The grounds need to be divorced.

April 4, 2010 6:17 AM

How can I fix the broken plunger on my French press coffee maker?

I have an "unbreakable" plastic beaker French press coffee pot. I guess I got overenthusiastic with tapping the plunger on the side of the sink to get the grounds off because it broke into several pieces -- that is, the plastic architecture of the rings actually cracked.

Is there any way I can glue the pieces back together without getting melted glue in my coffee? What should I use?

My google-fu has found me plenty of stories about broken beakers, but nothing about plungers.

posted by HeroZero to Food & Drink (9 answers total)

I have one of the glass/plastic rigs you can buy at $bux, and the plunger apparatus can be unscrewed and taken apart. If you can do that to your press, it may be worth it to check out the brand name's web site to see if they have replacement parts available.
posted by carsonb at 6:50 AM on April 4, 2010

Actually, I just noticed that Bodum's website redirected me to SmallAppliance.com, which seems to stock replacement parts for any number of, er, small appliances. Including French presses.
posted by carsonb at 6:52 AM on April 4, 2010

maybe you can just buy a replacement plunger part from a model with a metal plunger. French press beakers probably come in standard sizes.
posted by fatty magoo at 6:59 AM on April 4, 2010

If you're determined to repair it use an epoxy glue, something like Araldite Instant Clear. Otherwise, buy a new one.
posted by tigrefacile at 7:38 AM on April 4, 2010

Like others have said, you can probably just buy replacement parts -- most coffee presses I've seen are a standard size and the pieces can be mixed and matched as necessary. Probably cheaper and safer than fussing around with glue.

If it's not quite a standard size, contact the manufacturer. I had the screen on mine start to separate so I e-mailed the company and they sent a new one for free.
posted by darksong at 8:17 AM on April 4, 2010

I got a french press recently for $7 - can't you just replace it?
posted by meepmeow at 11:16 AM on April 4, 2010

I think you're better off replacing it. You might not do a neat job gluing it (if you do manage to find something safe for this kind of thing) and end up scratching the glass each time you use the plunger.
posted by mmmleaf at 11:33 AM on April 4, 2010

Starbucks has a 'nice' one for $20.. just get that.
posted by cowmix at 1:04 PM on April 4, 2010

Ikea sells a nice french press for $8, here's a review although they say $12.99.
posted by furtive at 4:27 PM on April 4, 2010