Keg / CO2 Question

[berley]

I understand this is a question that is very difficult to answer; I'm not looking for anything definite, of course, just some opinions...

How long would you expect a 10-lb CO2 tank to last, when you're supplying a 4-tap keezer? I brew every 2-3 weeks, with the high majority of those beers going into kegs. I ask because I started kegging in January, and the tank went really quickly. Seemed to be due to a small leak in the manifold, so, with that problem solved, had a new tank filled. It lasted about 6 months, give or take. The guy at the CO2 filling place was still sure I had a leak. Maybe he underestimates how much beer my wife and I (and friends) drink?

Thoughts? Or, just too hard to tell?

[GAM]

I get over a year with a 20#. I do not conserve CO2 and I use it to carbinate and move beer, cleaners etc.

Sandy

[berley]

I get over a year with a 20#. I do not conserve CO2 and I use it to carbinate and move beer, cleaners etc.

Sandy

How many beers on tap at a time? How often do you brew?

I'm getting technical, here!

[GAM]

10gal in 2 weeks. 4 on tap 2-4 conditioning/waiting.

I like my beer lightly carbinated (<2x) and Milds and Browns very lightly carbed.

Sandy

[gm-]

I've had my keezer for around a year and I am still on my first 5 lber. Only 2 keg set up though.

[RubberToe]

I figure a 10# tank should last 16-20 or more kegs, flat to finished.

[jeffsmith]

I figure a 10# tank should last 16-20 or more kegs, flat to finished.

That's about what I get and I use has to move beer around and push cleaner/sanitizer as well.

[LeafMan66_67]

I get 10-12 kegs through on a 5lb tank, two tap setup.

[berley]

I figure a 10# tank should last 16-20 or more kegs, flat to finished.

Looking back, I figure I only got about half that, although it's hard to tell for sure. Either way, definitely not 16-20 kegs, and I don't use the CO2 for anything OTHER than carbing/serving the beer.

So, great, it looks like I still have leak issues.

Remind me again why I finally got into kegging?

[LeafMan66_67]

Remind me again why I finally got into kegging?

Had some extra cash laying around? Enjoy the fine art of mechanical assembly and troubleshooting?

[RubberToe]

Leaks aren't always easy to find. I've lost a lot of CO2 to leaks in the past but have been leak free for quite a while. It's also the reason I still use a 5# tank (6 taps btw).

[berley]

Leaks aren't always easy to find. I've lost a lot of CO2 to leaks in the past but have been leak free for quite a while. It's also the reason I still use a 5# tank (6 taps btw).

Yeah, I know they're not easy to find. It's a real pain! Before hooking up to my existing keezer, I went through the whole thing where you turn on the CO2, crank it up to 20, turn the tank off, and see if the pressure drops. There's been so many opinions on if you leave the line open right to the QDs, should the pressure drop at all, or a bit, or...?

[Jimmy]

Check the pressure relief valves if you're using ball locks. That's the only place I've had leaks before.

[berley]

Check the pressure relief valves if you're using ball locks. That's the only place I've had leaks before.

I'm actually using pinlocks. Aside from manifold issues before, I also seemed to have a leak at one of the gas QDs (it bubbled every 5 seconds or so when submerged in water).

[adams81]

Does anyone use dish soap in water for leak detection? That is what I do. If the mix is soapy enough it really exaggerates the bubbles.

[jeffsmith]

Does anyone use dish soap in water for leak detection? That is what I do. If the mix is soapy enough it really exaggerates the bubbles.

Starsan works really well, that's what I use.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

I get like 12 months/6kegs carbed and served. If I'm leaving for a while I turn the tank off.