Introducing… the Spike FLEX!

[TheMadKing]

I think it’s an interesting idea to now have the option that’s lower price than a full blown unitank. I like the idea of almost no exposure to O2 and having carbonated beer coming out of the fermenter. Wonder if there are any effects with the yeast staying put during carbonation?

Unless you intend for the beer to sit on the yeast cake the entire time you are drinking it, you will have to transfer to another vessel eventually anyway, so I still don't see an advantage there.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I've been looking for a way to ferment under pressure and this looks really interesting. The only issue is temp control as a glycol chiller ramps the price way up, adds noise and takes more room.

I'll probably get one eventually, but not until after we move and I have a dedicated brew space.

 

[adman]

I'm extremely interested in the Flex+ if I can figure out a way to make it fit in my fermentation fridge. I had planned to get a SS Brew Bucket, but the tri-clamps and pressure capability with the Flex is a big win for me.

 

[Blazinlow86]

Anyone know how much one of these weighs?

My problem with it is that you will still need to pick it up and dump the yeast out to clean it. I can't think of a way to truly clean it in place.

With all those welded fittings I bet this weighs a fair bit more than a glass carboy. Granted there's no risk of breakage and the handles make it easier to move. But if I have a setup like this I want to be able to clean without picking up a single heavy thing.

The price is right and the features it does have are awesome but not being able to dump the yeast in place is a deal breaker for me. I wonder if they can cut a hole in the bottom of the cone and weld a TC fitting there...

Another thing,

Why would you even want to carbonate on top of the yeast cake when a closed transfer to a keg is just as easy?

I'm still planning to go with the spike conical for all those reasons. 2x the price but with all the features plus a few more, and way more convenient to clean, or harvest yeast.

It's not only carbonating in the tank. You can also ferment under pressure/ cold crash under pressure also. Cheers

 

[Murphys_Law]

This certainly strikes me as something you "want" and not "need"...and I want one!

 

[TheMadKing]

It's not only carbonating in the tank. You can also ferment under pressure/ cold crash under pressure also. Cheers

Yep I get that, though it says specifically that you can't cold-crash under vacuum if that's what you mean, you need to charge it to 5 PSI of CO2 prior to cold crashing in the instructions. Those are nice features, no argument there, but then when I'm done I still have to transfer to a serving vessel, carry this thing to my wash area and lift it up and dump the yeast out of it.

If you buy the Flex+ including all the accessories and a glycol chiller you're in for $1000+ anyway, so why not spend the little extra for being able to dump yeast straight out the bottom, carbonate, serve, anything you want, then clean in place?

Also they say "You’ll easily be able to primary, secondary, carbonate (brite) and pressure transfer with one vessel!" which is an oxymoron since you can't secondary without getting it off the yeast cake which requires a second vessel, and transfers by definition require a second vessel.

I love spike products, I'm not trying to say spike sucks or anything like that, but I'm struggling to see the advantage of one of these over a conical other than a couple hundred dollars cheaper and a smaller footprint.

 

[adman]

I love spike products, I'm not trying to say spike sucks or anything like that, but I'm struggling to see the advantage of one of these over a conical other than a couple hundred dollars cheaper and a smaller footprint.

I totally agree with you except that for me for the bolded part is pretty important. I have committed all of the space to brewing that I can, so if this can indeed fit in my ferm fridge (a medium-to-big if), it's pretty ideal for me. Given that I need a smaller footprint, saving a few bucks is nice, although it's probably not even $100 once you take into account the additional valves/accessories that the CF5 comes with. I'd prefer a CF5 (or CF10!), but I just don't have the space.

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

Well 24 hrs after I placed my order, it arrived. Below is a photo with it next to my SS Brewbucket. I'd add the Anvil bucket, but it's full of Flanders Red at the moment. It will fit in my 7.2 cu Ft. Chest Freezer too. Like all of my Spike Brewing Equipment it's built like a tank & Shiny. Definitely will outlive my liver.

They even threw in a packet of Bar Keeper's Friend & Craftmeister Alkaline Brewery Wash.

 

[TheMadKing]

Well 24 hrs after I placed my order, it arrived. Below is a photo with it next to my SS Brewbucket. I'd add the Anvil bucket, but it's full of Flanders Red at the moment. It will fit in my 7.2 cu Ft. Chest Freezer too. Like all of my Spike Brewing Equipment it's built like a tank & Shiny. Definitely will outlive my liver.

They even threw in a packet of Bar Keeper's Friend & Craftmeister Alkaline Brewery Wash.

View attachment 619369 View attachment 619370

How heavy is it - as in - how difficult will it be to lift and clean all the trub out of?

 

[Blazinlow86]

Yep I get that, though it says specifically that you can't cold-crash under vacuum if that's what you mean, you need to charge it to 5 PSI of CO2 prior to cold crashing in the instructions. Those are nice features, no argument there, but then when I'm done I still have to transfer to a serving vessel, carry this thing to my wash area and lift it up and dump the yeast out of it.

If you buy the Flex+ including all the accessories and a glycol chiller you're in for $1000+ anyway, so why not spend the little extra for being able to dump yeast straight out the bottom, carbonate, serve, anything you want, then clean in place?

Also they say "You’ll easily be able to primary, secondary, carbonate (brite) and pressure transfer with one vessel!" which is an oxymoron since you can't secondary without getting it off the yeast cake which requires a second vessel, and transfers by definition require a second vessel.

I love spike products, I'm not trying to say spike sucks or anything like that, but I'm struggling to see the advantage of one of these over a conical other than a couple hundred dollars cheaper and a smaller footprint.

There is no advantage over there unitank besides the cost and possibly the smaller size. I was speaking about the numerous advantages over a conical or a brew bucket. Obviously using glycol to cool 5-15 gallons of liquid is overkill and not a requirement considering a 50$ fridge will do the same thing so that's not really relevant. Anyway seems your process works for your goals. For me personally not crashing in the fermentor and getting all the sediment in the serving kegs is unacceptable so it's a no brainer. Again we all have different end goals. Cheers

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

How heavy is it - as in - how difficult will it be to lift and clean all the trub out of?

SS Brew Bucket as pictured in my previous post is 12.39 lbs.

Spike Flex+ base & top is 12.84 lbs . Add the TC parts to it is another 7.75 lbs. It is easy enough to pickup. When it comes time to do any dumping, you'd take the TC parts off anyway so it would be very easy to clean. The Flex+ and the handles are very sturdy.

 

[Mordhaus]

Well 24 hrs after I placed my order, it arrived. Below is a photo with it next to my SS Brewbucket. I'd add the Anvil bucket, but it's full of Flanders Red at the moment. It will fit in my 7.2 cu Ft. Chest Freezer too. Like all of my Spike Brewing Equipment it's built like a tank & Shiny. Definitely will outlive my liver.

They even threw in a packet of Bar Keeper's Friend & Craftmeister Alkaline Brewery Wash.

Mind posting a pic of how tight it is in the chest freezer?

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

Mind posting a pic of how tight it is in the chest freezer?

This is about the best I can do right now, as I have stuff fermenting away in my 2 chest freezers. There is a keg underneath the Flex+ in the photo, but it would fit all the way into the freezer if it was available. There's about an inch to spare on the side; height wise no problem. I will only be able to fit one Flex+ in the chest freezer (I can fit two SS Brew Buckets in the same freezer).

 

[adman]

Looks awesome! Thanks for the pix, @AF1HomeBrew! Do you think you'll get a chance to fill it soon?

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

Looks awesome! Thanks for the pix, @AF1HomeBrew! Do you think you'll get a chance to fill it soon?

I have an extract kit that I was thinking about doing next week if or when I have some time. Normally I brew all-grain, but the wife wanted a Yueling, so I found a clone to make quickly for her to try out.

 

[TheMadKing]

There is no advantage over there unitank besides the cost and possibly the smaller size. I was speaking about the numerous advantages over a conical or a brew bucket. Obviously using glycol to cool 5-15 gallons of liquid is overkill and not a requirement considering a 50$ fridge will do the same thing so that's not really relevant. Anyway seems your process works for your goals. For me personally not crashing in the fermentor and getting all the sediment in the serving kegs is unacceptable so it's a no brainer. Again we all have different end goals. Cheers

My current process works but I'm planning to just buy the unitank since I can't see much of an advantage to one of these. I use glass carboys currently.

Not sure I understand your comment about the cold crash, since I always cold crash as well prior to kegging.

I'm just asking questions to see if I'm missing something and it seems the unitank it still a much better option both for the price and all around features IMO

 

[RSM]

This is about the best I can do right now, as I have stuff fermenting away in my 2 chest freezers. There is a keg underneath the Flex+ in the photo, but it would fit all the way into the freezer if it was available. There's about an inch to spare on the side; height wise no problem. I will only be able to fit one Flex+ in the chest freezer (I can fit two SS Brew Buckets in the same freezer).

View attachment 619380

I think AF1 has done a fantastic job of giving the forum the first take look. I am a huge Spike supporter. I think their stuff is FANTASTIC, and customer service is top notch. I don't need the Flex, given my CF5's, but I did want to put out a consideration for those that are planning to use this in a 7.2 cu ft freezer, and have AF1 maybe confirm or deny this.

The width of the unit with the valve on is over 17". That means it would NOT fit in the chest freezer unless it was turned sideways, as it's pictured there. However, that means the handles are facing forward and back. So realistically, it might be a challenge to put in there unless you are holding the handles right and left, and then turning it to go in so the valves are turned (and handles then face front and back).

It seems that, if someone is putting the Flex in with handles front and back when full, it may put them in a somewhat precarious position (literally), and maybe pinch their fingers more often than not, given limited clearance.

Am I just imagining this, AF1?

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

I think AF1 has done a fantastic job of giving the forum the first take look. I am a huge Spike supporter. I think their stuff is FANTASTIC, and customer service is top notch. I don't need the Flex, given my CF5's, but I did want to put out a consideration for those that are planning to use this in a 7.2 cu ft freezer, and have AF1 maybe confirm or deny this.

The width of the unit with the valve on is over 17". That means it would NOT fit in the chest freezer unless it was turned sideways, as it's pictured there. However, that means the handles are facing forward and back. So realistically, it might be a challenge to put in there unless you are holding the handles right and left, and then turning it to go in so the valves are turned (and handles then face front and back).

It seems that, if someone is putting the Flex in with handles front and back when full, it may put them in a somewhat precarious position (literally), and maybe pinch their fingers more often than not, given limited clearance.

Am I just imagining this, AF1?

I think the Flex+ could be put into my freezer using the clamp after it's been secured, but the handles could not be used. I think I've done that with my SS Brew Buckets before with no issues. Since my freezers are all being used, I won't be doing any test for awhile. There is room for the valve in my freezer. The first test I'll be doing with this fermenter will likely go in my coal cellar (I live in an old farm house). If I splurged on a CF10 or CF15 I would have put it in my coal cellar anyway.

I think this fermenter is pretty nice and may purchase another one. It answers all my wishes if I could improve on the flimsy SS Brew Buckets that I have been using for a few years.

 

[Blazinlow86]

My current process works but I'm planning to just buy the unitank since I can't see much of an advantage to one of these. I use glass carboys currently.

Not sure I understand your comment about the cold crash, since I always cold crash as well prior to kegging.

I'm just asking questions to see if I'm missing something and it seems the unitank it still a much better option both for the price and all around features IMO

I'm agreeing with you. The *spike* unitank is a better option if you both have the room and additional money. That's it. My point about the cold crashing was that I'm not aware of another bucket/carboy that's capable of holding 10+ psi and arguably cold crashing in those type devices can be less elegant (fwiw I regularly cold crashed my sealed carboys for years). Cheers

 

[Jaybird]

Looks like your giving brand X a run for their money Ben! Nice job! This looks like a better option for sure. Impressive!

Cheers
Jay

 

[Gregory T]

I decided on the flex with a sampling valve. I was looking into stainless fermentor when this came across

 

[Dlawrence529]

I watched a review video from Beer-n-BBQ Larry. The handles look like they say "do not lift when full". Can anyone confirm that? I'd like to think it's just a disclaimer, but that's a huge disappointment if it can't be lifted onto a countertop to transfer to a bottling bucket or keg

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

I watched a review video from Beer-n-BBQ Larry. The handles look like they say "do not lift when full". Can anyone confirm that? I'd like to think it's just a disclaimer, but that's a huge disappointment if it can't be lifted onto a countertop to transfer to a bottling bucket or keg

Just checked. It is etched on the handles. A little hard to read, since the fermenter is so shiny. Why have handles if you can’t use them to move the fermenter? I didn’t see anything in any of the printed material.

 

[Blazinlow86]

Just checked. It is etched on the handles. A little hard to read, since the fermenter is so shiny. Why have handles if you can’t use them to move the fermenter? I didn’t see anything in any of the printed material.

There to move the fermentor when it's empty. Imho I think it's somewhat assumed when buying such a high end fermentor that your going to be doing closed transfers as that's kinda the whole point therefore lifting it and disturbing all the trub etc to transfer with gravity isn't really a big thing. Cheers

 

[Dlawrence529]

There to move the fermentor when it's empty. Imho I think it's somewhat assumed when buying such a high end fermentor that your going to be doing closed transfers as that's kinda the whole point therefore lifting it and disturbing all the trub etc to transfer with gravity isn't really a big thing. Cheers

Isn't the base model flex only rated for 2 psi? I thought that was similar to the brewbucket that can't do pressure transfers.

Wouldn't anyone who ferments in a chest freezer still want to remove it before doing a pressure transfer? I have never done one.

 

[Wagon_6]

You can do pressure transfers in the brewbucket. They make a tri-clamp fitting that has a 2 psi pressure relief valve built in.

That’s odd they’re not designed to be lifted while full. I pump from kettle into my brewbuckets and lift them once on top of a stainless table.

 

[Tipsy McStagger]

This would be a deal breaker for me.I don't see that warning on other brew buckets.

 

[AF1HomeBrew]

The only other time I saw that kind of warning was on the Blichmann Boilermaker kettles I had before I replaced them with Spike's. I'm definitely not going to lift a filled 20 or 30 gal kettle, but 6 gal of wort?. I move my SS BrewBuckets filled all the time (to transfer to the fermentation area) using those handles, so I am going to do the same with my Flex+. I'm sure it's a legalise / liability reason for adding that to the handles.

 

[mistertinkle]

I watched a review video from Beer-n-BBQ Larry. The handles look like they say "do not lift when full". Can anyone confirm that? I'd like to think it's just a disclaimer, but that's a huge disappointment if it can't be lifted onto a countertop to transfer to a bottling bucket or keg

I had the same concerns, and contacted Spike support. Based on the reply below, I think the 'Do not lift when full' sticker is a liability statement. I suspect the handles are strong enough to move the Flex from a fermentation chamber to a countertop. But if they fail, Spike won't take responsibility...

Spike response: "In general, we do not recommend lifting any of the fermenters by the handles when full due to instability of the liquid moving around and they are not rated to hold that much weight. However, lifting the full unit outside of using the handles would be more safe than using the handles. We also recommend casters for the ease of moving it."

Edit: Each of us will have to decide for ourselves if we are willing to use the handles when full.

 

[Horseflesh]

This looks like a really nice product. My first proper kettle was a Spike, and I probably bought it in their first few months of operation... the logo sticker was still a picture of the dog Spike at that time.

That response about lifting the full fermenter is disappointing, though. They do say plainly that the handles are not rated for that much weight.

I brew in the garage, fill the fermenter in the garage, then carry it in to the fridge... a trip that includes 3 stair steps. So even if I put the fermenter on wheels, and can do a pressure transfer while it is in the fridge, I still have to carry the full fermenter a few steps.

At least how my space is set up, there is a massive difference between a step up in gear so you can take advantage of better sampling/carbing/transferring and moving to a system where everything is pumped and nothing is ever carried full.

I will keep this guy on my wish list but will probably spend some effort on setting up my Brew Bucket with a low pressure CO2 feed for transfers.