18 replies to this topic

[chadm75]

There are VERY few places in St. Louis here that will refill Co2 tanks. Most I've talked to exchange them for full ones. Thing is, I've got about a year old tank that is practically brand new and I prefer not to give it up. What's everyone else do? For those who exchange their's, ever have any issues?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

There are VERY few places in St. Louis here that will refill Co2 tanks. Most I've talked to exchange them for full ones. Thing is, I've got about a year old tank that is practically brand new and I prefer not to give it up. What's everyone else do? For those who exchange their's, ever have any issues?

I have it filled b/c that place is the cheapest. If it was cheaper to exchange I'd probably do that.

[RommelMagic]

I just exchange mine. I had a nice, shiny Al tank too, but I said screw it. If the looks of your tank is important to you, they do sell covers for them. You could also see if you can have the place provide you with an Al tank instead of steel for an exchange

[denny]

I used to go for the fill, now I do exchange...WAY easier.

[ANUSTART]

For me it's cheaper and easier to do a refill, not an exchange. I go to a fire extinguisher shop and get my 10lb tank filled for cheap. I wish I could remember the price... it's something like $10 or $12. They do it as I wait and the shop isnt very far from my house.Have you been only looking at industrial gas or beverage supply places? I suggest checking out fire extinguisher shops. They're usually more friendly too from my experience.

[Mynameisluka]

For me it's cheaper and easier to do a refill, not an exchange. I go to a fire extinguisher shop and get my 10lb tank filled for cheap. I wish I could remember the price... it's something like $10 or $12. They do it as I wait and the shop isnt very far from my house.Have you been only looking at industrial gas or beverage supply places? I suggest checking out fire extinguisher shops. They're usually more friendly too from my experience.

I have thought about checking out fire extinguisher shops myself. My only fear, and it's probably an unfounded paranoia, is that the gas may not be as "clean". Is it possible their gas could be any different and be contaminated with anything harmful? Or, do they simply get their gas from the same ole industrial supply places?

[tag]

The place I go will exchange for a similar-looking tank.

[ANUSTART]

I have thought about checking out fire extinguisher shops myself. My only fear, and it's probably an unfounded paranoia, is that the gas may not be as "clean". Is it possible their gas could be any different and be contaminated with anything harmful? Or, do they simply get their gas from the same ole industrial supply places?

As I understand it, they get it from the same places as everyone else. I've never had an issue and I've gotten at least 3 tank-fulls from fire extinguisher places and only one from a gas place.

[MtnBrewer]

I always do exchanges. The tank I get back looks just like the one I turned in. (And in one case, much better.)

[shaggaroo]

For me it's cheaper and easier to do a refill, not an exchange. I go to a fire extinguisher shop and get my 10lb tank filled for cheap. I wish I could remember the price... it's something like $10 or $12. They do it as I wait and the shop isnt very far from my house.Have you been only looking at industrial gas or beverage supply places? I suggest checking out fire extinguisher shops. They're usually more friendly too from my experience.

+1

[chadm75]

Have you been only looking at industrial gas or beverage supply places? I suggest checking out fire extinguisher shops. They're usually more friendly too from my experience.

I've never thought of that, didn't know fire extinguisher places re-filled them.Well it's cheaper for me by a couple bucks to get it filled. But my placed isn't exactly on the way home. They quoted me $10 for a #5 exchange so I'm thinking I'll just do that...

[djinkc]

I've never thought of that, didn't know fire extinguisher places re-filled them.Well it's cheaper for me by a couple bucks to get it filled. But my placed isn't exactly on the way home. They quoted me $10 for a #5 exchange so I'm thinking I'll just do that...

I've been refilling at a fire extinguisher place for years. Their gas is fine IMO and larger tanks cost less per lb to refill.

[denny]

I have thought about checking out fire extinguisher shops myself. My only fear, and it's probably an unfounded paranoia, is that the gas may not be as "clean". Is it possible their gas could be any different and be contaminated with anything harmful? Or, do they simply get their gas from the same ole industrial supply places?

It's all the same...same with O2.

[Mynameisluka]

As I understand it, they get it from the same places as everyone else. I've never had an issue and I've gotten at least 3 tank-fulls from fire extinguisher places and only one from a gas place.

That's what I figure. From the research that I have done, pretty much all CO2 comes from the same source in the US. The only real difference between food grade and industrial grade CO2 seems to be that food grade CO2 is stored in glass lined tanks, but the gas is the same. Although, some of the research I found says that food grade CO2 has a slightly higher percent of CO2, something like 99.97-99.98% CO2 for industrial, and 99.99% CO2 for food grade. Either way, industrial grade is industrial grade, and there doesn't appear to be significant differences in quality for various industrial grade CO2 sources. I agree, it's probably safe...just a paranoia that comes from learning about industrial grade vs medical grade nitrous oxide when i was in college. Don't ask me why.

[Humperdink]

There are VERY few places in St. Louis here that will refill Co2 tanks. Most I've talked to exchange them for full ones. Thing is, I've got about a year old tank that is practically brand new and I prefer not to give it up. What's everyone else do? For those who exchange their's, ever have any issues?

Find a hydroponics store. It's way cheap and most will fill while you wait.

[Deerslyr]

The place I go exchanges for "like". I have one that is AL and one that is Steel. He's a friendly guy. Knows what I'm doing and asks about what I'm making. He's got a couple dozen clients like me.

[MyaCullen]

In the case of exchanges - why even buy your own tank? Can't you go empty handed and buy a filled tank + deposit and just keep trading it out? e.g. Rhino Propane

that's what I did 5 years ago, haven't looked backcheaper also

[BarelyBrews]

I changed my old tanks out a couple of years ago for the blue rhino tanks.A little planning and im not in a rush for more gas anymore. Around $21-$22 out the door, however my gas place will fill it while i watch for $13-$14.Not too much hassle either,pretty receptionist,so yeah i go for that.

[chadm75]

I think I'm an exchange guy now, $10 as opposed to $8 getting it filled and it's MUCH more convienient for me that getting it filled. The $2 cheaper price to get it filled for me, doesn't justify a 20 minute out of the way trip on my way home from work.