Author Topic: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?  (Read 7083 times)

QueenV

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 208
  • Age: 44
  • Location: PNW
Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« on: October 28, 2017, 07:21:30 PM »
Our Kitchenaid food processor handle broke today. There is some kind of mechanism in the handle that engages the motor to make it run, so now the whole thing won’t turn on. A replacement bowl is $77 on Amazon, to buy an entire new device would be $140ish (assuming we bought the same thing. We could also buy a cheaper brand.) Amazon reviews indicate this handle issue is a common problem.

This was a wedding gift we’ve had for 6 years. It doesn’t get heavy use, maybe one or twice a month. It’s model KFP740, 9 cup with a 4 cup inner bowl.

Has anyone had success fixing it yourself or with some kind of work around to make the motor run? The bowl itself is fine, no cracks, the inner part of the handle is fine, it’s just the black outer part of the handle that fell off and took something essential with it.

Ladychips

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1448
Re: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2017, 07:38:45 PM »
Mine has scotch tape holding it together.  It even goes into the dishwasher that way!

QueenV

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 208
  • Age: 44
  • Location: PNW
Re: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2017, 09:18:00 PM »
Some pieces fell out of the inside of the handle and we couldn’t fit it back together. I can try again, but I’m not sure that’s still an option for us. I wish I had stopped and taped it together when the first piece fell off!

sokoloff

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1191
Re: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2017, 06:50:30 AM »
This is something that I'd try ebay for.

Ebay item numbers that seem relevant:
122749855858 (~$50 used shipped, no blades, with "best offer", so they might take $30 + shipping)
372091675196 (~$70 used shipped)
130570695225 (~$100 refurb shipped)
401427266821 (~$88 used good shipped)

Probably others. You know what you're looking for more than I do, of course.

QueenV

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 208
  • Age: 44
  • Location: PNW
Re: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2017, 09:31:25 PM »
Thanks sokoloff! I didn’t think to check eBay. Your first item number looks like it’s the right model. We’ll give that some thought.

lthenderson

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2252
Re: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2017, 11:52:30 AM »
We have the same food processor and bought the replacement bowl about three years ago after the first one fell apart on us. The replacement bowl is already suffering through many cracks and broken off pieces. Even though it says dishwasher safe, the plastic they use in those bowls really aren't. When the second bowl goes kaput, I am no longer investing anymore money in KitchenAid food processors or replacement parts and will be getting a Cuisinart model that was top ranked by America's Test Kitchen.

BudgetSlasher

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1212
Re: Kitchenaid food processor handle broke - any work around?
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2017, 06:33:53 PM »
This appears to be the service manual for several version, including yours. There should be some helpful information in it.

I am sure if one was inclined they could use it to find a work around to the safety switch, which is what is toggled by the handle to let the machine know that the bowl has been firmly engaged and will not fly apart, but that is NOT something I would do.