CO2 tank expiry

[Fingers]

I want to build myself a keg setup and I have one Corny keg and a C02 tank. The tank was left behind in one of my rental properties so I don't know much about it. I understand that they expire and have to be serviced periocally so that they can be filled. How long are they good for? There are some numbers stamped directly into the metal of the tank on the top and it looks like the date may be '98 if they use the same sort of tracking as they use on propane tanks.

The second question I have is that the tank has got a sticker on it claiming to be the property of a large soda manufacturing company and offers a $50 reward for its return. The tank and the sticker are well worn so I don't know if the offer is valid. I don't really want to give them the tank if I don't have to because I look at it as payment for the mess left behind by my tenant. Am I legally obligated to give up the tank because of this sticker or can I remove the label and keep it?

 

[sailman]

i would pull the sticker and then go down to your local welding supply and exchange it for a full one.

 

[Orfy]

Legally, it's not yours.
Legally the gas shop can refuse to fill it and probably will.
If it's date stamp 98 then it's test period may of expired and the shop would no be allowed to refill and would probably not exchange.
Why not get in touch with the soda company and see if you get the $50 reward?

Or call the gas store and ask them?

Plus you have the personal safety thing of wanting to use a gas bottle that may not be safe. Thos things kill when they go.

 

[boo boo]

It's not yours. see if you can get your deposit ( the $50) back from the company and put it towards a new tank or see if you can rent one.
It just cost me $38 cdn to recertify and fill a 5 pounder. If the company don't want it back then clean it up and get it recertified and filled. If you are looking for new kegging equipment then these guys http://www.paddockwood.com/index.php are great to deal with.

 

[Fingers]

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I guess I should take the moral high road and call the soda company. If they don't want it back, it's mine. I'm not all that concerned with the safety aspect because if the tank is expired, the gas company won't fill it anyway. That was the original question in this thread.

Thanks for that link to the Canadian supplier, boo boo. They seem a littel pricey though. They want $80.00 plus shipping for a Corney keg. I was hoping to find something a little cheaper than that. Maybe the soda company has some?

 

[rfidd]

FYI, I bought a couple of tanks, and they both were expired. They have to be tested every five years, testing cost me $20 each and the 2.5 # tank cost $8 to fill and the 20 #er cost 18 to fill.


Rick

 

[Fingers]

Oh, for crying out loud. SWMBO and I are heading to the city on Monday, so I went out, in -35 degree fahrenheit, to get the number/address off of the tank so I can return it. The label is nothing more than a statement of claim with no information as to how to go about claiming the deposit.

Yes, deposit. My tenant was somewhat shady and I sort of assumed the tank was stolen, ergo a reward. Now I think it was simply an act of lethargy and some clown didn't bring back the tank when it was rented. It probably wasn't him because I don't think he would have had the drive to rent it to begin with!

I know, I know, it still isn't mine and a legitimate attempt must be made to return it, but now I have to call around and see if I can find the owner. There's a Coca Cola bottler in Winnipeg so I think I'll just bring it there. I think at the very least they owe me the deposit.

So now I need a tank and I have $50.00 to start. I own my 02 tank and I own my acetylene tank, but that's because I don't use that much gas volume. I can really see going through at LEAST one tank a year. Should I rent or buy?

 

[abracadabra]

So now I need a tank and I have $50.00 to start. I own my 02 tank and I own my acetylene tank, but that's because I don't use that much gas volume. I can really see going through at LEAST one tank a year. Should I rent or buy?

You might not have a choice. Your gas retailer might only offer exchanges in which case you'd have to buy. You'll have to check and see. A case could be made for and against both buying and renting. Ask your retail what the costs are for renting, hydrostatic test and buying plus the period between tests up there then do the math and see what seems best for you and your situation. You might also ask about prices for different size tanks and refill costs of each. One guy here in Atlanta charges the same price for a 5 or 10 lb. refill

 

[Orfy]

I don't think you'll get the deposit without a receipt

 

[boo boo]

Corney kegs can usually be got from the soda supplier for a cheap price. Keep in mind that you'll need to clean them and change all 5 rubber gaskets to prevent the soda smell/taste from getting in your brew.

I get my kegs from my local pepsi bottler for $23 cdn.

 

[Fingers]

I talked to my local gas supplier and I can get a 20# C02 tank for about $200.00after taxes and it's about $61.00 to fill it. It would cost nearly the same in rental charges after two years. By the third year I'd have paid for the tank already. Once I get my keg system up and running, it will have a life span FAR exceeding two or three years.

If they don't want to give me the deposit without the receipt, I'll keep the bottle and see if I can have it filled. After all, if the label says property of Coca Cola AND a fifty dollar deposit, then either both statements are true, or both statements are false. That being said, I really don't think they have any interest in not honoring what is on their label. What would be the point of putting it on in the first place? The deposit is to encourage its return.

I'll let you guys know what happens tomorrow.

 

[Fingers]

Okay, I went to the city and managed to find the Coca Cola bottling place. Orfy was right, they didn't want to give me the deposit. I was justifying keeping the tank because I got burned by my tenant and he left it behind. I figured he owed me a lot more than that so I should be able to sell or keep anything he left behind that I didn't have to cart to the dump.

The reality is that Coca Cola didn't do anything to me and don't owe me anything. The Coke rep said that they would like their tank back but won't give me the deposit. I went and got the tank from the car and gave it to them anyway.

Coke didn't have any kegs to sell and I couldn't find anyone at the scrap metal yard. I could have robbed them blind standing around in the office by myself. I even went to a brew store and asked them about kegs, but no luck. I bought some crappy little kit that you have to add dextrose to and left. I'm going to make hate beer.

So now I'm moving backward on my keg project. I officially have less equipment than I did yesterday. At least I'm an honest loser....