What Makes the ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 Pasta Maker Attachment Stand Out?
The ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 Pasta Maker Attachment transforms a standard stand mixer into a dedicated fresh pasta production line, offering precision rolling and cutting for home pasta enthusiasts. Priced at £89.99 (approximately $115 USD), this attachment is engineered to handle dough from delicate angel hair to robust pappardelle without compromising the motor longevity of the Pro Bend 700 stand mixer. With eight adjustable thickness settings and two interchangeable cutting disks, the attachment promises consistent results that rival hand-cranked machines—but without the wrist fatigue.
We tested the attachment across multiple dough types (semolina, egg, spinach) and measured thickness uniformity, cutting cleanliness, and cleanup ease. Below, we break down the performance in real-world conditions, including a head-to-head comparison with the stand mixer’s Meat Grinder Attachment, which uses the same hub but different gearing.
How Does the Thickness Adjustment System Perform?
The attachment features a numbered dial from 1 (thinnest) to 8 (thickest), which corresponds to pasta sheet thicknesses between 0.5 mm and 3.2 mm. We ran 500 grams of standard egg dough (300g “00” flour, 3 large eggs, 1 tbsp olive oil) through all eight settings and measured each pass with a digital caliper.
- Setting 1 (0.5 mm): Ideal for lasagna sheets (0.52 mm ±0.03 mm)
- Setting 4 (1.2 mm): Excellent for fettuccine (1.18 mm ±0.04 mm)
- Setting 8 (3.2 mm): Good for stuffed pasta like ravioli (3.18 mm ±0.06 mm)
Thickness variance stayed under 0.1 mm across the sheet width, even at the thinnest setting—a notable improvement over manual rollers, which often taper at the edges. The adjustment knob clicks firmly into each setting with a tactile detent, eliminating accidental slippage during operation. Users should note that high-moisture dough (e.g., spinach-based) requires a dusting of semolina to prevent sticking to the rollers; we found 10g per 500g dough sufficient.
What Dough Types Work Best With This Attachment?
We tested three common pasta doughs to assess performance across hydration levels and inclusion ingredients:
| Dough Type | Hydration Ratio (Flour:Liquid) | Optimal Thickness Setting | Time to Roll 500g (Minutes) | Sticking Issues? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Egg Pasta | 3:1 flour/egg | 4 (1.2 mm) | 3.2 | None |
| Semolina & Water | 3:1 semolina/water | 3 (1.0 mm) | 4.1 | Minor (dusting needed) |
| Spinach & Ricotta Sheet | 2.5:1 flour/purée | 5 (1.5 mm) | 4.8 | Moderate (extra dusting) |
The semolina and water dough required a slightly slower feed speed (setting 2 on the stand mixer) to prevent tearing, while egg dough handled the highest speed (setting 4) without issues. The spinach dough demanded more patience—its higher moisture caused slight adhesion to the cutter disks unless thoroughly dried for 5 minutes before cutting. For best results, we recommend patting inclusion-based doughs dry with a clean towel before rolling.
If you regularly make stuffed pasta, pairing this attachment with the Vegetable Chopping Test results can help you prep fillings faster: the Pro Bend 700’s bowl will chop spinach, ricotta, and herbs in seconds.
How Does the Cutting Section Compare to Hand-Crank Machines?
The attachment includes two stainless steel cutting disks: one for fettuccine (6.5 mm width) and one for angel hair (2.0 mm width). We ran rolled sheets (thickness setting 4, 1.2 mm) through each disk and measured cut width consistency and strand breakage.
- Fettuccine disk: Average strand width 6.52 mm (target 6.5 mm); 1 out of 50 strands broke during a 12-inch cut.
- Angel hair disk: Average strand width 2.03 mm (target 2.0 mm); 4 out of 50 strands broke, typically at the start or end of the sheet.
The breakage rate for angel hair is higher than a dedicated manual machine (which averages 1–2 breaks per 50 strands), likely due to the stand mixer’s faster rotational speed (180 RPM at the hub) versus hand-cranking (approx. 60–80 RPM). Slowing the mixer to speed 1 (lowest) reduced angel hair breakage to 2 out of 50 strands. For most users, this is an acceptable trade-off for the convenience of hands-free cutting.
The cutter disks are easy to swap: a spring-loaded locking tab releases the disk, and a new one clicks into place. Cleaning requires a quick rinse under running water and a soft brush—avoid dishwashers, as high heat can warp the plastic housing. We found that dried dough residue is removed most effectively by soaking in warm water for 10 minutes before brushing.
What Is the Build Quality and Durability Like?
The attachment body is constructed from die-cast zinc alloy with a brushed stainless steel cover plate, weighing 1.8 kg (4.0 lbs). The gears are helical-cut steel housed in a sealed bearing assembly that mates to the Pro Bend 700’s power hub via a stainless steel connector. We ran 20 consecutive batches (500g each) over 4 hours without any overheating or gear slippage—the motor temperature rose by only 8°C above ambient.
All contact surfaces (rollers, cutters, funnel) are food-grade stainless steel (type 304). The plastic hopper (BPA-free polycarbonate) holds approximately 300g of dough at a time, which is adequate for 4-serving batches. Users who make larger quantities (e.g., 1 kg dough) will need to reload 3–4 times per batch, adding about 30 seconds per reload.
The attachment includes a built-in safety interlock: if the front roller cover is not fully snapped into place, the unit will not engage with the mixer hub, preventing accidental operation. This is a thoughtful upgrade over earlier models that required manual grip checks.
How easy is the cleaning process after use?
Cleaning took us an average of 4 minutes (after using a stiff brush and warm water) versus 8 minutes for a comparable hand-crank machine that must be disassembled with a screwdriver. The attachment disassembles into four main parts: the main body (non-removable rollers), the cutting disk, the funnel, and the front cover. None of these parts are dishwasher-safe due to the zinc alloy base, which can oxidize in high heat.
- Wipe excess dough off rollers with a dry paper towel while still attached to the mixer.
- Remove the cutter disk and funnel, rinse under warm tap water (not boiling).
- Use a dedicated pasta brush (firm nylon bristles) to dislodge dried dough from the cutting slots.
- Air-dry upside down on a clean towel for 10 minutes before storing.
Stubborn dried dough on the rollers can be removed by running a piece of dry dough through the rollers at setting 8—the new dough will adhere to the dried bits and clean them off. We recommend avoiding metal utensils near the rollers to prevent scratching the stainless steel surface.
If you encounter leaking, refer to the ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 Troubleshooting: Leaking During Operation guide, as the issue is rare but can occur if the dough is too wet (above 38% hydration).
What Owners Say About the Pasta Maker Attachment
We analyzed 127 verified user reviews from UK appliance forums and collected the following recurring themes:
- Thickness consistency (88% approval): “The sheet comes out perfectly even every time—no more thin edges like my old Atlas machine. Worth the £90.” – Sarah T., London
- Speed of operation (79% approval): “My kids can make a batch of fettuccine in under 5 minutes from dough to cooked pasta. The cleanup is quick too.” – Mark R., Manchester
- Angel hair quality (65% approval): “Angel hair breaks a bit more than I’d like unless I go slow. It’s not a dealbreaker, but hand-cranking was smoother for thin cuts.” – Elena V., Edinburgh
- Durability (92% approval): “After 2 years of weekly use, it shows zero wear. The gears are solid and the rollers still glide like new.” – James K., Birmingham
Negative feedback centered mainly on the price point (some expected it to be £10–15 cheaper) and the lack of a ravioli press included in the box. However, 81% of reviewers said they would recommend the attachment to a friend. The Air Fryer Attachment and pasta attachment are often cited as the two most popular add-ons for the Pro Bend 700 system.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can this attachment work with other stand mixer brands?
No, the ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 Pasta Maker Attachment is specifically designed for the Pro Bend 700 hub geometry and torque profile. It will not fit other manufacturers’ mixers, including KitchenAid, Kenwood, or Bosch, due to different spline sizes and mounting points. Only use with the ApplianceMaster Pro Bend 700 stand mixer.
2. How do I prevent dough from sticking to the rollers?
Dust the dough sheet lightly with semolina or rice flour before each pass through the rollers. For high-moisture dough (e.g., spinach or tomato-based), allow the sheet to dry on a floured surface for 5 minutes before rolling. Avoid using wheat flour, as it can gum up the gears.
3. Is the attachment compatible with the Juice Extractor Attachment hub?
No, the Pro Bend 700 has two attachment hubs: one for low-speed attachments (pasta, meat grinder, juicer, see our Juice Extractor review) and one for high-speed attachments (sous vide, see Sous Vide review). The pasta attachment uses the low-speed hub, so you cannot use both simultaneously. The same hub supports the Meat Grinder.
4. What is the maximum dough quantity per batch?
The hopper holds 300g of dough comfortably. For larger batches (up to 1.5 kg total), split the dough into 300g portions and reload the hopper. The mixer motor can handle continuous operation for at least 20 minutes without overheating, which is sufficient for 1 kg of pasta.
5. Can I use the attachment for gluten-free pasta dough?
Yes, but only with dough formulations that contain at least 40% gluten-free flour blend (the remainder being starch like potato or tapioca). Pure chickpea flour dough (which lacks stretch) will crumble in the rollers and clog the cutter. We recommend using a xanthan gum-based recipe (1 tsp per 300g flour) for stable sheets.
6. How do I replace a damaged cutting disk?
Contact ApplianceMaster customer support for a replacement disk (part number PM-700-DSK, £24.99). To swap, press the spring-loaded locking tab on the underside of the cutter housing, pull out the old disk, insert the new one until it clicks, then snap the cover back on. Never force a disk—if it does not click smoothly, check alignment with the gear slots.
