5lbs CO2 tank

[OnTap]

The question I have is how long should 5 lbs tanks last when used for force cabonating and dispensing? I have a feeling that I may have a leak somewhere I just can't imagine where. All the barb fittings I have are actually larger than the hose id, I used hot water to make the hose more plyable and then even clamped them down. Is it possible to have a leak in the regulator because the screw used to increase/decrease pressure does seem to get loose when turning then I have to tighten the nut back down? Any help would be appreciated. I am going through about 2 5gallon batches to a tank of CO2.

[danno]

OnTap, you definitely have a leak somewhere. easiest way to find out, take a glass of water with some dish soap, and a little brush. mop all your connections (gas on, obviously) with your soapy water mix and watch for bubbles.

if you used worm clamps, they can cut through plastic tubing pretty easily if they're overtightened.

I can't really answer the "how many batches with 5 lbs" question, I have a 20 lb tank that I've carbed and dispensed at least a dozen kegs with, (1/3 of those were soda, at 3X the beer PSI) and it's still going strong. I also have a 5 lb tank for traveling, backup (do you ever run out of co2 on a Tuesday afternoon? noooo, it's alsways on a Friday evening when you have friends coming over...), and for moving beer from primary to secondary, and secondary to corny.

I do the soap test pretty much every time I do anything more complicated than changing a corny, after draining a couple of 20 lb tanks overnight...

[toneyc]

Agreed. I usually find that my leak is the lid gasket or the gas in QD. Let me pass on a tip that I received from Fast_Eddy: get one of those little containers of keg lube. Not the spray can, but the little plastic thingie that's slightly smaller than a skoal can. The stuff is thick and works *great*! And just like Dippity Do, a little dab'll do ya.

[edit] Oh, and in three years of kegging, I've only filled my 10lb tank 4 or 5 times, once after finding a leaky keg. And I usually go through about 2 kegs (cornies) a month. And I solved the Friday night empty tank problem by getting a spare tank.

:)
Toney.

[Caffinehog]

With a little bit of geeky chemist's calculations, I figured that you'll probably fill about 15 kegs with a 5# tank.
This will vary depending on your purging of kegs, your carbonation level, and the pressure you use to dispense the beer.

[OnTap]

Thanks guys! I'll give the soapy water trick a try and definitely pick up some keg lube. Will report back with my findings when I get them. Once again thanks.


Cheers