Life of a 5lb CO2 Bottle

[Speyedr]

Once, there was a young 5lb CO2 bottle. He loved to laugh and play and romp all through keg-land....

Sorry about that. Actually have a question here. I used to use CO2 for serving and carbonating beer only. This has evolved into pushing beer and sanitizer and using corny's as secondary fermenters and bright tanks as well as serving tanks.

My first 5lb tank lasted almost a year, serving and carbonating. Now I go through one every couple of months. Does that sound right based on my usage described, or am I losing CO2 somewhere? I'm considering a second 5lb tank (fits in the chest freezer and a 10lb won't) so any input will help me decide.

Thanks,

Rob

[J.Brew]

No Speyder that sounds about right. Like you I used to only use for carbonation and to run one line in my kegerator and a single tank used to last me for ever it seemed. Now I run three taps, and I also purge carboys when transfering and any other time I can use Co2 to avoid oxygen contact with my wort, I use it to run line cleaner, to start my siphons when transfering from carboy to carboy and from carboy to keg, to purge bottles when bottling, and for any other application that seems logical. At the rate I use Co2 I keep four 5 gallon bottles arround so I don't have to fill em so often! With the increase in use I'd say it'd be in your favor to pick up another one. That way you can sleep at night knowing if you run out at an inconvenient time, there's a backup at the ready.
Bottoms up!

[Speyedr]

Picked up a second one yesterday. I also use it to bottle with the beer gun. And, when I transfer, I push all the way, not just siphon. I do it at about 2.5PSI, but I'm sure I'm using a lot.

Rob

[J.Brew]

Yeah I use it with a beer gun too. I like the beer gun a lot but sometimes I opt to bottle condition half of my batch and let it mature a bit as I tend to smash it pretty quickly if I keg it all and bottle from there...try to make it last even if its a futile effort!
I've been racking with 1/2 inch ID instead of the 3/8 I've been using since I started brewing and found thats its pretty damn quick, making a full transfer push pretty unneccesary for me. Glad you upgraded to two. I think you'll be happy you did.

[Speyedr]

I've been racking with 1/2 inch ID instead of the 3/8 I've been using since I started brewing and found thats its pretty damn quick, making a full transfer push pretty unneccesary for me.

What do you connect that to on the disconnect side?

The main problem I have with the siphon is that I'd have to move the full keg higher than the one I am filling, right? I am usually pushing from one to another to leave the sediment behind and I don't want to stir it back up. I cut the dip tube in a few kegs and use them a bright tanks. I rack from carboy to Bright Tank and then I crash them or lager in my chest freezer. Once it's done I just push it out into an empty keg.

How are you doing this?

[DannyW]

I do the bright tank thing too, and have found no problem with carefully lifting the keg from the fridge to the countertop next to it. I haven't cut any dip tubes either. Gelatine can make a big difference keeping the yeast stuck to the bottom.

[J.Brew]

How are you doing this?

Two things help me do this...gravity, and a state champion power lifter as a brew partner!!. As you said we lift the full carboy carefully and set it on a workbench. The movenment does very little to disturb the sediment and start the siphon 1/2 inch racking cane and hose, and let gravity do the rest. We usually always secondary ferment in carboys and use our cut dip tube bright tanks and cold crash if we add any fruit or hops or to clarify and serve right out of them.
I like your methods though. I'm gonna use the Co2 to push so I don't have to lift the full carboy.....tommorow when i transfer my IPA. Like jumping from the bright tank too, just have to convince my brew partner its worth cleaning an extra keg!


Hey how does the gelatin work for you Danny?? Never used it, thought about it...

[Speyedr]

Gelatine can make a big difference keeping the yeast stuck to the bottom.

I've done the gelatin thing a couple times but I've heard it can take out more than the yeast. I'd have to do a full on experiment, but I try to steer clear except when I need to clear in a hurry.

I'm gonna use the Co2 to push so I don't have to lift the full carboy.....tommorow when i transfer my IPA.

I'd recommend NOT using CO2 with a glass carboy. If you do, wear safety goggles. I thought you meant that you use 1/2 tubing from keg to keg. Now it's clear though. You do NOT want to pressurize a carboy full of beer. I rack from Carboy to Keg (Bright Tank) where I secondary, then I crash cool it and then push to a "Serving Tank" (keg w/ regular length dip tube). Cleaning the bright tank is just as easy as cleaning a secondary carboy, but tell your brew partner as respectfully as possible, due to his size