Spike Brewing 3pc SS Ball Valve with Male Thread

[pinemarten]

Spike Brewing is selling 3pc SS valves with one male end eliminating the need for one nipple. Anyone have experience with these? It's certainly a cool idea.

My question boils down (see what I did there?) to is - do you all think one less thing to clean and a smaller footprint is worth roughly $7 over its life that will likely be many years? No, I don't break down my valves as often as I maybe should, but it isn't never, either.

I like brewharware's $15 3pc valve plenty, but that also "needs" a $3 nipple. Yes, there are cheaper nipples, but I think it's nutty (did it again) to not use the slightly more expensive hex "nut" nipples.

Thoughts? Flames?

Lemme have it and thanks!

 

[JLeuck64]

That is pretty clever of them to offer their valve in that configuration. My Spike brewing pots all come with a stand off pipe welded on to the kettle so by the time you add the coupler the valve is plenty far enough away from the side of the kettle that it won't pick up any heat from a gas burner. THAT is the real question you should be asking yourself in my opinion... if you are using electricity then why not go with a nice compact valve system. If on the other hand you're using gas heat then extend that sucker way out there with the less expensive stuff just to get it clear of the heat from the burner.
( ;

 

[Shawn0522]

Spike Brewing is selling 3pc SS valves with one male end eliminating the need for one nipple. Anyone have experience with these? It's certainly a cool idea.

My question boils down (see what I did there?) to is - do you all think one less thing to clean and a smaller footprint is worth roughly $7 over its life that will likely be many years? No, I don't break down my valves as often as I maybe should, but it isn't never, either.

I like brewharware's $15 3pc valve plenty, but that also "needs" a $3 nipple. Yes, there are cheaper nipples, but I think it's nutty (did it again) to not use the slightly more expensive hex "nut" nipples.

Thoughts? Flames?

Lemme have it and thanks!

I have 2 of these in regular use. Not sure what you looking for. They work great as advertised. I did just break down by boil kettle one and was suprised at how clean it was after about 10 - 15 brews. Only downside maybe is that with mine it was a little difficult getting it in the right position. Felt like it got tight really fast so it was either too loose or really had to put a lot of pressure to get it to go around again.

 

[mongoose33]

I ordered one of these with my kettle back in January. It works as advertised.

It mattered to me because I wanted something shorter given my storage requirements. Unfortunately, with the ball valve installed it still didn't fit the cabinet in which I store the kettle, but I just remove the ball valve every time I store it. Ten seconds to take it off, maybe 20 seconds to reinstall it.