When dispensing draft beer, CO2 is a crucial component to take into account and is frequently the one about which there are the most queries. It's unclear why CO2 intimidates individuals so easily, but it could be because chemical compounds and subscripts bring back memories of chemistry class in high school.
Here are the most often asked Food Grade CO2 Filled Cylinder questions, without getting too technical
How can I determine the pressure my CO2 is set at?
You will either have one or two gauges on your regulator, which is the part that joins the air hose to the tank.
You should look for that one if there is only one. If there are two, search for the gauge with a range of roughly 0 to 60 PSI (pounds per square inch). Your regulated pressure gauge will be this. The amount of pressure being delivered to your keg is indicated by the number the arrow is pointing at on this gauge.
How can I determine how much CO2 is still in my tank?
This justifies giving a twin gauge regulator more thought.
A double gauge regulator measures the amount of CO2 still in your cylinder using both a high pressure gauge and a regulated pressure gauge. It is a bit of a guessing game without a double gauge regulator.
Knowing how many kegs may be discharged from a single CO2 tank will help you determine when it is best to refill rather of waiting until you are entirely out.
- How many kegs can I dispense before my CO2 tank needs to be refilled?
You can dispense 2 to 4 full-sized kegs from a 5 lb. CO2 tank before having to refill. You'll come closer to 4 kegs the cooler the surrounding temperature is.
- At what pressure should I put my CO2?
The majority of American breweries recommend a CO2 setting of 12 to 14 PSI. If you acquired your keg from a third party, it is preferable to phone the brewery and ask. The distributor or brewery from whence you purchased your keg should have a recommended pressure.
Unreliable pressure can lead to under- or over-carbonation, which can result in flat beer or excessively foamy beer.
- In the Kegerator or outside? Should my CO2 tank be?
Most CO2 tanks are positioned outside of the refrigeration compartment, however it doesn't really matter either way. This makes it possible to fit kegs inside the refrigerator with more room.
If you have a trustworthy air hose, it doesn't matter how close the tank is to the keg. It's crucial that you keep your CO2 tank upright and away from heat sources.
- Where can I find a CO2 tank filling station?
The most likely places to fill your CO2 tank are nearby sports goods businesses that offer paintball weapons, fire extinguisher filling stations, home brew shops, and welding supply stores.
