Review of Shule's Electric Pasta Roller Machine

Compared to devices such as the Philips HR2375/06, roller-type pasta makers are not all that easy for complete beginners to use.

A large part of this is about preparing the dough: if you add too much (or too little) liquid, fail to chill and rest it, or just haven’t yet developed the touch of telling when your flour mixture is good to go, your first couple of attempts are probably going to yield edible but not stellar results.

Another thing many budding chefs struggle with is simply the actual mechanics of using a machine. Before you get the hang of it, applying just enough pressure to the handle while watching the rollers, guiding the dough, and keeping everything floured and organized can make you feel somewhat like a part-time octopus (or polpo in case you’re making a certain seafood dish traditionally served with black pasta).

If you have a loved one who doesn’t mind getting their apron dirty, making pasta as a team is both easier and a surprising amount of fun. The alternative is to find a pasta maker with an integrated motor to do up to half of the work for you.

Getting Revved Up

The detachable motor featured on this Shule does, unfortunately, make the whole machine a little bulky, which may be an issue in some kitchens.

Fortunately, you can remove it without enlisting the help of a master mechanic. This allows you to use the crank instead, or to store the two pieces separately.

Two speed settings prevent the machine from overtaxing novice users while allowing more experienced cooks to work at a rate that’s comfortable for them. There is also a pause/advance button in case the dough gets away from you.

Keeping up with the rollers isn’t, in fact, the larger problem of having an electric drive. This pasta maker can make quite a racket, especially when clamped to a flimsy table or sitting freely on one.

Something which a few people will appreciate is that it’s heavy enough to use without screwing it to something, especially since you don’t have to yank on the handle to process the dough.

The noise level won’t matter to many people, but it’s something you should take a note of if you sometimes feel that the kitchen is the only place you can find peace and quiet. To give you an idea, it’s about as loud as an electric whisk run at slow speed or a sewing machine.

The not-quite-so-bad news is that this machine offers you only spaghetti and tagliatelle as cutting options. There is also an optional ravioli attachment which works fairly well, especially since you have two hands free for controlling the pasta and filling the pocket.

Overall, this machine should satisfy nearly any small family that likes the occasional carbonara dinner. Just understand that at this attractive price for an electrically powered pasta maker, you should not expect it to stand up to heavy or careless use.