Co2 System On A Budget

[cuthy123]

I currently have a nutrafin co2 system setup & was just wondering for the future how much it cost for a decent system??? Also if anybody can recomend one with regards to Cost/Perfomance

Please let me know your thoughts .


Many Thanks

Ben

 

[GrayScale]

Well, you pretty much have 3 options, the Co2 kits which you have, yeast Co2 which you can read on here , or a slighty more up front cost of a co2 system with a co2 tank and regulator etc.

The Co2 kits are nice however in the long run are a bit more expensive since the canisters aren't refillable. The yeast Co2 method isn't too bad however requires quite a bit of maintenance.

The last method requires a 5lb Co2 tank, a regulator, diffuser, bubble counter. It will cost ~$200 but in the long run can be the most stable and almost maintenance free. If you get a regulator with a built in solenoid valve, you can turn it on and off. You can plug the solenoid into a timer so it will go on and off however you set the timer. You will want one with a needle valve, and you can even get one with a bubble counter.

With all setups you should be using a drop checker to measure how much Co2 is being injected.

 

[Katch]

this is the cheapest decent setup I've seen. It will cost a bit more in the long run as the welding gas cans don't last so long.

 

[stevereade]

I'd go with the set up Andy has written up, I use it and its working amazing in my tank, I may never go pressurised.

 

[Mikaila31]

If your in the US there is a cheap way using a paintball canister to get pressurized CO2, similar to the linky above.

Also BTW your nutrafin kit is a yeast driven system not a CO2 "Kit".

 

[the biffster]

i am thinking of doing a budget
co system i am going to use food
grade co2 i can get hold of a 5 kg
bottle

 

[coldcazzie]

I asked for some bits for Christmas present. Alright my friends looked at me slightly odd when I asked for a needle valve and some CO2 tubing, but the more bits I get for Christmas the less I have to actually spend. The most expensive bits as far as I can tell are going to be the reactor and the CO2 source. I have my eye on a fire extinguisher on ebay for £15. Just not quite brave enough yet as I've not figured out whether/how I can put a pressure guage on the top.

 

[the biffster]

I asked for some bits for Christmas present. Alright my friends looked at me slightly odd when I asked for a needle valve and some CO2 tubing, but the more bits I get for Christmas the less I have to actually spend. The most expensive bits as far as I can tell are going to be the reactor and the CO2 source. I have my eye on a fire extinguisher on ebay for £15. Just not quite brave enough yet as I've not figured out whether/how I can put a pressure guage on the top.

i to have wondered how the use
fire extinguisher for co2

 

[coldcazzie]

I asked for some bits for Christmas present. Alright my friends looked at me slightly odd when I asked for a needle valve and some CO2 tubing, but the more bits I get for Christmas the less I have to actually spend. The most expensive bits as far as I can tell are going to be the reactor and the CO2 source. I have my eye on a fire extinguisher on ebay for £15. Just not quite brave enough yet as I've not figured out whether/how I can put a pressure guage on the top.

i to have wondered how the use
fire extinguisher for co2

It must be possible because people do do it. I just can't figure out how yet. Maybe because I've not really looked into it. More important things to do at present!

 

[Katch]

Using a CO2 FE is fairly straight forward.

You take the horn off the FE with a spanner - then your reg screws back in its place.

Make sure the reg is closed then go outside and fire the extinguisher and tape the handles together to keep the flow of CO2 on.

You can now attach to your tubing solenoid etc and turn on the reg. Flow is then adjusted by your needle valve.

 

[coldcazzie]

Using a CO2 FE is fairly straight forward.

You take the horn off the FE with a spanner - then your reg screws back in its place.

Make sure the reg is closed then go outside and fire the extinguisher and tape the handles together to keep the flow of CO2 on.

You can now attach to your tubing solenoid etc and turn on the reg. Flow is then adjusted by your needle valve.

ta

 

[GrayScale]

You could also just use an aluminum or steel co2 tank that beveragecompanies and welders use instead of the fe. Same materials needed and less stressful when putting it all together as long as you don't drop the tank when it's full.

 

[Mikaila31]

You could also just use an aluminum or steel co2 tank that beveragecompanies and welders use instead of the fe. Same materials needed and less stressful when putting it all together as long as you don't drop the tank when it's full.

Might work out cheap that way too. IDK what the cost is to fill extinguishers and how many pounds they hold. I do know my 5 lb normal aluminum canister costs $20 to fill and lasts like a year on a 55 gallon. This price is actually kinda expensive I believe . It depends on a number of factors though I guess. Its defiantly safer to use a normal canister. The canister though itself costs at least $55 new and empty. Also you have places that fill canisters and places that fill extinguishers. I don't think they normally overlap. Also canister/ welding fill places a lot of times "swap" the tank. I use Airgas for example and every time I get a "fill" what I actually get is a DIFFERENT full canister and give them the empty one. My account with them says I own the canister, which means whatever canister I currently have is mine. They do some weird expensive thing where they will try to rent you a canister. Whatever way you go make sure you can get a fill locally.

 

[Katch]

If you make friends with your local landlord - they can usually order an extra CO2 canister from the brewery and then exchange it for full ones when it runs out. You do however need to have room for a very tall gas tank.

This is by far the cheapest.