Spike+ Kettle Arrived "Squished"

[KookyBrewsky]

Was really looking forward to brew day tomorrow but it looks like I have to go through the hassle of exchanging my kettle now amidst a pandemic. This isn't how it's supposed to be, correct? I paid almost $550 with all the accessories so it's a bit disappointing to say the least.

The box arrived perfectly fine (although I already had squished it a bit for recycling when I noticed the crease in the kettle, but it's recoverable). It makes the kettle almost oval shaped and the lid doesn't sit properly.

Am I being too harsh or should I try to exchange it? First picture shows the crease visible inside and outside that disfigured it, no idea how that could've happened without damage to the box unless it left the factory like that. Second picture, overall shape. Third picture, unseated lid. Sorry for the lone packing peanut.

Thanks

 

[day_trippr]

You're definitely not being unreasonable. Contact Spike and get the wheels turning. Maybe see if they'll give you a credit for some extra toys...

Cheers! (Living with that would drive me batpoopy)

 

[KookyBrewsky]

You're definitely not being unreasonable. Contact Spike and get the wheels turning. Maybe see if they'll give you a credit for some extra toys...

Cheers! (Living with that would drive me batpoopy)

I left out for objectiveness that I have self-induced OCD with absolutely everything I own. Except for phones after about 1.5 years, which I'll then toss about, but everyone seems to do that as well.

 

[Immocles]

Agreed, I think it's perfectly reasonable to contact them for an exchange and/or replacement. Especially seeing how the lid sits on top of the kettle

 

[KookyBrewsky]

Agreed, I think it's perfectly reasonable to contact them for an exchange and/or replacement. Especially seeing how the lid sits on top of the kettle

I should append that I ordered from Great Fermentations due to their having everything I needed with quick shipment and I could pay with PayPal. I ordered miscellaneous accessories from Spike directly for emergency/backup purposes. I have contacted GF, awaiting their response. The item shipped directly in a SB cardboard box though, and was without damage as I mentioned earlier.

 

[day_trippr]

I don't think one has to be OC (of which I am in spades) to be sad about a lid that fits that poorly, never mind the distorted kettle.

I don't know anything about Spike kettles - are they two piece designs or deep-drawn like the G2 Blichmanns?
If the former, that sure looks like a weld seam from the grinding marks. If that caused the lid to fit so poorly that's just lack of QC at the factory.

Sorry you have to deal with the likes of that. Hopefully it'll be squared away quickly...

Cheers!

 

[KookyBrewsky]

I don't think one has to be OC (of which I am in spades) to be sad about a lid that fits that poorly, never mind the distorted kettle.

I don't know anything about Spike kettles - are they two piece designs or deep-drawn like the G2 Blichmanns?
If the former, that sure looks like a weld seam from the grinding marks. If that caused the lid to fit so poorly that's just lack of QC at the factory.

Sorry you have to deal with the likes of that. Hopefully it'll be squared away quickly...

Cheers!

Sorry, I should've taken a picture from the outside as well but it's dark here now. I was flustered when I noticed it because I was preparing to brew tomorrow with my new kettle and new Blichmann burner but now I'll be out a kettle for my first all-grain for what I assume could be weeks to months. I'm not particularly familiar with their manufacturing process but I've done a bunch of research and Blichmann and Spike have become top tier. The outside of the kettle has nearly no markings on it, but it is bent the same as is visible from the inside.

 

[Jag75]

I dont blame you one bit . They will make it right . We spend good money to ensure we get great quality stuff . They may just send you a new pot and tell you to keep that one.

 

[user 246304]

I'm with everyone else here, absolutely you have every right to get this rectified. You paid substantial money for a sub-par product, and they must make it right.

I had a few issues but they (Spike, where I bought the stuff directly) were always great to work with.

Good luck. Nothing more disappointing than opening a box on some shining s/s only to find it's not ready to fly.

 

[mongoose33]

There are few things worse than to wait, rubbing hands together with glee, for a new toy that's going to up your game, only to be crushed (literally!) by receiving a damaged kettle.

Spike will back up their product. Send 'em a few pics, explain it--and they will get it straightened out for you.

When I got my kettle I had two welded ports on it--and one had actually poked out the side of the box. I contacted Spike to let them know--the kettle was fine, but clearly in shipping something had happened. Just luck that it didn't harm the kettle.

Spike said that they'd had issues with shipping--that once it left their warehouse they're at the mercy of the shippers. Which they are. Judging by the relatively few "events" reported on here, it's not a huge problem for them, but from time to time it happens.

There's no way that the kettle left the factory like that. The box probably did get squished, but in a way that didn't compromise the integrity of the box--just the contents.

I've been to the Spike location in Milwaukee 3 times; twice to drop off and pick up the kettle after having more ports welded on, and once to pick up some accessories. They have a topflight operation, and their customer service is top notch, at least in my experience.

They'll make it right with you. Send them a contact w/ the issue, include pics (or refer them to this thread!). They'll get a replacement to you.

 

[KookyBrewsky]

There are few things worse than to wait, rubbing hands together with glee, for a new toy that's going to up your game, only to be crushed (literally!) by receiving a damaged kettle.

Spike will back up their product. Send 'em a few pics, explain it--and they will get it straightened out for you.

When I got my kettle I had two welded ports on it--and one had actually poked out the side of the box. I contacted Spike to let them know--the kettle was fine, but clearly in shipping something had happened. Just luck that it didn't harm the kettle.

Spike said that they'd had issues with shipping--that once it left their warehouse they're at the mercy of the shippers. Which they are. Judging by the relatively few "events" reported on here, it's not a huge problem for them, but from time to time it happens.

There's no way that the kettle left the factory like that. The box probably did get squished, but in a way that didn't compromise the integrity of the box--just the contents.

I've been to the Spike location in Milwaukee 3 times; twice to drop off and pick up the kettle after having more ports welded on, and once to pick up some accessories. They have a topflight operation, and their customer service is top notch, at least in my experience.

They'll make it right with you. Send them a contact w/ the issue, include pics (or refer them to this thread!). They'll get a replacement to you.

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I’m sure it’ll get sorted out. I’m not disgruntled nor in a rush due to the global climate. I chose them based on quality reviews online and this is just a mishap/error I assume, and does not make me want their gear any less.

It looks amazing, I just don’t want to use it today if I’ll have it exchanged.

 

[Punjom]

This isn't how it's supposed to be, correct? Am I being too harsh or should I try to exchange it?

You are correct. This is a possible seam weld or shipping issue and should be replaced. I had the exact experience with my 30gal TC Spike Kettle. Call them and explain. They will ask for pics and are VERY helpful to resolve this issue. In my experience, they will make it right. It will suck to wait, but worth it since it’s your long game Kettle. BTY, I love Spike kettles and plan to buy two more! I’ve had the one for two years.

 

[KookyBrewsky]

You are correct. This is a possible seam weld or shipping issue and should be replaced. I had the exact experience with my 30gal TC Spike Kettle. Call them and explain. They will ask for pics and are VERY helpful to resolve this issue. In my experience, they will make it right. It will suck to wait, but worth it since it’s your long game Kettle. BTY, I love Spike kettles and plan to buy two more! I’ve had the one for two years.

Yes, I've brewed 5 extract batches, going to brew a 6th soon I suppose now that I can't start my all-grain setup. I have the all-grain Centennial Blonde recipe from HBT that will have to sit for a while now, plus pounds of hops and a Wilser bag + pulley for 10 gallon BIAB batches.

I ordered this kettle because of a saying I've both read and experienced here, along the lines of "Buy big or buy twice". That has absolutely been the case so far and there's no more room to play around. I had everything lined up, my next purchase in a around a year or so will be the Spike CF10 14 gallon conical fermenter so I can experiment with pressure fermentation and all the other joys that it comes with such as easy temp control. This was my end game kettle for any future needs, 5 gallon extract, 5 gallon all grain, 10 gallon all grain BIAB, add a simple mash tun and maybe pull off 15-20 gallon batches of low gravity beer...

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't mistaken before I went around bothering the companies directly since I am indeed a novice that hates getting "disposable" equipment but doesn't have experience yet with nicer, more industry suitable gear.

Regardless, tomorrow I will be sampling my first ever brews after 6+ weeks, 3 days in the fridge, chocolate stout and chipotle porter!

 

[KookyBrewsky]

Update : Great Fermentations apologized and is having one drop shipped from Spike. The representative from GF is very friendly. I will ship the first one back once the new one arrives. Looking forward to my all-grain brewing days, Centennial Blonde is up first!

 

[Dog House Brew]

I’ve had good luck w GF.

 

[KookyBrewsky]

New kettle arrived. Lid fits fine. Etchings arrived sort of messed up but I can live with it. Liquid shown is just soap and water.

Another issue though, I planned on brewing tomorrow. I ordered all of the accessories with my first kettle and kept them inside the house in my room in original packaging. My thermowell has a sort of rusty gunk inside of it straight out of the bag. Is that going to affect temperature readings? Anything I can do about it? BKF? Regards.

 

[Dr_Jeff]

Probably not, If you have any CLR, pour it in there, and let it sit for a couple of hours, then take a tubing brush to it.


If you have one, a rifle/shotgun cleaning brush would work as well, they come in steel, brass & nylon.