Do you refill or exchange your CO2 bottles

[Blindguardian]

I am just wondering what everyone here does about getting there CO2 as I am very new to kegging and I have my set-up on the way for kegging.

thanks

 

[Walker]

I exchange at a welding supply shop because (a) I never have to worry about paying for re-certification of the tank and (b) it's cheaper than getting it filled at the LHBS.

I started kegging with a used system so I had no attachment to the tank in any way. I give them a used empty tank, they give me back a used full tank.

If I had dropped a bunch of money on a brand new tank, I might be inclined to have it refilled.

 

[Dave258]

Refill. Both new tanks . 10#-$20.00 and 5# $12.00 (I think).

 

[Apollo]

I've only had to do it once since I recently started kegging, but I exchange mine out. 20lb for ~$22

 

[Manfish]

Exchange... cost me $11 and change last Friday.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Wife bought me a brand new tank so I refill. No way I'm giving them brand new tank for some junker. If she wouldn't have surprised me, I'd went with exchanges from the beginning.

 

[Walker]

Refill. Both new tanks . 10#-$20.00 and 5# $12.00 (I think).

That's a good price. My LHBS charges something like $12 just to hook your tank to theirs, and then $1 or something per pound of CO2.

 

[TeufelBrew]

Exchange. LHBS, liqour store and refills are about even, but I don't have to re-cert on exchanged tanks. I'm around $15 for a 5# tank.

 

[MBasile]

Last time I exchanged an out of date 20# for a new 20# for ~$30 or something. Next time I'll be taking it for a refill at my local beverage fountain supply company. Refills are ~$21 there

 

[SevenFields]

I have a brand new tank so I just get it refilled, cost me $12.
I dont want to exchange a new bright and shiney tank for a rusty looking old one. Thats just me!

 

[Airborneguy]

Exchange, free. Long story that I definitely can't tell here.

 

[StevePT]

I get my tank refilled at a Fire Control store in towm. It has been MUCH cheaper then when I exchanged it at the LHBS. I had a 5 lb tank I was exchaning for ~$27 and it was only $18 to refill. Then I got a 15 lb tank from the fire control place for $75 with a fresh cert and full. That tank only cost me $20 to refill!!!!

 

[david_42]

I've never done anything except exchange tanks. I got my original tanks used and flat don't care if they are shiny or not. Exchanging takes about two minutes and $8. Filling is a 'come back in two hours'.

 

[cedar_lake]

I exchanged my brand new shiny tank for a full ugly one at AirGas. The guy tried to pull the nicest looking one for me, anyway. As long as it pushes and carbs my beer, I don't really care.

25 bucks, I think, for a five pounder.

 

[StevePT]

Wow!!! Yeah if I could exchange for $8 I would to. Luckily it only takes them 2 minutes to refill. Why is it so expensive for CO2 where I live?

 

[marzsit]

exchange at airgas, $8 for a 5lb and $17 for a 20lb.

 

[JohnnyO]

I have mine refilled. Mostly because that's what my local compressed gas place does. My tank sits in the back of my kegerator, and I only see it when I exchange kegs.

That being said, I guess it's nice knowing there's a nice shiny aluminum one sitting there.

My place charges either $16 or $18 for the fill. Can't remember.

 

[cedar_lake]

OK all you "8 bucks at Airgas" guys- why did I pay so much? Is the variability state-to state that much?

Though I do like the relative ease of being in and out of there in five minutes and the opportunity to look at all the fun welding stuff they have...

 

[Garr-Ro]

I HAVE to go with the exchange option. Local Airgas store in OK does not fill anything, they are setup as exchange only and ship their empties for replacement @ a larger facility 70 miles away. I checked this option before purchasing a new tank....otherwise I would have been doing the driving for a refill.

 

[vnakkar]

When I got my hands on one, it was used and out of date, but nice looking. The shop I exchanged it at said: "You have a pretty tank, so I'll try and exchange it for another pretty tank." He charged me for the exchange, and a fee for the test. I'll be normal exchanges from here on out.

 

[catspajamas]

i just got mine refilled at red comet (fire extinguisher joint) for $8 for a 5lb

 

[camiller]

At the part time job (liquor store/LHBS/Bridal) we do beverage catering for wedding parties and the like so we have something like 25 jockey boxes. I take mine in and the service fills it next time they come in -- cost to me $0.00. On occasion if one of our bartenders call me at home from a party saying the CO2 ran out, I'll just grab my spare and take it over to swap out helps me justify getting my refills for free.

Pro Tip: Always have two tanks. Your CO2 will run out 10 min after your gas shop closes for the night, and usually just before game time.

 

[Blindguardian]

I am going to have my CO2 5# tank refilled just because I do not want to exchange it for a old beat up one. I called around and found a fire equipment place that will refill it for $18 and for an exchange at the local welding shop they wanted $23. I wish I lived in some of the places I have seen posted here where it is only costing people $8 - $11!

 

[bfeucht]

Depends... I go to a local fire store and if they have a pretty bottle I exchange if not I'll just wait a day or two and have it filled. They charge me $10 either way.

 

[HoppyDaze]

exchange at airgas, $8 for a 5lb and $17 for a 20lb.

me too.......123

 

[ipatch]

If your in Ft Worth, TX twobucks will refill a 5 lb tank for about $10.00 which a lot cheaper than the $16 price I got quoted from a paintball store that was further away.

cheers
-Chris

 

[Edcculus]

Yea, wish I could find a cheaper place. Airgas wants to exchange. I have a nice aluminum tank, so no thanks. I can't find anyone to refill for less than $20. Kind of steep for 5lbs of CO2 IMO.

 

[ipatch]

Yea, wish I could find a cheaper place. Airgas wants to exchange. I have a nice aluminum tank, so no thanks. I can't find anyone to refill for less than $20. Kind of steep for 5lbs of CO2 IMO.

damn, that sucks.

 

[KillerKellers]

Exchange.. I think an exchange on my 20lb is like 15 bucks I think. Been awhile though, I have a few tanks and don't usually exchange them until I am on the last tank.

 

[JuanMoore]

Exchange. I bought some ugly out of date used 20# steel tanks on craigslist pretty cheap. One of them I exchanged for a clean 20# aluminum tank which cost ~$40 initially with the hydro fee, and ~$22 to exchange later. The other one I traded for a clean 10# aluminum and they waived the hydro fee since I was downsizing, so it only cost me $15. I always ask for a clean aluminum tank when I exchange, and they've always had one so far.