How much CO2 for homebrew?

Answered by Kyle Floyd

When it comes to homebrewing, one important factor to consider is how much CO2 you will need to dispense your . The amount of CO2 required depends on the size of your kegs and the volume of beer you plan to serve.

If you prefer using 5-gallon kegs, also known as Corny kegs, you will need to know how many kegs you can dispense with a certain amount of CO2. A 5-pound CO2 tank is a common size for homebrewers, so let's use that as an example.

A 5-pound CO2 tank contains approximately 5 pounds of CO2 gas, which is equivalent to 80 ounces or 2,268 grams. The weight of the CO2 is not the most accurate way to measure how much CO2 is actually inside the tank, but it gives us a rough estimate to work with.

Now, let's consider the amount of CO2 required to dispense a quarter barrel of draught beer, which is about 7.75 gallons. It typically takes about half a pound of CO2 to dispense this amount of beer. So if you were using a 5-pound CO2 tank, you could dispense approximately 15.5 quarter of beer.

When it comes to 5-gallon kegs, the amount of CO2 required is significantly less than a quarter barrel. The exact amount can vary depending on factors such as the carbonation level you desire and the length of your beer lines, but on average, you can expect to dispense about 31 to 44 kegs of beer with a 5-pound CO2 tank.

It's worth noting that the number of kegs you can dispense with a CO2 tank will also depend on how often and for how long you are dispensing beer. If you frequently host parties or events where you dispense large quantities of beer, you may go through the CO2 faster than if you were only using it occasionally.

It's always a good idea to have a spare CO2 tank on hand, especially if you have a busy schedule or host frequent gatherings. Running out of CO2 in the middle of a party can be a real buzzkill, so it's better to be prepared.

When it comes to homebrewing, the amount of CO2 you will need depends on the size of your kegs and the volume of beer you plan to serve. With a 5-pound CO2 tank, you can typically dispense around 15.5 quarter barrels of beer or approximately 31 to 44 5-gallon kegs. However, it's always a good idea to have a spare CO2 tank on hand to avoid any unexpected shortages. Cheers!