The pipe is ABS really, no problem at all. I painted the element with high temp black BBQ paint, just don't run it without water in it. Don't use the rubber washer included with the element, and a 1 1/4 (I think) conduit nut fits the element thread, so I used it on the inside of the plastic cap and sealed it all with silicon seal. Mine has been in operation for well over a year now without any problems. I have mine set up sitting in a plastic bucket just incase it leaks, but so far no problems at all. I have a thermostat in mine, that is what the bolt does, conduct the heat to the thermostat, but it is just as easy to watch the temp and un plug it when it hits 180 or so. It only takes about 10 minutes to do the rifle. Larry