Spike Brewing vs SS Brew Tech- Brew Kettles

[ubermick]

Couple things about this that some others have touched on.
1) It's not a false bottom - it's a clad bottom. Completely different thing.
2) The purpose of the whirlpool isn't to get your wort as cool as possible as quick as possible - it's to create a trub (not turb) cone to give you clear wort. SS Brewtech's whirlpool does do that, and doing it on the bottom creates a more robust one.
3) Spike's kettle is made in China, and the welding done in America. Don't kid yourself that it's US-made.
4) There's a price difference.

All that aside, yes - Spike's kettles are better. I prefer welded over weldless, and I personally prefer having a triclad bottom over a single ply. But it's pretty clear that Spike "hooked you up" for whatever this "review/battle" is, and is therefore shady as fuck. Not just in terms of the review, but in the fact that Spike are "buying" reviews.

[phintze]

The purpose of the whirlpool fitting is to create movement in the wort. It doesn't matter if it's just below the liquid or 1" from the bottom of the kettle. If you're doing like a 5 gallon batch and your whirlpool fitting is above the liquid level, then it'll splash and you'll have hot-side aeration, which can potentially cause all kinds of issues.

[Blur]

A 15gal Spike Brewing Kettle is currently $240 with two vertical couplers. Add a 3-piece valve ($25) and false bottom ($105) like you mention here, and you're at $370 before tax/shipping where applicable. Ss Brew Kettles are $220 with the 3-piece valve, 2 vertical ports, and a 3rd port at the top. I fail to see how these two kettles can even compare to one another considering they are not in the same price range. Of course a $370 kettle is going to beat out a $220 kettle, but is it REALLY worth the investment, considering you might buy 3 kettles, valves, quick disconnects, whirlpool arms, pumps, etc? Not in my book - I bought Ss and couldn't be happier.

[clarkkentco]

Thanks for the reviews,
I've been going back and forth trying to find a review of the kettles.
I'm hoping for the one time buy to start brewing instead of starting cheaper and upgrading and spending more money.

I would suggest numbering your videos to make it clearer which order to watch them in.

Thanks!

[carlosjoelgarcia]

Good review... Thank you for the information and taking the time to post.

[jzippel]

I disagree that Spike has the better product. Turb Dam! Lmao
People, please don't use this video as your only source of research

[alexlarsen]

4:34 Htl tank = hot tank liquor, its new and different to the traditional hot liquor tank

[tonybennett]

Great video, this is what I needed to make my decision. I just purchased my spikes kettle and can't wait to boil with it.

[gmac]

haha you sure there isnt a another??

na man good vid and thanks for the info. I have the 114 litre ss kettle. im using it with a 50 Litre Braumester. My next attempt will be 150 Litres of bavarian wheat.
will spike brewing be in Australia any time soon? what is your brew system? HERMS 3v or???

Cheers Gav from Aus

[cosmicgrain]

Support American made? The kettle is made in china and fabricated in America. That doesn't make the product made in America. To my knowledge Blichmann is the only company selling American made kettles. You should do some research.

[callen]

What up glen!!! if you ain't cav #glock