Stock Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation [Abstract]
Outstanding Options, Intrinsic Value	$ 2,317
Exercisable Options, Intrinsic Value	1,536
Option Award Vesting Period	3 years
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
ESPP: Purchase Price Percentage	85.00%
ESPP: Discount from Market Price	15.00%
ESPP: Maximum Ownership of Outstanding Shares	An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan.
2003 DSOP [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Director Stock Ownership Plan Life	ten years
Director Stock Ownership Plan Maximum Number of Shares Authorized Under Plan	75,000
Director Stock Ownership Plan Terms	Each Director who owned less than 7,500 shares of Company Common Stock was required to receive 75% of the annual retainer in Common Stock and 25% of the annual retainer in cash. Each Director who owned 7,500 or more shares of Company Common Stock may have elected to receive payment of a percentage (up to 100%) of the annual retainer in shares of common stock.
Director Retainer Annual Fee	40
2013 DSOP [Member ]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Director Stock Ownership Plan Maximum Number of Shares Authorized Under Plan	75,000
Director Stock Ownership Plan Terms	Under the 2013 Plan, each director who, on May 1st of the applicable calendar year, owns less than 400% of the annual cash retainer for the applicable calendar year, divided by the average of the closing price of a share of Quaker Common Stock as reported by the composite tape of New York Stock Exchange for the previous calendar year (the “Threshold Amount”), is required to receive 75% of the annual cash retainer in common stock and 25% of the retainer in cash, unless the Director elects to receive a greater percentage of Quaker common stock (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer for the applicable year.
Director Retainer Annual Fee	50
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-based Compensation Expense, Nonvested Stock Award	2,718
Weighted Average Remaining Life, Nonvested Stock Awards	2 years 5 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-based Compensation Expense, Nonvested Stock Award	115
Weighted Average Remaining Life, Nonvested Stock Awards	2 years 7 months
Options Granted in Current Year [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense in Period, Stock Option Awards	15
Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense, Stock Option Awards	624
Options Granted in Previous Year [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense, Stock Option Awards	389
Options Granted in Second Previous Year [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense, Stock Option Awards	$ 135