CucinaPro 150 Imperia Pasta Machine

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great pasta machine!
After reading several reviews on slightly cheaper models and considering the advice given in Marcella Hazan's "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking", I chose this model.

1. This model is a product of Italy and the instructions (which are written in several languages) are written in poor English. Since the product is a simple design, I found that I didn't really need the instructions to figure out how to assemble the double cutter attachment. Thankfully, attaching the double cutter is the only assembly required.

2. The pasta machine came with a recipe for pasta dough. The recipe was also written in several languages but the English instructions were a bit clearer than the assembly instructions. I didn't use the recipe provided by the machine's manufacturer though. I used the instructions provided in Marcella's book mentioned above.

3. This machine is heavy and unbalanced when the double cutter is attached. It comes with a clamp to clamp it to your counter top or table if you choose to use the hand crank provided to operate the machine. I bought the "Villaware V180 Pasta Machine Motorizer" along with the pasta machine. Using the motor with the pasta machine not only eliminates the need to use the hand crank, it eliminates the need to clamp the pasta machine. Not having to use the clamp means that you can position the machine anywhere you wish on your work surface, not just on the edge. I found it was more comfortable to place the machine about midway to the wall on my counter top. Using the motor also frees up both hands for manipulating the pasta dough as it is being processed. I honestly don't think I could have used the thinnest settings with just one hand to manipulate the pasta dough. The dough becomes quite fragile when it thins and tends to want to stretch and presumably, break at the thinner settings. By using two hands to manipulate the dough, I found it easy to process the dough through the machine even at the thinnest settings.

4. One of Marcella's suggestions was to buy a machine with a double cutter because you will be able to make wide fettuccine style noodles and narrow round spaghettini style noodles. I made both using the fettuccine style noodles to make fettuccine in butter and cream sauce (Alfredo) and short spaghettini style noodles to make chicken noodle soup. Both cutters worked flawlessly.

5. The machine/motor's over all performance was also flawless. The motor switch has two speed settings and I used the slow setting throughout. The pasta machine and motor combination worked the dough easily through all the width settings. The motor also has a separate ravioli button that I have not tried yet. I ended up processing three batches of dough. The first was used to clean the pasta machine of metal bits and thrown away as was instructed in the manual.

Conclusion:

This is a well made pasta machine. It's parts are well designed and made of stainless steel. Maintenance is a breeze. Just wipe it down when finished using it. This is a great little pasta machine. In short, it does what it is supposed to do - and - it does it with ease. It makes pasta.

Check out ->Marcella Hazan's "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking"

Check out the->Imperia Pasta Machine Motor Made in Italy
by ocertain, Dallas, Texas USA

5.0 out of 5 stars used it in Italy
The Pasta maker is terrific. small and easy to store. I had an attachment to my kitchen aid, but was never wide enough for the dough. this has a large opening. When I was in Tuscany taking a class in pasta making this is the model they used, need I say more....
by J.A. Hagaar Tampa, Florida USA

4.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy and Efficient!
This is my first experience with a pasta maker. The unit is sturdy (quite heavy). Especially like the fact that it's made in Italy and not China. The handle did fall off a couple of times while stretching the dough, but that could be me. With more experience, I can probably control that better. My only gripe is that the instruction booklet is too vague for a first-timer. There was so recipe for basic pasta dough in the booklet. You can get a couple of great ones on the Internet. The booklet's instructions on how to use the pasta maker are terrible. It's best to to [...] and there are many terrific short videos on how to use these pasta machines. You will feel like a pro in no time. Love the idea of making and eating fresh pasta knowing there are no preservatives and fumigant in them. I recommend this pasta maker.
by BekaBoo Hauula, Hawaii USA