I got to use my new Spike kettle along with the 1650w HotRod Heat Stick this past weekend on two brews - my belgian wit and my hefeweizen. I didn't think to take any photos so below I will just link the photos of the kettle after unboxing.
Spike brew kettle - I absolutely love this thing! It's a brew kettle so there's not a whole lot to say but a I have few things. The sidewall pickup diptube works wonderfully to keep out hops and adjuncts. When I used to do my Wit's with my Blichmann kettle I *always* got clogging. I didn't get any clogging whatsoever with the Spike and sidewall diptube and I also didn't see any coriander or orange peel getting into the fermenter. The larger diptube/ball valve is also a welcomed bonus. I originally thought it was pointless but not only does my 1/2" silicone tubing hold on much better but the increased flow rate got the fermenter filled faster. I also think if any adjuncts did manage to get into the diptube it still likely wouldn't clog due to the bigger opening. Cleanup was a breeze as well. I like Spike's thermometer in one way over my Megapot and that's that the numbers are closer to the center of the thermometer - meaning when standing I can still read them on the face of the dial. With the MegaPot thermometer they are closer to the edge and when standing you can't see them. However, I much prefer the thick bold marker lines on the MegaPot as they are easier to see when I'm at say 130 degrees. The odd number markings on the Spike thermometer are the same thinness just longer lines. I also love that I won't have to deal with the ever rotating/loosening weldless ball valve - well I will for my sparge water MegaPot. I also appreciate the half gallon markers (quarts would be even better!) and that it goes all the way down to 1 gallon. Anyhow, love love love the kettle.
HotRod HeatStick - I am using this on the stovetop so that I am doing a combination electric element with gas assist from the stove. All I can say is HOLY COW! I can get a more aggressive boil than I got when I used to boil outside on a Blichmann burner with propane. I generally keep the stove flame on medium and it gives a great rolling boil with a healthy boil off. I say healthy boil off because when I boiled with my Robobrew I only got a half gallon an hour boil off. That left me with less sparge water to use. With the HotRod and stove gas I boil off 1.25 gallons per hour. My only gripe with the HotRod is the mount. It's just meant to hang and would be much nicer if it clamped to the kettle lip and held it firmly vertically. Since I route the cable behind my kegerator that tends to kept it up firmly vertically so all is fine there, just would be nicer with a clamp. Seems easy enough to rig up on my own.
5 stars to both products.
Rev.
Spike brew kettle - I absolutely love this thing! It's a brew kettle so there's not a whole lot to say but a I have few things. The sidewall pickup diptube works wonderfully to keep out hops and adjuncts. When I used to do my Wit's with my Blichmann kettle I *always* got clogging. I didn't get any clogging whatsoever with the Spike and sidewall diptube and I also didn't see any coriander or orange peel getting into the fermenter. The larger diptube/ball valve is also a welcomed bonus. I originally thought it was pointless but not only does my 1/2" silicone tubing hold on much better but the increased flow rate got the fermenter filled faster. I also think if any adjuncts did manage to get into the diptube it still likely wouldn't clog due to the bigger opening. Cleanup was a breeze as well. I like Spike's thermometer in one way over my Megapot and that's that the numbers are closer to the center of the thermometer - meaning when standing I can still read them on the face of the dial. With the MegaPot thermometer they are closer to the edge and when standing you can't see them. However, I much prefer the thick bold marker lines on the MegaPot as they are easier to see when I'm at say 130 degrees. The odd number markings on the Spike thermometer are the same thinness just longer lines. I also love that I won't have to deal with the ever rotating/loosening weldless ball valve - well I will for my sparge water MegaPot. I also appreciate the half gallon markers (quarts would be even better!) and that it goes all the way down to 1 gallon. Anyhow, love love love the kettle.
HotRod HeatStick - I am using this on the stovetop so that I am doing a combination electric element with gas assist from the stove. All I can say is HOLY COW! I can get a more aggressive boil than I got when I used to boil outside on a Blichmann burner with propane. I generally keep the stove flame on medium and it gives a great rolling boil with a healthy boil off. I say healthy boil off because when I boiled with my Robobrew I only got a half gallon an hour boil off. That left me with less sparge water to use. With the HotRod and stove gas I boil off 1.25 gallons per hour. My only gripe with the HotRod is the mount. It's just meant to hang and would be much nicer if it clamped to the kettle lip and held it firmly vertically. Since I route the cable behind my kegerator that tends to kept it up firmly vertically so all is fine there, just would be nicer with a clamp. Seems easy enough to rig up on my own.
5 stars to both products.
Rev.
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