20 lb CO2 Tanks

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by VikeMan, Apr 10, 2013.

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  1. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
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    Anyone bought a 20 lb CO2 cylinder recently? If so, where did you find the best price? TIA!
     
  2. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,853) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
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  3. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,397) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    I bought one on ebay a couple years ago for $50 shipped. A friend of mine recently found somebody on CraigsList with a collection of various sizes, some still containing CO2. Your choice $30 with local pickup. Patience and perseverance, tempered with a dose of pragmatism, are key to getting a good price on something like this. I'd recommend that approach, keeping in mind that, in the meantime, each 5 lb refill takes a big chunk off of any savings (about a $13.75 'penalty' per refill, in my neck of the woods -- effectively $4/lb versus $1.25/lb). I assume you're replacing a 5 lb tank?
     
  4. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    No, just adding to the arsenal.
     
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  5. JUNCK

    JUNCK Initiate (0) Jan 7, 2011 Washington

  6. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,023) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    $80 for the tank at the local Air Gas store and i think the CO2 was $22. The welding supply store not more than 300 yards down the road wanted more, $95? for the tank. not sure if they know about competition and the free market.
     
  7. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,397) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    I set out to heed the advice of many that I buy a 5# 'backup' to complement my 20# tank (sound advice, i might add). While searching for a good price on a 5# tank, I found a 20#. So I got that instead. I immediately recognized that as a no-brainer.
     
  8. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,528) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I just got an empty 20#, regulator, all lines, QDs, picnic tap, and a Firestone 5 gallon ball lock (included 2+ year old liquid - I believe to be cream soda) for $75 on Craigslist...
     
  9. kjyost

    kjyost Initiate (0) May 4, 2008 Canada (MB)

    Five finger discount?
     
  10. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,176) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah Society

    My local welding shop let me exchange my 5#er for a 10#er, free of charge (plus gas cost), because he didn't have any full 5#ers he could sell me. Nice. Now I'm hoping for the day he lets me upgrade from 10#s to 20#s...
     
  11. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,528) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I don't believe so, he had it for the two years after getting it from the guy who made the soda. He was desperate and needed funds for rent. He doesn't know much bout the equipment and beer since he said he poured off some of the beer early on and thought it was a wheat beer.
     
  12. kjyost

    kjyost Initiate (0) May 4, 2008 Canada (MB)

    Cool, glad to hear that. Amazing deal!
     
  13. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,528) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Yeah, I sure thought so. I hope his story is true. I'd hate to have someone else's stolen stuff, regardless of the deal.
     
  14. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    I can beat this. I had a neighbor who put a "soda cart" out on the curb, free to the first taker (which was me). Snagged 4 pin-lock cornys, 20 lb tank, and regulator. Two of the corny's are fine (were previously on loan to another homebrewer), one is marginal (may or may not hold pressure reliably), and as for the last one I am as of yet unable to remove one of the poppet valves (even after trying an impact wrench). I am in the process of replacing all of the lines, gaskets, etc. and getting things set up for cooling the 4 kegs in the beer fridge.
     
  15. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,397) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    I assume you're going to offer your neighbor a beer for his thoughtfulness! :wink:
     
  16. Rbald42

    Rbald42 Initiate (0) Apr 15, 2008 Minnesota

    Got mine from a guy selling off his restaurant gear on Craigslist. 45 bucks. Any restaurant auctions...hit em up.
     
  17. utahbeerdude

    utahbeerdude Maven (1,374) May 2, 2006 Utah

    Were he not Mormon, indeed I would!
     
  18. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I lived in Salt Lake City for a year. You might want to offer him one anyway. Just sayin'
     
  19. jbakajust1

    jbakajust1 Pooh-Bah (2,528) Aug 25, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Actually just scored 3 more 20# tanks for only $30 (total). Sister's friend had 3 tanks for paintballing that he tried to sell for a while and got no bites. I thought they were 5# tanks and told my sister I would give him $10 each at Christmas time. She brought them with her for my son's 3rd bday this weekend and to my surprise they were 20# tanks.
     
  20. OddNotion

    OddNotion Pooh-Bah (1,853) Nov 1, 2009 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Once you fill all those up, I do not think you will need to buy CO2 for a couple of years!
     
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