Lello 2720 Pastamaster 2200
From Lello
Full cycle electric pasta maker
- Amazon Sales Rank: #40272 in Kitchen & Housewares
- Color: White
- Brand: Lello
- Model: 2720.00
- Dimensions: 8.00" h x 10.50" w x 12.00" l, 20.00 pounds
A quality product
I did a great deal of research on the internet before buying an automatic pasta maker. I couldn't spend a fortune, but I wanted the best quality machine I could afford. I read too many reports of broken plastic extrusion discs, motors that burned out, etc. I learned that the Simac, Delonghi and Lello products were all related (so the quality of the older Simac brand seemed to be carried on in the newer Delonghi and Lello brands). I liked their metal extrusion discs and the durability of them. I felt a 2 lb capacity was ideal. I bought this one.
I was not disappointed. I had read a great deal on the internet that the trickiest part is getting the dough consistency right. Most (if not all) of the negative reviews of all pasta machines center around this problem. When trying to decide which machine to buy, I do not recommend being influenced by reviews that focus entirely on this issue - that complaint is all about user error and has nothing to do with the quality or reliability of the machine. (Experienced makers of home made pasta need to understand that the dough will need to be a different consistency in this machine than when done the manual way.) I measured carefully and read the machine instructions very carefully (they bend over backwards to help you with this) and I didn't have any trouble getting pasta dough to extrude. I found that a 2lb capacity is more than I needed for a family of 3. I also felt that having metal extrusion discs is valuable in that when you trim the dough as it extrudes, you really run your knife against that metal a lot (in order to help get a clean cut). I can imagine a plastic disc would wear considerably faster under those circumstances. (You literally slice and slice hundreds of times for the smaller pastas - like elbows and such.)
I would highly recommend this machine. I was impressed by its quality and usefulness. You will not regret your purchase with this one.
Good product for your dough
I've always had good luck with this machine, and actually went on-line tonight to see if I could buy more of the extruding disks to make gnocchi, ziti, etc. When I saw the negative reviews I was shocked. I'm sure the folks that said they couldn't get it to extrude did slide open the shutter in the bottom--the shutter is closed while the stuff is mixing, and you slide it open to let the blade squeeze the pasta out to the extruder once it's mixed. And, if the mix is very dry, it sometimes forms a crust on the bottom that keeps the rest of the mix from squeezing through--open the machine up, break up the crust and add a little more water. BTW, there is nothing like the taste of freshly-made pasta.
I have no financial interest in any product I review.
finally a good machine!
I am Italian and make fresh pasta at least once a week. When we bought our first electric pasta machine (Popeil) I was simply thrilled at the ease and quickness of the process. But these first machines were unable to withstand real use- we burned out motors, had parts fail, and went through 3 machines over 10 years before I finally decided to 'bite the bullet" and but a higher caliber (and priced) machine. We've had it about 6 weeks now and I have to say it was definitely worth it. Easy to use, clean, strong - seems like it may be able to take on my family use!
