Need c02 advice please

There is two kinds of c02 avalable to me.
Beer co2 at 75 dollars for 20lb
Beverage c02 at 48 dollars for 20lb
I would like to know if they both would work for home brew.
Thanks Dave

crazzydave:
I am planning to try keg-carbonation myself, so I recently spoke with an AirGas manager, who told me that they offer pure CO2 for more-highly carbonated types of beer, BUT....a blend of CO2 and another gas such as nitrogen(maybe argon) for stouts, which are less-highly CO2-nated. He said overcarbonation of the heavier beers causes them to turn entirely to foam. Ask before paying.

At those prices you are probably paying rent on their cylinder. A welding shop around here charges $11.00 to refill my 10 lb CO2 cylinder. You probably only need beer gas for stouts to create a head while keeping the carbonation low.

Thanks for reply
Which one are you going with.
dave

Wow, crazzydave is getting graped and AlCophile is getting bad info from AirGas. :cross:

Beer Gas is a CO2/Nitrogen mix most commonly used in stouts where you want the cascading effect and a very thick head. It's 100% NOT necessary for use in dispensing 'heavier beers'. Beer gas is used AFTER a stout has already been carbonated with CO2 since the nitrogen level (typically 75-80%) will prevent CO2 from entering the beer in keg.

Have a balanced system (which works for the pressures you'll be using) will result in NOT getting tons of foam for all beers. I use CO2 for my porters, browns, pale ales, IPAs, etc. Basically ALL my beers are put on tap and carbonated at a CO2 pressure set that works best for the style. Figuring that out is key.

A good many of us have found that fire extinguisher shops (those that recharge the CO2 ones) are a GREAT source for CO2. The 'purity level' of CO2 isn't an issue from these sources, since they're within a few thousandths of a percentage of the one the AirGas managed told AlCophile about.

BTW, I paid $17 to get my 20# CO2 tank filled at a fire extinguisher place. They fill up 5# tanks for $10 and 10# tanks for $12.
IMO, the AirGas guy was trying to scare AlCophile into over-paying for the CO2 they sell.

No other choice in the middle of no where.
So i want pure c02 then .
This is for ales and rootbeer.
Thanks dave

crazzydave said:

No other choice in the middle of no where.
So i want pure c02 then .
This is for ales and rootbeer.
Thanks dave

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That just sucks. If I was you I'd seriously look into fermenting under pressure to reduce how much CO2 you'll use.

At those prices I would just bottle it all and be done with it.

At work we serve everything in regular co2 but every once in a great while with a big stout we get the beer mix. Unless its big and thick I wouldn't bother (I know..."thats what she said").

I just checked into it here in Tampa and I found 10LB refills ranging from $22 - $40.
All of them want it dropped off and can pick up a couple hours later. What's the deal with that? I assumed (apparently incorrectly) that it was similar to a propane refill.

cclloyd said:

I just checked into it here in Tampa and I found 10LB refills ranging from $22 - $40.
All of them want it dropped off and can pick up a couple hours later. What's the deal with that? I assumed (apparently incorrectly) that it was similar to a propane refill.

Click to expand...

It is at a fire extinguisher place, or at least it is with the decent (or better) ones. I would make sure you find a way to identify your actual tank, unless you don't care if you don't get it back.

Gents:
Truly not 5 min. after answering crazzydave, I found an article on the very first page of Articles(tab above), about use of N2 gas in beer. Check it out. I shall be reading ALL the articles.