20oz vs. 5 lb CO2 Tanks

[captianoats]

So I'm getting ready to make my leap into kegging, and I am trying to decide if I want to get the small 20oz tank or the larger 5 lb tank. This is a mini fridge I am trying to set up as a dual corny setup, so space is at a premium. My question is, how many gallons of homebrew will each size tank push? (Yes, I realize that depending on the pressure this will vary, just looking for a ballpark average)

 

[JesseRC]

Get a 5lb minimum, but 10 or 20 would really be best. I cant tell you how long the 20oz will last, but those are best for protability.

 

[chuggs]

The 20 oz bottle is a fantastic size for going to parties/picnics, etc... Setting up a Jockey Box for an event. It will probably PUSH 2 corny kegs worth of ALREADY carbonated beer out of your keg. I usually plan for 1/2 - 3/4# of CO2 per corny keg.

The 5# bottle is more suited for the Kegerator at home. You can use it to force carbonate a freshly made and kegged brew...or dispense numerous kegs.

You really can't go wrong with either one...because eventually, you'll probably want one of each in your arsenal. I started out with a 5# bottle...but over the years, I've added a 20#, a 50# siphon bottle for refilling, and a 20 oz for parties. Oh, and a 55 cuft N2 Bottle for Guinness Gas.

Here's a reliable reference:

How Many Kegs Per CO2 Cylinder

You also have to consider the price of refills...and availability. When I helped get my oldest son set up for kegging...we opted for paintball tanks. That's because he already had a bunch of them from playing paintball growing up. And with his regulator set up for them...he can drop into just about any Walmart Store...go to the sporting goods section...and pick up a full bottle of CO2 (by the paintball equipment)...so it's great when there's an emergency...and you need some CO2. But if he really starts to increase his output...he'll need a bigger tank down the road.

Keep in mind the need to test the tanks every 5 years. You can usually buy a new paintball tank for less than the cost of a single hydro.

 

[adamjab19]

I have large gift certificate and was thinking about getting a 5lb-er from the LHBS but I use sugar to carbonate my keg, have no kegerator, and literally dispense a keg 3-4 times per year. So the 20oz is fine for me and probably will always be.

 

[bendavanza]

price of fills on small bottles vs large is the kicker.

 

[chuggs]

price of fills on small bottles vs large is the kicker.

Yeah...that's what eventually drove me to the 50# siphon tank.

It only cost $42 for 50#...so roughly $4.20 / 5#...whereas the 5# cylinder cost $15 to fill...and if I do it at the local beer store...she fills it with a transfer whip that she doesn't even know how to use...I wind up paying $15 for about 2 lbs of CO2.

(make sure you weigh your tanks...to see if you're getting what you paid for)

Now I can fill my Paintball Tanks, Air Rifle Tank, 5# Aluminum Beer Tank...and I recently put a CGA320 valve on a 20oz tank for use with my Jockey Box...

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

I have a 5lb tank for my kegerator, and a 20oz and a 24oz for portable serving. I pushed out 2 five gallon kegs and 2 three gallon kegs with the 24oz this summer before I had to refill it. I use the 20oz as a backup.

I tend to get 3.5 months of use out of each 5lb tank of CO2. That is carbing and pushing, and I brew 2 batches a month.

 

[captianoats]

Thanks everyone, this forum never fails me. Sounds like I'll be getting the 5# for now. I'll just locate it outside the mini fridge if need be.