20 LB CO2 Tank

[OrlandoHomeBrewer]

I am ready to start kegging and I friend offered me a 20lb CO2 tank with 2 gauge regulator and hoses for $60. That seems like a really good price. Is there any drawback to a 20lb tank? It seems like everyone uses 5 and 10 lbers.

 

[jonbrout]

Well, you cant make a self contained kegerator with a minifridge if you have a 20lber. But yes, that is an awfully good deal.

 

[JesseRC]

no, none at all, besides it's slightly bigger size, you have more advantages, one being that those are more easily available at co2 trade places. I find that when I go to get my 5 or 10# tank swapped, they often do not have that size, and therefore I have to get it filled. THis is not a problem, but most of the places around me will send them out to get filled, so I have to wait a few days to get it filled. THis is not the case everywhere, but her in SA , 3 places are like that.

 

[OrlandoHomeBrewer]

Thanks. It sounded like a really good deal and I hear the larger the tank, the cheaper they are to fill.

I am not worried about a kegerator since I can pick up a full size auxiliary fridge to put in the garage for real cheap.

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

I use a 20lb tank with a kegerator. It sits outside beside the kegerator.

 

[Ketchepillar]

Good deal. Do it.

 

[beernut1]

Yeah that's a real good deal. You might try Craigslist for a fridge. You can get a fridge suitable for brewing for free on there sometimes..

 

[mmb]

I use a 20lb tank as well. With a regulator that is a good deal. Swap the tank out and it won't matter if the tank hasn't been inspected in a while. If you fill there is an inspection fee if the tank hasn't been inspected within a certain timeframe.

Swapping my 20lb tank out was $18 and change out the door.

 

[InfernoBrews]

20lber mean less fills less often than a 5lber.... Do it! Good Deal!

 

[PintOfBitter]

i'm a 20 pounder. glad of it.

 

[iceman80403]

It's a good deal as long as it's all functional. You can always locate it outside the kegerator. The refills for a 20lb tank aren't that much more than smaller tanks and you don't have to refill them as often. I would almost prefer a 50lb tank, but it seems like it would be a hassle to move it around. Unless you're pretty physically inept, the weight of a 20lb tank won't be a problem.

 

[android]

definitely get it. if you figure a regulator costs ~$50 and a deposit for a 20# tank at a welding gas supply will run you ~$100, it's a hell of a deal.

 

[OrlandoHomeBrewer]

I just got back from picking it up. The tank and regulator appear to be in good shape. I am relieved to be done with washing bottles.

Thanks for the advice!

Len

 

[iceman80403]

You'll love kegging! Enjoy!

 

[Ichi-Go]

Be careful getting a deal on a 20lbs tank. I bought one in the orlando area and it was a coke tank. I took it to a couple places in the area and they wouldn't fill it because it is property of coke. Kinda like the keg controversy. I cant decide what I want to do now. One of the co2 guys told me about how some people repaint them and bring them in so I might do that but I ended up buying a 10lbs tank when I was downtown trying to get the 20lbs filled. I was having a party and needed a full tank that day so I didn't have an option to wait for paint to dry.

 

[OrlandoHomeBrewer]

Ugh.

It doesn't say Coke on it but it does say Pepsicola (kind of engraved towards the top). I wonder if I will have a problem getting it filled. If all I have to do is paint it, what color and type of paint should I use?

 

[ajwillys]

If all I have to do is paint it, what color and type of paint should I use?

Pink, with white polka dots.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I have (2) 20lb bottles. Both from Coke. I found the beverage supply's wouldn't fill them but welding and fire supplys could care less.

I got the bottles cheap and to be honest, swaps are becoming more and more appealing to me. It's much easier to upgrade / downgrade if you volume needs change. Personally, I''d like to have a 40 (Main), a 10(Backup) and a 5(Portable). Or something around that.