Introduction
Thank you for choosing the KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor. This appliance is designed to simplify your food preparation tasks, offering powerful performance for chopping, shredding, precision slicing, kneading, mixing, and pureeing. Its versatile design and included accessories make it an essential tool for any kitchen.
This manual provides important information on the safe operation, assembly, use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of your food processor. Please read it thoroughly before first use and keep it for future reference.
Important Safeguards
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:
- Read all instructions.
- To protect against risk of electrical shock, do not put the food processor base in water or other liquid.
- Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
- Unplug from outlet when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning.
- Avoid contact with moving parts.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug or after the appliance malfunctions, or has been dropped or damaged in any manner.
- The use of attachments not recommended or sold by KitchenAid may cause fire, electric shock, or injury.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter.
- Do not let cord contact hot surface, including the stove.
- Blades are sharp. Handle carefully.
- Always ensure the lid is securely locked in place before operating the appliance.
- Do not attempt to defeat the lid interlock mechanism.
Components and Accessories
Your KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor comes with several components designed for various food preparation tasks. All accessories can be conveniently stored in the included storage caddy, which nests directly inside the 13-cup work bowl.

Image: The KitchenAid 13-Cup Food Processor base unit, 13-cup work bowl, lid, and various accessories including the multi-purpose blade, adjustable slicing disc, reversible shredding disc, dough blade, and storage caddy.
- Food Processor Base: Contains the motor and controls (Low, High, Off/Pulse).
- 13-Cup Work Bowl: Large capacity bowl for processing ingredients. Features a leak-resistant design.
- Lid with 3-in-1 Feed Tube: Secure lid with a versatile feed tube to accommodate various ingredient sizes.
- Multi-Purpose Blade: Ideal for chopping, mixing, and pureeing.
- Adjustable Slicing Disc: Allows for external adjustment of slicing thickness from thin to thick.
- Reversible Shredding Disc: For fine or coarse shredding.
- Dough Blade: Specifically designed for kneading dough.
- Storage Caddy: Organizes and stores all blades and discs within the work bowl.
Setup and Assembly
Before first use, wash all parts except the motor base in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly. The work bowl, lid, and all accessories are dishwasher safe (top rack only).
- Place the food processor base on a clean, dry, flat surface.
- Align the work bowl with the base and twist clockwise until it locks securely into place. The handle should be positioned slightly to the right of the center.
- Insert the desired blade or disc onto the drive adapter in the work bowl. Ensure it sits firmly on the shaft.
- Place the lid onto the work bowl, aligning the lid tab with the work bowl handle. Twist the lid clockwise until it locks into place. You will hear a click when it is properly secured. The food processor will not operate unless the lid is correctly locked.
- Ensure the feed tube pusher is in place before adding ingredients.
Operating Instructions
Your KitchenAid Food Processor offers versatile functionality for various culinary tasks. Always ensure the unit is properly assembled and the lid is locked before operation.

Image: The control panel of the food processor, featuring buttons for Low speed, High speed, and Off/Pulse function.
General Operation:
- Plug the food processor into a grounded electrical outlet.
- Add ingredients to the work bowl or through the feed tube.
- Select the desired speed: Low, High, or use the Pulse function. The Pulse function provides short bursts of power for better control over consistency.
- To stop the appliance, press the Off button.
Chopping, Mixing, and Pureeing:

Image: The food processor actively chopping red cabbage in its work bowl, demonstrating its capability for various food preparation tasks.
- Use the Multi-Purpose Blade.
- For chopping, use the Pulse function for better control over consistency. For pureeing, process continuously until desired smoothness is achieved.
- Process ingredients like fresh veggies, cheeses, sauces, and salsa.
Slicing:

Image: A detailed view of the adjustable slicing disc, highlighting its precision engineering for consistent slices.

Image: A hand demonstrating how to adjust the slicing thickness using the external lever on the food processor, allowing for customized slice sizes.
- Use the Adjustable Slicing Disc.
- Adjust the slicing thickness externally using the lever on the disc before processing.
- Feed ingredients like cucumbers, potatoes, or other firm vegetables through the 3-in-1 feed tube.
Shredding:
- Use the Reversible Shredding Disc.
- Select the desired shredding size (fine or coarse) by flipping the disc.
- Process ingredients such as cheese, carrots, or cabbage.
Kneading Dough:
- Use the Dough Blade.
- Add ingredients for dough to the work bowl.
- Process until the dough forms a ball and cleans the sides of the bowl.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Proper cleaning and maintenance will ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your KitchenAid Food Processor.
- Unplug: Always unplug the food processor from the electrical outlet before cleaning.
- Work Bowl and Blades: The 13-cup work bowl, lid, multi-purpose blade, adjustable slicing disc, reversible shredding disc, dough blade, and storage caddy are all dishwasher safe (top rack recommended). For quick cleaning, add warm water and 1-2 drops of dish soap to the leak-resistant bowl and pulse briefly, then rinse.
- Motor Base: Wipe the motor base with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the motor base in water or other liquids.
- Storage: All accessories fit neatly into the storage caddy, which nests inside the 13-cup work bowl for compact storage.
Troubleshooting
If you experience issues with your food processor, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Food processor does not turn on. | Not plugged in; lid or work bowl not properly locked; power outage. | Ensure unit is plugged in. Check that the work bowl and lid are securely locked into place. Check household circuit breaker. |
| Motor stops during operation. | Overload protection activated; lid or work bowl became unlocked. | Unplug, remove some ingredients, and wait 10-15 minutes for the motor to cool. Re-lock lid and work bowl. |
| Ingredients are not processing evenly. | Too many ingredients; ingredients are too large; incorrect blade/disc. | Process in smaller batches. Cut ingredients into smaller, uniform pieces. Ensure the correct blade/disc is used for the task. |
| Lid is difficult to lock. | Work bowl not properly seated; food debris obstructing lock mechanism. | Ensure work bowl is fully twisted and locked onto the base. Clean any food debris from the lid and bowl locking tabs. |
If the problem persists, please contact KitchenAid Customer Service for assistance.
Specifications
- Brand: KitchenAid
- Model Name: 13-Cup Food Processor
- Model Number: KFP1318BM
- Color: Matte Black
- Bowl Capacity: 13 Cups
- Product Dimensions: 8.75"D x 10.25"W x 17.44"H
- Item Weight: 9.7 pounds
- Number of Speeds: 3 (Low, High, Pulse)
- Blade Material: Stainless Steel
- Special Feature: Cord Storage
- Care Instructions: Dishwasher Safe (parts), Hand Wash (motor base wipe)
- UPC: 883049599250
Warranty and Customer Support
KitchenAid products are manufactured to high-quality standards and are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship. For specific warranty details, including duration and terms, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official KitchenAid website.
For technical assistance, replacement parts, or to register your product, please contact KitchenAid Customer Service. Have your model number (KFP1318BM) and serial number ready when contacting support.
Online Support: Visit www.kitchenaid.com/service-and-support
Telephone Support: Refer to your product documentation for regional contact numbers.





