What size CO2 tank?

[jim_reaper1066]

Im new to kegging and have just picked up half a dozen old pepsi kegs. Me and my buddy are going to be building a keezer this fall, but Im not sure what size tank I will need for this setup. Is there a certain tank size to number of kegs equation I should be following, or will any size of tank work? Thanks!

 

[ArcaneXor]

Any size tank will work, but the bigger your tank, the less you will spend on CO2 in the long run (the gas is cheap, so you pay mostly for labor, i.e. it's not all that much more expensive to fill a 20-lb tank than a 5-lb tank).

I am very happy with my 10-lb aluminum tank.

 

[user 21663]

As big as you can afford, and will work with your setup, i.e. keeping keg inside vs outside the kegerator. Some people like to keep them inside so as not to trip over it when you are making your 12th trip to the kegerator some night.

Also, make sure you check your local co2 options. You don't want to get a nice shiny co2 tank to find out that the local guys only do exchanges. I can do both where I am by the guy let's me pick which one I want to exchange.

 

[abracadabra]

The best prices I can find here in Atlanta on normal sizes used for beer are on 20 lb tank exchanges. 2.5, 5, 10, lb. tanks are exclusively refills and cost as much or more than 20 lb tank exchanges. The exception is your local brew store who will exchange small tanks and usually charge double what a gas distributor or fire ext. place charges. Additionally some places can't refill anything less than a 20 lb tank. 15 lb tanks are odd balls so they are hard to exchange.

It's good to have a spare and or a small tank for taking to parties, weddings, tailgating ect.

If you can muscle and transport the big boys 50lb that will save you even more money over the long haul

Stevo gave great advise about seeing what your local situation is before you purchase.

Also keep in mind that a tank has to be recertified every 5 years with a Hydro test with an exchange that's not your problem, when you own it is your problem and recertifcation is at your expense which may run from $20-$45 depending on local conditions

If you bring an expired tank in for an exchange some places may charge for a hydro test and others might not even look at the date stamped on the tank. So knowing your local market, knowing the test date before you purchase are both very important

 

[jim_reaper1066]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I have limited options where I live, very few homebrew shops cater to beer, and fewer still carry kegging supplies. A local compressed gas company will give me a 3 year lease on a 20lb tank for 99 bucks. This is the best deal I have found so im going to pick one up.