CO2 regulator was reading near empty on the current 20lb tank. Apprehensive due to reading about CO2 price increases. Went to my normal gas distributor in Manassas Park, VA. Swapped out my empty 20lb CO2 tank for a filled 20lb CO2 tank. $39.82 (this included taxes haz mat fee and maintenance fee). IMO, ~ $40.00 for 20lbs is reasonable for food grade CO2.
BTW, after 20lbs of CO2 what is the next size up?
I have seen no price increases or shortage here
I think 50 lb tanks are available, at least purportedly available on the internet. There may be local regulations that limit home use sizes, though.
Homebrewers may not see shortages or price increases, but they are real for large scale users:
I spent $40 last month on a 5#tank & a 10# tank. Prices have gone up slightly in my area.
It is a local problem.
There are tanks of all different sizes - I prefer 20lb but for toting mobile jockey box, the 2.5 lbs is perfect!
Well, I experienced an eye opener yesterday. My normal place to refill couldn’t do it because my tank needed a hydrostatic test. It would have been next week before I would get it back from testing and refill.
The guy there is pretty cool and we discussed the shortage. He said when he heard about the shortage he had his huge tank topped off to ride out the storm.
Anyway, wanting CO2 prior to next week, I went to a locally owned welder’s supply house which is my old exchange place. He didn’t have any available and said he’s been experiencing problems getting them. So, I went to a national chain which is my secondary exchange source.
The cost of the exchange was $25 which is ~$10 more than the refill. But the kicker was ~$11 environmental fee. Add in the ~$3 tax and I was out the door for just under $40. …for a 5 lb bottle [emoji15]
Just got one filled here for a little over half that. Continues to seem to be regional.
Dang! Only 5lbs