Pinzon 5-9-Inch Pasta Maker
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List Price: Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Pinzon 5-9-Inch Pasta Maker
Customer Review: Ok, it works...with turning quirks.
Summary: 3 Stars
I noticed a lot of other reviewers were frustrated with this machine, and after using it every week for a while now, it's easy to understand why.
After a while of use, the handle starts to stick on the first three settings, so I have to start my pasta on setting four, which is OK, I just work my way out from there. I've seen similar machines work on TV Food Network, with total EASE. This machine is not like that. Right now, the machine does not turn if I leave it on the first three settings (1,2,3), I have seriously considered taking it apart, but I don't want to break it totally...I can tell that it will totally break down eventually, because even starting with setting 4, it's still difficult to use.
The reason for my review is because I would urge people who are new to pasta making, or just looking to buy the cheapest machine available, don't buy this one, unless you 1) only make pasta rarely...it would probably be just fine. or 2) are just looking to save a few bucks, and are seriously investing in a better machine later anyway.
Because that is where I find myself now, looking for a better quality machine, and I am now extremely skeptical about other similar machines, I plan on reading all the reviews on a particular machine before making my purchase this time. :-)
All in all, I have to say, is that I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of money on this machine, otherwise I would be putting a little extra effort into it, and return it! (I don't feel the $30 I put out for this machine is worth fighting for, I'd rather continue to struggle with the machine and at least I've learned how to make great homemade pasta, and I also NOW KNOW what I want in a pasta machine: ease of use, and long life, quality craftsmanship)
By the way, any ideas on how to fix this machine would be greatly appreciated, I am also curious to take it apart for lubrication purposes, but the instructions don't mention this as a need??
Take care all, hope this review helps you,
Customer Review: nice for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
If you want a simple pasta roller that does fettuccine and spaghetti, this fits the bill (and the price is right). I considered buying a more expensive one because of comments that suggested that the handle falls off or that there might be other issues. I hope that the units that cost twice as much as this are better, but I'm happy with this one because it works well and is constructed well enough to get the job done. In addition, for some of the units, you're only paying for the roller and have to buy other attachments to cut. This one has both.
It's true that the handle doesn't really keep itself in place all the time. I don't find this to be too annoying. It falls off because it's just a piece of metal with slots that attach to the roller and cutter. Perfectly functional for turning, but if you let go of the handle when its at certain angles it doesn't stay in to well. I either make sure the handle is cranked down or I pull it out and set it on the counter when I'm done (it's really easy to take out and put back in).
Anyway, what more can I say? If you're thinking you might want to get into making pasta but don't want to break the bank, get this one. I've done egg noodles, eggless noodles and whole wheat noodles (Hard White wheat berries that I ground myself). All tasted great. 100% whole wheat took a little more work getting started and seemed to need a little more water but ultimately rendered some great, healthy noodles that tasted much better than ANY whole wheat noodles I have purchased.
I don't know if there are other cutting attachments available for this model. I didn't need them, so I didn't worry about that. Fettucine is the best because you have fewer noodles to separate. I use that one almost every time, expect when my 5-year-old son begs me to do the thinner spaghetti setting.
Customer Review: I was very skeptical of purchasing this but the price was right
Summary: 4 Stars
After I received the machine I checked it out. It was intuitive and I never even looked a the instruction sheet that came with it.
I read multiple comments about how the handle falls out when you use it but I have not found that to be a problem. Mounting it to the counter was an issue for me because of the way my counter is but I operated it without mounting it and found that it made it easy because I could move the machine as the pasta was cranking out and not worry about the dough folding onto itself and sticking as it came out. The cutting attachment has two sizes, thick spaghetti and fetticini, which were more than enough for me and I was thankful that it wasn't an additional cost.
I am a novice with pasta making. I bought a Kitchenaid and wanted the pasta attachment to that but wasn't sure I would even like it since I have never had real fresh pasta and the investment was substantially more. This was a nice starter machine and I am able to determine I LOVE FRESH PASTA! I really like this machine but will be passing it on to someone else because I will be getting the Kitchenaid attachment. I will only pass this machine on because the ease of use with an automated machine will be nicer. With this manual machine you have to feed the dough through, roll the dough and watch for the dough. Not bad, just requires a little attention to detail. I think I'm going to enjoy skipping a step.
All in all the price makes this a fabulous buy. It delivers just as promised and I think the people who had negative comments about it wanted it to function like an automatic one but didn't want to make the investment. You get more than you pay for but the performance does not exceed that of a manual machine.
Customer Review: Will Frustrate You...
Summary: 1 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Over the years, my mom has owned probably 10 different pasta makers and I've owned 3 additional pasta makers of my own. There's a couple of things that can really be frustrating: 1) If the handle falls out a lot. 2) If the clamp doesn't clamp the machine onto the table tight enough. and 3) If the noodle cutter doesn't cut well. Any of those three can make for a really frustrating experience.
The problem with this machine is #1: the handle falls out a lot. The machine is very lightweight and doesn't feel as if it's made that well and the thickness adjusting knob feels flimsy. But, you have to think about the price you're paying and so I understand that. It's reasonable quality for the price. BUT, the handle doesn't go in all the way on the roller (as far as it should). It only went in about half way on the roller part. And it went in far enough on the angel hair cutter, but not on the fettucine cutter. So, this pasta maker would be really frustrating--because the majority of your turning is the rolling part--making the dough thinner and thinner.
My recommendation is that if you're looking for a good pasta maker that won't frustrate you, then I think you'd be wise to choose a different one. I do know that sometimes there are quality control issues with things and perhaps mine is just defective. So, please read the other reviews to see what the general experience with this pasta maker is.
Customer Review: Great little machine!
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Living in northeast Arkansas where good pasta-making semolina flour is scarce, my Italian wife found herself at a bit of a disadvantage when our Pinzon pasta maker arrived.
Maria finally found a small cache of semolina flour in the cupboard last evening, mixed it with 2 parts of regular flour, and tried it out.
Although Maria is an excellent cook, with a good command of Italian cuisine, she had never used a pasta maker or seen one in operation. And, of course, neither had I.
The Pinzon 5.9-inch pasta maker comes with a very sketchy one-page instruction sheet that mostly deals with cleaning and maintenance and tells you virtually nothing about how to operate it.
So I turned to the Internet and quickly found a couple of how-to videos on YouTube.com. The thing is dirt simple to operate once you understand how it works, but it you've never seen one working, it can be a little daunting.
Maria was very impressed with the simplicity of operation and quickly cranked out a pot full of noodles that she combined with Italian sausage and a red sauce to make a very tasty dinner.
And yes, home-made pasta does taste better than the store-bought stuff. The Pinzon pasta maker is going to get a good workout once we get a reliable source for semolina flour.
The machine is very solidly built of stainless steel and the clamp works well to keep it from walking away on the countertop.