Brass vs. Aluminum Branding Irons: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to choosing the right branding iron material, there are two stand-out options: brass and aluminum. Both deliver clean, crisp marks and will help you brand your creations like a pro — but each material excels in different situations.

Brass is our standard material, and for good reason. It’s durable, stable under heat, and perfect for everything from woodworking to leathercraft and even occasional food marking. Brass holds heat very well, making it forgiving and easy to use whether you're branding cutting boards, wooden boxes, or custom leather projects. If you want a versatile, long-lasting branding iron without overthinking it, brass is your go-to choice.

Aluminum, on the other hand, is the star when it comes to food-safe applications. It’s recommended for commercial kitchens and bakeries where strict food safety standards are key. Our aluminum brands are machined from ½-inch thick aircraft-grade stock, meaning they’re built to last — as long as you treat them right. While they create a mark identical to brass, aluminum doesn’t like excessive heat. In fact, it melts at around 1200°F, so if your branding head starts to glow, it’s begging you to stop (seriously — glowing = too hot!). For most food items, you only need 300–400°F, which is more than enough to make beautifully toasted designs on buns, tortillas, steaks, and more.

A quick rule of thumb:

• Cutting boards & utensils? Brass is totally fine.

• Commercial food branding? Go aluminum.

• Forgot your temperature gauge? If it's glowing, it's going.

Both materials have their strengths, and we offer each so you can brand confidently — whether you’re stamping steak in a restaurant kitchen or marking handcrafted maple cutting boards in your workshop. Choose wisely and have fun leaving your mark!

Ready to get started? You can get started with a branding iron in either material here!