Can I glue a coffee pot back together?

November 23, 2016 7:29 AM

Can I crazy glue a coffee percolator back together?

My percolator came apart. The base separated from the metal container, exposing all of the wiring inside the base. it still works, and I would rather not spend the $$ on a new one if I can glue it back together. However, I'm thinking crazy glue, but will the heat from the metal part of the percolator just melt the crazy glue and separate the base from the pot again? if it helps, this is pretty much what I have. The black base is what fell off.

posted by archimago to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

Sugru? Silicone would be more durable than crazy glue.
posted by caution live frogs at 7:30 AM on November 23, 2016

I might use something like JB Weld, which is a two part epoxy that can withstand temps of 500 degrees or so once cured.

Since it's on the outside you shouldn't have to worry about it being food grade.
posted by bondcliff at 7:35 AM on November 23, 2016 [5 favorites]

That's not how superglue works. Superglue requires two perfectly mating surfaces.

Silicone? That's not an adhesive.

I agree, JB Weld is probably a good choice.
posted by humboldt32 at 7:39 AM on November 23, 2016

If 500ºF doesn't seem like enough, there is high heat JB Weld.
posted by advicepig at 7:59 AM on November 23, 2016 [3 favorites]

Sugru is adhesive. It's a silicone putty that sticks to whatever you put it on, and cures into a semi-flexible product. Withstands heat well.

I've used both (various types of JB Weld and Sugru); the former sets rigidly, which may be desired here, but the latter might LOOK better, if aesthetics are at all an issue (e.g. if the adhesive will be visible from outside of the pot after fixing). Sugru comes in many colors, including black. JB Weld comes in whatever color it is, and will stay that way. My first thought to fix this was to wrap a band of adhesive around the outside of the pot, covering the seam where the base meets the metal, in addition to (or as an alternative to) anything used inside.
posted by caution live frogs at 8:10 AM on November 23, 2016

Either Silicone or a two part epoxy like JB Weld would work in this application. Silicone is a bit more forgiving and easier to clean up after it cures. Use an automotive RTV for the heat resistance rather than a caulking/bathroom/kitchen silicone/RTV. The automotive types even come in black.

humboldt32: "Silicone? That's not an adhesive."

Sure it is, it's how even huge fish tanks are held together. For example the Permtex Black product I linked has a cured tensile strength of 1.7 N/mm² / 200 psi. A thin bead around the perimeter of the base will have more than enough strength to permanently attach the base to the top.
posted by Mitheral at 8:10 AM on November 23, 2016

You can buy a new percolator for $25 from Amazon.

I vote buy a new one because the probability that the bottom comes off again is high, and that's just dangerous.

I wouldn't use superglue; it can break down at high heat and it puts off nasty fumes. If I were to fix this percolator, I would use Kapton Tape.
posted by gregr at 9:54 AM on November 23, 2016

Two part epoxy, or something like this.

Is this mostly in the electronics/thermal switch section, or does this area get quite hot? does the exterior of the metal pot get very hot? If not, i'd use cheap two part epoxy. If it does, i'd use the high heat stuff.

I've mostly just abused the two part stuff, but i've had it fail over time even in very hot parts of laptops, and on my old car. The high heat stuff will withstand more than that thing would probably ever dish out if it is an area of the thing with large temp shifts.
posted by emptythought at 11:53 AM on November 23, 2016

2-part epoxy as stated above is best bet. The eventual problem will be the repeated heating and expansion/contraction cycles. This will physically move the parts epoxied and break the bond down over time. I've had a cast iron stove leg last years with JB Weld, and a pour over ceramic coffee carafe handle not last a summer. I think it boils down to how quickly the piece will heat/cool. puns.
posted by greenskpr at 6:58 AM on November 24, 2016

This is one advantage of Silicone. It remains flexible handling the differential expansion better than a stiffer material.
posted by Mitheral at 1:28 PM on November 24, 2016