Powder Curing Oven Comparison Guide for Professionals
Considering new powder coating equipment for your business? When you’re getting quotes, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples, especially when it comes to the powder curing oven! This easy-to-understand guide from Reliant Finishing Systems helps you quickly evaluate the features that can make or break your success.
Key Features—Start by evaluating the quality of the oven’s design & components
Does the oven have a fully modular design?
Ovens that have a fully modular design, like those built by Reliant Finishing Systems, can easily be expanded in size in the future with no field welding required. Many entry-level products from oven “catalog websites” aren’t truly modular in design and can be expensive or impossible to expand in the future. The same applies to many powder curing ovens offered by higher-end oven companies, because the number of custom components and/or the amount of welding involved makes expansion costly and impractical.
Can heat units or exhaust systems be relocated in the field if there is an unforeseen issue with oven placement?
Sometimes things don’t go as planned while you’re setting up a new coating operation. A couple oven manufacturers, including Reliant, have ovens designed so the exhaust and heat system can be placed in multiple locations during assembly without modifying the equipment or compromising the oven’s performance. With other brands of ovens, the layout can be expensive or impossible to reconfigure.
What burner does the oven use?
Make sure the oven has a brand-name burner from an established burner manufacturer such as Power Flame or Maxon. These burners are more expensive, but they ensure that your oven’s heat system will be safe to operate. By selecting one of these burners, you’ll also have easy access to repair and maintenance parts. You should check to confirm that the burner model being used has been tested and certified for oven use (this is indicated by an ETL or UL listing decal that has been applied to the burner by the manufacturer). Reliant Finishing Systems uses specially configured Power Flame burners that have been approved for oven use and proven on thousands of ovens across the U.S. and Canada.
What motors does the oven use?
Avoid ovens that use no-name motors because these can lead to troubleshooting and replacement issues in the future if you have a problem with your oven. Reliant, and some other manufacturers of high-quality powder curing ovens, integrate energy efficient and dependable Baldor heavy duty motors for both their heat systems and exhausts. As with other premium components, these may cost more but are a smart investment.
Does the oven body ship assembled?
Although a few companies tout the benefits of shipping pre-assembled ovens, most oven manufacturers provide their products unassembled to prevent shipping damage and allow for installation in hard-to-reach spots. This approach makes the oven much easier to unload and avoids situations where customers find it impossible to install their new equipment due to the layout of their shops.
Where is the exhaust located?
Reliant mounts their oven exhaust to the floor, so it removes only the coolest air in the oven–reducing heating costs. Some other companies mount the exhaust on the oven roof, drawing out the hottest air and wasting heat energy.
Where is the heater located?
For ease of inspection and maintenance, look for a heat system that mounts to the floor and has the gas train and burner components at about chest height. If possible, avoid roof-mounted heat systems that are more challenging to adjust and service. Reliant ovens typically use floor-mounted heaters. Roof-mounted versions are available if space constraints require them, but are not recommended for most applications.
Where is the hot air discharge plenum located?
Reliant typically uses an overhead plenum that mounts above the entire ceiling of the oven because it uses no extra floor space and provides uniform airflow to the entire oven interior. Some companies use plenums that mount to one or both sides of the oven body (or the rear) using up lots of extra floor space.
Does the oven have a floor?
Reliant offers the choice of a steel floor, an insulated floor, or no floor at all. Most batch powder coating ovens don’t have a floor or have only a basic steel floor. This is because most shops use rolling carts, so an insulated oven floor isn’t practical. If your process could benefit from an insulated floor (such as when using an overhead rail to support parts hanging from hooks), make sure the oven provider has the ability to supply the best floor solution for you.
How is the oven controlled?
Reliant offers the choice of push button control panels with digital temperature management features or more elaborate color touch screen controls (with or without integrated data logging). Some oven companies provide only touch screen controls. For many customers, these don’t offer any benefits, but they are more expensive, can be more challenging to operate, and are more difficult to service. At the other end of the market, most entry-level oven websites offer only primitive push button controls that may or may not meet applicable codes.
Oven Construction—the difference is in the details
How heavy is the insulation? (heavier is better)
Almost all powder curing ovens are insulated with mineral wool. Mineral wool is supplied to the oven manufacturers in sheets. The denser the insulation, the more effective it is. Reliant ovens are insulated with mineral wool of 6# density or greater. Some oven builders use less expensive (and less effective) insulation of 4# density or less.
How thick are the walls & roof? (thicker is better)
Reliant powder curing ovens have wall and roof panels that are 6” thick. Some other well-known oven companies have wall and roof panels that are only 5” thick. Economy-priced ovens may have panels that are only 4” thick, and some catalog sites sell ovens with panels that are less than 4”, practically guaranteeing unnecessary heat loss and significantly increased shop temps near the oven.
How thick are the doors? (thicker is better)
It’s important that your oven’s doors are well insulated to prevent heat loss. Reliant’s standard oven doors are over 5” thick and have gasketed overlapping closure flange to minimize heat loss. Many other ovens on the market use doors that are only 4” to 5” thick, and budget ovens may have doors that are even thinner—some 3” or less. If roll-up doors are best suited for your application, look for insulated fabric doors like those provided by Reliant.
Is the door assembly self-supporting?
Many premium oven brands, like Reliant, utilize oven doors that are self-supporting and easy to adjust. These doors don’t need casters or supports. Some inexpensive ovens rely on troublesome casters to help support the doors.
What material is used for the oven’s panels and exterior skins?
Reliant uses prime U.S. steel from matching lots. Other companies may use U.S. steel from random lots, non-prime steel, or imported steel. Ask what type of steel the oven builder uses and where it originated.
How is the steel used for these panels treated?
Reliant uses only G90 galvanized steel panels to ensure long life and corrosion resistance. Some companies use less expensive and less corrosion-resistant G60 galvanized steel or generic galvanized steel that hasn’t been treated to any set standard. You’ll also find aluminized panels or powder coated panels from some manufacturers. Many less expensive ovens have panels that have only been painted or are left untreated.
How are the panels that make up the oven body fitted together?
It’s important that the oven panels are secured in place before the oven is used. Reliant’s panels bolt together in field, assuring the snuggest fit. Some ovens use friction fit panels that are secured with screws. Others use panels that are only held together by a friction fit method, and a few inexpensive ovens rely on self-tapping screws to fasten the panel parts together.
Are the panels insulated in the field during installation?
Reliant ovens are unique because the panel assemblies are shipped as separate components. The insulation is applied during installation, ensuring perfect insulation placement. Ovens that rely on pre-built panels can be less efficient because the insulation can degrade slightly and settle during transport—leaving the tops of the panels without proper insulation once installed.
Is all the oven’s advertised interior space usable?
With some oven brands, a portion of the advertised interior space has ductwork in the way, reducing the amount of room available for curing parts. With Reliant and most premium brands, the entire advertised space is available for use.
Are the oven doors full size, allowing straight-in access to the entire oven interior? Do the doors hinge back out of the way?
Most higher-end ovens, including those from Reliant, use doors that provide access to the entire oven interior. Some ovens, however, use doors that are inset and slightly smaller. This reduces the cost of the doors but blocks straight-in access near the walls and ceiling. Remember, a reduction in clearance of only a few inches can significantly limit how you go about loading and unloading the oven. Along the same lines, most premium ovens, like those from Reliant, include doors that swing back more than 90° and clear the front of the oven. Some less expensive ovens use doors that swing open but don’t swing back out of the way. This means you’ll have to consider the turning radius of the cart you’re using because you may have to turn the cart more abruptly to clear the doors because they stick out straight in front of the oven—slowing the loading/unloading process and reducing throughput speed.
Company Information—Who are you buying from?
Does the salesperson work directly for the oven manufacturer or are they a distributor/rep/contractor/reseller?
Reliant (and other companies that utilize full-time employees to sell equipment) can establish closer relationships with their customers and avoid the delays and miscommunication that can happen when there are layers of middlemen between the people designing and building the equipment and the people who’ll be using it.
Is their oven manufacturing facility in the U.S.?
There are a few newer brands on the market that don’t have US-based manufacturing capabilities. This can lead to issues with repair or replacement parts, technical advice, and support after the sale.
If you’re considering buying from an oven manufacturer, have they always made their own ovens?
Companies, like Reliant, that build their own equipment will have more experience and can provide greater control over product quality, lead times, and technical support. There are a handful of companies that started building ovens in the last few years (after selling equipment made by others), but their info may lead you to believe they’ve been manufacturing for decades. Don’t be shy about asking detailed questions, like “How long have you built your own ovens and exactly how many has your company built?” For comparison, Reliant has been manufacturing since 2005 and has manufactured over 1,000 ovens specifically for professional powder coating applications.
Do they start-up and calibrate their ovens using in-house technicians?
Hands-on calibration ensures that the oven is safe to operate and has been tuned for maximum fuel-efficiency and reliability. Many batch oven providers don’t offer on-site calibration. A few provide basic start-up services but rely on contractors. Premium-brand oven companies, like Reliant Finishing Systems, offer comprehensive start-up & calibration services using in-house technicians. Reliant provides these services at no additional cost.
Does the provider offer phone support by full-time in-house technical specialists? How many full-time support people do they have to assist their powder coating equipment customers?
Once your oven is operational, it’s important that you’ve got someone to call when there’s an unexpected hiccup. Whether it’s a lightning strike knocking out your power, an employee bumping the heater with a forklift, or just a situation where you need coating or curing advice, support after the sale can make a huge difference to your profitability. Additionally, Reliant offers lifetime over-the-phone support for all Reliant equipment. Monday through Friday, our in-house service team of experts (not call center operators or useless AI “assistants”) is on standby to help troubleshoot any issues or answer questions you may have. We have a team of experienced full-time employees who are on standby to support our customers, so you won’t be left hanging when urgency is critical. Some companies offer support only for the duration of the warranty. Others offer support but only have one or two employees who are qualified to provide troubleshooting guidance. A few have no established phone support program at all or direct you to contractors who charge for their services.
How good is the warranty?
It’s an unpleasant fact that sometimes parts fail. How this impacts your bottom line depends on the quality and duration of your oven’s warranty. When you do business with a top-tier oven manufacturer like Reliant, you can feel confident that your equipment will be supported for years to come. Many entry-level oven companies offer warranties that range from as little as 30 days up to 1 year. They may or may not include free shipping for replacement parts, and some have complicated requirements where old parts must be returned, or a deposit paid before your replacement parts are shipped. Reliant Finishing Systems has one of the best warranties in the industry. We cover all oven components, including belts, for 2 full years. If you’ve got a defective part, we’ll cover ground shipment of the replacement, and we offer express shipping at a reasonable charge. Since we’re the manufacturer and not just a sales outlet, we always have a huge inventory of repair and maintenance parts in stock. Because we use brand name components, you won’t be locked into buying from us down the road once your warranty expires. Many parts can be sourced from local suppliers or companies like Grainger. Additionally, Reliant offers lifetime over the phone support for your Reliant equipment. Monday through Friday, our in house and live(not a call center) Service Team is on standby to help troubleshoot any issues or questions you may have.
Does the company offer professional installation and maintenance services?
One way to understand the support you’ll receive in the future is to assess the capabilities of the company you buy your oven from. Some premium powder coating equipment companies, like Reliant, have teams of in-house technicians who can be deployed to perform installation and service work. Others may use contractors for on-site work. Some require you to work with the distributor who sold you your oven. Many online sales sites don’t offer field support at all. When you buy a standard powder curing oven, Reliant allows you to choose whether you’d like to install the oven yourself, hire your own contractors, or use our in-house techs to assemble your oven and perform interconnection wiring. Many companies choose to have their ovens installed and serviced by our techs so they can keep their workers on-task and keep their operation rolling.
As you can see, there’s more to buying a powder curing oven for your business than just comparing prices. By asking the right questions and weighing the features and benefits that are important to your success, you may not select the least (or most) expensive alternative, but you’ll get the equipment that offers the greatest value for your company. Need advice or want to discuss your coating equipment needs without feeling pressured? Give Reliant’s experts a call at (256) 355-9000 and let us help!