LIMA, OHIO • EST. 1936 • J.M. HAMILTON GROUP
Hot Dip Retinning
One of the few companies in the U.S. still specializing in food-grade hot dip
retinning – using Grade A Virgin Tin since 1936.
WHAT IS RETINNING?
Restoring the Food-Safe Tin Coating Your Equipment Needs
Hot dip retinning is the process of restoring the tin coating on carbon steel and cast iron food equipment. The item is first blast-cleaned to remove all existing coating and rust, then fully immersed in molten Grade A Virgin Tin to create an even, food-safe finish across the entire surface.
Tin coating is required on certain food contact surfaces to satisfy FDA food safety guidelines. Over time – through use, cleaning, and heat – that coating wears down. Retinning restores it, extending the life of equipment that would otherwise need to be replaced.
Lima Powder Coating & Metal Coating Company has been retinning food service equipment since 1936. We are one of the few companies in the United States still offering this service, and food service businesses – from bakeries and restaurants to butcher shops and equipment repair facilities – rely on us to keep their equipment compliant and operational.
CURRENT TURNAROUND TIME
30–35
working days from receipt of your order. We recommend contacting us in advance for larger orders or time-sensitive projects.
WHO SENDS EQUIPMENT TO US
- Bakeries & commercial kitchens
- Restaurants & food service operations
- Butcher shops & meat processing
- Equipment repair & dealer shops
- Individual equipment owners
QUICK CHECK
Can Your Equipment Be Retinned?
Retinning works on carbon steel and cast iron – not stainless steel. The easiest way to check is a simple magnet test you can do before shipping anything to us.
01. Grab a refrigerator magnet
Any standard household magnet will work.
02. Hold it against your equipment
Test on the main body of the item – bowl, pan, cylinder, etc.
03. Magnet sticks? It can be retinned.
Carbon steel and cast iron are magnetic. If the magnet holds, the tin should too. If it doesn’t stick, the item is likely stainless steel and cannot be retinned.
RETINNING PRICES
Pricing by Equipment Type
All prices include: blast removal of all existing coating & rust, full immersion in molten Grade A Virgin Tin for an overall even finish. Prices are F.O.B. our dock in Lima, Ohio. All prices subject to change – contact us to confirm current pricing before shipping.
Mixer Bowls
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 15 Qt. & Smaller | $50 |
| 20 Qt. | $100 |
| 30 Qt. | $125 |
| 40 Qt. | $150 |
| 60 Qt. | $175 |
| 80 Qt. | $200 |
| 100 Qt. | $275 |
| 120 Qt. | $325 |
| 140 Qt. | $400 |
| 160 Qt. | $450 |
| 175 Qt. | $500 |
| 340 Qt. | $950 |
Splash Covers & Extension Rings
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 15 Qt. & Smaller | $50 |
| 20 Qt. | $75 |
| 30 Qt. | $80 |
| 40 Qt. | $90 |
| 60 Qt. | $100 |
| 80 Qt. | $125 |
Salad & Dough Bowls
| Method | Rate |
|---|---|
| Per inch (measured lip to lip, going under the bowl) | $4.00/in. |
| Example: 21.5″ bowl = 21.5 × $4.00 = $86.00 | |
Food Choppers & Parts
| Item | Standard | XL |
|---|---|---|
| Chopper Bowl | $100 | $125 |
| Chopper Bowl Cover | $125 | $150 |
| Chopper Bowl Scraper | $15 | $20 |
| Chopper Bowl Fork | $15 | $20 |
| Cover Handle | $15 | $20 |
Food Choppers & Parts
| Type | Standard | XL |
|---|---|---|
| Mix Arms | $140 | $175 |
Food Grinders & Parts
| Part | Sm | Med | Lg | XL | XXL | XXXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring | $40 | $50 | $65 | $80 | $110 | $150 |
| Worm | $40 | $60 | $75 | $100 | $130 | $165 |
| Cylinder | $80 | $100 | $150 | $195 | $250 | $285 |
Refrigerator Racks
| Type | Rate (per sq. in., one side) |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | $0.06/sq. in. |
| Flat Bar | $0.07/sq. in. |
| Walk-In Cooler | $0.07/sq. in. |
| Example: 24″ × 26″ rack = 624 sq. in. × $0.06 = $37.44 | |
Feed Pans & Safety Guards
Guard is removed, blasted & reinstalled after tinning of feed pan – $50 additional
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Small Round | $125 |
| Medium (18 × 30) | $250 |
| Med/Lg (18 × 36) | $300 |
| Large (18 × 42) | $325 |
| X-Large (27 × 49) | $375 |
| XX-Large | $400 |
Milk Cans & Lids
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 5-gallon / 20 Qt. Milk Can | $85 |
| Soldering (if applicable) | $15 |
| 10-gallon / 40 Qt. Milk Can | $125 |
| Soldering (if applicable) | $25 |
| Milk Can Lid | $15 |
Meat Saws & Chippers
Hobart · Biro · Toledo. All saws must be shipped disassembled.
| Size | Complete Saw Retinning |
|---|---|
| Small | $650 |
| Medium | $800 |
| Large | $1,000 |
| X-Large | $1,250 |
Miscellaneous Food Equipment
Call for pricing – in most cases, any type of metal food equipment from cast iron to stamped steel can be tin coated.
- French Fry Vats & Baskets
- Hoppers
- Colanders
- Saw Wheels
- Sausage Stuffers
- Bowl Dollies
- Jelly Fillers
- Feed Chambers
- Frozen Food Chippers
- Scale Parts
- Meat Grinder Bases
- Ring Wrenches
TIN CARE
Care of Tin Coated Products
Follow these guidelines to maximize the life of your retinned equipment.
01
Do not use abrasive cleaning materials such as Brillo pads or metal scrapers. Tin is a soft metal and should be cleaned with a soft cloth and dried.
02
Do not use detergent containing a high percentage of tri-sodium phosphate or meta-silicate. Tin is reactive to both.
03
Do not abuse or strike the side of tinned items with metal stirring utensils. Tin is soft and can be removed by continual abrasions.
04
Rinse well and dry thoroughly after washing to remove agents that may be reactive to tin.
05
Dry thoroughly after rinsing and store in a dry environment.
06
Please note: Foods with high amounts of acid (tomatoes, etc.) will react with the tin and may cause the lining to turn gray.
07
Do not use a cleaning agent containing a high percentage of free alkali or acid.
08
Do not subject tinned surfaces to extreme heat. The melting point of tin is approximately 435°F.
09
Do not store a tinned item in a location of high humidity for long periods of time.
10
If a sterilizing agent containing chlorine is used, the tinned surface must be thoroughly rinsed. Chlorine is corrosive to tin.
11
If water is exceptionally hard, drying will be necessary to prevent permanently spotting.
Common Questions
Retinning FAQs
Carbon steel and cast iron food equipment – mixer bowls, food choppers, grinders, meat saws, milk cans, refrigerator racks, and more. Stainless steel cannot be retinned. When in doubt, use the magnet test.
With proper care, most retinned equipment lasts for years. Longevity depends on use intensity – high-volume commercial kitchens will see more wear than lighter applications.
Our process uses Grade A Virgin Tin and is designed to help satisfy FDA requirements for food contact applications. If you have specific compliance questions, we’re happy to discuss your situation.
Current turnaround is 30–35 working days from receipt of your order. Contact us before shipping if you have time-sensitive needs.
You can ship to us or drop off in person. Pickup and drop-off hours are Monday–Friday, 7 AM–3 PM at 1700 Elida Road, Lima, Ohio. Please include a packing list with your name, contact info, return address, and item description.
We handle most commercially used food equipment – from small parts under 15 Qt. to 340 Qt. mixer bowls and large meat saws. If you have an unusual item, call us and we’ll let you know if we can accommodate it.
READY TO SEND YOUR EQUIPMENT IN?
Pickup and drop-off Monday–Friday, 7 AM–3 PM. Questions? Call or email us before shipping.