WTB: CO2 cylinder in Ottawa

Geosmashing · Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 36 Location: Ottawa, Canada

Let me know if anyone in the Ottawa, Canada area has a #5 or #10 CO2 tank they're looking to sell.

I'm also wondering if it would be cheaper to buy one locally versus ordering online? A brand new one is $79.99 at Ontario Beer Kegs, plus about $13 for shipping. But it seems like a pretty standard item. Where does one go to buy one of these in person? I'm thinking a welding supply shop maybe?

Cheers,
Geo

**kal** · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 1:07 am Post subject:

Most things are not available locally in Ottawa at anything reasonably priced, so I bought all my stuff online. You'll always need other things too so I find it so much easier to just click and buy too.

P.S. I updated your link to OBK to support our site - Thank you for your support!

Kal

dunnry · Joined: 10 Oct 2012 Posts: 43 Location: Strongsville, OH

foomench · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 4:52 pm Post subject:

Local welding shop.
I bought a shiny new tank years ago, I think at a local homebrew store. For refills I would drop it off at a welding supply and come back a few days later, which wasn't terribly convenient. As it approached the date for a retest required, I just swapped it out. Now I just do the swaps--quick and easy. Sometimes the tank I get doesn't look beautiful, but I don't look at it much.

Go for at least 10# if you can fit it. My local shop charges nearly the same for a 10# swap as a 5#. The cost is in the labor at that point. I'm thinking of switching up to a 20# on my next swap now that I have the space in my cooler for it. I might then get a 5# for travel and work in the brewery, e.g. pushing sanitizer out of a single keg.

Geosmashing · Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 36 Location: Ottawa, Canada

Thanks for the input, everyone! I picked up a used #20 from a guy off my local Craigslist-type site. It's pretty rusty on the outside, and I will need to replace the regulator. I guess the next step is to take it to the local fire extinguisher place to see if they'll re-certify and re-fill it.

Geosmashing · Joined: 25 Apr 2014 Posts: 36 Location: Ottawa, Canada

Cory · Joined: 02 May 2016 Posts: 1

Old thread but an updated answer effective May 2, 2016 (I had the same questions). I called around the city (after doing one refill at Davidson's) and if you wish to own and refill Co2 tanks there are two options that are most affordable that I am aware of in this city:

Davidson's (downtown Ottawa)

5 # refill $23.35 +tax
10 # refill $27.75 +tax
20 # refill $33.50 +tax
pre-filled #20 used tank is $195.00 +tax

Pyromateck Inc (just across the river in Gatineau).

5 # refill $20.00 +tax
10 # refill $25.00 +tax
20 # refill $30.00 +tax
pre-filled #20 used tank is $125.00 +tax (photo attached). The one in the background is my #5 backup.

**kal** · Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 7:41 pm Post subject:

I always recommend buying the biggest tank you can as the cost of gas only goes up incrementally. Not having to fill as often means it's less of a pain too.

That said, I don't practice what I preach. Wink

I have one 5# for CO2 in my conditioning fridge (larger will not fit easily), a 20# for CO2/Nitro blend in the basement bar, a 10# for CO2 in the basement bar (this would be 20# if I could do things over again but in the previous house I didn't have room for anything larger at the old house), and then a second 5# for CO2 in an outdoor kegerator (bigger won't fit and I prefer having it inside the unit to hide it, not to mention it came with it).

Kal