CO2 tank longevity

[Reverend JC]

how long will a 5lb tank last?

I suppose there is 2 variables here:

1. Naturally Carbonated beer

2. Forced Carbonation

If i naturally do it, i.e. add some corn sugar and let it sit in the keg, once hooked up to the CO2 how long, or how many kegs can i get through with one 5lb tank?

What about if i force carbonate?

thanks

Reverend

 

[david_42]

I replace my soda water keg about every ten days and I get 2-3 months out of a 5 lb bottle. When it was just ale, a bottle lasted 6 months or more. Naturally, it depends on how much carbonation you want. Some folks here seem to be going as high as 4-5 volumes, which is more than I use with my soda water!

5 lbs of CO2 is about 70 kegs in terms of volume. 2 volumes of carbonation + dispensing at 15 psi means you use 4 volumes per keg.

 

[Reverend JC]

Hey thanks.

I was trying to answer a question about whether i wanted a 5 or ten lb tank. sounds like a 5lb tank will work just fine.

 

[EdWort]

I replace my soda water keg about every ten days and I get 2-3 months out of a 5 lb bottle. When it was just ale, a bottle lasted 6 months or more. Naturally, it depends on how much carbonation you want. Some folks here seem to be going as high as 4-5 volumes, which is more than I use with my soda water!

5 lbs of CO2 is about 70 kegs in terms of volume. 2 volumes of carbonation + dispensing at 15 psi means you use 4 volumes per keg.

How long does it take you to carbonate your soda water? What PSI do you set it at for carbonation and then for dispensing? Thanks.

 

[rdwj]

Hey thanks.

I was trying to answer a question about whether i wanted a 5 or ten lb tank. sounds like a 5lb tank will work just fine.

I'd get the #10. They're not that much more money and the cost of filling them isn't even close to double (at least around here).

 

[BootYtRappeR]

I'd get the #10. They're not that much more money and the cost of filling them isn't even close to double (at least around here).

if you are keeping it in the fridge with your kegs make sure you will have enough room with a 10lb (they are a lot bigger)

 

[kornkob]

I prefer the 5# for portability reasons. When its time for a cookout or a picnic, the 5# is a lot more portable.

I acutally have 3 5# tanks and that makes it easy to rotate out the empties.

 

[Reverend JC]

from what i have heard about being a bit more tuff to adjust if you put them in the fridge i see no reason why i would not keep it outside of the fridge. I am building my home bar around the fridge so a CO2 line hanging over the side of the fridge to the tank will not be seen.

But, how much will room temp CO2 warm my beer up as it pushes the sweet nectar of the gods out of the tap?

 

[mysterio]

Around here it costs the same to get a large cylinder refilled as a small one -- I'd tend to go for the big one.

 

[david_42]

Soda water takes about 48 hours at 25 psi & 45F. The primary regulator is outside the kegger and is set to 25 psi. The internal line splits to two secondary regulators and the soda water. I just leave it at 25 psi.

The CO2 will chill as it expands through the primary regulator.