Drying brass doesn’t have to be a chore that takes over your kitchen or laundry room. For reloaders seeking an efficient, dedicated solution without a massive price tag, a compact brass dryer is a game-changer. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series offers a focused, effective approach to this essential step, all for a price that keeps your budget intact.
This isn’t about makeshift setups with hair dryers or risky oven methods. It’s about a purpose-built tool designed for one job: drying your brass quickly, quietly, and thoroughly. For those processing multiple calibers or simply tired of waiting, a dedicated dryer transforms your workflow. Let’s see how this specific model stacks up.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Brass Dryer: A Closer Look
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series brass dryer presents itself as a straightforward, no-nonsense appliance for the reloading bench. Its gray housing and five-vented tray design suggest a focus on function over flash. Honestly speaking, thats exactly what most reloaders want from a tool like thisreliable performance without unnecessary complexity.
At its core, this is a forced-air convection system. A 500-watt heating element and a top-mounted fan work in tandem to push warm air through the stacked trays. The key innovation here is the tray design. Each tray is vented to maximize airflow, and they feature an inner lip. This small detail is crucial; it prevents cases from accidentally tipping into the central column, which can be a frustrating hiccup in other designs. You can dry up to 1,000 pieces of brass in one cycle, or use the removable trays to keep different calibers separated.
Key Specifications & Features
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series 110V |
| Heating Power | 500-watt heavy-duty unit |
| Tray System | 5 removable, vented trays with inner lip |
| Drying Capacity | Up to 1,000 pieces of brass |
| Temperature Control | Adjustable up to 160F |
| Noise Level | Quiet operation |
| Estimated Dry Time | Under one hour |
| Check current price on Amazon |
Performance and Practicality in Your Space
How does this translate to actual use? The promise of drying brass in under an hour is significant. For high-volume shooters or anyone who likes to process large batches, this speed reclaims hours of waiting time. The adjustable temperature up to 160 degrees gives you control, allowing for gentle drying of clean brass without the risk of annealing.
The quiet operation is a feature that shouldn’t be overlooked. My honest take is that a tool you can run in your garage, basement, or dedicated laundry room without disturbing the household is a major quality-of-life benefit. It means you can run a batch overnight or while working on other tasks nearby.
Versatility is another strong point. The five removable trays let you organize by caliber or case type easily. This is perfect for the reloader who might process 9mm, .223, and .308 all in the same session. Simply pull out a tray of dry .223 and replace it with a tray of wet 9mm. The systems efficiency, according to , comes from this combination of forced convection and smart tray design.
What Sets It Apart: The Details
Many products compete on basic specs, but the details define the experience. The inner lip on the trays is a perfect example. Its a simple design choice that prevents a common annoyance. The top-mounted fan placement ensures heat is distributed evenly downward through the stack, rather than creating hot spots.
From my honest perspective, the build focuses on doing one job exceptionally well. It doesnt try to be a food dehydrator or a general-purpose warmer. Its a brass dryer, period. This specialization often leads to more reliable and optimized performance. For a deeper dive into Frankford Arsenal’s engineering approach, discussions on platforms like the reloading subreddit often highlight these practical design benefits.
Installation, Care & Maximizing Longevity
Setup is famously simple. Plug it into a standard 110V outlet, load your trays, and set the temperature. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.Theres no complex assembly or calibration required. Placement matters, though. Ensure the unit is on a stable, level surface with a few inches of clearance around the vents for optimal airflow.
Care is minimal but important. Always ensure your brass is as free of excess water as possible before loading the traysshake or spin it dry first. This prevents mineral deposits from tap water from accumulating on the heating element over time. After a drying cycle, let the unit cool completely before wiping down the trays and interior with a dry cloth. Periodically, check the air intakes for any dust or lint buildup.
To be completely honest, the longevity of any electric dryer depends largely on these simple habits. Avoiding moisture overload and keeping it clean will ensure it runs reliably for years. Its a classic case of a little preventative maintenance going a long way.
How It Compares: Brass vs. Other Drying Methods
Its worth considering where a dedicated brass dryer fits versus alternatives. The traditional methodsspreading brass on towels, using a food dehydrator, or the much-riskier oven methodall have drawbacks. Theyre slower, less consistent, or can potentially damage your brass (and your kitchen appliances).
The Frankford Arsenal Platinums main advantage is consistency and set-it-and-forget-it convenience. You get predictable, safe results every time. I honestly believe that for any reloader processing more than a few dozen cases per month, the time savings and peace of mind justify the investment. Its a tool that pays for itself in reliability. For those interested in other Frankford Arsenal tools that complement a streamlined reloading process, reviews of their coaxial reloading press often discuss similar philosophies of dedicated, efficient design.
Who Is This Brass Dryer For?
This dryer is an ideal fit for several types of reloaders:
- The Volume Processor: If you clean and prep brass in large batches, the 1,000-case capacity and sub-hour dry time are major efficiency boosts.
- The Multi-Caliber Reloader: The removable trays make sorting and drying different types of brass simultaneously incredibly easy.
- The Space-Conscious User: Its compact footprint makes it suitable for garages, small workshops, or apartments where a full-size dehydrator would be overkill.
- The Reloader Who Values Quiet: The low-noise operation means you can use it without disrupting your household or living space.
If you want my honest opinion, its less suited for someone who only reloads a handful of shells a few times a year. For them, air-drying might suffice. But for anyone with a consistent reloading habit, its a transformative piece of gear.
Final Assessment
The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Brass Dryer delivers exactly what it promises: a fast, quiet, and efficient way to dry brass. It solves a mundane but critical step in the reloading process with a well-designed, single-purpose tool. The vented tray design with the safety lip and the forced-air convection system work together to provide reliable results cycle after cycle.
My honest assessment is that its value lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. It doesnt have unnecessary bells and whistles, which keeps the cost under $70. Instead, it focuses on performing its core function exceptionally well. For reloaders looking to streamline their workflow, reduce drying time, and add a layer of consistency to their process, this dryer is a smart, practical investment that earns its place on the bench. The best practices for tool longevity, as noted in communities like the Frankford Arsenal forum, align perfectly with its straightforward designkeep it clean, don’t overload it, and it will serve you well.