Kitchen Aid pasta rollers stay in shape with dry brushing, dried-dough removal, and light oil—never use water or a dishwasher.
Fresh noodles stick to gears and seams if you don’t tidy the attachment the right way. The good news: the care routine is quick, dry, and safe for the chrome finish. Below you’ll find a clear process that prevents rust, keeps sheets smooth, and avoids voiding the warranty.
Safe Cleaning Steps For KitchenAid Roller Attachments
This section walks through the full routine from unplugging the mixer to storage. It also shows when to let bits of dough dry before you brush. Follow the sequence and you’ll protect the rollers and cutters for years.
Before You Start
- Unplug the stand mixer and remove the attachment.
- Set the speed to “0” so the knob isn’t bumped while handling.
- Have a stiff pastry brush, wooden toothpicks, paper towels, and light mineral oil ready.
- Place a tray or sheet of parchment under the work area to catch crumbs.
Dry, Don’t Wash
The maker’s guidance is clear: never wash or immerse the unit in water, and don’t send it through a dishwasher. Metal internals can trap moisture, which leads to corrosion and seized gears. Skip cloth “passes” through the gap—threads can jam inside the rollers.
| Mess Or Task | What Works | What To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh smears of dough | Roll a dry paper towel strip through on the widest setting | Wet cloth, soap, soaking |
| Dried bits in seams | Stiff brush strokes, then wood toothpick for tight corners | Metal tools, knives, skewers |
| Fine flour dust | Brush off, then wipe the body with a dry cloth | Compressed air near eyes; water spray |
| Light squeak while cranking | One drop of light mineral oil on the gear hub, wipe excess | Cooking oils that can gum up |
| Streaks on sheeted pasta | Run a clean paper towel through twice to sweep particles | Wet towel fed through the slot |
Step-By-Step: The Dry Clean Routine
- Let stray dough dry. Ten to twenty minutes is enough for crumbs to harden. Dry crumbs release faster and won’t smear.
- Brush the exterior. Use short strokes along seams, the bottom lip, and the back plate.
- Clear the rollers. Feed a 2-inch strip of paper towel through on the widest setting. Repeat with a fresh strip until it exits clean.
- Detail tight spots. Flick out stubborn specks with a wooden toothpick. Work gently; don’t scratch the finish.
- Wipe and inspect. Polish with a dry, soft cloth. Check that the adjustment knob moves freely.
- Lube if needed. If you hear a faint squeak, place a single drop of light mineral oil on the exposed gear shaft. Turn the rollers by hand to spread, then wipe off any excess.
- Store dry. Slip the attachment into its case or a clean bag and keep it at room temperature away from steam.
Why The Maker Says “No Water”
These attachments use steel rollers and internal gears. Water seeps into cavities you can’t reach, which invites rust and sticky residue. Soap can also strip factory lubricant. A simple dry routine avoids both problems while keeping food contact areas clean.
Close Variant: Cleaning KitchenAid Pasta Roller Attachments With Confidence
Call this the common-sense path: remove crumbs, sweep the rollers, and oil sparingly. This approach respects the design and keeps sheets even. It’s the same method the brand describes in its care pages and manuals.
Tools And Supplies That Help
- Stiff pastry brush or dedicated detail brush
- Paper towels cut into 2-inch strips
- Wooden toothpicks or bamboo skewers with blunted tips
- Food-grade light mineral oil for gears
- Storage pouch or box to keep dust off between sessions
Timing: Clean Right After You Finish Rolling
Do the dry clean as soon as you’re done. If you need to step away, leave the unit in a warm, dry spot so residue hardens quickly. Avoid steamy sinks or damp counters while the attachment is open.
Proof-Backed Guidance
You can read the brand’s own directions that say never to wash or immerse the unit, never send it through a dishwasher, and avoid running a cloth through the rollers—see clean and lubricate the pasta roller. The same page also mentions a light mineral-oil lube for the gears. For a home kitchen, public guidance explains when plain cleaning is enough and when sanitizing adds value on nearby worktops; see the CDC’s cleaning and sanitizing guidance. Use cleaners on counters, not on the roller itself.
Where Sanitizing Fits (And Where It Doesn’t)
Food-contact surfaces around the mixer—like the counter and cutting board—can be cleaned with hot, soapy water after pasta day. Use sanitizers on those worktops only when there’s a specific need. The metal attachment isn’t a candidate for wet sanitizing, so stick with the dry method you see here.
Deep-Clean Days: When To Do More
You don’t need a teardown, and you shouldn’t try one. Save the “extra” steps below for times you’ve rolled a big batch or you see streaks on sheets.
Paper-Towel Purge
Cut a long strip of paper towel. Pass it through on the widest gap, then step the knob tighter by one notch and pass a fresh strip. Stop if you feel drag; go back to the wide gap and repeat. This sweeps dust from spots the brush can’t reach.
Spot Lube For Gears
If the roller turns stiff or squeaks, a single drop of light mineral oil on the gear shaft brings back smooth motion. Don’t flood the area. Too much oil attracts flour and makes paste.
Storage That Prevents Rust
Keep the attachment away from wet basements and steamy cabinets over a kettle. Dry air and a clean pouch are your friends. If you live near the coast, a silica gel pack in the box helps.
Troubleshooting After Cleaning
If something feels off, match the symptom to a quick fix below.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Black streaks on dough | Residue or light surface oxidation | Run paper towel through twice; roll a sacrificial scrap |
| Clicks while turning | Dry gear hub | One drop of mineral oil; wipe excess |
| Uneven sheets | Crumbs stuck near the edges | Brush edges and feed clean towel strip |
| Rollers won’t move | Dough jam in the slot | Let it dry, toothpick it out; never pry with metal |
| Rust specks | Moisture exposure | Dry fully; rub gently with dry cloth and resume dry care |
Quick Safety Notes
- Always unplug the mixer before handling attachments.
- Keep fingers clear of the gap while hand-turning the rollers.
- Don’t feed fabric through the slot; threads can wrap around axles.
- Skip aerosol cleaners and solvent wipes on food-contact areas.
Care Schedule You Can Stick With
Match your maintenance to how often you roll. A simple routine keeps things smooth without fuss.
Suggested Rhythm
- Every session: Dry brush, towel sweep, exterior wipe.
- Monthly (heavy users): One drop of mineral oil on the hub.
- Seasonally: Full paper-towel purge across a few gap settings.
FAQ-Free Tips That Save Time
Use The Right Flour
Many doughs shed less when mixed with low hydration and a dusting of fine semolina during rolling. Less dust means faster cleanup.
Keep A “Roller Brush” In The Drawer
Dedicate one brush to the task so oil or soap from sink brushes never reaches the attachment.
Finish With A Test Sheet
After you clean, pass a scrap of dough through on the widest setting. If it exits spotless, you’re set for the next batch.
Sources And Further Reading
Brand care pages and manuals outline the dry method and the no-water rule, plus the light-oil tip for gears. Public guidance for home kitchens explains when cleaning is enough and when sanitizing helps for surrounding surfaces.