When you hit the market for a good pasta maker, you want to keep a few tips in mind to ensure that you buy the best machine for you and your kitchen.

First, how much use do you expect your pasta maker to get? Are you the sort of fan of Italian cuisine that needs fresh pasta five nights a week? Or are you going to be okay fixing up a fresh batch once every couple of weeks?

If you plan to put your pasta maker to frequent use, then it’s worth shelling out the money for a model that’s made of chrome-plated steel – the Cucina Pro 150 Imperia is a good example of this type of machine. It’s durable and designed to stand up to daily use. It’s pricey – if you add even a few basic implements such as the ravioli maker you’re going to be spending over one hundred dollars – but with a little care it’s the last pasta machine you’ll ever need to buy.

If you aren’t going to be using it a lot, then you might want to buy any of the many plastic versions that are available. Plastic pasta makers don’t enjoy the same life span, but they perfectly functional. If you aren’t going to be whipping up primaveras and spaghetti pesto every night, then save your money and go for a cheaper version.

The other thing to keep in mind when it comes to pasta makers is that while they all work out of the box, they don’t offer you a lot of variation. Basically, you get to make one noodle of varying width. If you want to expand your pasta-making abilities, then be prepared to buy some additions that will enable you to make ravioli and the like.

The decision to work with fresh-made pasta instead of store bought is a great idea. Just be sure that purchase a machine that works for your specific needs.