Old CO2 tank

[Bugeater]

While sitting in the brewery the other day (mostly in a drunken stupor) I started examining the certification dates on my 5# CO2 tank. I noticed the oldest date stamp on there was 11/67!!!!!! It was just recertified 2 years ago so I know its still good. Any one have one older? How long will these things last (given reasonable care, of course)?


Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Push Eject]

Great to see you around again, Boo-geeter. Tell those campers to eat some fuckin' grubs and leaves.

It's my understanding that as long as the tanks pass recertification you can use them forever.

Speaking of, I'm due for a new one as my 5lb tank needs recert... local store wants $110 for a 10lb one.

Push Eject

[beer_bear]

I noticed the oldest date stamp on there was 11/67!!!!!! It was just recertified 2 years ago so I know its still good. How long will these things last (given reasonable care, of course)?

They don't hard stamp the tanks any more for integrity reasons. Think about it, would you want to smack a 40 year old pressure cylander with a metal stamp? I don't think I would want the liability for a fracture that might appear due to the stamp.
Yes, as long as it passes cert, it is safe. They do take certain tanks out for some reasons that I don't know though. Screw it. If it passes, it passes.

[Push Eject]

I just swapped my 5lb (expired) tank out for a 10lb'r. Cost: $54.

Good deal?

Fuck if I know. Beer's flowin', bitches.

[Danno]

PE, you may have gotten a better deal than you thought. I did the same thing but exchanged for a 20 pounder (I have a 5 pounder for traveling).

Filling my 5'er was about $12. I think the 10'er is about $14 and my 20 pounder is about $17. That's where the savings comes in. The cost of the fill must be mostly in the labor.

[Lars]

You didn't get raped. Because your current tank was expired, you had to pay for it to be recertified. Usually around $30, then pay for a fill $15, and upgrade to a 10lb for $9. Not too shabby. Although, I know a few places around here that would have only charged for the recert and fill, and a few others that would have charged you a whole lot more.