Nerviest Initial

Ok, #FediHelp hive mind, if you had to #repair a broken plate with a glue that was dishwasher and food safe, what glue would you use? #BoostsWelcome

EDIT: DAP makes a ceramic glue that is dishwasher/microwave safe and nontoxic. I think I'm probably going to try that first. Thanks to everyone who had suggestions! And thanks to @westerling for the tip!

Apr 5, 2024 at 7:54pmWeb
Show threadhelplessduckApr 5, 2024

@intransitivelie

Two part epoxy? Shit'll hold just about anything to anything, through anything...
I'm not sure about food-safety, though.

Show threadNerviest InitialApr 5, 2024
@helplessduck
I thought about this, and yeah, I'm not sure it's food safe either. I should look it up.
Show threadrosalyn Apr 5, 2024

@intransitivelie @helplessduck I looked into this once to repair a beloved teacup. What I found is that there's not really a good answer for ceramics, since even if you put it back together, stuff is liable to grow in the exposed porous surfaces, no matter how well you seal it. If that doesn't dissuade you, I remember cyanoacrylate being among the safer options for glues-- you'll want to find one of the gel options rather than the liquid, or else it'll just seep into the ceramic.

addendum: acrylic cement (e.g. Duco cement) is another potentially good choice. In my experience this stuff bonds to ceramics really well. Since it's acrylic, it should be food safe once it cures?

Show threadPaul CantrellApr 5, 2024
@gardencourt @intransitivelie @helplessduck
Pretty sure just about any ceramic dishware will be fully vitrified, meaning that the clay itself (not just the glaze) is fully waterproof and non-porous. There might still be concern over the rough surface being able to harbor bacteria, but neither glue nor food will seep into the clay.
Show threadrosalyn Apr 5, 2024
@inthehands @intransitivelie @helplessduck Huh-- that is very good to know for the future. When I tried liquid cyanoacrylate on my teacup it did seep in, though. It was a rather old one
Show threadhelplessduckApr 5, 2024

@gardencourt @inthehands @intransitivelie

I wonder if there isn't some other factor at play. I have one ceramic coil sculpture that breaks if you look at it funny and I've had mixed luck with CA glue, but good results with E6000. @intransitivelie I checked three places -that weren't mommy blogs- that all say that E6000 is food safe when dry, on account of it not being water-soluble.

Show threadPaul CantrellApr 5, 2024
@gardencourt @intransitivelie @helplessduck
Hmmm, it’s possible that some manufacturers use a non-vitreous process. It’s possible there were hairline cracks or seeped through. And it’s possible I’m just straight-up wrong about vitreous clay not admitting glue!
Show threadrosalyn Apr 5, 2024
@inthehands @intransitivelie @helplessduck I'm not too sure either way. I'm content to let my little teacup remain a mystery: above all else, it hasn't gotten me sick yet!
Show threadhelplessduckApr 5, 2024

@gardencourt @inthehands @intransitivelie

You'd think I would have some kind of basic knowledge about how this works since I spent all that time in a pottery studio in college... HA! I do remember that tiny pockets of water or subtle imperfections in the clay can cause all manner of problems. I had a few things explode in the kiln because of water. This is likely the problem with my coil sculpture: I used cheap clay.
Regardless, I think not getting sick is as good a testimonial as any! 😊

Show threadNerviest InitialApr 5, 2024
@inthehands @gardencourt @helplessduck
Earthenware is water-permiable as is some stoneware. Also, "impermiable" is relative, and some vitrified ceramics will still absorb some percentage of water. Most dishware is impermiable, but glue might still seep into the open pores of the material which would lessen the bonding strength. That's the hazard of cyanoacrylate glues.
Show threadPaul CantrellApr 5, 2024
@intransitivelie @gardencourt @helplessduck
Is manufactured ceramic for use as kitchenware ever earthenware? I’d assumed not, but I might be off base!
Show threadNerviest InitialApr 6, 2024
@inthehands @gardencourt @helplessduck
If it's dishwasher-safe it's not going to be earthenware, I don't think.
Show threadfritzoidsApr 5, 2024
@intransitivelie
there is a thing called porcelain glue. It works (read the instructions carefully) and is dishwasher and food safe.
Show threadA Howling WildernessApr 5, 2024

@intransitivelie

I looked this up recently thanks to a broken teapot lid :( and I found this article: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-glue-for-ceramic/ from which I chose Dap aquarium cement. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks pretty safe.

We Tested The Best Glues to Repair Your Most Treasured Ceramics. These Five Made the Cut.

The best glue for ceramic can rescue broken products, even fix damaged ceramic tiles and countertops. See our testing and results.

Bob Vila
Show threadNerviest InitialApr 5, 2024
@westerling
Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for, I think.
Show threadLongwingApr 6, 2024

@intransitivelie @westerling CA Glue (Superglue) is very effective for this. I have repaired mugs that are still going strong after years of dishwasher use, and CA glue is people-safe once dry.

Just put a thin layer on both broken surfaces and mate them back together. Quickly wipe up any squeezed-out glue.