To clean a KitchenAid pasta roller and cutters, air-dry, brush out dried dough, never wash or submerge, and oil the end gears lightly.
Fresh noodles taste great, but dough dust hides in the rollers and cutters. A quick, correct cleanup keeps sheets smooth, blades sharp, and the gear train happy. This guide shows a fast routine after each batch, a deeper cycle when the rollers feel sticky, and simple fixes for squeaks or streaks. No water baths, no dishwashers, no guesswork.
Cleaning A KitchenAid Pasta Attachment Safely
Metal rollers and cutters don’t like moisture. Water pushes paste deeper, invites rust, and voids care advice from the maker. The safe method is dry: let residue harden, then brush. A toothpick helps in tight slots. Finish with a soft cloth. Store parts in a dry cabinet so flour doesn’t cake.
What You’ll Need
- Included stiff cleaning brush
- Wooden toothpick
- Soft lint-free cloth
- Light mineral oil (food-safe) for periodic oiling of the ends
Quick Reference: Tasks And Timing
This high-level table shows when to brush, when to give the rollers extra time to dry, and when a touch of oil helps.
| Task | When To Use | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Air-Dry | Right after you finish a batch | ~60 minutes |
| Brush & Pick | Once dough is dry and brittle | 5–10 minutes |
| Soft-Cloth Polish | After brushing to remove film | 2 minutes |
| End-Gear Oiling | Annually or after ~50 uses | 1 minute |
| Hand-Tap | When crumbs wedge inside slots | 30 seconds |
Step-By-Step: Fast After-Use Routine
1) Power Down And Detach
Turn the stand mixer to 0, unplug, and remove the attachment. A powered roller can draw in cloth fibers, so keep the motor off during cleaning.
2) Let Dough Dry
Set the roller or cutter on a rack or towel for about an hour. As the residue dries, it loses grip. That’s the moment to brush—dry crumbs release cleanly.
3) Brush From Wide To Narrow
Hold the body over a bin. Use the supplied brush to sweep across the rollers first, then into grooves and around cutter teeth. Short strokes work best. Rotate the selector knob through a few thickness settings to expose edges while brushing.
4) Toothpick The Corners
Where threads or slots meet the side plate, a toothpick knocks loose stubborn bits. Avoid knives or metal picks—sharp tips can score surfaces and invite sticking later.
5) Hand-Tap To Dislodge Grit
Gently tap the body with your palm. You’ll hear crumbs shake free from inside paths and drop out of the end openings.
6) Wipe And Store
Buff with a soft cloth to clear fine flour. Park the attachment in a dry cabinet. Keep desiccant packs nearby if your kitchen runs humid.
Deep Clean For Sticky Rollers Or Noisy Cutters
When sheets drag or the cutter squeals, a deeper cycle helps. You’ll still stay dry—no soaking.
Run A Sacrificial Flour Feed
Crank a small handful of flour through the roller on a mid setting. The powder acts like a gentle eraser and lifts film off the steel. Brush again.
Reset The Tension Path
Dial through each thickness once or twice. That motion realigns edges and clears hidden tracks that collect paste near the ends.
Oil The End Corners
Add one small drop of light mineral oil to each far corner of the rollers or cutter ends. Wipe the excess. Spin the knob to distribute. A tiny amount goes a long way.
What Never To Do
- No dishwashers or sinks. Don’t submerge the body or rinse under a tap.
- No harsh scrapers. Skip knives, steel picks, and scouring pads.
- No cooking sprays. Residues gum up gears and attract dust.
- No wet sanitizers on the roller assembly. Moisture creeps into joints.
Why The Dry Method Works
Pasta dough is mostly flour and water. Once dry, the bond to polished steel weakens. Bristles break flakes without dragging water into seams. A light oil at the ends keeps the gear train smooth while the steel faces stay clean for dough contact.
Setup Choices That Make Cleanup Easier
Use The Right Flour Dusting
A pinch of flour on each pass keeps the sheet from smearing. Too much leaves paste streaks. Aim for a whisper-thin coat that brushes away in seconds.
Trim Portions Small
Shorter sheets shed fewer crumbs inside the body. Feed palm-length pieces, then rejoin strips at the bench if you need extra length.
Catch Crumbs Smart
Place a tray under the mixer. Line it with parchment. When you’re done, lift the sheet and dump crumbs straight to the bin.
Care Schedule You Can Stick To
Small tasks after every session prevent the need for repairs later. This schedule keeps you on track.
| Interval | Action | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Every Use | Air-dry, brush, toothpick, soft-cloth wipe | Stops buildup and streaks |
| Every 5–10 Uses | Sacrificial flour feed + extra brush-out | Lifts film from steel paths |
| Annually / ~50 Uses | One drop mineral oil at each end corner | Quiets gears, reduces wear |
| Seasonal | Check storage spot for humidity | Prevents surface rust |
Fixes For Common Problems
Black Streaks On Sheets
That’s dried oil or fine steel oxides. Run two small dough scraps or a flour feed through, then brush again. Wipe the rollers with a dry cloth until clean.
Rollers Feel Gummy
Feed a pinch of flour through a few times. Follow with a thorough brush. Gummy feel fades once the film lifts.
Squeak At The Ends
Place one small drop of mineral oil at each end corner. Rotate the knob through several settings. Wipe off any trace on the faces before the next batch.
Teeth Packed With Dried Noodles
Hold the cutter over a bin and tap the side with your palm. Work the brush along the tooth line, then run a narrow strip of dry dough to pull out fines.
Surface Rust Specks
Brush until the orange powder lifts. Rub with a dry cloth. Keep the attachment in a drier cabinet and skip all moisture near the body.
Light Oiling: Where And How Much
Use only a food-grade light mineral oil. Place a drop at each far corner of the roller or cutter ends. Rotate to spread. Keep oil off the roller faces. If any smear lands on a face, buff dry. One tiny drop per corner is enough, and you won’t taste it in the next batch.
Sanitation Tips Without Breaking The Rules
Keep the roller assembly dry. Clean the worktop and drying rack with soapy water and a rinse, then air-dry. That way the dough path stays dry while the rest of the station meets kitchen-safe norms.
Storage That Protects The Finish
Store the attachment in its pouch or a clean towel. Avoid stacked pans or tools pressing on the selector knob. If your kitchen runs humid, drop a fresh desiccant sachet next to the body inside a bin with a loose lid.
Care Notes Specific To Rollers Vs. Cutters
Sheet Roller
Most residue lives near the edges at thinner settings. Spend extra brush time on the last two notches you used, since those gaps pinch and hold paste.
Spaghetti Or Fettuccine Cutter
Teeth trap soft strands. Let them dry first. Then run a narrow ribbon of scrap dough through to pull out dust, and brush side-to-side along the tooth line.
When To Call It A Day And Let It Dry Longer
If the weather is damp or the dough was rich with eggs, give the body extra air time before brushing. Hard residue breaks clean; soft residue smears and hides. Waiting saves work.
Trusted Reference Links
Care steps in this guide match maker directions. See the official help page on cleaning and light oiling, and the owner’s manual instructions about air-drying, brushing, and the no-water rule. Both open in a new tab.