Colorado Brewing Systems customers

[Bellybuster]

Did you see the above pics? Nothing sanitary about those fittings/welds....

sanitary fittings are tri-clamps, he wasn't even talking about the welds

 

[Sconnie12]

Just curious how an "unsanitary" weld would hurt you on the hot side. Won't 212* ensure that its sanitary?

A sanitary weld refers to how it's welded as well as how the weld turns out. This doesn't look back purged which means it will probably rust down the line. The voids are evidence of that. If this kettle was something my buddy made for me for a case of beer I guess I'd be fine but it's from a company and I'd except much better quality.

I've worked in the welding trade so I notice things that many people don't/don't care about I guess.

absolutely correct... you can find hundreds if not thousands of threads with folks going on about welds. Actually, pictures of welds.
Look at weld-less fittings. They "are" a void. no issues other than occasional leaks.
As I said, I have a Colorado Brewing system and the welds are fine

See above.

But I'm done. I don't want to harp on a small business or try to put down your brew system. If you like it and it makes good beer that's all that matters

 

[tagz]

Interesting. Makes sense.

 

[dmcman73]

absolutely correct... you can find hundreds if not thousands of threads with folks going on about welds. Actually, pictures of welds.
Look at weld-less fittings. They "are" a void. no issues other than occasional leaks.
As I said, I have a Colorado Brewing system and the welds are fine

An improper weld will be far weaker than a proper one. It may not leak now but accidently bump it a few times in the right spot while cleaning it in a sink, you can fracture the weld (especially one that has small voids) . Not to mention all the heating and cooling on the pot as well that can cause it to expand and contract.

If your happy with it then that's all that matters since you paid for it and feel you got your money's worth.

 

[Bellybuster]

oh my, couple little voids and the weld's gonna fracture now? Have a look under your car.
This has gone way past unbelieveable, the man asked about a couple pots and the ones that actually have them say they're great. The ones that don't trash them.....priceless.

 

[dmcman73]

oh my, couple little voids and the weld's gonna fracture now? Have a look under your car.
This has gone way past unbelieveable, the man asked about a couple pots and the ones that actually have them say they're great. The ones that don't trash them.....priceless.

If they were done improperly and didn't penetrate, yes they will. Happens more that you think.

 

[FizzerNoob]

How about Bru Gear?

 

[FizzerNoob]

Penetration is very important...

 

[Bellybuster]

If they were done improperly and didn't penetrate, yes they will. Happens more that you think.

show me one....... we're looking at small voids left over after grinding flat. On a 1mm pot!!!! anyone who welds at all should be all over this.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

show me one....... we're looking at small voids left over after grinding flat. On a 1mm pot!!!! anyone who welds at all should be all over this.

We're all over this! Here's an example of why proper welding matters.

The below are from about a 1 year old 'Concord' kettle that completely failed at multiple welds. (Not us in the video by the way).

The outer weld beads look good but it wasn't shielded properly during welding (you can see the heat rings that are visible both inside and outside). When the area is not shielded you can get carbide precipitation which causes the Chromium (one of the main elements that makes stainless rust resistant) and Carbon to be 'sucked' out into the atmosphere. The welded area is therefore depleted of Chromium and will be much more likely to rust.

Not back purging and just grinding the weld just covers it up. The issue will come up eventually. Maybe not the first brew or first month but after some use and multiple heating cycles it will have issues and possibly fail.

View attachment IMG_0190.MOV

 

[Bellybuster]

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.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

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.

 

[user 128202]

I found it educational, Spike. Cheers!

 

[cyberbrew]

i found it educational, spike. Cheers!

+1

 

[Bellybuster]

An example was asked for, we provided one.

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

 

[dmcman73]

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.

 

[FizzerNoob]

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...

 

[FizzerNoob]

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

 

[jrcrilly]

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.

 

[FizzerNoob]

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.

 

[30_Ounce]

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

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.

 

[FizzerNoob]

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.

 

[30_Ounce]

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.

 

[FizzerNoob]

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.

 

[aprichman]

I found it educational, Spike. Cheers!

+1

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

 

[30_Ounce]

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.

 

[Bellybuster]

+1

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

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

 

[FizzerNoob]

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

 

[Sconnie12]

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

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.

 

[dmcman73]

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 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.