Blichmann Riptide

Honestly, I have a Blichmann Riptde and although I haven't compared it side-by-side with the Spike Flow, I think it might be better as a complete package, and certainly wins on performance vs. price.

The biggest thing the Riptide has going for it is the larger impeller diameter which lends to a larger output pressure. I am getting way more flow recirculating through my counterflow chiller back to my whirlpool port on my kettle. Additionally it is the only stainless pump that I have that can reliably spin up my sprayball. Also it is the quietest pump out of the bunch by a large margin.

The Riptide is cheaper ($220 vs $300) and does a better job of being usable out of the box without additional expense (power switch; flow valve; 10’ cord vs 6’ on Flow).

Parent context: The riptide does have its own flow valve, FWIW, but I'm not a fan of the screw design so I just leave it wide open and control with a standard ball valve because I had an extra one lying around. I haven't owned another pump, but I think the big thing that drew me to the riptide in the first place was the ease of disassembly/cleaning. When it first came out, it was the only pump with a TC fitting … Reply: The TC to disassemble the head is so much faster than the 8 screws of the standard, that alone is worth it to me.

Unlike other pumps, the valve is included and is nicer (but has a quirk where if a lot of hop debris gets through, then you have to open and close it to let the debris pass).

I have one and really like it for all those reasons and that air release valve has saved me from those frustrating minutes when everything just stops working in the middle of a transfer.

If there was an AIO system I would buy it would be the clawhammer 20gal system. But then I would throw out the basket, get a false bottom from Brew Hardware and buy a custom fit 400 mesh Brew Bag, replace the spray nozzle with a diffusion plate, upgrade the pump to a Blichmann riptide, and switch to the Brutus counterflow chiller.

I have a spike flow but think a Blichmann riptide is good.