Branding irons have been a popular method of livestock identification for centuries. However, they have grown popular for other uses in recent years. Lately, there have been more cases of sculptors and even chefs using branding irons to add unique signatures and a touch of personality to their work. By using a branding iron, the user is guaranteeing quality — a literal stamp of approval.
Although branding irons are easy to use, they must be handled with care. Regardless of whether you are using a traditional flame-heated or electric model, there are procedures to follow to make sure your branding iron will last. Here are some professional tips for branding iron maintenance.
Maintenance Tips for Your Branding Iron
If you own a torch-heated or electric branding iron, follow these maintenance tips:
- Ensure that the surface you plan to brand is clean and dry. Wet surfaces result in damage of the iron and might lead to substandard brands.
- Leave your branding irons in a horizontal position. This action distributes the heat, making the handle cooler than the head.
- For electric branders, always make sure that the heating element is proportional to the branding head. Incompatible sizes may lead to damage of the branding iron or uneven brands.
- Allow your branding irons to heat gradually. Rushing the process may damage the branding iron.
- Give your electric branding iron enough time to get back to temperature between brands.
- For the flame iron, always keep a bucket nearby for quick cooling.
- Keep your irons free of carbon buildup. You can use a wire brush or a bucket of sand to remove traces.
- Dry the iron thoroughly after cleaning to avoid rusting.
Incorrect Branding Iron Maintenance and Usage
Take a look at some of the most common branding mistakes and how they can affect your branding iron:
- Submerging unplugged electric brands in water is unnecessary, because electric irons cool by themselves.
- Leaving the iron in a vertical position often leads to internal damage.
- Applying too much pressure when using a branding iron can result in head damage, so work with minimal pressure.
- Hitting irons on surfaces when hot can lead to head damage or detachment.
- Leaving different branding heads on while the iron is not in use leads to fusion. After fusion, it might be hard to change out branding heads.
- Leaving a torch-heated iron in a furnace for too long can lead to metal damage and warping.
Local Branding Professionals
At Domer’s Inc, we’ve been supplying the country with branding irons for over 80 years. Our extensive list of branding products includes traditional branding irons, electric branding irons, and freeze branding irons. Not sure what you need? Ask us online, or give us a call at 863-763-3417.
Domer's Inc.
204 SE 10th AvenueOkeechobee, FL 34974
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Tel: (863) 763-3417
Fax: (863) 763-7339
Email: info@domersinc.com
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