NEW Product Launch - Spike Brew Pump

[McMullan]

Unfortunately since all the components are different it won't fit a Riptide.

Different size TC fitting?

 

[Imhoppy]

What is the weight of the TC pump? Can a longer power cord be an option, say 8 or 10 ft? Just curious. Can't wait to turn it on!!!

 

[Yesfan]

We will be listing the mounting dimensions before launch. It's the same as the March pump however as many people have a pump that uses that same mounting pattern.......

Is that mounting pattern also the same as the Chugger pumps? If so, that would be awesome. I have the Blichmann Top Tier and I'd have to buy (or make) a whole new mounting plate just to run their Riptide. It would be nice to know the Spike pump could be a direct bolt on!

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Different size TC fitting?

I believe they are both 3" TCs but nothing would align. The magents, impeller, etc are all different.

What is the weight of the TC pump? Can a longer power cord be an option, say 8 or 10 ft? Just curious. Can't wait to turn it on!!!

It's roughly 5lbs. We don't customize the power cord length but short power cords are super cheap on places like Amazon.

Is that mounting pattern also the same as the Chugger pumps? If so, that would be awesome. I have the Blichmann Top Tier and I'd have to buy (or make) a whole new mounting plate just to run their Riptide. It would be nice to know the Spike pump could be a direct bolt on!

March set the pattern about 40 years ago. Chugger copied March. Blichmann adopted the same bolt pattern and so are we for this very reason. It'll bolt right up!

 

[Yesfan]

..........Blichmann adopted the same bolt pattern and so are we for this very reason. It'll bolt right up!

Same bolt pattern for their Riptide or their Top Tier March/Chugger mount (what I currently have)?

When the Riptide came out, I was almost ready to splurge on one but Blichmann told me I would have to get a different mount for the Riptide as the Top Tier mount I have for my Chugger pump wouldn't be compatible. I'm guessing the Riptide has a different bolt hole pattern vs the March/Chugger.

On another note.....what is the weight difference between the March/Chugger and the Spike?

 

[Imhoppy]

@SpikeBrewing Please consider adding a FAQ page/link on your website page for the Spike Brew Pump. Looks like there have been lots of good questions and answers thus far, and maybe more yet to come. Like HP rating, for example. That way, the Q's and A's are all in one convenient place.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Same bolt pattern for their Riptide or their Top Tier March/Chugger mount (what I currently have)?

When the Riptide came out, I was almost ready to splurge on one but Blichmann told me I would have to get a different mount for the Riptide as the Top Tier mount I have for my Chugger pump wouldn't be compatible. I'm guessing the Riptide has a different bolt hole pattern vs the March/Chugger.

On another note.....what is the weight difference between the March/Chugger and the Spike?

I believe they are all the same mounting pattern but we'll confirm that closer to launch. I don't have exact weights however the Spike Pump is heavier due to a heavier motor and front housing assembly.

@SpikeBrewing Please consider adding a FAQ page/link on your website page for the Spike Brew Pump. Looks like there have been lots of good questions and answers thus far, and maybe more yet to come. Like HP rating, for example. That way, the Q's and A's are all in one convenient place.

We will certainly be doing that. We are still 6mo away from launch so plenty of time to get all those specs listed!

 

[matt_m]

Will you be making a pump mount available for mounting on the legs of tables like you use for your systems?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Will you be making a pump mount available for mounting on the legs of tables like you use for your systems?

We are actually launching a new table and mounting system later this year. However we don’t sell the pump mounts separately as they need to be welded on.

 

[matt_m]

We are actually launching a new table and mounting system later this year. However we don’t sell the pump mounts separately as they need to be welded on.

Is that a stealth new product announcement?
Solo/BIAB system table too?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Is that a stealth new product announcement?
Solo/BIAB system table too?

We have so many that we can't even keep track of them! HA We'll be coming out with a Solo table and a slightly re-designed Trio table.

 

[GMason]

Wille there be a 230v version?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Wille there be a 230v version?

We don't ship outside the US and Canada so no plans at this time. However possibly in the future!

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Do you like getting sprayed in the face with hot sticky wort? Didn't think so. Neither do we. Enter the Air Release Valve (ARV)!

When we set out to design and build the best pump out there, we spent a lot of time, attention and testing on figuring out the best and easiest way to prime a brew pump. We found that placing a purge valve on the inlet side of the pump provides the best way of getting air out of your pump head and hoses. All you have to do is twist the easy to grip knurled knob, then water and air start to flow through the ARV outlet.

We even placed a little barb in the pump head casting that faces front and center, so it's super easy to collect the fluid out of the barb and either dump it back into your kettle or just keep your brewing space clean and dry.

The really cool thing is when you run into an especially tough priming situation, such as if you have a super long and empty inlet hose, or a big airlocked bubble stuck in your 50 foot HERMS coil downstream, you can open the priming valve while the pump is running and get that air out without the obnoxious spray going everywhere like pumps with purge valves on the outlet. Since the inlet of the pump doesn't produce any pressure, the valve can be open even when the pump is flowing and you won't get sprayed.

At the end of the day, it's just another way to make your Brew Day easier and smoother. Wort belongs in your kettle. Not on your pants.

Sign up for the pre-order today! Head to the link below
Sign up on the right side of the page under "Email When In Stock"
Spike Flow | Spike Brewing


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[SpikeBrewing]

Ever deal with a clogged pump on brew day?? Well, with the all new Spike Flow that'll be a problem of the past. The Flow features integrated chopping tines on the impeller which chops up solids like hops, grain and trub which prevents clogging. Yes; our engiNERDS have thought of everything!

Use the link above to sign up for the limited re-order! Sign up on the right side of the Spike Flow product page.
Spike Flow | Spike Brewing

 

[Yesfan]

Ever deal with a clogged pump on brew day?? Well, with the all new Spike Flow that'll be a problem of the past. The Flow features integrated chopping tines on the impeller which chops up solids like hops, grain and trub which prevents clogging. Yes; our engiNERDS have thought of everything!

Use the link above to sign up for the limited re-order! Sign up on the right side of the Spike Flow product page.
Spike Flow | Spike Brewing


View attachment 769690​

Holy sh!t!, That's amazing! Now there's no need for me to ever mill my grains again.....


Seriously, that is cool!

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Is Brew Day your day of relaxation... until you turn on your pump? Is the big game on TV drowned out by your pump whining away in the background? Problem solved.

The new and upcoming Spike Flow is the quietest brew pump on the market. It's true—because we tested it. Many times. Due to the optimized pump head flow path design, coupled with a totally enclosed motor utilizing roller bearings, we've been able to achieve best in class quietness with the new Spike Flow!

Sign up for the pre-order on the right side of the product page using the link below!
Spike Flow | Spike Brewing​

 

[McMullan]

If we include the Spike symbol, a RipTide's a tad quieter I have a RipTide (European/220V model) and it's really quiet. If the Spike pump is quieter there's a danger you'll not be able to find it during operation Also, as a heavy metal fan with tinnitus and Greek friends, I think you've grossly underestimated 'normal conversation and background music'. Only joking, sounds like an excellent home-brew pump. The only serious issue is there's currently no European version What are you like?

 

[SpikeBrewing]

The engiNERDS had a little fun with the latest Engineering Q&A video. Watch the behind-the-scenes of the latest video showing off the new Spike Flow vs the competition. You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel. See why the Spike Flow is the most badass brew pump on the market!

Sign up for the pre order on the right side of the page using the link below!
https://spikebrewing.com/products/spike-flow​

 

[Deadalus]

Is Brew Day your day of relaxation... until you turn on your pump? Is the big game on TV drowned out by your pump whining away in the background? Problem solved.

The new and upcoming Spike Flow is the quietest brew pump on the market. It's true—because we tested it. Many times. Due to the optimized pump head flow path design, coupled with a totally enclosed motor utilizing roller bearings, we've been able to achieve best in class quietness with the new Spike Flow!

View attachment 774342

Sign up for the pre-order on the right side of the product page using the link below!
Spike Flow | Spike Brewing​

There's only a difference of 1.5-2 dB between the Spike (64.5dB), the Blichmann Riptide (64.5dB), and the March 815 (66.5dB). Since it was tested multiple times, you could put a confidence interval on the means or provide the standard errors and that would show more. You might not even see a statistical difference. Even the Kegland is pretty close. The Chugger appears a little bit louder but I bet most people wouldn't notice the small difference between the the first three. There's a reason why 0dB wasn't included on the vertical axis, the bars would be much harder to see any difference .

 

[SpikeBrewing]

There's only a difference of 1.5-2 dB between the Spike (64.5dB), the Blichmann Riptide (64.5dB), and the March 815 (66.5dB). Since it was tested multiple times, you could put a confidence interval on the means or provide the standard errors and that would show more. You might not even see a statistical difference. Even the Kegland is pretty close. The Chugger appears a little bit louder but I bet most people wouldn't notice the small difference between the the first three. There's a reason why 0dB wasn't included on the vertical axis, the bars would be much harder to see any difference .

Decibels are on the logarithmic scale so each increase in dB is a large change. An increase in only 6 dB is actually doubling how loud it is.

 

[Deadalus]

Decibels are on the logarithmic scale so each increase in dB is a large change. An increase in only 6 dB is actually doubling how loud it is.

Earthquakes are on a logarithmic scale too, but that doesn't make much difference in some ranges as you wouldn't even feel them. The range you are in is in between normal conversation level and office noise, inside of a car at 60 mph and that's the full range of 60-70 dB (10 dB). There's not much difference in perception between a normal conversation at home and adding in conversation at the office or in the car at 60mph. The difference between the three quietest is only a range of 1.5-2 dB, and within that broader range mentioned, doesn't sound to be particularly significant on hearing.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

Earthquakes are on a logarithmic scale too, but that doesn't make much difference in some ranges as you wouldn't even feel them. The range you are in is in between normal conversation level and office noise, inside of a car at 60 mph and that's the full range of 60-70 dB (10 dB). There's not much difference in perception between a normal conversation at home and adding in conversation at the office or in the car at 60mph. The difference between the three quietest is only a range of 1.5-2 dB, and within that broader range mentioned, doesn't sound to be particularly significant on hearing.

We'll let someone chime in that has owned a March or Chugger and now uses a Blichmann. It's very notably different. The Spike Flow will be even quieter!

 

[H.Stiglitz]

We'll let someone chime in that has owned a March or Chugger and now uses a Blichmann. It's very notably different. The Spike Flow will be even quieter!

I own a Chugger, and for the sake of science, I'd be willing to do side-by-side (real life) testing to solve this little debate. Free of charge of course

 

[Deadalus]

We'll let someone chime in that has owned a March or Chugger and now uses a Blichmann. It's very notably different. The Spike Flow will be even quieter!

Hold up there, I didn't say anyone wouldn't notice a difference between a Blichmann and the Chugger. That's almost 5 decibels. However, the difference between the Blichmann and the March, by your data, is 0.5 dB. Under 1 decibel is not considered to be a noticeable difference for the human ear with 3 dB generally considered to be a just noticeable difference.

 

[PT934]

I started using a pump to brew about 13 years ago with a March 809 pump with plastic head & NPT ports. I added a Blichmann Riptide pump w/ TC ports to my system about a year ago. I like the ease of breaking down and cleaning up of the Riptide head so I purchased the Blichmann riptide conversion kit for my March 809. It is a very easy swap, the only thing I don't like is it has NPT ports. TC's are just easy for me to set up / break down for cleaning. I also added a Vevor MP-15RM-110 pump with NPT ports for pumping just water (HLT recirc). The March is louder than the Vevor & Riptide, but not enough to make it a big deal. The riptide is a bit quieter than the Vevor, but not much. I wouldn't really lean on dB levels to sway my choice one way or the other, but there is a difference and with electric brewing you can hear the pumps. For recirculating they all work fine. For cleaning & moving liquids as fast as possible the Riptide is the go-to pump. The reasons I wanted the Riptide were TC fittings, priming valve, quick detach 3" TC head, flow control valve & on/off switch. After using the Riptide for over a year, I feel its a nice pump but I hate the flow control valve. It plugs up very easy, even open all the way. I don't use the on/off switch. The priming valve makes a mess. I picked up the Vevor on Ali express for ~$50 and if someone is looking for a cheap option to start using pumps for brewing it works great. It does take a lot more to set up / break down & clean than the other pumps. If I were to source another pump in the future the most important options to me are TC ports & quick detach head. I like the center inlet rather than the side inlet. The chopping tines seem like a good idea, I am curious how they do with orange peel. They plug the Riptide every time. I like how Spike did the bleed valve but I have pretty much set up my system so it isn't necessary. I am working on switching my setup to bottom drains and CIP so pump upgrades may be in my future.

@SpikeBrewing any plans to provide a conversion kit to switch over to your pump head utilizing an existing motor?

 

[Deadalus]

Those are all appreciated observations @PT934. As far as sound levels, I want to point out that @SpikeBrewing has set up an unfair "experiment" by asking for feedback from March (or Chugger) owners who switched to a Blichmann. In many cases, this would lead to switching from an older March pump to a newer Blichmann, as is most likely the situation you are in given that you had your March pump for 13 years before getting the Blichmann (not sure when these first came out).

Just a similar anecdote along these lines, I have a dishwasher rated at 54 dB. Over the years, various components have broken and I was looking into replacing it as it wasn't working. One feature touted by new models was they are quiet. I was thinking, "I really want a quieter one because this one is fairly loud." I started weighing the price of a new quieter one vs a possible fix of replacing the pump as the DW was having a sensor issue. I replaced the pump (OEM). It fixed the problem and it was significantly quieter. What I hadn't noticed was that over the years the pump had just worn down and gotten louder and louder. It never sounded broken either, I didn't have any leaks but the water sensor wasn't playing nice with it.

A fair comparison is testing new vs new or perhaps similarly aged models. Also, pump heads may play into it as well, as TC ports are smoother but I am just speculating there. There are almost no experimental methods provided for the claim in the first place.

 

[H.Stiglitz]

set up an unfair "experiment"

Its marketing man, gotta let this one go

 

[PT934]

I'm not sure about Spike doing anything unfair. They seem to be a very transparent and honest company to me. If dB levels are that important to someone sourcing a pump I believe the one @Bobby_M runs on his BIAB setup is pretty much silent. I feel as long as you can talk over the pump and the sound of it doesn't make you want to stick a broken hydrometer in your ear, its not that big of a deal.

 

[SpikeBrewing]

@SpikeBrewing any plans to provide a conversion kit to switch over to your pump head utilizing an existing motor?

Unfortunately we will not be offering a conversion kit. Everything is custom designed so we'd need to build custom conversion parts.