For those who live in/near Madison WI looking for gas...

[Michael Westen]

Bump to update Madison Recharging Services since it's been about 8 months.

1. Moved to 1128 Stewart St. between Fish Hatchery and Hwy 14 south of the Beltline.
2. 5# CO2 refill is just under $28.

Went yesterday for a refill, unfortunately they were out of CO2. The people were super friendly, I can't express how nice both of the people I interacted with were. I arrived right after they closed and they let me in anyway, helped me fill out paperwork to leave tank overnight. The tank was ready for pickup earlier this morning. I'll try to get a price sheet or picture to share.

I'm far east, any updates about eastside places that fill and what they charge?

I know Cannery Wine & Spirits on Main St. in Sun Prairie charges around $35 for 5# tank swap. Seems like they get tanks about once per month so you might want to call to make sure they have bottles if you want one. They do not fill on site.

 

[Michael Westen]

Bump to update Madison Recharging Services since it's been about 8 months.

1. Moved to 1128 Stewart St. between Fish Hatchery and Hwy 14 south of the Beltline.
2. 5# CO2 refill is just under $28.

Went yesterday for a refill, unfortunately they were out of CO2. The people were super friendly, I can't express how nice both of the people I interacted with were. I arrived right after they closed and they let me in anyway, helped me fill out paperwork to leave tank overnight. The tank was ready for pickup earlier this morning. I'll try to get a price sheet or picture to share.

I'm far east, any updates about eastside places that fill and what they charge?

I know Cannery Wine & Spirits on Main St. in Sun Prairie charges around $35 for 5# tank swap. Seems like they get tanks about once per month so you might want to call to make sure they have bottles if you want one. They do not fill on site.

ETA: As previously stated in the thread above there was a sale of parts of the company and I don't know the history. I looked up Madison Recharging Services on google maps, found the location on Winnebago St., called the number and was forwarded to Summit Companies at 1128 Stewart Street. The 5# refill at Summit was 27.70. I was told it is "food grade" CO2. I can not at this time independently verify this info but was told that the location on Winnebago St will fill CO2 but it is industrial grade/mixed with NO2 and can give a metallic taste.

I was unable to get a price sheet and they are not allowing people inside the business beyond the foyer at this time and are still running a skeleton crew. The location on Stewart St. does pressure testing in house. Right now it is done 2 days a week.

 

[cactusgarrett]

The location on Winnebago is still open - and now doing their normal business hours, btw.

The split in businesses found the one on Stewart St. doing beverage business while the one on Winnebago does utility things (paintball, fire extinguishers, etc.). Both do CO2 tank fills, though.

 

[wiav8or]

Madison area brewers, I'm moving to Sun Prairie and looking for tank refill suggestions in the area (brew clubs too!). I have two tanks and generally had them filled in Baraboo. I feel pretty stupid after reading this post because I think I've been drinking Co2 mixed for welding for years and years.

Suggestions please - thanks!

 

[jseyfert3]

Madison area brewers, I'm moving to Sun Prairie and looking for tank refill suggestions in the area (brew clubs too!). I have two tanks and generally had them filled in Baraboo. I feel pretty stupid after reading this post because I think I've been drinking Co2 mixed for welding for years and years.

Suggestions please - thanks!

Refill only or is swap fine? I live in Janesville and I got a 20 lb at Airgas. It was food grade, aluminum tank and when I need more it’s a swap for ~$30. There’s an Airgas on the east side of Madison on 51. Not sure if they swap tanks not originally purchased from them though.

Also I wouldn’t worry about the gas. CO2 isn’t “mixed” for welding if it’s sold as CO2 and not a mixed gas. I’ve never seen anything conclusive on food grade vs industrial tanks except the FDA requires some additional testing on purity for food grade CO2. But in all likelihoodboth food grade and industrial grade tanks are filled from the same bulk tank.

 

[wiav8or]

Refill only or is swap fine? I live in Janesville and I got a 20 lb at Airgas. It was food grade, aluminum tank and when I need more it’s a swap for ~$30. There’s an Airgas on the east side of Madison on 51. Not sure if they swap tanks not originally purchased from them though.

Also I wouldn’t worry about the gas. CO2 isn’t “mixed” for welding if it’s sold as CO2 and not a mixed gas. I’ve never seen anything conclusive on food grade vs industrial tanks except the FDA requires some additional testing on purity for food grade CO2. But in all likelihoodboth food grade and industrial grade tanks are filled from the same bulk tank.

Good info - thanks. I'm good with swapping tanks. I have two (one 5 lb and one 20 lb).

 

[cactusgarrett]

In general, I think people have issues with AirGas as a company not being accommodating. I can't speak to filling in the Sun Prairie area, but the Winnebago St. shop is still open, and I make the trek there (from the SE side) whenever I need to fill my 20lb tank.

If you're looking for clubs, there are a number here - McFarland Hoplslingers for the SE side, Sun Prairie Wort Hogs for the north side, and the Madison Homebrew & Tasters Guild for the catch-all, but they are HUGE.

 

[Bcheek1327]

Refill 10lb tank at summit fire’s Stewart street location $35

 

[Cottonmouth]

I just moved north of Janesville and I'll be needing co2 sometime soon. Kinda like to hang onto my 5 and 20# shiny aluminum tanks but wouldn't mind trading in my steel 20# tank that needs a recert. Not sure how this trade in thing works, I've always been able to get my tanks refilled but you gotta do what you gotta do. It's not like you can run down to walmart and pick up some co2

 

[day_trippr]

Consider swapping your 20# tank for a 20# siphon tank, then pick up a transfer hose set.
I did this a couple years ago and my only regret was not doing it a decade earlier...

Cheers!

 

[mbronkalla]

Airgas will swap tanks that were not purchased there (at least eh Brookfield WI one does). I started out with a new Al tank and they swapped to a "nice looking" Al tank. I subsequent swaps they have switched with steel (out of Al) and back with appropriate charges or credits as applicable. The thing I dont like about the steel tanks is the valve is unprotected and if it rolls around on the floor it can (and did ) open some on a turn. Quick pull over to close it.

 

[hansh]

2023 update:
Jefferson Fire filled my 5# tank today for $18.

Really nice staff and it took less than 5 minutes.

 

[cactusgarrett]

A+ Heler's is a very reliable option, too.

Current prices:
5 lb float test $30
5 lb fill for $14
10 lb fill for $16