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Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

http://www.thebrewingnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=30013

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Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:54 pm
by SpikeBrewing
Hey fellow brewers! We're more lurkers than posters (at least on the BN forum) but we wanted to post some sneak peek shots of our new sight glass design and get some opinions.

Features:
- Pyrex glass tube (will never scratch or melt)
- 304 Stainles Steel sight shield (strength and shine)
- Recirculating system (no overflows)
- 304 Stainless Steel heat shield w/clip (eliminates flames lapping up causing boiling in the sight glass)
- All components sourced and/or manufactured in the USA (elbows are made in France)

Image

Heat Shield
Image

Inside Welds for the Recirculation
Image

Please post, PM, email or call if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. We build equipment for the homebrewer so we try and consult them every step of the way during design.

Thanks! :jnj

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:08 pm
by SouthHouseBrew
I'm not sure if its Kosher to peddle your wares on the forum... we can ask Scott.

I have a Spike kettle and its pretty nice. Stainless, couplers, with lid and ball valve. It is quite a bit thinner than Blichmann kettles, but I haven't had any problems scorching.

They are much less expensive than Blichmann, but MoreBeer has a kettle that's pretty much the same thing for less.

When I bought mine, it was the best deal of any online store - price has gone up considerably.

MoreBeer "Economy" Kettle link:

http://morebeer.com/view_product/20770/ ... _15_Gallon

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:19 pm
by SpikeBrewing
Not trying to push anything. The product isn't even for sale. Looking for critiques, likes/don't likes or someone to recommend a completely different product :P

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:06 pm
by Willys
Looks pretty good to me. It would be nice if it were easily cleaned and if there was a way to recirc through it. I wouldn't normally think that but if you are using pyrex it may make sense to get more use out of it.

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:45 pm
by SpikeBrewing
Willys wrote:Looks pretty good to me. It would be nice if it were easily cleaned and if there was a way to recirc through it. I wouldn't normally think that but if you are using pyrex it may make sense to get more use out of it.


It's super easy to clean. It is only 3 pieces (plus the shield). As for recirc... we'll think about this but I don't see a way to recirc and have the SG function at the same time. It would be a one or the other thing.

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:37 pm
by spiderwrangler
I took that to mean a way to recirc through it for the purpose of cleaning...

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 7:57 pm
by Willys
No I was thinking of a way to add a grundy or something. Or connections for herms coil. Just less holes in the kettle overall for a cleaner look and options for the long run. Obviously you would need to shut the pump off to read the volume. Just a thought.

Re: Spike Brewing Kettle - New Sight Glass Design

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:01 pm
by Willys
If you send one to me I will give you plenty of feedback.

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