Possible to use a CO2 tank w/o a regulator with a keg?

[collint25]

I just got a keg today and the only problem is I don't have a regulator for my co2 tank. I'm gonna have to tap the keg tomorrow so I'm just going to have to do without a regulator for the time being. Would it be possible for me to fiddle with the co2 nozzle till I find a sweet spot that gives a good pour? Or is that going to be near impossible without a regulator?

UPDATE: Okay so apparently that's not a good idea. Good news is I just found an old regulator but the gauges are busted. Would I have any luck with this?

 

[jrgtr42]

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!
without a regulator, you've got massive pressure coming out of the tank - that's why you need a regulator. There isn't a spot small enough to keep 10-ish PSI from a tank without something keep it tamped down.

 

[Iseneye]

No. It's called a regulator for a reason.

 

[TX_Brewing]

Very very bad idea. Just float the keg and be done with it.

 

[b-boy]

You will blow the pressure valve off of your keg. If you don't have a pressure valve, you'll probably blow up the keg.

 

[day_trippr]

Serious case of Bad Juju here.

CO2 cylinder pressure at room temp is around 800 psi.
Keg PRVs are rated for around 85 psi.
Kegs are rated for around 135 psi.

All kinds of BOOM! potential...

Cheers!

 

[Wldthang87]

The valve on your co2 tank, would not limit the amount of pressure, eventually the pressure on both sides of the valve (both in the keg and in the tank) would come into equilibrium with each other and you'd have between 800-1000 psi, 'pounds per square inch' on both sides of the valve. Which would blow a line or a fitting, or rupture the keg. Beer would definitely be all over and hopefully wouldn't kill anyone, if it's a corny keg the safety valve would blow.

A regulator used downstream pressure in conjunction with the adjustment dial, to basically open and close a popet valve off vent on built into the regulator. Search google for "how does a regulator work" click onto images.

Best solution is find a harbor height or princess auto, or a misc welding shop and pick up a cheap co2 regulator. I got mine at a harbor height for $35. And brought in a 20% off coupon that's readily available online. While I save up for a really nice one.

 

[OleBrewing]

It is a very bad idea. But with anappropriate needle valve I suppose it could work. I wouldn't try it. Besides getting the plumbing together etc would be a pain. Maybe you have a great paintball source near by, then you might be able to finagle something together to serve beer. Or use one of those little co2 carterige thingys.

 

[collint25]

Okay so apparently that's not a good idea. Good news is I just found an old regulator but the gauges are busted. Would I have any luck with this?

 

[BrewDoc1518]

You're still in the same boat if the gauges are busted. How will you know what your pressure really is? Spend the money and get a regulator that works.

 

[collint25]

You're still in the same boat if the gauges are busted. How will you know what your pressure really is? Spend the money and get a regulator that works.

Tire pressure gauge maybe? I mean it's regulator so at least now I can get it to a low enough PSI right? Like I said it's only temporary and I'm willing to spend the money to order one but the keg is being used tomorrow and there's no where local where I can get a new regulator. I'd just rather not float the keg and waste what hasn't been drank.

 

[BrewDoc1518]

Well in that case, you could try turning the regulator all the way down, and give it small turns until you get an acceptable pour out of it. Just understand that you're taking risks of the regulator not working at all and it letting too much pressure through. Not sure how you would get a tire pressure gauge rigged up, but I guess that would be better than hooking it up to the keg and guessing.

 

[Saboral]

If something is amiss in the regulator and it over pressurized your keg you are risking life, limb, and beer. Go out and pickup some new gauges. You might even be able to find some basic pressure gauges at a hardware store or harbor freight.

Case in point I had an oxygen reg on my acetylene torch setup and the reg has a damaged diaphragm. As a result it once crept up to 100 psi and scared that **** out of me when it blew a hose fitting.

 

[FuzzeWuzze]

Is your life worth more than $40?

Dont do it. With either of those broken things.