Distributors sell stainless steel coils to businesses that specialize in cookware, medical supplies, appliances and industrial equipment. The attraction of stainless steel is its ability to resist rust, stains and corrosion longer than other steels. Stainless steel cooling coil is used in cold boxes in bars, while stainless steel heating coils are used in tank heaters and other heat transfer equipment.

If you're shopping for stainless steel tubing coil, you can get it in single or multiple coils. This is important because it can reduce your installation costs, since you need less connections for hooking up the coils. Stainless steel sheet coil sells by weight per unit area, so the size of sheet coil determines your shipping costs. When purchasing industrial stainless steel coils, consider the following:

1. Know what type of alloy you need for the stainless steel coils, and which series of steel suits your business needs.

2. Check that the stainless steel coil supplier has a knowledgeable staff that can answer your questions from experience, and not a computer screen or technical manual.

3. Make sure the stainless steel coil producers who supplied the coil held the steel up to the specifications set by AMS, ASTM or MILS.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get free quotes from different suppliers before you buy stainless steel coil

Most stainless steel coil suppliers give businesses free online quotes. Since orders vary by weight and size, suppliers can give you an approximate price quote that includes shipping, which gives you the opportunity to shop around before committing to a purchase.

I recommend: Type in your specifications for stainless steel coils for a quote, or get an instant quote online for stainless steel sheets at United Performance Metals. Get quotes for current inventory or steel set to your specifications at Scott Stainless Steel.

Find lists of stainless steel coil producers for the most options

Searching the Internet for stainless steel coil producers gives you a plethora of options. Distributors for stainless steel tubing coils, stainless steel coil stock and stainless steel coil spring all advertise and list their company with online business directories.

I recommend: Shop for industrial stainless steel supplies through Process Register. Shop local and international steel businesses through Importers.com.

Land a deal by shopping for used or surplus stainless steel coils

Some industrial businesses specialize in buying and selling used and surplus stainless steel coils. The companies then sell these products for a cheaper price than companies dealing in newly manufactured stainless steel coils. There are also corporations that deal strictly in buying surplus metals, which reduces your costs if you have extra stainless steel coils you won't need.

I recommend: Buy, sell or appraise used metals through the Lanco Corporation. Sell used or surplus stainless steel coils to Surplus Metals Corporation, and recoup some of your expenditures.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Save money on shipping costs by working with a company that has a 'no minimums' policy or is willing to handle smaller orders. This lets you purchase only what you need and not end up with a surplus of stainless steel coils.