Thanks to you Larry I have mine with almost all the bells and whistles. Doing an Octoberfest on that day after the turkey hangover. Yes it will be pressure fermented. Thanks for all your videos love all of them.
Larry thanks to this review and the fast lager video.. I get my Flex Plus tomorrow.. As a home brewer for the last 10 years and sometime BBQ'r (Weber Smokey Mountain) I have enjoyed your videos for the last year. .heck your Grainfather videos sold me on buying mine a year ago.. Thanks for the great videos and cheers!!1
Nice review! Lots of features and available accessories! I am messing with a cornical from Blichmann. It is somewhat comparable in price and some features. Cheers Larry! 🍻👍
Now that you have used this for awhile- is it your ‘go to’ for 5 gallon batches? I can see where a conical could be nice (mostly for farming yeast), but I’ve never had any issue with flavors and single fermenters. Thanks for your videos, especially including the ‘goof-ups’ as you learn a new system. That helps me keep from doing the same.
I asked Spike about the handle warning and was told it is rated for the weight of a full fermenter, just be careful so you don't drop it should the wort slosh around.
Hi Larry. I noticed at 1:36 in the video on the side it says, "DO NOT LIFT WHEN FULL". You filled it on the floor, but when you transferred to your keg it was on the counter. Was it really heavy to lift? Maybe it wasn't necessary because you could have done a pressure transfer? Also, I have a fridge I used with a Johnson Control to regulate the temperature. It looks pretty large compared to a carboy. On their website it says it has a temperature control system that pumps cold water through the coil. How would you keep the reservoir of cold water available for the pump? How did you control the temperature? Thanks.
When doing the closed transfer to the keg, how are you getting the 1/2 ID on the flex + tubing to work with the 3/16 connection to the ball locks? Looks like the 1/2 ID tube from the Flex + is connected to the ball lock flare attached to the keg, not seeing an adapter. Do you have to buy the Spike closed transfer kit in order to be able to do this? Or is there an adapter that allows for this? Thanks!
Is it possible to put a heating element into the 1.5 TC fitting where the thermowell goes? It may seem like a tight fit but with the cover on it (with 4' TC open) you could probably boil in it as well.
Hey Larry I have a question have you use the SS Brew bucket or the Anvil Brew bucket? I was looking at the to the Anvil seems like a better price however the SS has the conical bottom which I really liked and I think you'll give me a better product in the end.is it possible for you to do a video on the two different fermenters I know you've done videos on other products but I just wanted your personal opinion on those two models and what you had to say about them and also to what are some of pros and the cons between the two fermenters.
Larry, love your videos, so helpful. I am looking for a stainless fermenter that will do pressure fermenting and that has a dump valve to collect yeast. I LOVE the flex plus but wish it had the dump valve. I don't want to spend $550 or more. Do you know of any stainless fermenters that can collect yeast but also pressure ferment that are less than $500? I definitely don't want plastic.
Nice equipment, nice to see new equipment and Technology, progress in the brewing world. I'm all ways interested in new ideas. Would be nice view, l haven't seen Spike brewing equipment for sale in the Southern Hemisphere. I do like there kettles look well made. I have a mixture of brewing gear some SS Brewtec, Some fabricated. Have you seen the new Brewzilla 65L , 17Gallons, from Kegland, electric has 3500w elements, it runs off 240 Volts and you need a 15Amp braker, a monster at 65L, 17Gallons similar to the Grainfather equipment.
They make a smaller unit 35L, 9.2gallons called a Robobrew. 5 Gallons is a perfect ideal size, except for largering 10 gallons would be ideal for largering because of the time frame making it. I like your brew heating unit, is it a Blichmann? Not many heating units to choose from in the southern hemisphere mostly LPG. Would be nice to see a review on heating unit. I have seen a few induction cooker unit's except for the kettle is alot wider over 12".
Larry, I brewed my first batch under pressure with the Spike Flex. I plan on doing a pressure transfer from the fermenter. Are there any things I need to take into consideration doing the transfer now that the beer is carbonated? Is foaming an issue? Thanks!
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry Larry, sorry for the next question. Can you please explain how to accomplish that? Spunding valve on the gas side of the keg? No pressure in the keg and just a couple of pounds in the fermenter? Thanks again.
I am having difficulty finding a list of all the fermenters that will allow to ferment under pressure for natural carbonation. Can you help me out with this?
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY I only know of one additional fermenter than what you have reviewed and it looks like it surpasses all of the ones you have reviewed in all areas except in the area of yeast extraction and the trub removal. The SS Brewtech 7 gal Unitank with the FTS chilling package. I would love to hear what you have to say on this one. Maybe get your hands on one and do a review.
Hello, Larry, it is a nice looking fermenter, I had one on my hands today, and my only concern about this fermenter was the gasket lid. I mean, it was falling all of the time, and it was difficult to place it in position.I am pretty sure you had the same problem as well. Do you have somehting to comment about it?
That’s very interesting. I really want the trub/yeast dump on the bottom though. I have the same issue you have in that I brew on a different floor from where I ferment.
One other thing. In watching some of the other review videos on the Spike CF series people seem to have to fiddle with that lid gasket a lot. What are your thoughts on that?
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry oh yes the English brown ale hahaha oh yes I see you brewed in it of course. I missed it the first viewing !! Anyhow this thing seems really great, I mean carboys still rule as far as I’m concerned but the spout for testing and the direct transfer and obvs the fact it’s stainless steel and will last forever are very attractive features for this fermenter.Also pressurized fermentation option is really cool. This thing beats any of the plastic conical fermenters (especially fast ferment which does not hold up at all past 7 brews. Honestly fast ferment is kind of a piece of junk . It’s basically a toy haha) and much harder to clean properly.😵😩😩😩😩
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry yeah I hear you! it’s basically a mini pro fermenter for home brewers! The only feature left would be to add temp control for lagers or whatever else hot or cold and basically we have almost complete control of the home brew universe!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️🌝🌛🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Thanks. Do you think it improves the taste in your experience and in what way? If good, why dont home brewers typically ferment in a pressure keg? Cheap enough. Do you need pressure regulation?
If I remember right, it can also suppress ester production from yeast ending in a cleaner taste profile, may or may not be good depending on the beer style.
It’s not on their website? It’s the same as their CF5 fermenter. (It shares the same lid.) You’ll also need to take into account the protruding set of hardware on the side; ball valve & racking arm. This prevents me from using it in my fridge.
So this is the competitor to the SS Brew bucket? My problem with this type product is that it combines the worst parts of other fermenters. They are expensive but they don't have the feature set I want from a steel fermenter. Plastic buckets are cheap but they don't have the features. Proper conical fermenters have temperature control and a proper cone with a pipe to get rid of the trub or harvest yeast. That said, this product seems at least be more featureful than the brew bucket but I suspect it's also way more expensive.
I have the SS and really like. Way easier to clean, easier to control temp (I use a temp controlled old freezer and heater wrap. Super easy and not too expensive). Also much easier to rack to a keg with less O2 exposure (theoretically). Not for everyone I guess, but I like mine. This seems pretty slick, but probably more than I need at the moment. If I didn’t have my Brew Bucket I’d probably at least take a look at it. Especially if I already had tri-clamp accessories elsewhere in the system.
I'm sure it's a good fermenter but I think that compared to a simple plastic bucket I think you pay a lot more but you don't get a lot more than what you would have with the plastic. If I were to buy a steel fermenter I think I would go for the Grainfather conical. Yeah, it's a fair bit more still but then I would have proper fermentation control, yeast dump valve and more. For the price point of the Brew Bucket I would rather go for the Catalyst or the Fermentasaurus. The new 27 liter Fermentasaurus seems great and is significantly cheaper.
Oh ok, I assumed they put that on the handles because the Handles couldn’t hold the weight while it was full and would break or bend the sides of the tank
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY they are welded there cut there the final fabrication takes place there from what I understand the main vessel is made in China and then finalized in WI please let me know if I'm wrong.
@@paulaxton72 Wouldn't surprise me if they did. I think companies are going to realize the folly in their outsourcing to, and dependency on, China sooner than later these days.
I follow your videos to help me determine my brew set up when i retire, thanks for the information, I really appreciate it and look forward to more.
Thanks to you Larry I have mine with almost all the bells and whistles. Doing an Octoberfest on that day after the turkey hangover. Yes it will be pressure fermented. Thanks for all your videos love all of them.
Larry thanks to this review and the fast lager video.. I get my Flex Plus tomorrow.. As a home brewer for the last 10 years and sometime BBQ'r (Weber Smokey Mountain) I have enjoyed your videos for the last year. .heck your Grainfather videos sold me on buying mine a year ago.. Thanks for the great videos and cheers!!1
Ohhh Larry, you get all the toys. I've been happy with my SS brew bucket . I can only imagine how awesome this is .
So THAT what the big Tuesday surprise! I got the email about it and was excited to see you got one to review!
Great review, Larry, thanks.
The window at the top is neat
Looks pretty sweet! I want one now.
Nice review! Lots of features and available accessories! I am messing with a cornical from Blichmann. It is somewhat comparable in price and some features. Cheers Larry! 🍻👍
Now that you have used this for awhile- is it your ‘go to’ for 5 gallon batches? I can see where a conical could be nice (mostly for farming yeast), but I’ve never had any issue with flavors and single fermenters.
Thanks for your videos, especially including the ‘goof-ups’ as you learn a new system. That helps me keep from doing the same.
Nice review... I'll be waiting to see the process and tasting of the Brown Ale.
Larry, I forgot that you "taste test" first to see if it is a worthy beer or not, to provide us with a good and very drinkable beer.
Thanks, Mike.
Looks awesome
Spike sure does make some nice looking stuff.
Great info !!
I asked Spike about the handle warning and was told it is rated for the weight of a full fermenter, just be careful so you don't drop it should the wort slosh around.
Tri clamps are very versatile and I have that system wide in my system. Pity that they do not ship over seas
Hi Larry. I noticed at 1:36 in the video on the side it says, "DO NOT LIFT WHEN FULL". You filled it on the floor, but when you transferred to your keg it was on the counter. Was it really heavy to lift? Maybe it wasn't necessary because you could have done a pressure transfer? Also, I have a fridge I used with a Johnson Control to regulate the temperature. It looks pretty large compared to a carboy. On their website it says it has a temperature control system that pumps cold water through the coil. How would you keep the reservoir of cold water available for the pump? How did you control the temperature? Thanks.
It seems like a good price to me. Seems a lot better than my bucket s that I use. Someday when they get ugly I hit up spike brewing.
When doing the closed transfer to the keg, how are you getting the 1/2 ID on the flex + tubing to work with the 3/16 connection to the ball locks? Looks like the 1/2 ID tube from the Flex + is connected to the ball lock flare attached to the keg, not seeing an adapter. Do you have to buy the Spike closed transfer kit in order to be able to do this? Or is there an adapter that allows for this? Thanks!
Is it possible to put a heating element into the 1.5 TC fitting where the thermowell goes? It may seem like a tight fit but with the cover on it (with 4' TC open) you could probably boil in it as well.
Hey Larry I have a question have you use the SS Brew bucket or the Anvil Brew bucket? I was looking at the to the Anvil seems like a better price however the SS has the conical bottom which I really liked and I think you'll give me a better product in the end.is it possible for you to do a video on the two different fermenters I know you've done videos on other products but I just wanted your personal opinion on those two models and what you had to say about them and also to what are some of pros and the cons between the two fermenters.
Will there be temperature control options available?
Do you recommend this for home making wine?
Larry, love your videos, so helpful. I am looking for a stainless fermenter that will do pressure fermenting and that has a dump valve to collect yeast. I LOVE the flex plus but wish it had the dump valve. I don't want to spend $550 or more. Do you know of any stainless fermenters that can collect yeast but also pressure ferment that are less than $500? I definitely don't want plastic.
I just heard about the Anvil Crucible.
Is it possible to get a slurry if turn down arm of butterfly valve?
The whole point of a conical fermenter is the ability to remove the trub. This is just a fancy brew bucket.
Nice equipment, nice to see new equipment and
Technology, progress in the brewing world. I'm all ways interested in new ideas. Would be nice view, l haven't seen Spike brewing equipment for sale in the Southern Hemisphere. I do like there kettles look well made. I have a mixture of brewing gear some SS Brewtec, Some fabricated. Have you seen the new Brewzilla 65L , 17Gallons, from Kegland, electric has 3500w elements, it runs off 240 Volts and you need a 15Amp braker, a monster at 65L, 17Gallons similar to the Grainfather equipment.
They make a smaller unit 35L, 9.2gallons called a Robobrew. 5 Gallons is a perfect ideal size, except for largering 10 gallons would be ideal for largering because of the time frame making it. I like your brew heating unit, is it a Blichmann? Not many heating units to choose from in the southern hemisphere mostly LPG. Would be nice to see a review on heating unit. I have seen a few induction cooker unit's except for the kettle is alot wider over 12".
Larry, I brewed my first batch under pressure with the Spike Flex. I plan on doing a pressure transfer from the fermenter. Are there any things I need to take into consideration doing the transfer now that the beer is carbonated? Is foaming an issue? Thanks!
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry Larry, sorry for the next question. Can you please explain how to accomplish that? Spunding valve on the gas side of the keg? No pressure in the keg and just a couple of pounds in the fermenter? Thanks again.
What about temp control. Is there a coil?
But you didn't say how much the stainless steel Pot for and where can you buy one. Mike
Have you posted the brown ale brew video using this fermenter?
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry Hope you do. I appreciate your techniques and review vids.
I am having difficulty finding a list of all the fermenters that will allow to ferment under pressure for natural carbonation.
Can you help me out with this?
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY I only know of one additional fermenter than what you have reviewed and it looks like it surpasses all of the ones you have reviewed in all areas except in the area of yeast extraction and the trub removal.
The SS Brewtech 7 gal Unitank with the FTS chilling package.
I would love to hear what you have to say on this one. Maybe get your hands on one and do a review.
Hello, Larry, it is a nice looking fermenter, I had one on my hands today, and my only concern about this fermenter was the gasket lid. I mean, it was falling all of the time, and it was difficult to place it in position.I am pretty sure you had the same problem as well. Do you have somehting to comment about it?
Perfect, Larry. Thank you for your answer. Cheers!!!!
That’s very interesting. I really want the trub/yeast dump on the bottom though. I have the same issue you have in that I brew on a different floor from where I ferment.
One other thing. In watching some of the other review videos on the Spike CF series people seem to have to fiddle with that lid gasket a lot. What are your thoughts on that?
This thing looks sweet!! Are you gonna brew a batch in it Larry???
In a video I mean?
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry oh yes the English brown ale hahaha oh yes I see you brewed in it of course. I missed it the first viewing !! Anyhow this thing seems really great, I mean carboys still rule as far as I’m concerned but the spout for testing and the direct transfer and obvs the fact it’s stainless steel and will last forever are very attractive features for this fermenter.Also pressurized fermentation option is really cool. This thing beats any of the plastic conical fermenters (especially fast ferment which does not hold up at all past 7 brews. Honestly fast ferment is kind of a piece of junk . It’s basically a toy haha) and much harder to clean properly.😵😩😩😩😩
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry yeah I hear you! it’s basically a mini pro fermenter for home brewers! The only feature left would be to add temp control for lagers or whatever else hot or cold and basically we have almost complete control of the home brew universe!!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️🌝🌛🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry 😵😵😵😀😀😀
Could you explain the purpose of fermentation under pressure, please?
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY Thanks. Do you think it improves the taste in your experience and in what way?
If good, why dont home brewers typically ferment in a pressure keg? Cheap enough. Do you need pressure regulation?
If I remember right, it can also suppress ester production from yeast ending in a cleaner taste profile, may or may not be good depending on the beer style.
Any idea what the price for the two models will be?
BEER-N-BBQ by Larry Thanks!
What is the diameter of the Flex? I know how tall it is. Will it fit into a standard refrigerator?
It’s not on their website?
It’s the same as their CF5 fermenter. (It shares the same lid.)
You’ll also need to take into account the protruding set of hardware on the side; ball valve & racking arm. This prevents me from using it in my fridge.
I am glad that we are not next door neighbors. Between my home brewing and cooking as well. I am sure the both of us would end up being 500lbs.
So this is the competitor to the SS Brew bucket?
My problem with this type product is that it combines the worst parts of other fermenters. They are expensive but they don't have the feature set I want from a steel fermenter. Plastic buckets are cheap but they don't have the features. Proper conical fermenters have temperature control and a proper cone with a pipe to get rid of the trub or harvest yeast.
That said, this product seems at least be more featureful than the brew bucket but I suspect it's also way more expensive.
I have the SS and really like. Way easier to clean, easier to control temp (I use a temp controlled old freezer and heater wrap. Super easy and not too expensive). Also much easier to rack to a keg with less O2 exposure (theoretically). Not for everyone I guess, but I like mine. This seems pretty slick, but probably more than I need at the moment. If I didn’t have my Brew Bucket I’d probably at least take a look at it. Especially if I already had tri-clamp accessories elsewhere in the system.
I'm sure it's a good fermenter but I think that compared to a simple plastic bucket I think you pay a lot more but you don't get a lot more than what you would have with the plastic. If I were to buy a steel fermenter I think I would go for the Grainfather conical. Yeah, it's a fair bit more still but then I would have proper fermentation control, yeast dump valve and more.
For the price point of the Brew Bucket I would rather go for the Catalyst or the Fermentasaurus. The new 27 liter Fermentasaurus seems great and is significantly cheaper.
Would you just look at it?
I wish one of these smaller stainless fermenters had the trub/yeast valve, to harvest yeast. Don’t believe any of them do.
That thing looks broken. Please send it to me for scrapping :)
I have a couple of SS Brewbuckets but this thing looks so sexy. Overkill for my needs.
So you really cant lift it once you fill it? how would you pick it up into a chest freezer for temp control?
Oh ok, I assumed they put that on the handles because the Handles couldn’t hold the weight while it was full and would break or bend the sides of the tank
How is it for a Chinese made product??
As far as I know, Spike manufactures their products in house in Milkwaukee, WI.
@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY they are welded there cut there the final fabrication takes place there from what I understand the main vessel is made in China and then finalized in WI please let me know if I'm wrong.
@@paulaxton72 Wouldn't surprise me if they did. I think companies are going to realize the folly in their outsourcing to, and dependency on, China sooner than later these days.
My question is will you send me this? 😬
1:36 "DO NOT LIFT WHEN FULL"... Seriously!? :/
That's a bit bogus. Then again lifting my SS brewtech chronicle is so heavy and akward