this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2026
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Maybe there's a fab shop by you that could print the part? Or a local enthusiasts group or something? Never used one so no idea of price but small part, prob not too expensive. I guess finding the part spec would be the challenge. Maybe they can scan the broken one or something. I actually have no clue about 3d printing so this may not be a helpful suggestion 🤷
As far as I know, home quality 3d printing is never food safe?
It can be, but is a hassle. There are food safe filaments, there are filaments that "should be" safe, like unmodified PETG, but the issue is to make all parts that are in contact with the filament food safe; extruder gears, Bowden tubes and other guides, hot ends, etc...
I imagine that it would be a hassle for parts suppliers to certify the bajillion variations of these parts as food safe.
The filaments themselves may be food safe but that doesn't matter. The resulting object is not food safe not because of the material but because of the manufacturing process. Printing layer by layer leaves miniscule voids and holes in-between layers where bacteria can thrive and which are impossible to clean.
Your print is safe to eat out of the first time, but is never food safe again as it can never be cleaned from bacteria in all the thin holes.
That is another factor, but not always true. If you print in a heat resistant filament that is also food safe (TBH I don't know of one, but it probably exists), and use it for solids, like fruit bowls, cookie jars, and the like, and is dishwasher safe. It should be fine. The problem is that most people will not make the entire production path food safe. Too much liability for manufacturers, even with food safe materials.
Many youtube 3D printing influencers actually recommend brain dead shit like drying filaments with undisclosed ingredients in ovens or microwaves where they will cook food, and stupid shit like that.