[timcolussi]

I'm thinking about starting to keg my beer but had a couple of questions. First I was wondering what size CO2 cylinder most people get? I've seen 5 LB and 10 LB. I was thinking 5 LB just for space and ease of handling but was wondering how long a typical 5 LB cylinder would last.

My second question deals with bottle filling from a keg. I want to still be able to bottle beer for competitions and to take to parties, etc. I've seen 3 different things for bottle filling from kegs. One is the beer gun from Blichmann. The others are 2 different counter pressure bottle fillers, one from Keg Connection and one from More Beer. I was wondering what people used and which would be best? I'm thinking about going counter pressure but not sure which system works best.

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks

Tim

[Joe Sr.]

For tanks, 5lb is pretty standard and a good place to start.  I have 5, 15 and 20lb tanks.  And a set up for paint ball CO2.  For me, the price to fill 5, 10 and 15 is the same.  20lb costs more to fill.

To fill bottles, I use a piece of racking cane and a drilled stopper.  I think it's a number two stopper.  Jam the cane into a picnic tap, push it into the bottle so the stopper seals, start filling, burp the stopper to release pressure as necessary.  If I'm bottling for competition or long term storage, I will flush the bottles with CO2 from a second tank (or a split line) using a pneumatic air gun and a hose.

[theDarkSide]

Go with a bigger tank if you can afford it money and space-wise.  I'd even suggest getting a 5lb tank too so when the big one runs out on a Sunday afternoon when everyone is closed, you're not stuck.

I have a Blichmann beer gun, which is great but sucks for just filling a couple bottles.  For that I have a growler filler that fits in my Perlick tap. I then hit to headspace with a little CO2 before capping and it's good to go. 

[kramerog]

I like the carbonator http://morebeer.com/products/carbonator-cap.html for filling soda bottles for parties.

[duboman]

I fill bottles the same way Joe does, this link explains it well: http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/we-no-need-no-stinking-beer-gun-24678/

For parties I use growlers and fill them with the same hose the Dark Side referenced, just be sure to chill the growler and drop the psi or you'll get quite a bit of foam, same thing when filling bottles regardless of what you use.

[Black Sands Brewery & Supply]

I'm thinking about starting to keg my beer but had a couple of questions. First I was wondering what size CO2 cylinder most people get? I've seen 5 LB and 10 LB. I was thinking 5 LB just for space and ease of handling but was wondering how long a typical 5 LB cylinder would last.

My second question deals with bottle filling from a keg. I want to still be able to bottle beer for competitions and to take to parties, etc. I've seen 3 different things for bottle filling from kegs. One is the beer gun from Blichmann. The others are 2 different counter pressure bottle fillers, one from Keg Connection and one from More Beer. I was wondering what people used and which would be best? I'm thinking about going counter pressure but not sure which system works best.

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks

Tim

5 lbs are standard but will run out fast if you brew often... maybe only last for 3 or 4 kegged batches. i own a 20 lb and it well worth it if you have the space will last for around 10 batches. i think i pay like $48 to get it filled. but the deposit cost on the tank is much higher than a 5 lb.

[mattybrass]

my 5 # tank usually lasts me 8-10 kegs.