Dumplings: types, model overview and selection features

The dumpling maker is a simple and convenient device that can make life easier for the hostess. Until recently, it could be found in every home, but years later this masterpiece of Soviet industry could be called practically an artifact. Today, hand-made metal molds for making dumplings have regained popularity. All new options for convenient and ergonomic devices appear on the market for quickly creating the required number of semi-finished products. In such a variety of choices, it is not long and confused.

What should the buyer pay attention to? How to choose a dumpling maker for home, taking into account the shape of its cells? The purchase of such a simple and convenient mechanical device or manual sculpting device will allow you to easily master the preparation of a lot of popular national dishes. Using a special shape, you can create dumplings and dumplings with original fillings, prepare dietary and vegetarian ravioli.

A dumpling maker or dumpling maker is a device or a special rigid form that allows you to form semi-finished products of the required size with well-fixed edges. The most common version looks like a lattice with cells of the desired shape, metal or plastic. Molds for sculpting dumplings were especially popular during the Soviet era.

Today they are in demand again - hand sculpting allows us to guarantee the high quality of the product. And the dumpling machine makes it possible to create any number of culinary products without unnecessary effort and time consuming.

Modern retail chains offer forms various sizes and configurations... You can find options for making small dumplings or large dumplings, ravioli with jagged edges. The variety of versions available also allows for different batch quantities. On average, one dumpling maker contains 40 cells, arranged by analogy with a honeycomb. Mechanical models and electrical options suitable for a large family or restaurant preparation of a semi-finished product for subsequent culinary processing.

Another important feature is the type of construction. Modern hand-made dumplings are designed primarily for rolling out dough sheets with a rolling pin. But there are also models of the "book" type, in which the constituent parts of the structure itself act as a press.

There are a fairly large number of different types of dumplings used at home. The professional variety is usually represented by mechanical and electrical options for technology. If a large batch of products is required, this option is ideal. The dough is rolled out in advance, then it is filled into the unit, minced meat is placed in a special compartment. When the machine is put into operation, blanks are formed, the output is full-fledged semi-finished products, ready for freezing or cooking.

Automatic press machines - another type of devices for working with dough, making culinary products. With its help, you can create neat ravioli and noodles, and produce other types of homemade convenience foods. The device has separate compartments for filling and dough, you can select the optimal operating mode.

Molds for hand sculpting dumplings are most often round, oval, rectangular volumetric lattices with cells of a certain size. On sale there are both metal and plastic versions, more rare and expensive options are made from hardened ceramics, chrome-plated metal. Heavy iron and cast iron versions are produced in Russia and the CIS countries.

The lightweight aluminum dumpling maker will most likely be made in China. There are kits with a flexible silicone board and a special rolling pin that make it easier to work with the dough.

• Rollers. The device, which works like a manual meat grinder, grabs the layers of dough and filling, folds them into ready-made dumplings. It is quite convenient to use the device, but the amount of excess dough is higher than when using other types of dumplings. In addition, the filling mixes with the outer shell, preventing re-rolling and use of the mass to create a new batch of product.

• Presses... They are available for both classic dumplings and ravioli. Semi-finished products are cut from the dough piece by piece, filled with a filling, then the edge of the blank is pressed again by a press piston. With the help of such a device, it is possible to achieve the formation of beautiful, decorative edges of the product. There are pistol options for easy retrieval of the finished product from the device.

• Lattice... The most common version of the dumplings is metal and plastic. The shape of the finished product varies from round to oval, depending on the size of the cells, the diameter also turns out to be different. The lattice base serves as a mold for laying the rolled dough sheet and filling. The dumplings are squeezed using a rolling pin or the second part of the workpiece.

Several decades ago, dumplings were presented on the market mainly with massive cast iron or steel products for manual cutting of semi-finished products. Today there are many convenient and modern versions of such a kitchen accessory. Their appearance, quality, and some other features deserve the utmost attention. After all, it is a good dumpling maker that guarantees the achievement of the desired result in the kitchen.

Among the models of electric mills intended for home use, the following are worth highlighting.

• Maracato Atlas Roller Combi Ravioli. Affordable high-end option. With a power of 200 W, the product demonstrates a productivity of up to 12 kg per hour. The dumpling maker weighs about 10 kg, the package includes a variety of attachments, measuring spoons.

• Maracato Atlas 150 Roller Raviolini. Dumplings with a width of 150 mm for rolling out the dough strip, with layers from 0.6 to 4.8 mm thick. The parts of the apparatus are made of anodized aluminum, resistant to oxidation, preventing the dough from sticking. The set includes additional attachments designed for making cappellini, spaghetti, noodles.

Among this category of products, the following models can be noted:

• Tescoma Delicia - molds for ravioli with replaceable attachments, you can choose round, square, triangular options;

• Ikea drommar - baking dishes suitable for making dumplings of the original form, designed for a children's audience.

Manual type dumplings are distinguished by the greatest variety of choices. The following models can be found on sale:

• IDEA - lightweight plastic dumpling maker with 36 mm cells, works well with a dough sheeter;

• Tupperware "Hearts" - an original version for a festive table, in everyday use it is not very convenient;

• "Gulliver" - the metal version with a mesh size of about 37 mm, has a round shape, accommodates 61 semi-finished products at once;

• Yelta - plastic mold of increased capacity, 61 dumplings with a diameter of 25 mm can be molded at a time;

• Sagad - Polish molds for ravioli, set of 42 cells, compatible with rolling.

When choosing a suitable option, it is worth considering the desired performance of the model and the size of the cells. Classic Soviet dumplings can be bought at online auctions, classifieds sites. They are quite heavy, metal, and have a mesh diameter of 36 mm.

The basic rules for choosing a dumpling maker for home are quite simple. It is better not to skimp on quality, and to select products from well-known manufacturers. Many firms offer their customers a set instead of one form - with a silicone mat or board, a rolling pin for rolling out the dough. Plastic models should be made of flexible polymers that do not crack under stress. Metal manual dumplings must be checked for defects, curvature, protrusions.

It is better to check mechanical dumplings at the time of purchase. When the handle is displaced, there should be no backlash or squeak. The movement of the flywheel that turns the rollers should be light and smooth. The quality of the metal also matters. The body should be free from jags and roughness.

When choosing an electric melmeni, you should pay attention to the number of segments in the composition - it affects performance. A standard 200 W electric appliance allows you to receive up to 14 kg of dumplings per hour. Suitable for a small production, a private restaurant or a large family. In order to ensure that the service life of the product remains as long as possible, purchase models with a sturdy stainless steel or aluminum housing.

The attachments in the product kit usually have a standard mesh size - from 3 to 3.5 cm. If you need to get larger or smaller semi-finished products, you should make sure that replacement parts are available. Finding an option adapted to a specific device can be quite difficult.

To cook dumplings that are perfect in shape at home, you just need to use a handheld device. But it is not enough just to purchase the necessary accessories. You also need to consider a number of tips that will allow you to achieve excellent results with any dough and filling recipe.

1. When dividing the dough into layers, one of the parts must be made one third smaller than the other. This will minimize production waste. The larger piece is rolled into the bed for the bottom. When forming a layer, its dimensions are selected in such a way that the edges protrude 2 cm beyond the boundaries of the dumplings.
2. When rolling, sprinkle with flour only on one side of the dough. The second should keep the surface slightly tacky.
3. The dumplings mold itself is also abundantly sprinkled with flour, paying particular attention to the grooves and edges.
4. When placing the dough on the surface of the dumplings, the bottom richly powdered edge is positioned on top of the metal structure.
5. You need to push the cells to designate them, starting from the center. The indentations are made with light pressure; breaks must be avoided.
6. Prepared minced meat - about 1 teaspoon, depending on the size of the dumplings, is placed in the cells.
7. The second part of the dough is rolled out, it must exactly fit the size of the mold. Sprinkle flour on the outside. The inside should remain sticky. It is for her that the layer of dough is laid on the minced meat.
8. After combining the layers, the dough on the mold is carefully rolled with a rolling pin until protruding edges of the cells appear. After that, the form can be turned over and shaken. The finished products can be easily separated from the dumplings and will fall on the place prepared for them on the table. Then they can be frozen or sent for cooking.

Following these tips, you can easily master all the subtleties of sculpting homemade dumplings. As experience grows, the speed of all operations will also increase. A properly selected dumpling maker will definitely become one of your favorite kitchen devices, and will significantly expand the possibilities of home cooking.

For information on how you can easily master all the subtleties of sculpting homemade dumplings, see the next video.