Fresh pasta is an incredibly old Italian tradition that went to the wayside over the last 100 years. Most parts of the world shifted towards the rise of convenience foods, including dried pasta. They were quick, easy to cook, and lasted virtually a lifetime on your shelf so it's no wonder you can find them in almost every American pantry today.
With the emergence of the 'foodie' movement in America and worldwide, people have started to find great value in the taste and quality of their food at unprecedented levels and we have seen a resurgence of the desire for foods that require a bit more preparation like a quality, fresh pasta.
A pasta maker is one small, inexpensive kitchen tool that gets you one step closer to living the dream - eating fresh-made pasta daily.
Ok, maybe not everyone shares the same fresh-pasta-every-day dreams like us, but we do think it's important to learn how to clean a pasta machine so that you can keep your tool in tip-top condition for the occasions that you do choose to make some fresh linguine or tortellini.
There are 2 basic types of pasta makers: high-end electric pasta makers and metal pasta makers that you operate by using a hand crank.
Both types of machines should NEVER be washed in the sink.
Cleaning a manual pasta machine is not as simple as washing a dish - you do not want to submerge this tool in water or use much water around it generally.
Most pasta machines are made of metal and have small working parts that you cannot easily wash or rinse. These machines will rust if you get water in them, as it is almost impossible to remove all of the water afterward.
It is better to use scrap dough or clay to clean the rollers and disassemble the machine in order to clean the inner working parts.
By the same token as what we said above, putting a pasta machine in the dishwasher is a sure recipe for disaster.
Read the instructions on your pasta maker carefully. You may be able to remove certain pieces from a machine and if they are stainless steel they will be dishwasher safe. This is the ONLY case that it is safe to put any part of your manual pasta maker in the dishwasher.
When it comes to cleaning pasta machine, it is important to always follow the manufacturers instructions for cleaning their respective machines as methods will differ depending on different materials and the way in which it has been built.
This will be the end of the road for cleaning pasta makers that don't come apart. Use your dry brush for any small parts you can't easily reach.
For pasta makers that can be disassembled to be fully cleaned, continue on below.
These few simple steps can keep your pasta maker relatively dust and debris free, to keep your food safe to consume and tasting its best.
Remember to avoid using water on any metal/moving parts and you will have your pasta machine for years to come.
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