What glue is safe to use to mend breadmaker paddle?

October 12, 2018 11:55 AM

Is there a food-safe glue to mend it?

The plastic paddle on my much-used, older model Zojirushi breadmaker broke in two. This part is no longer stocked by the manufacturer, nor have I been able to find it anywhere else. I'm wondering is there a safe silicone or other type of glue I could use to mend it? I don't want any glue that is not food-safe getting into the bread dough.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

posted by ragtimepiano to Science & Nature (15 answers total)

Before someone pops in here with the standard MeFi suggestion of Sugru... it is definitely not food safe, according to their FAQ, although people do use it to mend dishes, mugs, and utensils all the time. I guess it depends on your risk tolerance.
posted by juniperesque at 12:04 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

I'm not sure a re-glued paddle will have enough structural integrity. What model breadmaker is it?
posted by zamboni at 12:08 PM on October 12, 2018 [11 favorites]

There are a variety of food-safe epoxies (plain Google search) and resins, but one thing I came across is that BPA is somewhat critical for expoxies in general. There's a BPF that is a little less good/strong/etc., but either of these options is going to involve that potential decision. Not sure if there's much BPA risk in a bread maker.
posted by rhizome at 12:12 PM on October 12, 2018

Response by poster: Older model. Zojirushi BBCC-n15
posted by ragtimepiano at 12:49 PM on October 12, 2018

There are a few such models for sale on eBay in the US (no paddles as such, but it's probably safe to assume that a complete machine will have a paddle). It might be more than you want to spend, but you could perhaps sell the other parts on?
posted by altolinguistic at 12:57 PM on October 12, 2018

I would use something by JB Weld. I used their Steelstick product to seal a hole in my aluminum water bottle. I wanted something that I felt comfortable drinking from, and found JB Weld products to be more food-safe than others.
posted by hydra77 at 1:03 PM on October 12, 2018

Pan and paddle, $45.
posted by zamboni at 1:06 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

I’m suspicious that no glue alone will fix this, food grade or not. Those paddles are subject to a lot of force!

I’m thinking you’d have to use whatever glue as a binder to add spars of plastic or metal to act as a splint.
But if you want to try glue alone and can determine it is safe enough, the JB weld plastic epoxy linked above would be my vote.
posted by SaltySalticid at 1:08 PM on October 12, 2018 [3 favorites]

No.

The heat and moisture makes nothing you might use truly safe enough. I agree simply using glue or epoxy will not be structurally strong enough, anyway. If you change the shayof the paddle in the process of repair, the mixing and kneading functions might not work the same.

I suggest poking around on the internet for a dupe replacement part, or original parts on the internet. Any paddle roughly the same shape and size with the proper shaped connector piece should work.

100% there is a workaround printed or posted somewhere on the internet! I can’t look now, but maybe someone else can? There may even be adaptor pieces so generic paddles can safely fit your brand.
posted by jbenben at 1:35 PM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]

Mend the original, duplicate with a 3-D printer?
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 2:35 PM on October 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

There are about a dozen similar models you can find paddles for around $8 on the Google. Maybe ordered one or two and get lucky?
posted by chasles at 2:56 PM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]

Seconding gluing the paddle would never be strong enough again. If you can't find a suitable replacement, rather than doing surgery on the broken one I think you would have more success finding a "close" size replacement and filing down/building up the hole in it so it fits the post in yours.
posted by Poogle at 5:06 PM on October 12, 2018 [2 favorites]

You say that, but I got an extra few months out of my Zoji boiler by rebuilding an eroded latch with the remaining plastic, krazy glue, and kleenex as a kind of ghetto fiberglass.
posted by rhizome at 5:15 PM on October 12, 2018

Epoxies that meet FDA CFR 175.105 are considered food safe, and are used on food production and handling equipment. MasterBond is one company that makes suitable epoxies, and there are probably others (3M?), but searching for "FDA CFR 175.105 epoxy" should garner useful results.
posted by aramaic at 6:55 PM on October 12, 2018

Is it this one: BBCC-n15 paddle for $10.99? I'd look for a replacement as well. Paddles take a lot of force and glue won't hold up over time. Ebay had expired links to just the paddle alone for about $9 so they do go on sale every now and then as well.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 9:19 PM on October 12, 2018