# Arcobaleno Pasta Extruders, Cookers and Spiral Mixers: Use and Care > Practical use and care for Arcobaleno AEX extruders, APCE/APCT cookers, APCL basket lifts, and ASM spiral mixers based on the manufacturer's manuals. How-to by Norpex. Published 2026-11-01, updated 2026-11-01. Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/arcobaleno-pasta-extruders-cookers-and-mixers ![Arcobaleno AEX440M floor pasta extruder with its extra mixer and brass die](https://norpex.ca/m/bd/fd/bdfd21fc3394cf1e973a282bd7dac381c752d2de60d80a19c7af1dde527b7562.jpg) Pictured: [Arcobaleno AEX440M Pasta Extruder](https://norpex.ca/product/arcobaleno-aex440m-pasta-extruder) This guide covers daily operation, cleaning, and routine care for Arcobaleno pasta extruders, electric and countertop pasta cookers, basket lifts, and spiral mixers, using steps and figures directly from the manufacturer's manuals. ## Key takeaways - Always read the full operating, installation, and maintenance manual for your specific Arcobaleno model before first use. - A qualified, licensed installer must handle all gas, water, and electrical connections according to local code. - Never immerse or pour water into an extruder hopper; disassemble components for cleaning as shown in the Arcobaleno U cleaning video. - For electric pasta cookers, never turn on the machine without water in the tank, and always turn the cooker off and let it cool before draining. - Contact Arcobaleno's service network for any repairs or troubleshooting beyond routine cleaning and operator checks. ## Which manual covers which machine The Arcobaleno line we list includes several families of equipment, each with its own operating, installation, and maintenance manual. The AEX20 manual covers the AEX20 countertop pasta extruder. The AEX440M manual covers the AEX440M floor-model extruder with an extra mixer for continuous production. For electric pasta cookers, the APCE35/35D manual covers the APCE35 single-tank and APCE35D two-tank models. The APCT24/25, APCT2424/2525 manual covers the APCT24, APCT25, APCT2424, and APCT2525 countertop electric pasta cookers. The APCL35 manual covers the APCL35 robotic basket lift that pairs with Arcobaleno electric or gas pasta cookers. The ASM40/50 manual covers the ASM40 and ASM50 spiral mixers. Other models in the catalogue, such as the AEX18, AEX30, AEX50, AEX90, AEX130, AEX440, and various bain-marie, sheeters, and cutters, have their own documentation; ask Norpex for the correct manual for your model. ## Installation requirements from the manuals All Arcobaleno machines are installed by qualified, licensed professionals. The APCE35/35D and APCT24/25 cooker manuals require adequate backflow protection on the water supply to meet the applicable codes. For gas pasta cookers, a licensed gas fitter must make the gas connection according to local code. For all electric models, a licensed electrician must verify that the supply matches the voltage, phase, and amperage on the machine's rating plate. The AEX20 manual notes that the rating plate is secured with four rivets and includes the main data on the manufacturer and the machine. The ASM40/50 manual specifies that machines should be handled by a fork lift truck or appropriate material handling equipment with fabric slings and proper guards for sharp edges. Storage upon receipt is allowed for a maximum period of two years in a sheltered area with a temperature between 41°F (5°C) and 104°F (40°C) and humidity not exceeding 80%. ## Daily operation and controls The AEX20 countertop extruder mixes and extrudes in one machine and is rated at up to 20 lb of fresh pasta an hour, with an automatic cutting knife for short shapes. The AEX440M floor extruder is rated at up to 400 lb an hour, extrudes short and long pasta through brass dies and has water cooling on the extruding chamber. On the APCE35/35D electric pasta cooker, the green light shows the power is on and the clear light turns orange while the element heats. The red light flashes once at power-up and then shows water detection: out means water is detected, flashing means the unit is searching for water, and solid means no water is detected. The APCT24/25 countertop cooker uses the same light system. If water is present in the tank but not detected, the manual instructs the operator to turn off the machine, drain the water, and clean the water sensor with a scrub pad. The water sensor is on the front wall of the tank. To reset after a water-not-detected signal, turn the control knob to the OFF setting, wait 20 seconds, and then turn the knob to the desired heat setting (1, 2, or 3). The APCL35 basket lift works with Arcobaleno electric or gas cookers. The ASM40/50 spiral mixer manual says the machine may only be run by staff who have read and understood the whole manual. ## Cleaning and routine care At the end of each shift, per the AEX20 manual: turn the extruder off and disconnect it, open the lid and clean the hopper with the supplied dough scraper, brush and/or a shop vacuum, then wipe the hopper and lid with a well wrung-out cloth or sponge dampened with water and disinfectant. Never pour water into the hopper, and never use sodium hypochlorite solutions, abrasive cleaners or corrosive or flammable products. Remove the mixing arm, auger and die ring and wash them in a sink with water and mild detergent. The video 'Arcobaleno U - Pasta Extruder Cleaning Instructions' shows the same routine. Brass dies need gentle handling. After extruding, take the die off and clear the back with a wooden skewer, never a pointed metal tool, brush or scrubber, which etch the die and spoil the pasta. Soak the die in water, or approved food-safe sanitizer at the proper dilution, until its next use, and store each die in its own labelled container. On the APCE35/35D and APCT24/25 cookers, never switch on with an empty tank. To drain, turn the cooker off, wait 10 minutes or until the water is at 140°F (60°C), and add 1 gallon of cold water before draining; skipping this damages the machine. The High Temp Safety trips if the unit is left on after draining. It is not an automatic shut-off and is not part of daily operation: if it trips, take great care and contact the manufacturer. Before cleaning the APCL35 basket lift, switch it off or unplug it and let the area cool. Clean it after every use with food-safe detergents only, never corrosive or flammable products, and never under running water, which can damage its electrical and electronic parts. ## Troubleshooting tables from the manuals On the AEX20, a flashing alarm icon means a safety has tripped and the machine will not run. The manual's alarm table: LID OPEN means the safety lid is open (close it); CODE 01 means the electric panel cover is open (close the panel door with its key); CODE 02 means the motor has overheated, and the alarm clears once it is back to normal temperature. If fixing the cause does not clear the alarm, disconnect the machine for one minute and power it up again. If the extruder does not stop when the lid is opened, stop using it and contact the manufacturer at once. On the APCE35/35D and APCT24/25 cookers, a solid red light means no water is detected. Turn the control knob to OFF, wait 20 seconds and turn it back to the heat setting you want (1, 2 or 3). If there is water in the tank but it is not detected, turn the cooker off, drain it and clean the water sensors on the front wall of the tank with a scrub pad. ## Service and support The manuals reserve repairs for staff authorized by the manufacturer and warn against rushed makeshift repairs. Scheduled maintenance on the AEX20 is a semi-annual check that every part is properly tightened and an annual check of the electrical components, both by skilled maintenance personnel. When you contact Arcobaleno's service network, have the machine's serial number and model number ready so the advice matches your machine. ## Videos from the maker - [Arcobaleno U - Pasta Extruder Cleaning Instructions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1SsJg-7g2w) (Arcobaleno) - [AEX18 Pasta Extruder - Quick Look](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3aV_LfzYlM) (Arcobaleno) ## Common questions ### Can I pour water into the hopper to clean my Arcobaleno extruder? No. The AEX20 manual and Arcobaleno's cleaning video both say never to pour water into the hopper. Clean it with the dough scraper, brush or a shop vacuum and a well wrung-out damp cloth, and wash the mixing arm, auger and die ring in a sink. ### What do the lights on my APCE or APCT electric pasta cooker mean? The green light means the power is on. The clear light lights up orange when the heating element is actively heating. The red light indicates water detection: out means water is detected, flashing means the unit is searching for water, and solid means water is not detected in the tank. ### How do I safely drain my Arcobaleno electric pasta cooker? Per the APCE35/35D and APCT24/25 manuals, turn the cooker off, wait 10 minutes or until the water reaches 140°F (60°C), then add 1 gallon of cold water before draining. Draining any other way can damage the machine. ### What should I do if the red water-detection light stays solid even though there is water in the tank? The manual instructs you to turn off the machine, drain the water, and clean the water sensor on the front wall of the tank with a scrub pad. Then refill the tank and restart the cooker. ### Who should install and service my Arcobaleno equipment? Qualified, licensed installers handle the gas, water and electrical connections to local code, including backflow protection on the cookers. Repairs go to service staff authorized by Arcobaleno, using approved spare parts. ## Related guides - [Commercial Pasta Equipment Guide: Extruders, Dies, Sheeters, Cookers](https://norpex.ca/guides/pasta-equipment-guide) - [Avancini Pasta Machines, Spiral Mixers and Sheeters: Use and Care](https://norpex.ca/guides/avancini-pasta-machines-mixers-and-sheeters) ## Shop the catalogue - [Pasta Machine](https://norpex.ca/products/pasta-machine) - [Pasta Cookers](https://norpex.ca/products/pasta-cookers) - [Spiral Mixer](https://norpex.ca/products/spiral-mixer)