@vineandvalley Kelly, any chance you can post some images of what you got going on with your percolator. Just add those to your original question. Use this guide Adding images to an existing question to add those. I am interested to see where the thermostat sits and how it is mounted. I believe that the thermal side is just getting pushed against the "boiler" case with a spring clip. I was wondering if may be your replacement thermostat does not properly sit against the case for a proper reading. I'd try to use a Farberware replacement thermostat like this and a bit more expensive on here.