15 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

I went to my local supplier yesterday.  I needed CO2, base malt, flaked corn and some other things.  I pull up and the store is dark, empty and permanently closed.  I start to think about being able to get most everything I need online but CO2 might be different.  There was a fire-extinguisher place near me that would fill my tanks so I drove over there .. permanently closed!  I looked online to see if another place I used to go to was still open .. Brew & Grow.  Permanently closed!  I'm not sure if online suppliers are taking over or if homebrewing is at an all-time low.  I found a place called Airgas that is close to the girl's house and the guy there said they don't "fill" anything .. they just have exchanges for 5, 10 and 20# tanks so I'm stopping there this afternoon.  I may pick up an extra 5# tank to bring up to the lake for the draft fridge I plan to bring up there.   

[positiveContact]

Lots of airgas locations around here I think and yes, they all seem to only do exchanges. I use a welding supply place. Maybe you have one of those around?

[Gusso]

The Airgas near me is a ripoff. $50 for a 20# tank. My guy in Philly charges $15-20.

[Big Nake]

The Airgas near me is a ripoff. $50 for a 20# tank. My guy in Philly charges $15-20.

I went today to exchange two 5# tanks and buy another one.  Both of my 5-pounders were out of date which means they would need to hydro test them too and I'm not sure what that costs.  It was $175 for all of that and I was not happy with that but my options are pretty slim.  I could go to the one LHBS which is 30 minutes north of me but I have no idea if they fill on-demand or if I have to drop them off one day and pick them up another day .. if so that's TWO HOURS of driving.  Not great.    

[HVB]

I went today to exchange two 5# tanks and buy another one.  Both of my 5-pounders were out of date which means they would need to hydro test them too and I'm not sure what that costs.  It was $175 for all of that and I was not happy with that but my options are pretty slim.  I could go to the one LHBS which is 30 minutes north of me but I have no idea if they fill on-demand or if I have to drop them off one day and pick them up another day .. if so that's TWO HOURS of driving.  Not great.    

 

Wow .. that is pricey.  I went to a fire extinguisher place.  Always paid cash and the price was never the same ...lol.  That is gone now since he retired.  I have a bunch of full tanks but if I ever get back to it and need gas I will be heading to welding place because that is all I have left.

[Big Nake]

Wow .. that is pricey.  I went to a fire extinguisher place.  Always paid cash and the price was never the same ...lol.  That is gone now since he retired.  I have a bunch of full tanks but if I ever get back to it and need gas I will be heading to welding place because that is all I have left.

I have a welding place too but the drive is really a PITA.  I will noodle with it.  This is why I picked up another tank .. to push off the inevitable refill of CO2 a little further out.  

[Big Nake]

I thought I would use my place up north as a resource too.  I did some searching for CO2 refills or exchanges up there and two places were mentioned including an Ace.  I called both places .. no CO2.  Neddles .. if you stick your head in here, maybe let me know if you know any places around Tomahawk.  I'd be happy to being my empties up there and exchange them.  

[Big Nake]

I did find a place in Wausau called American Welding and they refill 5 and 10-pound tanks as long as the cylinder is inside it’s date. It’s just off the highway and I go up there pretty regularly so this could work out nicely. Funny I can’t find a nearby place but 3½ hours away is a good option! If the tank is outside it's date they will take the tank and have it hydro tested for $25 and then fill it.

[neddles]

I did find a place in Wausau called American Welding and they refill 5 and 10-pound tanks as long as the cylinder is inside it’s date. It’s just off the highway and I go up there pretty regularly so this could work out nicely. Funny I can’t find a nearby place but 3½ hours away is a good option! If the tank is outside it's date they will take the tank and have it hydro tested for $25 and then fill it.

That’s my place. Was going to recommend it but looks like you found it!

[Big Nake]

That’s my place. Was going to recommend it but looks like you found it!

Nice, thanks.  It's on the way and I talked with someone there.  Close to 51 so easy on, easy off.  Cheers.  

[Enid Puceflange]

OK, late to the party as ever, but a couple of thoughts - first welding CO2 is not the same as food grade, be careful to specify that. Second, getting a tank hydro tested isn't actually all that expensive (I think I paid $15 to get my 30lb welding argon tank hydro'd) - it DOES take a while tho. Look for a diving supplies place and ask them where they take scuba tanks, it's the same process. And - if you swap tanks, make SURE the tank you get has a newer hydro.....cos they WILL try that one at Airgas....plus some tanks can't be recertified.

 

It's also possible to rent a 100lb cylinder for not much money per year ... last time I looked that was a reasonable option....

[HVB]

If only there was a thread on how to do CO2 capture...https://web.archive....?showtopic=7848

 

[denny]

OK, late to the party as ever, but a couple of thoughts - first welding CO2 is not the same as food grade, be careful to specify that. Second, getting a tank hydro tested isn't actually all that expensive (I think I paid $15 to get my 30lb welding argon tank hydro'd) - it DOES take a while tho. Look for a diving supplies place and ask them where they take scuba tanks, it's the same process. And - if you swap tanks, make SURE the tank you get has a newer hydro.....cos they WILL try that one at Airgas....plus some tanks can't be recertified.

 

It's also possible to rent a 100lb cylinder for not much money per year ... last time I looked that was a reasonable option....

FWIW, I've been getting CO2 from a welding place for 20+ years and never found anything wrong with it.

[positiveContact]

FWIW, I've been getting CO2 from a welding place for 20+ years and never found anything wrong with it.

If I remember correctly, the place I go to just uses good grade because it's easier to just keep one type. It's not just welding supply though.

[HVB]

If I remember correctly, the place I go to just uses good grade because it's easier to just keep one type. It's not just welding supply though.

 

I think I asked one time at the welding place and that was a similar answer to what I got.  I think they also showed me some paperwork with the purity info.  This was a while ago so my memory could be off...lol

[denny]

I think I asked one time at the welding place and that was a similar answer to what I got.  I think they also showed me some paperwork with the purity info.  This was a while ago so my memory could be off...lol

When I checked with someone in the industry, I was told the difference is the price, not the product.