Spike Flex Plus Owners

[NewJersey]

I asked because I assumed in the sealed fermenter under pressure there wouldn't be bubbles of c02 escaping anymore.
Anyways couple points one way or the other works for me.
I was hoping one of the many science/engineering background guys would have a thorough explanation for me, lol

 

[Vale71]

I asked because I assumed in the sealed fermenter under pressure there wouldn't be bubbles of c02 escaping anymore.

If there are nucleation sites the formation of bubbles is still possible and bubbles already adhering to a surface can take a long time to dissipate/be released.

 

[albino314]

@Rb4123, what kind of refrigerator do you use for your Flex? I'm having trouble finding a fridge big enough for the Flex+ but small enough to fit in my available space.

 

[Yesfan]

I've got a dunkel in my Flex+ that's chugging along at 58F. I've thought about taking advantage of letting it self carb toward the end of fermentation. Could I spund it the same time I'm doing a D-rest or wait a little longer?

 

[Yesfan]

Check it out.....




I found these old casters in my garage while looking around for something else. They were from an old shelf unit for my stereo, so if they can hold a lot of heavy gear like a power amp, 5-6 gallons of wort should be no problem. Should be no different if you have a spare office chair either.

They look kind ridiculous imo, but who cares? Function over form, right? My back's happy.

 

[Nagorg]

Here is my modified flex. I had my brother cut the point of the cone off and weld a 1.5” tri-clamp fitting to it. The fitting was about $8 on amazon and allows me to use any of the pieces I have already purchased for the flex. He was able to do all the work rather quick, maybe 30 minutes, so I don’t think it would cost a lot. He only charged me beer whenever he comes over. Not sure other welders would do the same though. Overall I’m happy with it and I feel I saved quite a bit even including the cost of all the attachments and clamps from amazon. Just gotta passivate the weld and I’m set. Waiting on my Anvil Foundry to get here to break it in.

That is a pretty cool mod! I'm guessing that you are in the "Should have gone with the C5" camp?

 

[sfrisby]

That is a pretty cool mod! I'm guessing that you are in the "Should have gone with the C5" camp?

I’ve had this exact thought. Every brew day.

 

[Nubble]

I'm curious if any of you have come up with a good CIP process for the Flex+ ?

I wrecked my back a few years ago and since then I have become somewhat of an expert in brewing without lifting. By adding hoists and pumps to my setup I'm able to get through an entire brew day and packaging without bending over and lifting anything heavy. The last thing to figure out is how to clean my fermenter without moving it. I think the lack of bottom drain is going to be the biggest blocker for a true CIP process. It currently sits on top of a standard height table so I can probably be comfortable with tilting it to pour out the cleaner/rinse. But am wondering if anyone has come up with a more elegant CIP solution for the Flex.

Cheers!

 

[Yesfan]

I'm curious if any of you have come up with a good CIP process for the Flex+ ?

I wrecked my back a few years ago and since then I have become somewhat of an expert in brewing without lifting. By adding hoists and pumps to my setup I'm able to get through an entire brew day and packaging without bending over and lifting anything heavy. The last thing to figure out is how to clean my fermenter without moving it. I think the lack of bottom drain is going to be the biggest blocker for a true CIP process. It currently sits on top of a standard height table so I can probably be comfortable with tilting it to pour out the cleaner/rinse. But am wondering if anyone has come up with a more elegant CIP solution for the Flex.

Cheers!

To be honest I don't know of a better way of cleaning mine than to take the top dome off. I break mine down completely, rinse, wash, rinse, dry, then put it (loosely) back together. On brew day, I sanitize it and crank down on all the clamps. Since your Flex is on a table, I'd tilt it to pour our the contents when cleaning and just take it apart. Who knows, cleaning the parts individually may be easier on your back from a weight perspective.

IMO, I think the CIP attachment is more trouble than it's worth. I don't think it's going to save anymore time, plus the CIP ball has to mount on the 1.5" top port. It's off center, so I would think you wouldn't get a good thorough cleaning unless you buy a reducer for the 4" port in the dome's center.

 

[Nagorg]

I can say that I am setup for CIP on my SSBrewtech Chronical. It does work great. But as @Yesfan suggested, I find its not worth the trouble. I can clean it way faster with a sponge, some hot PBW water and a little elbow grease.

Not as much bling but way more efficient. Of course, YMMV!

 

[NewJersey]

I want to add gelatin to primary without opening this thing up.
Any help guys?

 

[sfrisby]

To be honest I don't know of a better way of cleaning mine than to take the top dome off. I break mine down completely, rinse, wash, rinse, dry, then put it (loosely) back together. On brew day, I sanitize it and crank down on all the clamps. Since your Flex is on a table, I'd tilt it to pour our the contents when cleaning and just take it apart. Who knows, cleaning the parts individually may be easier on your back from a weight perspective.

IMO, I think the CIP attachment is more trouble than it's worth. I don't think it's going to save anymore time, plus the CIP ball has to mount on the 1.5" top port. It's off center, so I would think you wouldn't get a good thorough cleaning unless you buy a reducer for the 4" port in the dome's center.

I have a cf10 and flex+‘s. I have often said I think I wish I went for the cf5 instead of the flex + due to the dump valve. So much easier.

fwiw, I add a 90* elbow to the flex+ which makes tilting and dumping more accurate into a bucket.

 

[stealthfixr]

For those that have fermented your Spike Flex+ or CF5 under pressure, can you notice a difference in the resulting beer?

It seems pressure fermentation is one of the key selling points of the Spike fermenters over SSBrewTech or Stout. On the cheaper end of the pressurized fermenter world is the Fermzilla. Wondering if pressure fermentation is worth the hassle/cost, and if it is whether or not the plastic version would work just as well. I am using a FastFerment now with great ale results, but just bought a Glycol chiller to enable lagers, so I need to change my primary fermenter vessel.

 

[sibelman]

SFrisby, I'm wanting to understand better your comparision (voice of experience!) between Spike conicals and the Flex+

I have a cf10 and flex+‘s. I have often said I think I wish I went for the cf5 instead of the flex + due to the dump valve. So much easier.

Please elaborate on "easier": for cleaning, or?

fwiw, I add a 90* elbow to the flex+ which makes tilting and dumping more accurate into a bucket.

Interesting. Is your Flex+ 90° elbow just to help with cleaning, or do you also use it to transfer beer?

 

[sfrisby]

The dump valve makes cleaning easier where I attach a spray ball to the 1.5” port on top and let it drain out the bottom back into the same bucket. When I’m done, it just drains itself.
With the flex, with no dump valve, I need to disconnect everything (glycol line, temp probe, ect…) and then tip it to dump the liquid at the bottom. None of it is the end of the world, it’s just easier with a dump port and it empties itself with no extra work.

My 90* elbow is a 1” diameter elbow. Just used for directing liquids (cleaning or sanitizer) from the bottom port back into the bucket with the pump. All transfers are with separate connections of typical 1/2” tubing. Hope that helps.

 

[ferm.adventures]

I'm in the same boat.. I love my Flex+, but I like my CF10 more... so I just ordered a CF5. I'll transfer the accessories I can, and sell my Flex+ I guess.

 

[TTfireman]

I have the flex plus and am totally happy with it, but if I get a second ferment or it will be a conical with a yeast dump. Being able to dump the yeast to “secondary” with fruit would be cool. I don’t want to have to actually transfer to another fermentor. I’m waiting to get glycol before I get a conical though. My flex + barely fits in my fermentation chamber, so I know a conical won’t.