NEW Spike Brewing BIAB System announced at NHC 2019

[sleev-les]

With that much space below the basket, I'd think brewing a 5G batch on that would be problematic.

Could be, but I'm hanging onto my GF for the 5's. I have wanted to move up to 10's for a while and this system has really peaked my interest.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Could be, but I'm hanging onto my GF for the 5's. I have wanted to move up to 10's for a while and this system has really peaked my interest.

Yeah, I have zero interest in 10g batches. I struggle to get through 5g batches in a timely fashion. A 5 gallon keg usually lasts me 4-6 weeks.

 

[highland_brewer]

I didn't realize Utah Biodiesel makes a solid-sided filter basket. I'll have to check into that.

I don't think they do at least no the last time i checked.

 

[highland_brewer]

How would you compare this to the Grainfather 70L system? Price wise pretty close .

definitely more power. The controller is simpler than the G70 but with the issues the G70 has had, maybe not a bad thing.

 

[highland_brewer]

With that much space below the basket, I'd think brewing a 5G batch on that would be problematic.

i'm gonna be a guinea pig and give that a shot on my next go.. lol

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

I don't think they do at least no the last time i checked.

Yep, they do.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

i'm gonna be a guinea pig and give that a shot on my next go.. lol

I'm looking forward to that report. I am a big fan of Spike. Generally top notch quality.

 

[Jag75]

I really like spike stuff as well . I have their conical and plan to get another but when I think BIAB I think cheap , easy and simple set up for brewing. That's why most get into BIAB all grain. I love my Grainfather, however if I jump up to 10 gallon batches I wouldn't spend the money on their Gf70. I dont think I would purchase this either tbo.

 

[swimIan]

Duplicate. Please delete.

 

[cheesebach]

Definitely a weak spot in the product imo. I think I'm going to hold off and see what SS comes up with.

I would say I'm in the same boat as you, but given how late SS is with their release (originally planned for Spring 2019) and how little they've shared regarding the design and schedule changes, I'm not holding much hope that they've have their product out before 2021. Who knows though - maybe seeing Spike beat them to market will light a fire under them.

 

[Cato1507]

Yeah, I have zero interest in 10g batches. I struggle to get through 5g batches in a timely fashion. A 5 gallon keg usually lasts me 4-6 weeks.

Lol, +1 on your reply @Hwk-I-St8 !
I do 4.5 gal batches and can't quite get through my Pale Ales before the hops start to seriously fade.
I like the variety that 3-4 gal batch brewing provides me and its quick turn around.

 

[Cato1507]

I really like spike stuff as well . I have their conical and plan to get another but when I think BIAB I think cheap , easy and simple set up for brewing. That's why most get into BIAB all grain. I love my Grainfather, however if I jump up to 10 gallon batches I wouldn't spend the money on their Gf70. I dont think I would purchase this either tbo.

I agree @Jag75 , on the simple set up attraction of all grain BIAB! Although it took me awhile to graduate from kitchen stovetop extract to induction BIAB, and several kettles, to finally settle on a system.

I researched SsBrewtech and Spike pretty heavily and had pretty much ignored Blichmann until they came out with the Brew Commander. They got my attention then, and I ended up with a simple but very effective, for my needs anyway, system.
Their ULWD boil coil won't scorch with a brew bag resting on it, so no need for a basket or false bottom.

 

[highland_brewer]

I had a chance to try a 5 gallon batch on
the 20 gallon Spike single vessel system.
(Less than 12 lbs of grain) I also put out a auto tuning video for the PID in the system. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that that video will work for any electric brewing supply controller that has the new PID's

Auto tune video



And the brew day.

 

[craigmw]

I had a chance to try a 5 gallon batch on
the 20 gallon Spike single vessel system.
(Less than 12 lbs of grain) I also put out a auto tuning video for the PID in the system. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that that video will work for any electric brewing supply controller that has the new PID's

Auto tune video



And the brew day.

Brian, thanks for these videos! I think you really answered the issue of whether one can do 5 gallon batches. It certainly seems like that is possible, although the pre-boil volume might be a bit higher than what one is used to with a standard BIAB method.

I'm curious about wort clarity. You stirred up the bed right before pulling the basket out, but I wonder how clear the wort will run if you just recirculate for the mash without stirring (except after dough-in of course)? It would seem to me that since the wort is pulled through the basket bottom, similar to a standard mash ton, that it should be possible to match the lauter efficiency of a regular false bottom. I would think this would provide better lautering than say a basket made of stainless mesh sides.

As for your recirculation, I noted some frustration trying to keep the return hose at the top of the grain bed. Could you just wrap some foam around the end of the return hose to keep it suspended near the outlet?

 

[highland_brewer]

Yeah or a longer hose.. The clarity might be better if you do the recirculating over the grain. It didn't seen like it had any issues with compacting the grain bed or anything.