[Answered] What would be a good glue to repair this spatula with that wont be toxic or come undone in a dishwasher?
[Answered] What would be a good glue to repair this spatula with that wont be toxic or come undone in a dishwasher?
Edit: I decided to throw it out and order a new stainless steel one that's all one piece. Thanks for the help!
I can relate to not wanting to throw something away if you can just fix it, but I guarantee you will save yourself a lot of time and stress if you just go down to your local thrift shop with a kitchen section and pick one of the dozens of spatulas they will have for like $0.50.
The last thing you want is the mess and possible pain of your repaired spatula breaking under the stress of lifting a hot, oily food from the pan.
Any glue that is a) food safe and b) able to be stuffed in a dishwasher is probably going to be more expensive than a new spatula.
I applaud the effort to repair, but sometimes, it’s just not viable. Especially because the problem is in the relatively weak design of the part.
ETA: Food grade silicone or epoxy would do the job for a while, but neither will bond very well to the spatula. It would essentially be a mechanical bond and probably weaker than before
The glue would cost the same price as a spatula at a dollar store.
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Who needs glue, if you're hellbent on keeping it, stick the plastic back in and figure out a good place to put a screw/nail through and file it down if it goes out the other end.
If it breaks again you'll most likely be forced to completely replace it though, which is a good thing as it will mean didn't deserve the second life you've given it.
Get a proper single piece silicone spatula for your non stick and throw this one away. Get a single piece metal spatula for your stainless steel pan.
Alternatively, throw out your non stick pans and skip step one above.
Edit: Disregard what I said about metal spatulas. Get a two piece, wood handled, metal fish spatula. It is my new favorite item in the kitchen.
If I really wanted to keep it I wouldn't use glue I'd put part of a balloon or a finger from a glove on the spatula and force it back in. IMO any kitchen utensil that's 2 parts like this will always fail quickly. I believe that's a force fitting with ridges intended to keep it in so slightly enlarging the piece that goes in will recreate the tight fit
That looks like a friction fit. Put it in place and try and crimp the tubing just a little bit. This is a 'controlled pressing force' type of operation. Don't hammer or push too hard too fast. Creative thinking can go a long way in training your inner MacGyver (ancient US TV show reference).
One idea is to use a dining room chair. The leg of a chair can exert a lot of pressing force on a small area. This can work if you lack hand tools, a vise or other methods. Position the tube and lower your weight onto the chair in a controlled manner to alter the geometry enough to securely hold the insert in place.
Two part epoxy would be the only type. The catalyst in most epoxies is probably toxic, there are specialty food safe types, but they cost a fortune. I don't think this is the solution though. I would go with crimping the tube.
Looks like someone needs a trip to SPATULA CITY!!! https://youtu.be/4BUDwj_mXKE
Just get a Spurtle.
West Systems 105 epoxy and 205 fast hardener. Roughen the area with some 220 grit sand paper, blot on some epoxy with a chip brush, wrap in fiberglass. Repeat until you have 2-4 layers of fiberglass. Use epoxy with 406 high-density filler to blend the edges if desired. Vacuum bag it until the epoxy has cured. Wet sand smooth if necessary, working up to 4000 grit.
In my experience the only thing I think it will endure the dishwasher is the 2 part epoxi but that's toxic. I did use in my cup handle but I don't drink out of it. If its going to touch food I don't think you have a safe glue.
Edit: if there is plastic inside the metal you can try melting and bonding both. If its metal on plastic then forget it
Assuming it's a press-fit...
I would do what another user suggested and use a bit of food grade silicone. Put it around the insert part and push on the handle. Then, take a flathead screwdriver and a hammer to put a little indent where that well is on the top of the spatula part, just under the edge of the metal.
God this gives me PTSD of the similar spatulas my grandparents insist on getting for some reason XD a big reason I don't skimp on quality kitchen supplies now. I recommend, if it's available, anyone who wants good kitchen stuff that won't break easy, try finding an Asian market of some kind with an appliance etc. section. The Korean market near me sells all type of great wooden spatulas, tongs, etc. and also stainless steel, for a great price. Way better than the overpriced trash at the big box stores.
Cyanoacrylate. Unless you're literally soaking it in your food I'm not too concerned about food safety with where the joint is - but of course I've been exposed to so many carcinogens that a little super glue won't matter
Search for FDA compliant epoxy. I wouldn't worry too much about the strength, whatever epoxy you get should be stronger than the factory bond. If it's FDA approved then it'll be up to the same kind of standards that the spatula was built to.
Go silicone instead of cooking with plastic
Stainless steel screw through the part where plastic and metal pipe meet. Or epoxy.
Certain tree based resins are actually used in cooking.
Pick one of those edible ones and reapply them every time this comes off.
There will be minute amount of gum going into your food, but it will still be food.On the downside, those gums are easily water soluble, so depending on you long and hot you wash (and how tight the handle seals), you might see it coming off each and every wash. You won't have it coming off while cooking though (as long as you keep the junction out of water.
there's really no such thing
Ok kids, let's go!
I strongly recommend NO glue and liberal use of your TRASH CAN. Then go get a cast iron frying pan and a METAL flip turner.
Do this so you do not die a horrible micro plastic PFOS death one day.
Best!
Try a mix of superglue with corn starch.
