Where to get beer gas.
One easy way to get gas is to brew up a malty ale and forget to put a whirlfloc tablet in the kettle. Then, when its nice and carbonated, drink three or four pints and wait an hour or so…
Oh, wait…
Where to get CO2 to push the beer out of the keg! What really worked for me the last time is ask my father in law to fill it up when he takes the work cylinders in to be filled. Realistically there are probably not that many father in laws out there that can do that, so the second best way is to look in the phone book.
Check for welding equipment and supplies as well as welding gas. There are some big companies out there, like Praxair as well as smaller folks. The bigger companies usually don’t deal in the five and ten pound cylinders though. Most places I have run into in Minnesota swap the cylinder out rather than filling it on the premises. For this reason I stress to folks buying a new kegging kit to skip out on the shiny pretty new aluminum cylinder since the first fill will likely be the last time you see it.
For a bit cheaper than new the company will likely “sell” you a filled one. Then each subsequent filling you only have to pay for the gas. The last time mine was filled it was under $20. My 10lb cylinder lasts almost two years, less when I brew more, but I’ve only swapped it three or four times since I started.
The next place is fire extinguisher places. Look for the industrial places that cater to warehouses and the like. Again the price will be very reasonable. The first place I got mine from was a fire extinguisher place, and he wanted me to sign up for their filling plan. At the time I had no idea how long it would take to use up the gas and prudently passed on that offer.
Its been suggested to look at paintball retailers for a fill as well, but since I have no experience with that I cannot comment on whether or not that is a good source.
Just knowing where to look is the hardest part of the battle!
Cheers!
[...] Original post by Brew Dad - Nothing but beer [...]
May 16th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I made the mistake of getting a 10lb aluminum cylinder. Ooops. I went to one place to get it filled, and they told me that they only do exchanges, and while they will take my aluminum, I will get a steel one in it’s place. I passed.
I finally found a place in Plymouth MN that would do fills during certain hours. Fortunately I had a friend who works in Plymouth that was willing to help me out. I think I paid $18 for the fill. I’ve heard there’s a place off of University and Vandalia in St. Paul that will also do fills.
I’ve heard about paintball places, but I’ve also heard that most of them aren’t equipped to do tanks any bigger than what goes on a paintball gun.
May 17th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I heard second or third hand that there is a lubricant in the paintball cylinders as well. I have no basis for that info, so take it with a grain … no a block of salt.
Williams or NB has a regulator that fits on paintball tanks too.
I wish I could tell everyone about the swapping gig! I’d hate to see my pretty new aluminum cylinder get swapped for a banged up steel.
May 17th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
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