavy cleaning, which is an advantage if you plan to use it regularly.
- Many traditionalists believe that these add-ons made in Italy closely resembles the authentic pasta rollers and cutters that you would otherwise have to buy separately from the market. So, this is a pretty cost-effective deal.
- Users are impressed with the fact that this attachment reduces the time spent in the process of pasta rolling and cutting by hand. So, this is a time-saving device too.
What We Don’t Like About KitchenAid KSMPRA Pasta Roller & Cutter
- For some users, the price of the unit including the roller and cutter may not be too appealing despite the convenience of not having to roll or cut by hands.
- The unit is sturdy and well-built, however, some customers have concerns over the fitting of screws that tend to get lose and require tightening.
- While the spaghetti cutter is also well-designed and known to be anti-clogging in nature, a few users find it difficult to separate the spaghetti dough from it.
- As the KSMPRA pasta roller needs to be wiped using a wet or damp cloth for cleaning, some users feel this may not be enough to sanitize the tool when handling raw items.
Conclusion
If you are an ardent pasta fan who wishes to foray into making different shapes of pasts at home without having to go through the hassle of rolling and cutting by hand then check out the KitchenAid KSMPRA Pasta Roller & Cutter Set. Although it’s a bit expensive, you get to enjoy freshly made pasta at home.
KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment
The KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment is the mother of all pasta attachments and truly impressive in the way it churns out exquisitely shaped spaghettis and noodles. This attachment is designed to fit all types of KitchenAid Stand Mixers, and there are six changing discs for spaghetti, fusilli, bucatini, rigatoni, large or small macaroni.
The Pasta Press Attachment with its various parts are organized in a storage case for easy access and comes with an inbuilt Wire Cutter that gives full control over pasta length. The kit includes pasta discs, pusher, pasta press, and cleaning tools.
Just like the pasta roller set, the pasta press also perfectly fits all KitchenAid mixers to ensure speedy pasta production. With this tool, you can create different designs and shapes of pasta for culinary explorers and pasta lovers.
KitchenAid KSMPEXTA Features
- Measures 4.8 x 5.7 x 8.4 inches
- Weighs 2.7 Pounds
- Made from Stainless Steel
- 6 Quick Change Discs
- Built-In Wire Cutter
What We Like About KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment
- The KitchenAid KSMPEXTA reduces the hassle of shaping up the pasta varieties by hand and also minimizes the time required to do the job.
- The product comes with a comprehensive guide and manual to help beginners to make pasta at home. While the steps are pretty easy to follow, this will certainly need some practice.
- We love that the unit is quite straightforward to assemble and take part. Similar to other KitchenAid products, the compact design helps in saving space.
- With this tool at your disposal, pasta of different varieties become easier to make and also takes less time compared to manual control.
- This is a sturdily constructed and well built attachment helps you make the most of your investment in KitchenAid mixer.
What We Don’t like About KSMPEXTA Gourmet Pasta Press Attachment
- The KSMPEXTA Pasta Press is expensive than other competitor products in the market. It’s still considered as a premium product that many customers will not be comfortable affording.
- Cleaning the tool can be quite tricky as some components cannot be washed easily, hence need to be cleaned by hand. This is particularly when the dough gets stuck on to the parts.
- Based on what you wish to do with the discs and the device, you may need to spend a good amount of time practicing to get perfect results. While it’s easy even for beginners to use, mastering the technique is a different ball game altogether.
- Some customers feel that could be more variations in the pasta press discs that come with the product. For example, there’s no option to make homemade lasagna in the line-up. However, it could be asking too much from one device.
Conclusion
The pasta press (shop now) is an absolute delight that you will love to invest in your cooking pride and accomplishments. The kind of pasta doughs and shapes you can make using this product is absolutely amazing. If cleaning the pieces manually does not worry you much then this is one of the best pasta attachments you can buy.
Verdict
We absolutely love both the pasta press and roller for making super fun and easy to make pasta shapes at home. After going through the review of each, we feel that the pasta roller is kind of simpler and easier to use, while the pasta press requires more work.
Despite the extra labor you put into a pasta press, the outcomes are also extraordinary and feel no less than a miracle. Those who experienced the pasta press for the first time have said that they simply could not take their eyes off the luscious strands of spaghetti.
The best part about these attachments is that the pasta comes out uniform and smooth. With the roller set, you have a cutter to cut the pasta shapes in the desired size for the process to go smoothly. Overall, it boils down to how much you are comfortable investing in your homemade pasta and the kind of passion you have for the ‘thing’.
If you want to just be able to make some noodles and spaghetti, you might be okay with a roller. However, the ardent enthusiasts who eat, sleep, and think pasta all the time will not mind getting the pasta press to churn out the more breathtaking shapes.
Related Questions
Now that we have learned about each attachment in detail, let’s take a quick look at the frequently asked questions related to the KitchenAid Pasta maker tools.
What do you need to make pasta from the scratch
We know many beginners who would love to make their own desired pasta shapes at home but feel intimidated by the process involved. Well, the fact is that if you have pasta attachments by KitchenAid, making pasta at home can be a breeze. As for the ingredients, you only need four things – flour, eggs, salt, and olive oil.
How to use the KitchenAid Pasta Roller
It’s much easier than you think when you have the right attachment at your disposal. Take a small amount of the dough you made and make them roughly the size of three balls. Flatten the ball in the flour using a roller and start rolling to make sheets of desired thickness. Make sure that the sheets have a uniform thickness for the best results.
How To Clean a KitchenAid Pasta Roller Attachment
After you are done, dismount the roller attachment and let it dry for about thirty minutes to an hour before using the cleaning brush that comes with the product. Some of the dough will not come off and you will need to slightly tap on the roller attachment to loosen it. You may use a toothpick to remove the stubborn and dried up dough but abstain from using any sharp object.
Is a drying rack needed for making pasta
Having a drying rack can certainly come in handy when making pasta but you don’t necessarily need one. The freshly prepared pasta from dough needs to be hung quickly to dry and you may use clothes hangers to do that. You just need to think out of the box and find things that you can use for drying them if you don’t have a rack.
What’s the right way of using a roller
If you are someone who doesn’t care much about the shape or looks of pasta, we suggest that you get a roller. Several videos will show you the right method of using a roller. Chefs recommend that you fold the pasta dough two or three times between running it through the largest setting of the roller to make sure that the strands have good strength.
Can you make homemade pasta without the pasta press
Yes, you may use a pasta roller to produce thin sheets of pasta that can be cut manually or using a cutter to get thin pasta strands to dry. However, if you have an eye for artistic food and enjoy aesthetics in what you eat, a pasta press can help you achieve the perfect restaurant like shapes for a gourmet delight.
See Also:
KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Vs Artisan
Kitchenaid Pro 500 Vs Pro 600: Which Is Better?
KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Review
