New bowl for a KitchenAid food processor

November 21, 2010 1:59 PM

New bowl for a KitchenAid food processor in Toronto?

We have a 5-year-old 11-cup KitchenAid food processor and the big main work bowl is going. It's starting to crack around the edges and sometimes the lid won't come off.
The last time we needed a new one, we phoned KA -- but they don't sell parts. We had to buy a whole new one. The last one was only 5 years old, too. The motor on this one is built like a tank and will probably last a long time.

I don't want to get angry with them all over again on the phone. The web site has nothing on getting parts. In fact, it looks like they don't even sell an 11-cup model now: they're up to 12 cups ($250). That's too much money to spend every 5 years.
Does anyone know if they've changed their policy -- or, more likely where can we get a brand new bowl (or even a good used one) from a retail supplier? Is there anyone who collects old processors and cannibalizes them? Anywhere in the GTA. Thanks.

P.S. Maybe that's it these days: 5 years is all you can hope for from an appliance like this in the age of obsolescence? Why not just lease them?

posted by feelinggood to food & drink (5 answers total)

Not in Toronto, but they appear to ship internationally: The Gourmet Depot/Culinary Parts?
posted by chrominance at 2:56 PM on November 21, 2010 [1 favorite]

MeMail me, and we can try to figure out if the one in my garage fits your machine.
posted by jacquilynne at 4:11 PM on November 21, 2010

Nikolaou on Queen is probably a pretty good bet.
posted by modernnomad at 4:13 PM on November 21, 2010

The yahoo group WACEM (We Actually Collect Electric Mixers) is a treasure trove of mixer information and highly knowledgeable people. They're also incredibly friendly and helpful. Their focus tends to be vintage and antique mixers, but many members do have new mixers and lots of knowledge about them. I think asking questions or really getting stuck into the archives requires registration with a yahoo id.
posted by Ahab at 10:26 PM on November 21, 2010

The finish on our bowl went and we called KA direct -- and they just mailed out a new bowl for free. Perhaps if you call and explain the problem they will decide that these cracks are a sign of a defect and send youa new bowl. (Also, you could mention that last time you ate the cost...and then suggest that this time it's their turn.)
posted by wenestvedt at 10:10 AM on November 22, 2010