The Spike Flow: Brew Pump Initial Review

My initial review of the Spike Flow by Spike Brewing.
✅ See it in action here: kzbin.info...
Spike's brew pump comparison video: • Best Brew Pump? Spike ...
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[@SpikeBrewing]

Thanks for the Flow review Larry! Us and the rest of the brewing community always appreciate the honest feedback!

[@GentleGiantFan]

Thanks for the review Larry. The fact you had to add a valve for flow control will probably be enough for me to consider the RipTide. I'm one that likes Blichmann's FlowControl valves.

[@SpikeBrewing]

Most people have valves on the inlet of their kettle which would make a valve on the pump redundant in probably 50% of brewing setups. Also the valve on the kettle is typically in a more convenient place since the pump is typically lower on your brew system. This allows you to look into your kettle while adjusting the valve at the same time.

[@k-daddy5598]

Appears to be the same pump as the Blichmann. If interchangeable, Spike should sell just the headpieces as a retrofit option for those who want a cleaner purging process or those who tend to lose that annoying little washer. Otherwise, I don’t think too many brewers currently using Riptides will find the need to upgrade. Thanks Larry!

[@SpikeBrewing]

Similar looking but totally different design. That's the main reason our pump has about 25% more flow and 25% more pressure rating. Unfortunately since it was a from the ground up build none of the parts are interchangeable, sorry!

[@MatthesGardens]

I LOVE my Spike flow. 9GPM over the Riptide's 7GPm, but the bleed valve is very well thought out.

[@BuckRogers2491]

How much flow do you actually need? I have a RipTide and was considering a second pump, so I looked at the Flow as well. When thinking about my brew day, I thought about how often I opened it up 100%. The answer is, almost never. Even at less than 100% I get one heck of a whirlpool. I don't CIP with it, so that's one area where the Flow may be better. For that I use a 1/3 HP sump pump and it moves more water than either the Flow or RipTide could ever think about.

[@MatthesGardens]

@@BuckRogers2491 I go full open for CIP and don’t like to run 140F water through a sump pump. Definitely more than one way to skin a cat though.

[@PortlyGentleman]

Similar but not the same. Love it, Larry very diplomatic 🍻

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Ha. Very similar yet still different.

[@EngineeringDisaster]

Is there a max liquid temp noted anywhere? Looked on their site and didn’t see anything immediately. I think blichmann is rated to 120 Celsius.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I don’t think anything is specifically posted either but like any other brew pump, it only needs to support the boil temperature which is only 212 F (100 C) at sea level and less at higher elevations. (210.5 F where I live). Water/wort can’t get any higher then that.

[@EngineeringDisaster]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY true good point. Just like any product though. Surprised they didn’t put a temp rating. I mean even McDonalds needs to put “caution hot coffee” on their cups 😆

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@EngineeringDisaster haha! Right!!

[@rkrouse22]

Been a minute since I've watched your videos. Need to catch up on them. I really like the Spike pump.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

That’s ok. Been a minute since I’ve made videos. lol

[@suwirwong]

I am considering buying 2 of these for my brewery , the only question is ,can it use to pump boiling wort

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

I use it and other pumps during that last 10-15 minutes of the boil to sanitize the pump and hoses.

[@ElementaryBrewingCo]

Looks like you’ve got a thermowell piece on there too, that looks really cool!!! Are you able to link that part so I can check it out….I need one 🤣🤣 thanks Larry, cheers 🍻

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

It came with my BrewEasy. Blichmann should have it listed on their website.

[@trevorsocia2300]

What about using something like a rheostat at the plug to control the speed of the motor? Slow the motor, slow the output...? Is that even a possibility?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Don’t know. Never seen any brew pump use one.

[@raymondboyle2722]

Some observations on using the Flow for the past year: the bleed valve is a good idea, but mine has failed twice meaning it leaks and I can't get it closed. Very annoying. Compared to my other small volume pumps this thing is heavy. My main dislike is the location of the on/off switch. An inline power cord switch would be helpful. So, after a year, I'll keep using it but I don't love it as a piece of equipment I can't do without.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@@raymondboyle2722 I prefer to use a foot pedal switch for all of my pumps. Avoids having to bend over or squat to flip the one on the pump. To bad about the bleed valve leaking. Maybe there is something getting stuck in your bleed valve keeping it open?

[@raymondboyle2722]

@@BEERNBBQBYLARRY could be, when I take it apart and redo the screw it seems to reset itself. foot pedal is a good idea. So how do you turn off the Flow...is it connected to another foot pedal connected switch?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

@raymondboyle2722 it’s just a cheap on off pedal switch often used in woodworking. You can see it on occasion in most of my brew day videos. I think I got it from Amazon.

[@peterppoulsen6308]

The top of T is it for a temperature sensor?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Yes.

[@WreckedBrewery]

Very cool. I am using 2 riptides currently. I'd be curious if the Spike pumps are any stronger/weaker in overall flow. They look very similar overall design so I'd assume it's probably the same? Can you confirm since you have both? Cheers!

[@curtpick628]

And it doesn't have that thrust washer. The damned little thing that Blichman has. Which, without, will tear up the pump.

[@BitterRealityBrewing]

Great job as always. Heads-up! I knew I was having some issues with my own channel not showing videos, I knew I'd hit like on and I've had two people tell me they had to re-hit the Subscribe button. I watch your videos (when time permits) on my personal account mainly and today, I noticed it showed I wasn't subscribed. I re-hit the "sub" but just a heads up. I can't guarantee if any "likes" were missing as I hadn't seen this video and I hit "like" on almost all videos I watch to help me remember if I've seen them before, plus to thank the content creator for their time.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Dang. Thanks for the heads up. KZbin sucks today. Used to be great once upon a time.

[@perrymattes4285]

Hey larry

[@johnfox2709]

Chopper=Impellor

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

lol!

[@HomeBrewingTV]

Blichmann’s patent expired finally?

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Dunno. Do they have a patent?