Colorado Brewing Systems customers

you're a retailer that's competing with the retailers the OP asked about....of course you have examples. Bad form by the way, let your kettles stand on their own accord instead of jumping into a thread you weren't asked into. The OP asked about 2 retailers, you weren't one of them.

Just for interest, I only see the worst possible example. How long did it take you to find that. It also looks like a bad job of prep more than a shielding issue.

I am not standing up for Colorado Brewing, I have no reason to. Its just forum mentality where folks jump on the band wagon with false or believed info. And to have a "respected" retailer jump on the same wagon is stooping pretty low. If you have a great product, folks will say so. You don't have to bash anyone else to prove yourself.

 

An example was asked for, we provided one. We're not trying to put down any company. Rather inform people so they can make an informed decision.

Not looking to beat a dead horse. If you're not satisfied that's fine. I'm sure someone will find the information we provided helpful down the road and that's why we're here.

 

I found it educational, Spike. Cheers!

 

+1

 

not from you, what ever.... carry on.... pretty sure the OP got at least a couple on topic replies

 

You asked for proof, they supplied it. If that wasn't good enough do a Google search on 'weld failures stainless steel' and you'll see topics upon topics about corrosion, fractures, stress cracks, etc when you don't weld stainless properly. Then do an image search when your done for visual enjoyment.

I know a lot of good welders and most won't even go near stainless.

Why do you think most kettles have weldless or are silver soldered on. The right equipment is expensive and the people who know how to weld stainless like an art form are also expensive.

 

The Stout kettles aren't that badly priced... Considering what they include. False bottom. Bottom drain. Tangential whirlpool. Tri clamp element fitting. Sanitary ball valves...

 

Okay, so stout has terrible reviews here... Just sent Spikes a custom kettle request.

 

If you like the features of the SS Brewtech kettles but prefer welded fittings, you can get the Brewbuilt kettles (linked to in a post above through Morebeer) for the same price or less. Same thing except welded and no trub dam. That's what I did.

 

Well, I need a specific configuration... Preferably. So if I go weldless, that is easy. If I go welded, it's more difficult, as I need a custom kettle.

 

I got Stout Herms system and am really pleased with it. It's not perfect but all the welds are polished and they offer things the others don't like the round bottom on my boil kettle that lets me whirlpool and collects all the trub in the center.

 

I'm just reading some customer reviews on the stout tanks, and seeing massive rust, dents, terrible scratches, damaged tri clamps... And little to no customer service. $800 for kettles with no guarantee of satisfaction, sucks.

 

I didn't have any of those issues. If you order with a credit card you can stop payment and return them if your not happy.

 

This is true. Right now I'm waiting for a quote from Spike. I've never read a bad review of his product, but seen numerous real issues with the Stout tanks. They look pretty, and the tangential whirlpool is awesome. I'd like the bottom drain, and dish bottom kettles too. Just terrifying reviews.

 

+1

Don't listen to Bellybuster - dude sounds like he woke up on the wrong side of the bed

 

I know how you feel. I read the same reviews and took a chance anyway knowing that I'd return them if I wasn't happy. I had Blichmann kettles previously and got tired of taking them apart to clean them constantly. The Stouts are thicker metal than the Blichmann. All of my friends are really impressed with my kettles...I just purchased a SSBrewtech 1/2 bbl fermenter and can tell you I'm really impressed with it also. (Also have a Blichmann fermenter too that I hate taking apart to clean also)(Triclamps are awesome!) Their customer service was great too as I was missing a gasket for the pressure relief valve and they sent a new one out right away.

 

day late and a dollar short....

for those that take issue with my posts, take 3 seconds to read the OP as well as the title

 

Thanks for the feedback on the Stout tanks... I will know more when I see my pricing from Spike.

 

Dude, it's an open forum. The OP is looking for advise on equipment. CBS, SS, Stout, Spike, Blichmann, etc have all been listed as options. The reason people use this forum is for advise, tips, tricks, opinions from the brewing community. I think this thread has done a good job of educating the OP and other members.

 

I had a specified configuration i needed/wanted and I sent it over to Spike. They sent me a drawing of what I requested to verify and once I approved it, they began building.

 

I received my drawing, verified the ports and locations, all in under 2 hours. The pricing is impressive too. Sleeping on it, but Spike looks like a good option. Custom ports, quality welding, affordable pricing. Seems most other manufacturers are missing one or more of those criteria

 

We emailed back and forth until literally midnight last night, to get the port locations spot on... Who does that? Maybe I should have given Spikes more consideration from the start. Really, their customer service is top notch, and I have not given them a dime yet. Pretty impressive.

 

Anyone using their system?