Glad I found this thread. I'm about to pull the trigger on a 1/2 bbl fermentor, and this confirms most of my own conclusions between these two similar makes. Here's how I would summarize the differences:
Lid - personal preference. For me, advantage Spike as I don't have to purchase a CIP and pump, and I feel better about being able to remove completely for thorough hand cleaning. But I can certainly see that some others might prefer the SsBT design.
Legs- I've heard some say the Spike with extensions and castors can be a bit tippy, so advantage SsBT for having four legs instead of three.
Pressurization - Slight advantage Ss due to the lid design if you ever feel the need to go over 15 psi. And the PRV they supply appears to be a higher quality adjustable unit.
Batch sizes - Advantage Spike. The half bbl Spike has the cooling coil extend down to the 1.1 gallon mark, and the temp gauge is at the 5.7 gallon mark, so a large-ish 5 gallon batch is possible putting 7-8 gallons into the fermentor and allowing for trub. I suppose you could even put the temp gauge into the sample port at the 2.9 gallon level if you wanted to ferment even less.
Cooling - As mentioned before, the coil extends lower, which is a major issue to me, not just for smaller batches, but it should make crashing easier too. Also, the hoses are insulated, and the pump looks to be a more robust model. Anyone tested both to confirm this? Appears to be another advantage to Spike.
Price - Advantage Spike. Even after adding the racking arm, the full heating and cooling bundle, the complete carb stone bundle, and the bracing shelf, which I believe just about equalizes the two. Spike $1335; SsBT $1469. I did leave off the $55 TC blow off cane, but I don't see that as something I need. Some others may not want the carb stone and pressurization bundle, saving them even more. And finally, the 0% interest financing seals the deal.
Spike's pricing for TC accessories look to be a touch lower, and they have some other neat accessories that I can't help throwing in like a clear 4 inch TC window cap. How cool is that!? Adding in a few extra clamps and gaskets at a fair price just saves me the trouble of getting them from somewhere else. And don't forget that 0% financing!
Hoping to get an order placed very soon, and I will come back here to update with my thoughts and impression of the unit.
Lid - personal preference. For me, advantage Spike as I don't have to purchase a CIP and pump, and I feel better about being able to remove completely for thorough hand cleaning. But I can certainly see that some others might prefer the SsBT design.
Legs- I've heard some say the Spike with extensions and castors can be a bit tippy, so advantage SsBT for having four legs instead of three.
Pressurization - Slight advantage Ss due to the lid design if you ever feel the need to go over 15 psi. And the PRV they supply appears to be a higher quality adjustable unit.
Batch sizes - Advantage Spike. The half bbl Spike has the cooling coil extend down to the 1.1 gallon mark, and the temp gauge is at the 5.7 gallon mark, so a large-ish 5 gallon batch is possible putting 7-8 gallons into the fermentor and allowing for trub. I suppose you could even put the temp gauge into the sample port at the 2.9 gallon level if you wanted to ferment even less.
Cooling - As mentioned before, the coil extends lower, which is a major issue to me, not just for smaller batches, but it should make crashing easier too. Also, the hoses are insulated, and the pump looks to be a more robust model. Anyone tested both to confirm this? Appears to be another advantage to Spike.
Price - Advantage Spike. Even after adding the racking arm, the full heating and cooling bundle, the complete carb stone bundle, and the bracing shelf, which I believe just about equalizes the two. Spike $1335; SsBT $1469. I did leave off the $55 TC blow off cane, but I don't see that as something I need. Some others may not want the carb stone and pressurization bundle, saving them even more. And finally, the 0% interest financing seals the deal.
Spike's pricing for TC accessories look to be a touch lower, and they have some other neat accessories that I can't help throwing in like a clear 4 inch TC window cap. How cool is that!? Adding in a few extra clamps and gaskets at a fair price just saves me the trouble of getting them from somewhere else. And don't forget that 0% financing!
Hoping to get an order placed very soon, and I will come back here to update with my thoughts and impression of the unit.