Welding tank for O2?

[millsbrew]

So from my research non-med grade O2 is fine for brewing. However, I have read mixed reviews on tanks and clean air. For those that use a welding tank, how do you ensure "clean" O2 is in fact making it into your wort? Will a HEPA filter added to the line really help? I'm going to buy my own tank, but since they aren't always cleaned/vacuumed, I worry about particle matter getting into my final product.

Any suggestions/tips on helping increase sanitary O2 are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jbsg02]

Nothing can survive in pure oxygen, I use the small red bottles with a a wand/stone from williams brewing.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

So from my research non-med grade O2 is fine for brewing. However, I have read mixed reviews on tanks and clean air. For those that use a welding tank, how do you ensure "clean" O2 is in fact making it into your wort? Will a HEPA filter added to the line really help? I'm going to buy my own tank, but since they aren't always cleaned/vacuumed, I worry about particle matter getting into my final product.

Any suggestions/tips on helping increase sanitary O2 are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

I'll answer by asking, do you keg?

What do you do to ensure "clean" CO2 gets into your beer?

 

[hunter_le five]

I too just use the cheap disposable red tanks from Home Despot/Lowes. ~$12 each, and will last for many batches. No filter. I've noticed no ill effects. Nor has anyone else as far as I've ever heard.

 

[BrewCityBaller]

I'll answer by asking, do you keg?

What do you do to ensure "clean" CO2 gets into your beer?

I buy food grade CO2.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I buy food grade CO2.

From the same people who fill fire extinguishers on the daily?

And the OP's question was not about the grade of gas, it was about the integrity of the interior of the tank.

O2 tanks for welding tend to be steel. Medical tanks tend to be aluminum. Older CO2 tanks were also steel and had a tendency show signs of rust deposits when passed through a filter.

My point is, if the OP is using a steel CO2 tank and does not care then he should not be concerned about a steel O2 tank. Despite the fact he should prolly be concerned about both or source an aluminum O2 tank from a welding supply. Although I do not know if those are available. I've only ever seen steel O2 tanks for welding use.

 

[millsbrew]

Thanks for all the quick responses.
1 - Yes I keg. Never really thought about Co2 issues. Always assumed it was "food grade" so that was good enough.
2 - I've seen the Home Depot tanks, but figured I don't want to have to need to keep multiple tanks on hand in case I run out. The 20cf tanks will last over 300 batches.
3 - BrewCityBaller - what is Food grade O2? From what I've read, it's either Medical grade or non-med grade.
4 - Welding tanks are steel.

 

[BrewCityBaller]

Thanks for all the quick responses.
1 - Yes I keg. Never really thought about Co2 issues. Always assumed it was "food grade" so that was good enough.
2 - I've seen the Home Depot tanks, but figured I don't want to have to need to keep multiple tanks on hand in case I run out. The 20cf tanks will last over 300 batches.
3 - BrewCityBaller - what is Food grade O2? From what I've read, it's either Medical grade or non-med grade.
4 - Welding tanks are steel.

I was talking about food grade CO2, for kegging. I was being a smartass in response to GilaMinumBeer's question. I didn't realize we were talking about the quality of the tank and not the quality of the gas. Didn't mean to confuse you!

 

[millsbrew]

I was talking more about internals on the tank, but also the O2. Seems that I don't need to worry about the O2. But I'll re-ask my original question, is a HEPA filter a good idea? What do others do with welding tanks and non-med grade O2?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I was talking more about internals on the tank, but also the O2. Seems that I don't need to worry about the O2. But I'll re-ask my original question, is a HEPA filter a good idea? What do others do with welding tanks and non-med grade O2?

I forget the name of the automation tweaker here, but, prior to seeing a post of his here I had never even considered the issue. A inline HEPA filter was used on his CO2 system and evidenced a signifigant staining of the filter media.

But, again, that was his CO2.

HEPA is what 0.3 micron? Most of the diffuser stones are 0.5 thus I don't see the need to filter unless the diffuser stone has a tendency to plug.

 

[sandyeggoxj]

I use welding o2 in steel tanks. No problems. My tank is 125cf so it will take a while. I use it for oxy acetylene cutting as well. Dual purpose cylinder.