CO2 in Freezer?

[jtcweb]

I got a fridge/freezer for free so that what my kegs are going in for now. It easily fits my 2 kegs and the 5lb CO2 bottle, but I want to add more kegs and am wondering if there is any downside to moving the CO2 bottle up into the top freezer and finding some way to snake the gas hose down into the main fridge part.

I've been making wine for 4 years now but am new to brewing beer (just started my 3 batch). SWMBO was filling a glass from the tap said "you aren't going to let this run out are you". It is good to have a hobby that your wife approves of

 

[dbrewski]

There are a number of posts on cutting a hole in the side of the fridge to store the CO2 outside. I did it, not that hard, then you snake the gas hose through that way. I would not be the man to tell you whether it is OK to freeze the tank or not, but I do know you can't lay them on their side and I'm not sure what effect it might have on the gauge.

 

[jaytizzle]

You don't have to worry about the temp, CO2 doesn't freeze until about -110F. The biggest problem with this is that the high pressure side gauge will read a little lower than in the fridge but that's not a problem at all. As dbrewski said, though, I don't think you can lay it on its side.

 

[Toymaker]

If you lay it on it's side the CO2 tank will be dispensing liquid CO2. This is bad for regulators not to mention the beer.

 

[demagxc]

My experience and knowledge of CO2 come from paintball but from what ive seen, as the temps get closer to freezing the paintball guns stop functioning properly when CO2 is used. I would assume that in this situation the lower temperatures would not provide the pressures you are looking for.

 

[pacayaforhops]

I carb my beer with paintball tanks (got to make due with what I have) and stick them in the kegerator at close to 32*F, as long as they stand vertical there's no problem with the gas itself. Now the seals in the system are another beast entirely, high durometer urethane seals will do well, but buna-n o'rings don't like the cold, so I find myself changing o'rings on the HP side of my regulator rig more often than I'd like (once every 5-6 kegs, or once every 3 12oz fills).