Newbie kegging question

[sytimmis]

Hi guys,

New to this so if I've broken etiquette please let me know! I've tried searching but haven't had much luck finding an answer.

I've been given a corny keg set up for Christmas (yay) but without CO2. I'm super skint at the mo and the £70 deposit for a tank is causing problems. I've found a used tank for sale in VGC but don't know if I'm going to run into problems when getting it recharged. Are the tanks all pretty much standard and will purging it and then recharging it from a local supplier get me up and running?

Thanks loads in advance for all your epic advice!

Sy

 

[sytimmis]

Forgot to mention, the tank is from a CO2 plant feeding system, not a welding system.

 

[chewie]

As long as the tank is sound and in an acceptable return condition and has a connection thread that suits your regulator you should be fine. Depending where you are located you may well also be able to find a no deposit source for CO2, i think a lot on the forum use andover patio centre or air liquide.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
My own supplier told me that he doesn't refill my tank - he exchanges the empty tank for a filled one.
The second-hand tank may not be acceptable to your local supplier.
I hope I'm not stating the obvious here.

 

[sytimmis]

Thanks guys, the cylinder looks to be in good condition but it looks like my local supplier (air liquide) won't fill anything other than their own cylinders so I'm back to their £70 deposit. Andover is a bit for for me unfortunately but can anybody reccomend a supplier in the Hertfordshire area?

Thanks again

 

[chewie]

Some on the forum also source refills from fire extinguisher maintenance guys, might be worth your while enquiring round them, one man bands are usually more acceptable to this than a company secretary sitting in an office.

 

[Adam0909]

Have you tried hobbyweld? They looks to be an agent in Hertfordshire called perfect welding in Hertford

 

[Antony]

Some on the forum also source refills from fire extinguisher maintenance guys, might be worth your while enquiring round them, one man bands are usually more acceptable to this than a company secretary sitting in an office.

My Dad does extinguishers, for CO2 refills, due to her high pressure and specialised equipment, he usually just swaps them out for a new/refurbished unit, then takes the used extinguisher to be refilled by the supplier

 

[sytimmis]

Found a place ad few miles from me that with fill an ex pub canister so happy days!

Should be up and running with a whole host of new questions in a week!

 

[sytimmis]

Soooooo, next question. When I'm force carbonating, I connect the keg to the gas, whack it to the required psi and then leave it... or do I whack it to the correct psi, disconnect the keg and then leave it. I'm so confused!

 

[Jakeyboi]

Soooooo, next question. When I'm force carbonating, I connect the keg to the gas, whack it to the required psi and then leave it... or do I whack it to the correct psi, disconnect the keg and then leave it. I'm so confused!

U want to whack it to the correct pressure and leave it connected for about a week, however things start to get a bit interesting depending on your set up when it comes to serving. I have a party Tap dispenser at the mo which is on a 3/8 line, when I serve at 8+ psi I get foam foam foam, so I to conquer this I chill it down further, drop the serving psi and pour very very slowly. really I need to buy some proper taps and convert to 3/16th line but I'm too lazy.

It's a case of trial and error

 

[Antony]

convert to 3/16th line

Do it, It works really well, and means you can easily pour great pints!

 

[Jakeyboi]

Do it, It works really well, and means you can easily pour great pints!

It's good to know, thanks. I will get round but when I do it I want to put a collar on my freezer, buy 4 pub quality taps, a four way splitter and all the attachments to connect it all up. Plus 3 more cornies....,,,because it WILL save me money in the long run babe.

 

[sytimmis]

It's not perfect carbonation, but I have beer flowing! Yay!

 

[Fil]

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CFoQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kegerators.com%2Farticles%2Fcarbonation-table-pressure-chart.php&ei=Tn_MUv_qC5CqhAfL5YHQAw&usg=AFQjCNFBmyJM8-kSKjo26ur1iyUdS-nxpA&sig2=xbA22cKg6g1riDhoRe225w&bvm=bv.58187178,d.ZG4


hop thats useful

Btw its US sourced, and imho the yanks like their beer with a bit more fizz in em?? but as a guide its can be useful..