Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased this a few weeks ago, and have only used it once. At the same time, I found and purchased the Ursula Tartmaster from Kitchen Supply in Illinois. I recently used both to make ravioli.
The process is simple:
1. make a sheet of dough,
2. spoon filling onto the dough,
3. either fold the dough over the top of the filling, or place a second sheet of dough on top of the filling.
4. position ravioli maker, press spring loaded crimper on the top, and the crimping edge depresses and will seal the two layers of dough with a crimp.
5. release crimper and press down on press, the outer housing then cuts the sealed ravioli out of the sheet of dough. Lift finished ravioli and cook.
The antique gadgets ravioli/tart maker did those things adequately, but not great. I made about 6 ravioli with this press and about 20 with the tartmaster.
Pros: does job as advertised.
Cons: 1. with minimal pressure both the bell-shaped housing of the crimper and the stem to depress the crimper BENT! After 6 ravioli! My husband noticed it when inspecting the device as he came to investigate my operation. I was using normal pressure. My husband easily bent the unit straight by hand. Does not bode well for longevity.
2. the crimp did not seem sufficient,the crimping teeth quite shallow and smooth; having said that, it must have been adequate, since none of my ravioli came apart in the boil. The crimp is far cleaner and better defined with the ursula tartmaster, which has more square and deeper teeth.
The feel of the tartmaster was much more stable, I naturally gravitated to using it in preference to the antique gadgets device. The quality and ease with which the tartmaster made ravioli was far superior, and it is constructed with a durable frame on the crimper which should withstand decades of regular use. The tartmaster is more expensive, I paid $10 locally at a specialty shop for mine. It is also more difficult to find, since kitchen supply is wholesale only. Pampered chef originally collaborated with then stole Ursula Kaiser's tartmaster design and manufactures something similar with their name on it. There is an ongoing court battle about this. I had stopped buying pampered chef products several years ago do to their high prices. The quality of their things is good, but not for what they charge. I also have ethical difficulty supporting pyramid schemes. Now that I have learned that pampered chef will steal peoples ideas (Ursula's is evidently not the first time pampered chef has done this) I feel even less compelled to support pampered chef. I do not know what the pampered chef device is like, though it may be easier to acquire than Ursula's tartmaster.
Summary: the antique gadgets device will do the job, but better things are out there.
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Antique Gadgets Ravioli/Tart MakerWith their Antique Gadgets line, the RPI Group is bringing back many everyday helpful kitchen gadgets that have been out of production for many years.If you want a tool just like Grandma used, then this is the product line for you.The Ravioli/Tart Maker is a spring loaded pasta mold made from an heirloom design and constructed in durable stainless steel.It quickly and easily cuts, seals, and crimps the filling of your choice between two layers of dough or pastry.Terrific for making ravioli, tarts, appetizers, and more, this little gadget is so handy you'll wonder why it ever went out of style.Dishwasher safe.
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