CO2 Tanks - Swap or Refill?

[Kealia]

Pardo the typos...drinking at the airport and keyboard on phone looks unusually small ......

[bpgreen]

I used to just get mine refilled, but started swapping when I came close to the date when my tank would be out of certification. I then discovered that one of my tanks had been out of certification for some time (I had been looking at the wrong stamp) and the guy at the other place had just been ignoring that fact. They charged a little more for that, but when I bought an out of date 20 lb tank, they wouldn't swap it without sending it for certification and they told me that if it failed, they wouldn't fill it and if it passed, but passed with a certain status, they'd refill it, but wouldn't swap it and I'd be responsible for the certification the next time (and it probably wouldn't pass). Fortunately, the guy I bought it from gave me a refund on it.

Now I figure the peace of mind is worth the couple of extra dollars for swapping.

[Rebel_B]

So how many of you refill your CO2 tanks, or do you have to swap them out? I ordered a nice new shiny aluminum tank with my setup. And it looks like I have to swap them out. The closest place to me will not refill. I'm checking on one more place today. Then I'll ask the guys at the LHBS if they know of any place local that will refill them.

Hopefully I didn't waste the money on a new shiny one that I won't get to look at ever again!!!

I like my shiny new tanks as well, so I get mine refilled at the nearby fire extinguisher place; $15, same as an exchange.

[Whamolagan]

Swap at airgas, $12 Usually I get a shiny one, but I really don't care about the looks as much as functionality. Also if you swap, you don't have inspect issues.

[BlackDuck]

I got it filled yesterday. Kind of pricey compared to everyone else here. He charged me $24 to fill.


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[Whamolagan]

There is an airgas 18 miles from where you live. go to airgas and look for a location. Not sure whether they just exchange or refill

[Beer-lord]

Whoa, $24. That's pretty ridiculous to me. I'd ask your LHBS who they know or maybe a local homebrew club who they use. Wow, just wow, $24!

[Inkleg]

Next time take a 4 pack of Home Brew with you. Put it on the counter with the tank. If he still charges $24 then he's just a Richard and I'd look somewhere else.

[BlackDuck]

Yea. That's a good idea. I'm going to ask the guy at the LHBS where they recommend to refill.


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[BigPapaG]

I've got a shiny new 5 pounder that has a few more years on it...

I drive over to KegWorks and they fill it for $15.

Will probably either pay for recert or swap at the local welding place when it expires... Not sure yet.

I think recert is about $25 around here...

[brewnewb]

I have 2 tanks. 2.5 + 5#. I just swapped my 2.5 today at Airgas for $11.29.

HEADS UP
The owner told me that they are no longer going to swap 2.5's in the not too distant future. If one does not have easy access to a refill - that may be a game changer on some of those cheaper kegerators and conversion kits. My 2.5 came with a cheaper Nostalgia kegerator that I modified.