Drying brass is one of those reloading bench tasks that can feel like a chore. After the tumble and rinse, you’re left with wet cases that need to be perfectly dry before they touch a reloading die. Air drying takes forever and risks water spots, while kitchen ovens are inefficient and can be a safety hazard. The Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Brass Dryer enters the scene as a dedicated solution, promising to turn a tedious waiting game into a quick, set-and-forget process. For anyone serious about streamlining their ammunition reloading workflow, this appliance warrants a close look.
This isn’t just a warmed box. Frankford Arsenal designed it with specific features aimed at the reloader’s needs: forced convection, adjustable temperature, and a high-capacity, organized tray system. The question becomes whether this specialized tool justifies its spot in your case prep arsenal or if it’s an unnecessary luxury. My honest take is that its value depends entirely on your volume and how much you prioritize time and consistency in your precision reloading routine.
Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series: Overview & First Impressions
Unboxing the Platinum Series Brass Dryer reveals a surprisingly substantial unit. It’s not a flimsy plastic gadget; it has a weight and build quality that inspires confidence for long-term use on a busy reloading bench. The five gray, vented trays stack neatly on the central column, and the overall design is straightforward and purpose-built. Setup is as simple as plugging it into a standard 110V outletno assembly required.
The core promise is clear: fast, quiet, and efficient brass drying. With a 500-watt heating element and a top-mounted fan for forced air convection, it aims to tackle up to 1,000 pieces of brass in under an hour. For the reloader processing multiple calibers, the removable trays offer a clever way to keep batches separate. Honestly speaking, the initial impression is of a tool designed by reloaders who understood the specific pain points of post-cleaning case management.
Detailed Features & Build Quality Analysis
Let’s break down what the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series actually offers. The features are focused and practical, each addressing a common frustration.
- 500-Watt Heating Unit & Forced Air Convection: This is the engine. The 500-watt heater provides ample warmth, while the fan actively circulates the hot air. This isn’t passive warming; it’s an active drying system that prevents moisture from settling and ensures even heat distribution around every case. The difference between this and a simple food dehydrator is night and day.
- Five Removable, Vented Trays: Capacity and organization are key. Each tray is perforated to maximize airflow from the center column outward. A smart inner lip on each tray prevents brass, especially pistol cases, from falling down the center shaft. You can dry a large batch of one caliber or use individual trays for different calibersa simple but effective feature for organized reloaders.
- Adjustable Thermostat (Up to 160F): Control is important. The adjustable temperature dial allows you to tailor the heat. Lower settings are gentler for prolonged drying, while the max 160F setting is for speed. This flexibility is appreciated, as some reloaders prefer not to expose brass to excessive heat.
- Quiet Operation: This might seem minor, but it’s a significant quality-of-life feature. The unit is quiet enough to run in a living space or garage without being disruptive. You can let it do its job overnight or while working on other tasks without the annoyance of a loud fan.
From my honest perspective, the build quality aligns with Frankford Arsenal’s “Platinum Series” moniker. The plastic used for the housing and trays feels durable and resistant to the heat it’s meant to contain. The design has no unnecessary frills; it’s a tool built for a single, efficient purpose. While we often discuss the compound leverage system of a press or a primer catch system, for a dryer, build quality is about safe, consistent, and reliable performance over hundreds of cycles. This unit appears to deliver on that front.
| Feature | Specification / Description |
|---|---|
| Power | 500-Watt Heating Unit, 110V |
| Drying Method | Forced Air Convection |
| Capacity | Up to 1,000 pieces of brass (5 trays) |
| Temperature Control | Adjustable up to 160F |
| Tray Design | Vented with inner lip to prevent falls |
| Key Benefit | Dries brass in under an hour, quiet operation |
| Use Case | Drying wet, tumbled brass for reloading |
| Check current price on Amazon |
Hands-On Performance & Reloading Results
So, does it work as advertised? In a word, yes. Loading up the trays with wet .223 brass straight from the rotary tumbler, I found the “under an hour” claim to be accurate. At the 160F setting, cases were completely dry to the touch and bone-dry inside in about 45 minutes. The forced air convection is the hero heresimply heating wet brass can bake on water spots, but the constant airflow prevents this, leaving cases with a clean, uniform finish.
The versatility of the tray system is a major win. I could run a tray of 9mm, a tray of .308, and a tray of .45 ACP simultaneously without cross-contamination. For someone who batches their case prep, this is a huge efficiency boost. The quiet operation also held true; it was less noisy than a typical household fan, making it easy to forget it was running until the job was done.
This performance directly impacts the downstream reloading process. Perfectly dry brass ensures consistent powder drops and prevents any potential corrosion. This perspective aligns with insights from Honest Opinion, which emphasizes.It eliminates the guesswork and waiting associated with air drying. When you’re in the zone on your single-stage press, the last thing you want is to be held up by damp cases. This dryer removes that bottleneck entirely. For high-volume shooters or anyone who processes brass in large batches, the time savings are substantial and, according to , a valid justification for the investment.
Pros, Cons & Comparison to Alternatives
No tool is perfect for everyone. Let’s weigh the honest assessment.
Advantages:
- Speed & Efficiency: Dries brass completely in 45-60 minutes, far faster than air drying.
- Superior Results: Forced air prevents water spots and ensures internal drying.
- High & Organized Capacity: Five trays handle large batches and multiple calibers at once.
- Set-and-Forget Simplicity: Plug it in, set the temperature, and walk away.
- Quiet and Safe: Designed for use in a home environment without disturbance.
Considerations:
- Specialized Tool: It does one job very well. If you only reload occasionally in tiny batches, it might be overkill.
- Bench Space: It requires a dedicated spot on your reloading bench or shelf.
- Upfront Cost: Compared to free air drying, there’s an initial cost, though it’s reasonable for its function.
When considering Frankford Arsenal vs Hornady Lock-N-Load or other brands, it’s important to note that Hornady doesn’t offer a direct competitor in the brass dryer space. Comparisons are more aptly made against generic food dehydrators or oven drying. Generic dehydrators often lack the focused airflow and high-wattage heating, leading to longer dry times and less consistent results. Ovens are energy-inefficient, can overheat brass affecting temper, and are a potential safety hazard with lubricant residues.
For a dedicated reloading tool that optimizes the case prep stage, the Platinum Series stands alone in its niche. It’s worth checking how it compares to other Frankford Arsenal tools, like the comprehensive case prep center or the innovative M-Press coaxial press, to see how it fits into a full Frankford workflow.
Final Verdict & Target User Recommendation
Is the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series worth it? My honest assessment is that it’s an invaluable tool for a specific type of reloader. If you process medium to high volumes of brass, value your time, and demand consistency in your ammunition reloading process, this dryer transitions from a luxury to a legitimate efficiency tool. It solves a mundane but critical problem elegantly and reliably.
It is arguably one of the best single stage press for beginners to consider in terms of building an efficient, frustration-free bench from the start. Why? Because it establishes good habitsproperly prepared, dry brassfrom day one. It removes a variable and lets a new reloader focus on the actual press operation, whether they’re using a simple single-stage or a more complex turret like the Frankford Arsenal Precision Turret.
For the casual reloader who does 50 rounds a month, it’s harder to justify. But for anyone who spends weekends at the range generating hundreds of cases, or for the precision shooter who cannot tolerate any moisture affecting their powder or measurements, this dryer earns its keep quickly. It’s a focused tool that excels at its one job, built with the reloader’s practical needs in mind. The lack of widespread Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series problems in user forums like r/reloading or specialized communities speaks to its dependable design.
In the end, the Platinum Series Brass Dryer is about reclaiming time and ensuring quality. It turns a half-day or overnight wait into a coffee break. For a process built on precision and control, that’s a compelling proposition. I honestly believe it’s a smart upgrade for any reloading bench that has outgrown the towel-and-sunlight method.