Is a Spaetzle Maker a Lever? The Science Behind Noodle Extrusion

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on whether a Spaetzle Maker functions as a lever in the noodle extrusion process. One participant argues that the tool, which resembles a flat cheese grater with a movable chimney for holding batter, employs wedge and lever principles to extrude the noodle batter. However, the opposing view emphasizes that the process is purely extrusion-based, involving shearing action rather than leveraging. Ultimately, the consensus is that while the Spaetzle Maker is a useful tool, it does not operate as a lever.

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  • Understanding of basic physics principles, including levers and wedges
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of extrusion processes
  • Knowledge of culinary techniques for making Spätzle
  • Experience with kitchen tools and their functions
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  • Research the physics of levers and wedges in mechanical systems
  • Explore the mechanics of food extrusion techniques
  • Learn about traditional methods for making Spätzle and their variations
  • Investigate the design and functionality of different noodle-making tools
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Culinary enthusiasts, food scientists, and anyone interested in the mechanics of kitchen tools and noodle-making techniques will benefit from this discussion.

Geeki
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My son and I were arguing about whether or not a particular noodle maker called a Spaetzle Maker is a lever. I say it is, and he says it isn't. Basically, one uses it to extrude raw noodle batter (eggs and semolina flour) over a pot of boiling water. It looks like a flat cheese grater with a chimney on top to hold the batter. The "chimney" is held to the grater in tracks on either side and can be moved back and forth over the grater without coming loose. I say the tool helps to mash and push the batter through the holes and uses wedge/lever principles. My son says it's simply extrusion/force, no lever involved.

Below is the address for a picture of this critter.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...T88w9hPoBV3uymdtPZIxDIy5LOYVi8khwAaAshL8P8HAQ
 
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Where do you see any lever process?

You can use every solid object as a lever, but in making Spätzle, I don't see how there would be any lever process.
 
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Seems to me to be a pure extrusion process, the spaetzle can be long or short depending on how fast you move the grater.
So no lever, just a shearing action.
It is a nice gizmo though, the old method required real skill with a knife to cut the spaetzle uniformly into the boiling water.
 
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My obsession with the lever in this process comes from the fact that we don't actually own a spaetzle maker and are always trying to make do with a spaghetti strainer and a pancake flipper. I turn the metal strainer upside down over the pot of boiling water, so I have a flat surface covered with holes on top of the pot, then deposit a glop of noodle batter on the bottom of the strainer, and push it around quickly with a pancake flipper to shear off the spaetzle. I hold the pancake flipper at an angle to the strainer and the force I put on it is both vertical and horizontal, so it feels like there's some wedge action going on there. But that's inclined plane, right? I can't see a fulcrum anywhere in this process, so it makes sense now.. No lever.

Thanks!
 
This is the correct way to do it: (no lever to see)
(Don't bother the language, it's not needed to understand it and even some native speakers won't understand her.)

 
Danke!
 
You're welcome!