For those that are on the fence buying the new Spike Conical

[Gozie Boy]

I just ordered the Spike CF10 unitank. I'm looking for a glass door refrigerator to use as a cooler in my garage (I don't want to deal with glycol, pumps, etc). My question is that Spike sent me dimensions for the conical at 19" wide with a blow off barb and hose instead of the hard blow off cane, and 21" deep without the thermometer. I'll be putting a temp probe in the thermowell, so no need for the thermometer.

So my question is, can I orient the conical at a 45 degree angle in the fridge to cut down on the dimensions? I found what would be the perfect size fridge for my space, but it is 20 3/4" deep and 21" wide. I have no way of taking the conical to the fridge to test it out because the fridge will be shipped. The next size up is much larger and will take up too much space.Do any of you with one of these have a thought for me on whether I could make the fridge work?

I have the same exact dilemma with a glass door fridge for a CF10 fermenter. Did you (or anyone) find one that works? I am thinking about the True GDM-12, but cannot find its internal dimensions anywhere.

 

[Gozie Boy]

I am having the exact same issue for finding a nice glass door fridge for a CF10 fermenter. Did you, or anyone, find one which works (that is not any larger than needed)? I was thinking about the True GDM-12, but cannot find its internal dimensions anywhere.

 

[Gozie Boy]

Oops, sorry for the duplicate post!

 

[CadiBrewer]

Sorry for the slow response to this question. I wasn't comfortable that I could fit the conical into the True GDM-12, so I ended up going bigger with the Turbo Air 22. It is perfect in the side to side and front to back dimensions. It does have about 3 feet of extra space above the conical, which has proven handier than I had initially expected. Plus, you could add the leg extensions in order to have a sight glass in the dump line.

 

[Gozie Boy]

Many thanks, this looks very nice! I assume this is the 28" wide model? May be an inch wider than I have room for . What would you say the minimum dimensional requirements for your CF10 setup would be for a cool box (width and depth)? Turbo Air make a 27"W x 66-7/8"H model which I think has an inside width of 23" and depth of 21-7/8" -- is that enough? Also, how did you make/procure that gorgeous signage at the top of the unit?

 

[CadiBrewer]

Yep, it's the 28" wide model. I looked at the 27" model and thought that I could make it work but didn't want to chance it because of the shipping cost of the refrigerator. I don't want to steer you wrong in case it doesn't work. I especially liked the compact height of that one.

The sign panel that comes with the unit is removable. I already had a graphic logo for my garage brewery, so I took my logo file and the sign panel to a local sign and banner shop. I think it was like $50 and two days for them to fabricate a new panel for me.

 

[Gozie Boy]

Thanks, good to know. I'll look at the 27" model a bit closer, it may just squeeze in to my space.

 

[metaltim]

Yep, it's the 28" wide model. I looked at the 27" model and thought that I could make it work but didn't want to chance it because of the shipping cost of the refrigerator. I don't want to steer you wrong in case it doesn't work. I especially liked the compact height of that one.

The sign panel that comes with the unit is removable. I already had a graphic logo for my garage brewery, so I took my logo file and the sign panel to a local sign and banner shop. I think it was like $50 and two days for them to fabricate a new panel for me.

Did you find this used somewhere? It looks great, but I’m seeing quite a price tag on them. Don’t know why full fridges are so expensive.

 

[CadiBrewer]

Did you find this used somewhere? It looks great, but I’m seeing quite a price tag on them. Don’t know why full fridges are so expensive.

Nope, bought it new. I could have found a traditional fridge instead of a glass door unit, but I wanted to be able to see the conical. It doesn't make sense, but I did it anyway. I had an unexpected work bonus that I used for frivolous purposes.

 

[alphakry]

this thread is right where i'm struggling a bit at the moment.

The SS Unitank and the Spike CF conicals are both pretty nice! SS has put a comparison chart up on their site, here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...unitank_all_unitsnew.jpg?11887141875371638501

Not sure how much their comparison leans me towards them but I do like the multiple welded TC ports on the SS vs the minimal on the Spike.

 

[mongoose33]

this thread is right where i'm struggling a bit at the moment.

The SS Unitank and the Spike CF conicals are both pretty nice! SS has put a comparison chart up on their site, here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...unitank_all_unitsnew.jpg?11887141875371638501

Not sure how much their comparison leans me towards them but I do like the multiple welded TC ports on the SS vs the minimal on the Spike.

The comparison chart is very inaccurate at least in describing Spike's offerings. I think SSBT has some good stuff but they should fix the errors. There are many.

 

[kiwipen]

In the SS chart there is a section that says "Sanitary lid seal and type".

By sanitary, do they mean Triclamp, or are they saying that Spikes band clamp and seal is unsanitary?

Is there anything wrong with the clamp and seal on the Spike?

 

[mongoose33]

In the SS chart there is a section that says "Sanitary lid seal and type".

By sanitary, do they mean Triclamp, or are they saying that Spikes band clamp and seal is unsanitary?

Is there anything wrong with the clamp and seal on the Spike?

No.

 

[mongoose33]

OK, I'll point out where the inaccuracies are in the SSbt table noted above by @alphakry.

*********

Included Sanitary Pressure Gauge; says "not available." I have one on mine, on the pressure manifold that is connected via TC.

Included Pro-Grade TC PRV; says "not available." Mine is on the pressure manifold. What makes something "pro-grade" I have no idea. Mine works fine.

Included Insulating Jacket; says "not available." I have one on my Spike.

Available Temp Control Chilling. Says "not available." I have one on my Spike.

Available Temp Control Heating/Chilling. Says "not available." I have both on my Spike.

Dedicated Carb Stone Port. Says "not available." That's disengenuous. You can put that easily on the racking port valve and remove it as you wish. I've never used mine; glad there's no "dedicated" port I'd have to screw around with.

Included Carb Stone and Valve. Says "not available." The carb stone *is* available; I have one. And it goes on the racking port which has....a valve.

Pressure Control Valve on Blowoff Cane. Says "not available." Well, why you'd want or need one there, I don't know. I have never used a blowoff cane on my Spike, and the PRV is on the pressure manifold.

********

Now, I do think SSbt has some good stuff. @Morrey has some, and he's done great beer with them. I'm sure I could, too. But there's a part of me that wonders why SSbt has so much inaccuracy in their comparison table. Makes me wonder what's inaccurate in the listing of Brewer's Hardware and Blichmann offerings.

It'll be interesting to see if they decide to make make the table accurate. If they continue to present things that are inaccurate, well, I'm sure you can fill in the rest.

 

[alphakry]

all fair points! I think they put that chart together a while back when Spike wasn't offering some of these things. Thankfully they do now and as you said, there's quite a lot wrong with this chart.

I'm a fan of Spike and will be going that way. I am just brainstorming what custom ports if any I would want. I guess there really is no reason to have more then what's already offered on the lid - as the pressure manifold takes care of the gauge and PRV in one place.

 

[metaltim]

Nope, bought it new. I could have found a traditional fridge instead of a glass door unit, but I wanted to be able to see the conical. It doesn't make sense, but I did it anyway. I had an unexpected work bonus that I used for frivolous purposes.

Nice. Yeh I have expected work bonuses but they always seem to get spent somewhere before I can get to my frivolous wish list!
Where did you get that? Is that a fridge or a freezer?

 

[CadiBrewer]

Nice. Yeh I have expected work bonuses but they always seem to get spent somewhere before I can get to my frivolous wish list!
Where did you get that? Is that a fridge or a freezer?

I bought it online from one of the web restaurant supply stores. It is a fridge. The freezer was more expensive.