CO2 Bottle Refill Costs?!

[crazyjake19]

$17 for 5lb exchange at LHBS
$34 for 20lb exchange at LHBS
$33 (I think) for 20cu ft nitrogen at AirGas

 

[VirginiaHops1]

My gas/oxygen place charges about $30 to fill all sizes. They're essentially just charging for labor. They're cheaper than my LHBS. I started with a 10lb and 5lb I bought cheap off craigslist but have upgraded tank sizes a few times. Swapped the 5 for another 10 and last time when I refilled I paid the one time cost to upgrade my 10lb to a 20. Definitely much cheaper in the long run to use the largest tank you can manage.

 

[Carolina_Matt]

My LHBS used to charge around $17-18, although they just shut their doors about a week ago.

I went to the local Praxair the last two swaps, as I heard they were cheaper. It wound up being a little over $20 for a 5lb tank. There's a 'hazard' fee of about $8 included in it. I tend to think they're ripping me off to some extent though, because I remember calling them sometime last year to get a quote, and they said it was like $12-13 all-in. And my last receipt said '10 lb tank' on it. I asked about it, and they said it was a typo but I was only charged for the 5 lb tank.

 

[bleme]

I tend to think they're ripping me off to some extent though, because I remember calling them sometime last year to get a quote, and they said it was like $12-13 all-in. And my last receipt said '10 lb tank' on it. I asked about it, and they said it was a typo but I was only charged for the 5 lb tank.

The place I go is a lot like this. I don't think I have ever paid the same amount twice. It's like they are making it up as they go. I keep going back because they are still the cheapest in town...

 

[Carpy]

It's crazy how different the price can be by region. A place here in Milwaukee will fill my 5lb tank for a little over $6. Go 30 min out of the city and that price more than doubles.

Where do you get your CO2? I live in the area and will soon need my first 10# tank refill.

 

[k-os]

Where do you get your CO2? I live in the area and will soon need my first 10# tank refill.

Also interested in this. I'm an hour north of Milwaukee and the only place available is Air Gas which is supposedly about the same price to exchange as my LHBS ($30).

 

[Robert65]

Either I'm going crazy, or I've actually seen a decrease. LHBS went from $14 to $16 a year or two ago for a 5 lb refill/swap, but I think my last couple were $15. I suppose it fluctuates like any commodity.

LHBS buys bulk from Airgas and fills on premises. Airgas here won't even do the small jobs. If anyone goes to Airgas looking to fill a 5 lb bottle, they send them to the LHBS! They'd rather just service the big accounts and not deal with us annoying little guys.

Just got clarification from my LHBS. They're charging $15 for the first 5 lbs and $2 for each additional lb. So now I'm going to have to figure out how long it would take for a 20 lb bottle, that I would be responsible for keeping in hydro (LHBS sees to it at no cost if you exchange a 5 lb) to pay for itself.

 

[FrostyBeach]

Praxair here charges 17.96 for 5lb exchange and 19.54 for 20lb exchange.

 

[brew703]

I'm sure glad I don't have to pay those cost.
My HBS charges $10 for 5 lb and $15 for 10 lb
There is a fire extinguisher place that charges $1/lb to fill but they are only open M-F.
The welding supply places only do exchanges and I refuse to go there to be ripped off.

 

[myndflyte]

Where do you get your CO2? I live in the area and will soon need my first 10# tank refill.

Also interested in this. I'm an hour north of Milwaukee and the only place available is Air Gas which is supposedly about the same price to exchange as my LHBS ($30).

Discount Liquor on Oklahoma Ave.

 

[doogie]

My local soda manufacture (starting to become a LHBS too) is $20 for a 20 lb tank refill. Last time they told me after June I will need a re-cert for $20.
When I went to AirGas (I didn't know about my local soda manufacture then) I paid $80 for a tank exchange (re-cert needed). Shop around people.

 

[89Hen]

My gas/oxygen place charges about $30 to fill all sizes. They're essentially just charging for labor. They're cheaper than my LHBS. I started with a 10lb and 5lb I bought cheap off craigslist but have upgraded tank sizes a few times. Swapped the 5 for another 10 and last time when I refilled I paid the one time cost to upgrade my 10lb to a 20. Definitely much cheaper in the long run to use the largest tank you can manage.

Roberts? I just traded in my first tank and it was $29 for 5lb. Depressing reading most of the posts here.

 

[VirginiaHops1]

Roberts? I just traded in my first tank and it was $29 for 5lb. Depressing reading most of the posts here.

Yeah, I go to the Roberts in Merrifield. I started with a 5lb and it was annoying filling it up alot and knowing the refill cost was basically the same as the bigger tanks. They will upgrade to bigger tank size for you, for a cost. I was trying to find a used 20lb for cheap but finally gave up and just paid them to upgrade it. Should pay for itself fairly quickly though if you brew alot.

 

[bkboiler]

Planning to upgrade to 20# from CL after reading this...
There are a couple liquor stores nearby that I've heard fill tanks...still need to check them out after last time I went to Airgas and paid $35 for a swap (mine forces a recert fee every time!) I suppose that's one way of saying "we don't want your business".

 

[Ultryx]

I pay $31.xx after taxes to fill my 5 lb. tank.

 

[Deadalus]

Hmmm....I definitely need a bigger tank!

 

[Cyclograph]

FWIW, a few from the SF Bay area (CA)...
These were from refill service in November at Acme Fire in Oakland:

5# $20.75 (hydro $23)
20# $40
50# $102 (hydro $45)

Pricing has gone significantly up there recently, tho I haven't done any checking with other vendors yet so unsure if this is now typical for this area. The previous refill trip, ~18 mos back, they were $17 for #5 and $20 for 20#.

 

[89Hen]

Yeah, I go to the Roberts in Merrifield. I started with a 5lb and it was annoying filling it up alot and knowing the refill cost was basically the same as the bigger tanks. They will upgrade to bigger tank size for you, for a cost. I was trying to find a used 20lb for cheap but finally gave up and just paid them to upgrade it. Should pay for itself fairly quickly though if you brew alot.

So I screwed up my first tank. Bought a keezer and all the tanks/lines and got my first kegged beer up and running. A few days later I went down to pull a draft and tank is on zero. I thought I had tightened everything, but I didn't do a check with soap, so shame on me. Was a $29 mistake (less the CO2 I used for the first keg).

Went to Roberts today and they confirmed that I can trade up to a 10# tank for about $30 and the refills are only about $2 more than a 5#. The only catch is they said they don't always have 10# tanks on hand, so I'd need to call ahead to make sure they had one ready to go. I stuck with the 5# today just until I can perform a leak check.

 

[VirginiaHops1]

So I screwed up my first tank. Bought a keezer and all the tanks/lines and got my first kegged beer up and running. A few days later I went down to pull a draft and tank is on zero. I thought I had tightened everything, but I didn't do a check with soap, so shame on me. Was a $29 mistake (less the CO2 I used for the first keg).

Went to Roberts today and they confirmed that I can trade up to a 10# tank for about $30 and the refills are only about $2 more than a 5#. The only catch is they said they don't always have 10# tanks on hand, so I'd need to call ahead to make sure they had one ready to go. I stuck with the 5# today just until I can perform a leak check.

It happens man. I haven't lost a tank in a while but I have lost a couple. Definitely annoying. Once it was because of my handsy 6 year old who turned the valve to open while the tank was sitting in the garage without a regulator. Definitely get the bigger tank as soon as you can swing it. You'll make up the upgrade cost real quick.

 

[jim_CdY]

I had my 5# filled yesterday, $13

 

[CodeSection]

I just called my local supplier to inquire their process now with COVID-19 pandemic. They told me: they now clean their equipment and tanks after each refill with chlorine and other items; they only fill for a two hour period each day; and their price on a 20 lb tank has gone from roughly $23.75 to $30 including taxes. They said the extra cost is to cover their cleaning process.

What are you experiencing from your suppliers? Any price increase?

 

[Wayne1]

I have not had to refill my CO2 tank yet. I did notice today that one is getting a bit low.

It will probably need to be swapped soon. I checked out their web site and all they say is to call them before going over so they will have the swap ready when you stop by. I believe it is the same $6.99 for a 20 lb swap.

 

[Franktalk]

I get mine filled at a fire extinguisher company. They are still operating as usual. When I went there with my mask on, I said, "how do you know I am not here to hold you up."
He replied, "the CO2 bottle gave you away." He also told me that Co2 refills for homebrewers was pretty much all he was doing these days. And they are a pretty good size outfit. As always, he charged me $12 for a five pound bottle.

 

[IslandLizard]

Went to Roberts today and they confirmed that I can trade up to a 10# tank for about $30 and the refills are only about $2 more than a 5#. The only catch is they said they don't always have 10# tanks on hand, so I'd need to call ahead to make sure they had one ready to go. I stuck with the 5# today just until I can perform a leak check.

Why not trade up to a 20#?

That said the 5# tanks are a charm when serving on location, maybe keep one around if you do those. Dragging that 20# around is a bit of a nuisance, but those 5 to 10 times a year I can still handle. Doesn't look we're having events any time soon. A few got canceled already.

Or keep the 5# for location/travel/backyard party, and buy a used 20# as your main tank. New ones were selling for $35, not that long ago. There's a thread about them.

 

[CodeSection]

I have not had to refill my CO2 tank yet. I did notice today that one is getting a bit low.

It will probably need to be swapped soon. I checked out their web site and all they say is to call them before going over so they will have the swap ready when you stop by. I believe it is the same $6.99 for a 20 lb swap.

Damn, that's a great price!!!! I guess I'll be calling around.

A 25%+ price increase seemed unreasonable. Plus, since they have 40% (or was it 60%?) of the business for local restaurants and breweries, and with everything closed, I'm sure they are hurting. So, I'm thinking that had something to do with increasing prices.

Hey @bracconiere or @Dave Sarber, who do you buy your CO2 from?

 

[bracconiere]

Hey @bracconiere or @Dave Sarber, who do you buy your CO2 from?

i just do a swap on my 20lb'er at Phoenix Welding Supply....usually about $27, lasts me a about 10 months....( but now that a super cool digital postal scale i keep it on, maybe longer, think i already caught a leak after just 1 oz....)

 

[CodeSection]

i just do a swap on my 20lb'er at Phoenix Welding Supply....usually about $27, lasts me a about 10 months....( but now that a super cool digital postal scale i keep it on, maybe longer, think i already caught a leak after just 1 oz....)

I thought you were in southern AZ...south east area....no? Are you driving to Phoenix for other reasons?

 

[bracconiere]

franchises down here too....i guess...... that's what the name says on the building.....

 

[CodeSection]

franchises down here too....

Ok. I'm guessing it is the same place I go to but with a different name.....on S. Country Club?

 

[bracconiere]

nope...

https://www.superpages.com/bp/sierra-vista-az/phoenix-welding-supply-co-sierra-vista-L2711265133.htm