HBT: long time reader, first time (I think) poster; also x-post from reddit's home brew forum.
I'm finally looking to get back into brewing, and plan to do a two-tier two-vessel electric K-Rims build controlled by a hosehead controller, and I'm torn between Spike and Stout. I know Spike is pretty popular here, but I haven't been able to find any reviews on this site for Stout in the last year or so for their smaller (i.e. 5 to 10 gallon batch) sizes in the last year or two or there (i.e. I did try to use the search function).
I want welded ports, and tri-clover seems the easiest to clean after most every use. Spike is a bit cheaper, but both are honestly within about $50 of each other per vessel after factoring in all the fittings (of which I have none) that come with Stout.
I'm also curious about the pros and cons of going for a 15 gallon setup now vice a 10 gallon (the cost difference isn't that much). I plan to largely do 5 gallon batches until I figure out the system; is the jump to 10 gallons really worth it?
I'll note that the 9.8 gallon stout doesn't appear to be able to use the ULWD ripple elements, especially the ones from brewhardware that have a TC clamp/plug pre-welded (Spike appears to use the same ones). I can't seem to find a 110v hosehead controller, nor am I aware of a shorter, straight, pre-welded 220v element (the extra cost of an element enclosure seems to be more than just upgrading the pot to the next size up).
Thanks!
I'm finally looking to get back into brewing, and plan to do a two-tier two-vessel electric K-Rims build controlled by a hosehead controller, and I'm torn between Spike and Stout. I know Spike is pretty popular here, but I haven't been able to find any reviews on this site for Stout in the last year or so for their smaller (i.e. 5 to 10 gallon batch) sizes in the last year or two or there (i.e. I did try to use the search function).
I want welded ports, and tri-clover seems the easiest to clean after most every use. Spike is a bit cheaper, but both are honestly within about $50 of each other per vessel after factoring in all the fittings (of which I have none) that come with Stout.
I'm also curious about the pros and cons of going for a 15 gallon setup now vice a 10 gallon (the cost difference isn't that much). I plan to largely do 5 gallon batches until I figure out the system; is the jump to 10 gallons really worth it?
I'll note that the 9.8 gallon stout doesn't appear to be able to use the ULWD ripple elements, especially the ones from brewhardware that have a TC clamp/plug pre-welded (Spike appears to use the same ones). I can't seem to find a 110v hosehead controller, nor am I aware of a shorter, straight, pre-welded 220v element (the extra cost of an element enclosure seems to be more than just upgrading the pot to the next size up).
Thanks!