Pasta maker: clamping to granite countertop?

[testkitchen45]

I have an Atlas pasta maker (hand-cranked) & attachments. For some reason, I haven't made pasta since we remodeled the kitchen last summer; got out of the habit, I guess. But now I'm uneasy about clamping it to my granite countertop. It just seems risky. I know KitchenAid has pasta-roller attachments, but they're expensive and my old Atlas stuff is long since paid for! If I won the lottery, I'd probably want the KA att'mts; failing that, I've got the trusty ol' Atlas. ;)

Any thoughts about clamping to granite? I could pad either side with silicone trivets, but it still seems like I'm asking for a crack or other damage. Could always be sure not to clamp it too tightly, but maybe by the time you figure that out, it's too late? Thanks for comments on this.

[avariell]

I fear giving advice cuz I don't want to be the one who encourages you to break your countertop :D

Having said that... I think you could do it. I would probably pad with silicone or a towel to prevent scratching, but it seems like granite should hold up to a pasta roller. I don't know that I would clamp it on an extra long/unsupported edge because I would have a mild fear of using too much pressure while cranking and somehow snapping the counter off. But I really think these are mostly irrational fears and you should be just fine.

How was that for advice?? :p;)

[Curiosity Hears]

I've clamped mine onto a big 2" thick cutting board instead of the granite in the past and it worked for me.

[testkitchen45]

I've clamped mine onto a big 2" thick cutting board instead of the granite in the past and it worked for me.

How'd you do that? :eek: Mine has a big C clamp that extends below the countertop; the top of the C fits into the pasta maker. It wouldn't fit onto a cutting board unless the board were hanging over the edge of the work surface, to accommodate that big clamp. Thanks.

[Curiosity Hears]

I leave part of the board hang over the counter, just like you said. Before I got the big cutting board, my DH cut me a big piece of particle board that fit over the entire island. That worked too but was more work for me too. Again though, in this solution, I had part of the board hanging over the counter. It isn't a perfect solution and I will be anxiously following this thread for better ideas. But like you, I am too scared to clamp it right to the granite. Hopefully, a bunch of people will come in here and tell us it is okay and they do it all of the time with no problems.

[dreamer101]

Couldn't you just use one of those rubbery or foamy non skid rolls (drawer liners?) they sell at the dollar store? It can be cut to fit under pasta maker and wrap around edge of granite. There will be no sliding around and will protect top, side and underneath counter.

[Hammster]

I don't know if this an option for you, but AB clamped a pasta maker to an ironing board and did all the dirty work right on the ironing board.

[PurplePotato]

You know, I was thinking about this earlier today and I don't think I would risk it. What if there was a fine fault line right there? I'd be afraid it might just snap off.

The ironing board is an interesting idea - but would it be sturdy enough?

[Hammster]

The ironing board is an interesting idea - but would it be sturdy enough?

AB did it on an episode of Good Eats. Ironing board seemed to hold up just fine.

[testkitchen45]

AB did it on an episode of Good Eats. Ironing board seemed to hold up just fine.

Hmmm. Interesting idea. I was thinking along the lines of dreamer101: wrap a silicone trivet around the counter, & clamp away. But that still scares me. I have a countertop ironing board (about 24" x 12") with rubber feet; it seems that I could throw plastic wrap &/or a kitchen towel over it (to protect it from flour), & use that with zero fear of harming the countertops. :)

Gotta wonder, though: why did AB even try an ironing board on Good Eats? What was the premise, where he thought "hey, I'll make pasta on this here ironing board"? :D

[Hammster]

Gotta wonder, though: why did AB even try an ironing board on Good Eats? What was the premise, where he thought "hey, I'll make pasta on this here ironing board"? :D

As I recall it had to do with doing a long strip of dough for making ravioli and the ironing board offered a pretty long and clear stretch of space to do that.
Plus, it's AB, he has to do something a bit quirky. ;)