4 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

Awhile ago I picked up a 10-lb CO2 tank that I use strictly for carbing cold kegs of beer.  The regulator is one I have had for years and is always set at 25psi.  Purchasing 10 lbs of CO2 was $2 more than buying 5 lbs (which is nice) but it sure seems like this tank is hanging around much longer than twice as long as a 5 lb tank.  Do they cram more than double the amount of gas into a 10 pounder than a 5 pounder?  Also, this is the first time that I have actually seen the gauge (that tells you how much gas is left) slowly fall and eventually reach the red "order gas" section of the gauge instead of just immediately going from full to empty as it normally does.  I'm carbing up a Centennial Red Ale and it may be the last batch for this tank. 

[MtnBrewer]

I doubt they're putting more than 10 lbs. of liquid CO2 in the tank. If you're seeing the needle fall, that means you're out of liquid CO2 and now you're on just gas.

[neddles]

Have you been moving things to the keg sooner? If so, perhaps there is a higher level than normal of CO2 in solution leftover from fermentation?

[Big Nake]

Have you been moving things to the keg sooner? If so, perhaps there is a higher level than normal of CO2 in solution leftover from fermentation?

No, nothing like that.  I just thought that this tank would last me a little longer and it ended up lasting me A LOT longer, it seems.

 

 

I doubt they're putting more than 10 lbs. of liquid CO2 in the tank. If you're seeing the needle fall, that means you're out of liquid CO2 and now you're on just gas.

The gauge for the volume is in the red zone but not completely down.  The PSI gauge is still at 25.  I will just watch it and assume that this batch may be the last for this tank or maybe it will only get carbed halfway or whatever.  I just started it this morning and it should go until Thursday morning.  If not, I'll get it refilled and finish it.  It just always seemed to me that I would look at the gauge and it would show [x amount] of CO2 (above the red area) and then I would look a couple hours later and both gauges were at zero.  It's not like that this time.

[MtnBrewer]

The gauge for the volume is in the red zone but not completely down.  The PSI gauge is still at 25.  I will just watch it and assume that this batch may be the last for this tank or maybe it will only get carbed halfway or whatever.  I just started it this morning and it should go until Thursday morning.  If not, I'll get it refilled and finish it.  It just always seemed to me that I would look at the gauge and it would show [x amount] of CO2 (above the red area) and then I would look a couple hours later and both gauges were at zero.  It's not like that this time.

It's hard to catch it in an intermediate state between some and none because once the liquid CO2 is used up, it goes pretty quickly. I agree that this batch will probably be the last for this tank. You'll also notice the high pressure gauge will go down if you cool the tank.