Anyone cracked open a mini Crockpot? Those bottom rivets are weird

[Thomas Martinez]

Just browsing an internet looking for information on how people gets into the bottom of these little mini Crockpots. From what I am finding online, the mini crockpots use what appear to be some kind of special rivet on the base to secure the cover.
There is no information about pliers on the internet to assist with getting into these model. The rivets is not designed to be prying with tools like pliers. It is recommended that you use a flathead screwdriver to pry these rivets off the base of the crockpots.
However, caution are advised when doing so since it is recommended that you place a cloth underneath the flathead screwdriver to avoid damage the crockpot. The plastic on the crockpots isnt the most durable material.
I have curiosity as to whether or not anyone have ever opened up a mini crockpot. Do all of the mini crockpots use the same type of rivet to secure the base covers? If not, are some models more difficult to open than others? Would drilling the rivets be an alternative to prying them open? Would that be more difficultly than simply using a flathead screwdriver?

 

[Rush]

yeah those are pop rivets basically. Drilling is cleaner than prying imo but you gotta size your bit right or you elongate the hole and theres nothing to grab when you reassemble

 

[Brainy Bison]

Done two of these. The rag trick works but honestly a small flat pry bar with some painters tape on the housing is way less sketchy than a screwdriver. Screwdriver tip slip, pry bars are designed for this.

 

[Poor Panda]

wait if you drill them out how do you put it back together? new rivet? or screws?

 

[Rush]

wait if you drill them out how do you put it back together? new rivet? or screws?

usually just self tapping screws into the existing holes. Nobodys gonna inspect the bottom of a crockpot lol

 

[European Met]

Why are we taking apart 25 dollar crockpots in 2024

 

[The Muppets Turtl]

Why are we taking apart 25 dollar crockpots in 2024

because some of us actually fix things instead of dumping them in landfill. Wild concept i know

 

[Poor Panda]

usually just self tapping screws into the existing holes. Nobodys gonna inspect the bottom of a crockpot lol

and what size bit do you use? like is there a rule of thumb or just eyeball it

 

[Rush]

and what size bit do you use? like is there a rule of thumb or just eyeball it

start with 1/8 and work up till the head pops off. You want to just barely eat the head, not drill thru the whole rivet

 

[Distinct Dugon]

i pried one open last summer with a flathead and it took maybe 4 minutes total. The rivets are soft pot metal or aluminum so they deform real easy. The rag tip is legit tho, mine slipped once and left a nice scar in the plastic

 

[Divine Worm Ma]

Not all mini crocks use the same fastener. The older ones with the round dial actually has phillips under the rubber feet. Pry the feet off first before you go drilling anything you might already have screws hiding under there.

 

[European Met]

because some of us actually fix things instead of dumping them in landfill. Wild concept i know

fair enough i guess

 

[Exci]

those arent rivets theyre called tamper proof spin rivets or sometimes one way fasteners. They spin freely so you cant back them out with a driver. Manufacturers use them so you cant easily get inside the product. Drilling them is the correct method to remove them from the product. Prying can damage the housing of the product and those who recommend this method has never done it properly. Use a 7/64 bit and apply light pressure to the spin rivet and the head will pop off and the shaft will fall out the other side

 

[Poor Panda]

those arent rivets theyre called tamper proof spin rivets or sometimes one way fasteners. They spin freely so you cant back them out with a driver. Manufacturers use them so you cant easily get inside the product. Drilling them is the correct method to remove them from the produc…

ok but what happens if the shaft doesnt fall out and gets stuck in the hole? do you just punch it thru?

 

[Exci]

ok but what happens if the shaft doesnt fall out and gets stuck in the hole? do you just punch it thru?

yes, use a small punch or even a nail and tap with a hammer. Its hollow on the inside of the housing so theres room for the shaft to drop thru

 

[Brainy Bison]

those arent rivets theyre called tamper proof spin rivets or sometimes one way fasteners. They spin freely so you cant back them out with a driver. Manufacturers use them so you cant easily get inside the product. Drilling them is the correct method to remove them from the produc…

hard disagree about the prying. Ive done it half a dozen times on different products and there is no damage to the housing. Just use the proper technique rather than acting like a gorilla with your screwdriver

 

[Henry S.]

check under the feet first like the other guy said. Saved me on a hamilton beach