BOC CO2

[Ghillie]

Hello everyone,

Would like to know if anyone has the 3.15kg CO2 cylinder from BOC?

https://www.boconline.co.uk/shop/en/uk/gas/beer-gas-drinks-dispense-gas/suregas-cylinder-569

I plan on (hopefully) finding an undercounter fridge than can hold two 19L cornies and the CO2 cylinder. Does anyone have the dimensions of this cylinder by chance? I read an article where a kegerator was built that housed two cornies and a 3kg CO2 cylinder, but I'm not sure if this is commonplace:

http://manchesterhomebrew.co.uk/building-a-kegerator/

Cheers!

 

[Mr Fro]

There is a size chart on the BOC website but in true BOC style it's out of action at the moment...

Why do you need it in the fridge by the way?

 

[Ghillie]

There is a size chart on the BOC website but in true BOC style it's out of action at the moment...

Why do you need it in the fridge by the way?

Yeah, the only one I saw was a picture with the different cylinder sizes with respect to a person. Weird...

It's not critical that it's inside, although it would be a damn sight tidier in my living room if it was.

The other option is to put the kegerator diagonally in a corner and have the cylinder hidden behind.

 

[Ghillie]

So called BOC today and they're still not issuing CO2 or letting folk register for an account due to the shortage...

They will be back in touch when things are normal again. They also informed me that it would take some for a 3.15kg cylinder to become available, so looks like I'll be getting the 6.3kg one and live with it hidden behind the fridge.

 

[welly3]

Those big co2 cylinders are ace. Unless you're a massive alcoholic, drinking every night, a full bottle will last you a year easily.

 

[Ghillie]

Those big co2 cylinders are ace. Unless you're a massive alcoholic, drinking every night, a full bottle will last you a year easily.

Looks like my kegerator build is going to be relegated to the garage... So the cylinder fitting in the fridge won't be an issue.

I have another question for you guys though, if you wouldn't mind...

I work away - two weeks at work and then two weeks home. When I go to work, the kegerator won't be getting used by the Mrs. Regarding the beer lines, should I leave them full of starsan or are they alright sitting with beer in them?

 

[mathorp]

I would flush the lines with a bit of brewers detergent, flush again with water and steriliser (peroxide), then blow them dry with CO2.
If you leave them with water in they may freeze up if your kegerator is dialled right down.
Beer would not freeze, but is likely to leave the lines looking nasty and the taps sticky. You will have a cleanup job - not impossible, but best avoided.

On the CO2 bottles, beware of large cylinders in small spaces. If a large bottle leaks it will reduce oxygen in the room or in a car.
This is another reason to isolate gas at the bottle valve when it is unattended, not just at the business end of the line such as at the tap.

 

[Ghillie]

I would flush the lines with a bit of brewers detergent, flush again with water and steriliser (peroxide), then blow them dry with CO2.
If you leave them with water in they may freeze up if your kegerator is dialled right down.
Beer would not freeze, but is likely to leave the lines looking nasty and the taps sticky. You will have a cleanup job - not impossible, but best avoided.

On the CO2 bottles, beware of large cylinders in small spaces. If a large bottle leaks it will reduce oxygen in the room or in a car.
This is another reason to isolate gas at the bottle valve when it is unattended, not just at the business end of the line such as at the tap.

That sounds like a lot of work - line cleaner, water and a cleaning agent - then with CO2...

The kegerator will be a fridge so there should be no chance of freezing - I might just leave them full of starsan. Hrm...

Thank you Mathorp.

 

[Norfolk79]

A keg can take me up to 6 weeks to drink sometimes and the beer stays in my lines the whole time without any off flavours, so I’d say as long as you don’t crack one open just before your 2 weeks away you should be fine.

 

[Ghillie]

so I’d say as long as you don’t crack one open just before your 2 weeks away you should be fine.

Thanks for the reply Norfolk, can you elaborate on what you mean by this please?

 

[Ghillie]

So some good news...

I managed to score two brand new 5kg CO2 extinguishers from work as they were surplus to requirements. So at least 18 months of free gas for me. Couldn't have come at a better time with the current CO2 supply issues.

Happy days

 

[MarkMayf]

So some good news...

I managed to score two brand new 5kg CO2 extinguishers from work as they were surplus to requirements. So at least 18 months of free gas for me. Couldn't have come at a better time with the current CO2 supply issues.

Happy days

I've a couple of large CO2 extinguishers in my loft. A few years old but unopened. Anyone wants em, shout up.

 

[simon12]

Just in case you don't know extinguishers have a dip tube so they dispense liquid CO2 not gas which can mess up the regulator, these can be removed at the places they service them. Also theres a food grade debate about the gas search the forum for it.

 

[Ghillie]

Just in case you don't know extinguishers have a dip tube so they dispense liquid CO2 not gas which can mess up the regulator, these can be removed at the places they service them. Also theres a food grade debate about the gas search the forum for it.

Hi Simon,

Yeah that's a valid point about the dip tube, no-one wants a frozen regulator...

I know it's by no means kosher, but I plan to dump a small amount of the CO2 (in a ventilated space of course) and fabricate a bracket to hold the extinguisher upside down. That will allow me to draw only gaseous CO2 and prevent damage to the regulator.

Who knows how long this CO2 shortage will drag on for, and I have a lager that needs kegged

 

[Norfolk79]

Thanks for the reply Norfolk, can you elaborate on what you mean by this please?

I was meaning if you started a keg just before going away it’ll add another 2 weeks of it being started and in the pipes to the total time before the kegs finished, if that makes sense?

As long of the pipes, keg etc was sanitised before starting I’d say you’d be fine though.

 

[Ghillie]

I was meaning if you started a keg just before going away it’ll add another 2 weeks of it being started and in the pipes to the total time before the kegs finished, if that makes sense?

As long of the pipes, keg etc was sanitised before starting I’d say you’d be fine though.

Yeah I get what you mean. The real issue isn't with whether the keg has been started or not, it's more the beer lines.

 

[CanHeBrew]

Just wanted to add to original OP that I have a BOC 3.15 Kg cylinder as described, if dimensions still needed.

I got it refilled two weeks ago, i think BOC are still distributing and refilling for exisiting account holders. Note that delivery is free, but they wont deliver to residential addresses, if you live on a main road though, i.e. one that they might drive as part of delivery you should be fine, but it seems to be at drivers discression on the day assuming the phone operator doesnt realise your account is not commercial in the first instance.

Also its impossible to find an under counter fride that will fit two 19L cornies and a cylinder in unless it's a double door bar type fridge.
I can just about fit 2 cornies in and an big old Hotpoint fridge I picked up for £30 on GumTree. I drilled a hole in the side to get the gas line in.

 

[Ghillie]

Just wanted to add to original OP that I have a BOC 3.15 Kg cylinder as described, if dimensions still needed.

I got it refilled two weeks ago, i think BOC are still distributing and refilling for exisiting account holders. Note that delivery is free, but they wont deliver to residential addresses, if you live on a main road though, i.e. one that they might drive as part of delivery you should be fine, but it seems to be at drivers discression on the day assuming the phone operator doesnt realise your account is not commercial in the first instance.

Also its impossible to find an under counter fride that will fit two 19L cornies and a cylinder in unless it's a double door bar type fridge.
I can just about fit 2 cornies in and an big old Hotpoint fridge I picked up for £30 on GumTree. I drilled a hole in the side to get the gas line in.

Thanks CanHeBrew!

Yeah I believe that's the case, but they won't take on any new accounts until things are back to normal. Thanks for the note about the delivery. They said they could deliver to me for a tenner, but there is a collection place around 25 miles away so I'd probably just drive.

Yes, I found out today that undercounter fridges are no good. Both kegs side by side are 18" and the fridge is only 17.5" at the widest part. No amount of fabrication would allow otherwise. It was only £25, so I'll easy flog it on again.

Planning going for a fridge freezer with taps mounted in the door now. It makes sense as I can use the freezer compartment for hops, ice, yeast, etc as well. I'll be sure to take my two cornies along before I buy anything though!

 

[CanHeBrew]

If you dont already have a temperture controlled fermentation chamber, why not use the fridge for that instead, rather than flog it?

I use a smaller fridge like yours for that purpose with an Inkbird, (the blue model), and 15cm green house tube heater to keep things constant, although in this weather i struggle to get below 10 degrees celisius in the bar/summerhouse (think large uninsultated shed), when fermenting with lager yeast. I need suggestions to improve things, but that's another thread perhaps.

 

[Ghillie]

If you dont already have a temperture controlled fermentation chamber, why not use the fridge for that instead, rather than flog it?

I use a smaller fridge like yours for that purpose with an Inkbird, (the blue model), and 15cm green house tube heater to keep things constant, although in this weather i struggle to get below 10 degrees celisius in the bar/summerhouse (think large uninsultated shed), when fermenting with lager yeast. I need suggestions to improve things, but that's another thread perhaps.

I already have the exact same setup as you - undercounter fridge, STC-1000 and 60W tube heater.