C02 Tank Size

[MooMan]

I purchased a two, 5 gal tank keg system which came with a 5 lb C02 tank. Of the two times I've tried to use it, the C02 seems to go really fast. I dropped 200 psi just trying to carb my recent ginger ale (3 gal batch).

Am I doing something wrong? What size tank do you use? Is a 5 lb tank designed to pressurize beer for pouring only rather than carbing?

M

 

[ArcaneXor]

The high pressure gauge will change depending on the temperature of the cylinder. If you dropped 200 PSI and the temperature hasn't changed, it means that your tank is almost empty (the gauge doesn't really start responding until there's only gaseous CO2 left in the tank. For a 5-lb tank, that's probably just about as much as you need to carb one keg).

I use a 10-lb tank, and have been very pleased with it. It lasts about 4-6 months, and I keg/force carb a lot of beer. I'd get the biggest tank you can easily handle, since most places charge more for the labor than they charge for the gas.

 

[mrgreen4242]

Did the tank come full or did you have it filled? Are you sure it was filled properly? Since it's a new kit, have you checked for leaks?

 

[gleytch]

Put something over the high pressure gauge and just ignore it. When the tank stops pushing gas refill it. The high pressure gauge is pretty much useless until the tank is almost empty.

If you must watch it, ignore fluctuations until it drops below around 400 psi. Once you get there you will probably need a refill pretty quick.