NEW Product Announcement - Spike Glycol Chiller

[SpikeBrewing]

Just announced... The NEW 1/2 HP Spike Glycol Chiller makes stabilizing and cooling your fermenter temperatures a breeze. We included must-have features like an integrated glycol drain port, quick connecting fittings for glycol lines, splash proof lid, locking casters and even a glycol sight glass to check glycol volumes. Oh, did we mention how good it looks? It's a class act.

Stand out specs:
-1/2 HP
-9 gallon glycol tank
-Capacity for up to 4 fermenters
-Splash proof lid
-Integrated glycol drain port
-Integrated quick connect fittings for glycol lines
-Glycol level sight glass
-Built in cord routing for pumps

https://spikebrewing.com/products/spike-glycol-chiller

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[Thorrak]

Any chance that you guys can check (or already know) the sound level on this? I'm looking for something in the 40-45 dB range that could work in my apartment, and would love to augment my mostly-Spike brewery with one more piece of Spike gear

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Any chance that you guys can check (or already know) the sound level on this? I'm looking for something in the 40-45 dB range that could work in my apartment, and would love to augment my mostly-Spike brewery with one more piece of Spike gear

We’ll have this data in the next few weeks

 

[hilljack13]

Is an external pump required? Website notes the TC-100 and pump are sold separately. Would the TC-100 not be the only item needed for circulation?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Is an external pump required? Website notes the TC-100 and pump are sold separately. Would the TC-100 not be the only item needed for circulation?

Yes, you would need to purchase the TC-100 package for each fermenter which comes with a pump.

 

[stealthfixr]

Asking a question not to make a point, but because I am genuinely curious...is there a reason why most glycol chillers do not incorporate pumps into the unit design? Is it a reliability issue and trying to make it easy to replace pumps if needed?

 

[Nate R]

Asking a question not to make a point, but because I am genuinely curious...is there a reason why most glycol chillers do not incorporate pumps into the unit design? Is it a reliability issue and trying to make it easy to replace pumps if needed?

Yup. Easy/ easier to replace if a pump fails.
Also allows for fermenter-size speficic pumps. Aka- four small 5 gallon pumps, or one big-ole pump for a 1bbl fermentor, etc

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Asking a question not to make a point, but because I am genuinely curious...is there a reason why most glycol chillers do not incorporate pumps into the unit design? Is it a reliability issue and trying to make it easy to replace pumps if needed?

That’s why we chose to go that route. Also if we built in 4 pumps but you only have 2 fermenters you’re paying for equipment you don’t need.

 

[hilljack13]

Thanks for the clarification. Pre-ordered today. See ya next year!

 

[Thorrak]

We’ll have this data in the next few weeks

Any luck on sound levels, or is that still pending?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

We’re still waitinf

Any luck on sound levels, or is that still pending?

We’re still waiting on a couple competitors units to ship to us so we can do all testing at the same time. Should be soon though!

 

[Thorrak]

We’re still waitinf

We’re still waiting on a couple competitors units to ship to us so we can do all testing at the same time. Should be soon though!

Ooh boy - now I'm getting excited!

 

[Nate R]

Any luck on sound levels, or is that still pending?

It's louder than a breadbox but sofetr than a hot rod.

@SpikeBrewing... why the need to comoare units? Why not simply provide a decibel rating?

However- i have a gently used, very well cared for Penguin unit. Want to arrange a swap? I still have the packing materials and the box!!

I really want your new unit!

 

[Thorrak]

Here’s the measurements I took awhile back:

 

[SpikeBrewing]

It's louder than a breadbox but sofetr than a hot rod.

@SpikeBrewing... why the need to comoare units? Why not simply provide a decibel rating?

However- i have a gently used, very well cared for Penguin unit. Want to arrange a swap? I still have the packing materials and the box!!

I really want your new unit!

If we said 50dB, for example, it doesn’t mean a lot by itself. However when we can show it’s quieter than X, Y, Z units it puts it into better perspective.

 

[Nate R]

If we said 50dB, for example, it doesn’t mean a lot by itself. However when we can show it’s quieter than X, Y, Z units it puts it into better perspective.

Aha... that make sense.
Perhaps.... is it AS LOUD, Softer, or Louder than my mother in law?
That is a 'scale' all of us can relate too!!!

 

[Nate R]

Ok, all kidding aside... here is a chart.
Maybe you can skip paying for the SS Brewtech, Brewemaster, Penguin, Staysis models for the comp tests?!?!?
(Edit) and send me a free unit for the trouble? Lol.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Ok, all kidding aside... here is a chart.
Maybe you can skip paying for the SS Brewtech, Brewemaster, Penguin, Staysis models for the comp tests?!?!?
(Edit) and send me a free unit for the trouble? Lol.
View attachment 829019

Appreciate the chart but the first question we’ll get is how it compares to the competition. Units are on order and most are actually in house.

 

[Thorrak]

This is your gentle nudge of the week.

 

[rustoleum]

Seen that the Kickstarter was updated with the dB chart

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Seen that the Kickstarter was updated with the dB chart

Brewbuilt will be added to that any day now. They have been out of stock for a long time.

 

[Thorrak]

Hmm. Any chance of getting a photo of that Blichmann unit you used for testing (or any info on the testing process)? My personal experience was that when the glycol chiller was running, I was getting 57dB from 3 feet away.

At 47 dB, I'm whipping out my credit card right now, and trying to find out who I can bribe to get this shipped ASAP.

At 57 dB, I'd have to wait until our living situation changes, unfortunately.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Hmm. Any chance of getting a photo of that Blichmann unit you used for testing (or any info on the testing process)? My personal experience was that when the glycol chiller was running, I was getting 57dB from 3 feet away.

View attachment 830961


At 47 dB, I'm whipping out my credit card right now, and trying to find out who I can bribe to get this shipped ASAP.

At 57 dB, I'd have to wait until our living situation changes, unfortunately.

All of our testing was done from 5’ away. Taking a reading from the left, right and center.

 

[armanthio]

Sound great !!

 

[hilljack13]

Any chance, if using four fermenters, that the temps for each are set differently? Can I go 55F on one and 63F on a second? Never used one so how this option works is not clear to me.

 

[Thorrak]

Any chance, if using four fermenters, that the temps for each are set differently? Can I go 55F on one and 63F on a second? Never used one so how this option works is not clear to me.

Yep. Generally you set the glycol itself to “chilly” (meaning lower than the lowest temp you would want for any of the fermenters) and then have separate temperature controllers that turn pumps for each fermenter’s loop on and off based on a temperature probe for that fermenter. Once the pump shuts off, no more heat will be pulled from the fermenter.

 

[Thorrak]

Did some wires get crossed in the latest Spike mail?

I was thinking we were closer to shipping than Kickstarter!

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Did some wires get crossed in the latest Spike mail?

View attachment 838028

I was thinking we were closer to shipping than Kickstarter!

Pre-order for the launch is coming soon. The Kickstarter orders will ship after that.

 

[Thorrak]

Pre-order for the launch is coming soon. The Kickstarter orders will ship after that.

Huh. Was the preorder you guys did previously the kickstarter? I thought it was done through Spike?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Huh. Was the preorder you guys did previously the kickstarter? I thought it was done through Spike?

We did a Kickstarter style pre-order. We also do a pre-sale about 1mo before launch for people to lock in their order.