Purchasing CO2 Tank

[sonvolt]

What do I need to know about purchasing a CO2 tank?

Obviously, a new one would be ideal because I would know that it was appropriate for use with a kegging system. However, what should I consider when purchasing a used one from a place like e-bay? Are all CO2 tanks equal? Would some of them be unfit for use with a kegging system, etc?

 

[2nd Street Brewery]

You need to find out when the last time it was hydrotested. If it is over 5 yrs since the last test they must retest and if it fails you lose it. Most places swap out tanks and give you a full one and take your old one, some will fill it. But if you are out of date

 

[sonvolt]

The e-bay listing says that it was tested in Feb of 2006 . . . so that should be good. But I shouldn't have to worry about cleanliness of the inside, etc?

 

[Kaiser]

I got mine from a welding supply shop, where I exchance it for a full one when I need a refill. Pretty much the same thing that you do with the LP cylinders. If you buy a new one, you have to watch out that you can get it filled rather than exchanged.

Kai

 

[kornkob]

But I shouldn't have to worry about cleanliness of the inside, etc?

Not in general. I've never heard of a CO2 cylinder that someone managed to get something inside of. It'd be pretty challenging.

 

[sonvolt]

Not in general. I've never heard of a CO2 cylinder that someone managed to get something inside of. It'd be pretty challenging.

Yeah . . .my thoughts were similar. I was talking with a shop/welding teacher at the school where I teach about getting a CO2 tank (I was hoping he would tell me that he had an extra ). He said to be careful about getting a tank used by a welder because it would be dirty inside. I thought that this was kind of weird, too.

 

[kornkob]

You'd need to take an empty tank and push somethign back through the hose. I suppose it is possible if you use a regulator with no check valve and hook a keg up to a bone dry tank that some beer might get inside the tank but I doubt it.

A welder--- I can't imagine how a welder is getting stuff in the tank. THat welder wodul ahve to be doing some downright scarey dangerous stuff with their equipment to get anything inside either of their gas tanks.

 

[david_42]

I don't know if I would take a shop teacher's word for anything, ours cut his finger off demonstrating the band saw! The welding shop I get my CO2 from just swaps bottles. It's great, I don't have to wait for it to be filled or worry about testing. Also, I started with two steel bottles and he gave me aluminum ones in trade, they weight less full than an empty steel one. He keeps the steel ones for people that demand steel. They are tested to the same standards.

 

[sonvolt]

I don't know if I would take a shop teacher's word for anything, ours cut his finger off demonstrating the band saw! .

Didn't everyone's!!!! Can you imagine being at a shop teacher's conference . . . more missing digits than Enron's budget!!!!!!

 

[ajf]

The e-bay listing says that it was tested in Feb of 2006 . . . so that should be good. But I shouldn't have to worry about cleanliness of the inside, etc?

Did the e-bay listing say it had passed the test?

-a.

 

[sonvolt]

yep, it sure did.

 

[freyguy]

I found a local beverage company and got mine from there. They charge $50 deposit for a 20lb bottle, and $17 for the fill. They said they don't care if they never see the tank again because they have the $50. And it can be filled anywhere, or exchanged for a filled tank at the beverage place. If it's reaching it's hydrotesting experation date, just exchange it.

Now I just have to get a fridge and keg system to start using it. Now it just fills up my truck tires after driving on the beach!