Force Carbonating with a CO2 Fire Extinguisher?

Dave Maher · May 26, 2022

Hi Guys, I couldnt find any information about using a CO2 fire extinguisher to carbonate beer instead of the so called "normal CO2 tanks .
Has any one used this when brewing if so how did it work out?

Discordian · May 26, 2022

I don't use a CO2 fire extinguisher directly for carbonating beer but instead use it to refill a sodastream CO2 cylinder, which has a regulator fitted to it. To refill the sodastream cylinder you buy an adapter to go between it & the extinguisher.

Dutto · May 27, 2022

May I refer you to the Thread of July 28th 2015 on this Forum titled;

Co2 : Using 2 KG Fire extinguishers

Where the subject is discussed at length.

Personally, I wouldn’t touch a Fire Extinguisher with a very long pole!

There is no guarantee that the CO2 in a Fire Extinguisher is not contaminated with traces of hydrocarbons or other toxic elements that take it out of the “Food Grade” category! (Some of them {e.g. benzene} are carcinogenic and can be toxic in very low concentrations!)

My recommendation is to stick to a known source of Food Grade CO2. It is marginally more expensive but brewing a beer “To die for!” isn’t part of my remit!
:hat:

Dave Maher · May 27, 2022

Seems the big issue is'nt the CO2 its self, but the cylinder its contained in?

gyurmaember · May 27, 2022

It doesn't cost an arm and leg to get a proper cylinder, and it's cheaper on the long run.

Dutto · May 27, 2022

Dave Maher said:
Seems the big issue is'nt the CO2 its self, but the cylinder its contained in?

Er … not really!

The difference between “Food Grade CO2” and “Non Food Grade CO2” is less than 0.01%!

However, that 0.01% is the bit that is (or is not) toxic. It may linger within the cylinder from one batch to another or it may be expelled with the CO2 or it may not even be there!

It’s like playing Russian Roulette - but for pennies; which is something I prefer not to do!
:hat:

PS

BTW, you asked for advice in the OP and I and others have given it! The joy of advice on this Forum is it’s free and you don’t have to follow it!
athumb..

Surfingobo · May 27, 2022

I use one out of necessity (no co2 suppliers near me). I Turn it upside down because the dip tube goes right to the bottom.

Agentgonzo · May 27, 2022

Dutto said:
it may linger within the cylinder from one batch to another or it may be expelled with the CO2 or it may not even be there!

Also, the machinery/process used to generate the CO2 and pump it into the cylinders may introduce toxins. CO2 is produced commercially via chemical plants and food grade co2 undergoes extra refinement/filtering to remove these harmful impurities.

I'm sure you can carbonate it, but why risk it? Id it really cheaper/easier than a co2 tank?

Cheshire Cat · May 27, 2022

Use soda stream if you can’t get large CO2 cylinders.

labrewski · May 29, 2022

I use them works fine for me I bought 2 on done deal
2 kg full for 25 euro then I get them refilled by another fire extinguisher company for 5 or 10 euro depending on who's working that day lol

Dutto · May 29, 2022

labrewski said:
I use them works fine for me ……

A well known saying is “Luck is a fickle mistress!”
:hat:

labrewski · May 29, 2022

Dutto said:
A well known saying is “Luck is a fickle mistress!”
:hat:

Why what's the dangers ?

Dutto · May 29, 2022

labrewski said:
Why what's the dangers ?

The 0.01% that makes the difference between “Commercial CO2” (used to fill Fire Extinguishers) and “Food Grade CO2” (used to carbonate drinks including beers)!
:hat:

labrewski · May 29, 2022

Is it harmful what's the worst could happen ??

Dutto · May 29, 2022

labrewski said:
Is it harmful what's the worst could happen ??

Er … if the 0.01% is Benzene then you can die because it’s a toxic and carcinogenic hydrocarbon.

Most other hydrocarbons are also toxic, but not as carcinogenic, so all you do is poison yourself.

Of course, hydrocarbons may not be present at all, if you are and continue to be, lucky!

Enjoy!
:hat:

Dutto · May 29, 2022

BTW two tales from Refinery work with TEL (Tetraethyl Lead) and TML (Tetramethyl Lead)!

When receiving my first lecture on the toxicity of TEL & TML I asked “What’s the cure?” The reply was “You feel bad, have bad dreams and die!”
I got lazy with wearing everything I should be wearing with TEL/TML until one day I returned home after unloading a tanker full of TML, had my lunch and sat in the chair to watch TV. I pulled my T-shirt down and there in the centre of my chest was an orange stain; orange being the distinctive colour they used to identify TML! I started to have bad dreams right there and then, until I realised it was some of the juice from the baked beans I had just eaten for lunch! I stopped cutting corners and less than a month later saw enough TML flowing across the gasoline plant to last me a lifetime!

BTW, used to enhance the octane rating of petrol, TEL & TML are now banned in the UK! This was after it was discovered to cause mental problems in children; so we now buy “Unleaded Petrol”!
:hat:

Dutto · May 29, 2022

Please read the following for an appreciation of what contaminated CO2 can do to a brew:

https://blog.parker.com/site/usa/en...uality-in-bottling-applications-case-study-us
Enjoy!
:hat:

consum · Jun 6, 2022

I carbed up a batch with a co2 fire extinguisher that I got second hand once a couple of years back and I thought I could detect a slight off flavour. It may have been the result of reading the various scare stories but nevertheless I dumped the batch and got myself a food grade cylinder. That being said when I lived back in Ireland the only way to get co2 was to go via a fire extinguisher company, but there they filled it for you on the spot and they knew it was for beer so that helped mitigate any possible worries...

GeneralGinger · Jun 7, 2022

consum said:
I carbed up a batch with a co2 fire extinguisher that I got second hand once a couple of years back and I thought I could detect a slight off flavour. It may have been the result of reading the various scare stories but nevertheless I dumped the batch and got myself a food grade cylinder. That being said when I lived back in Ireland the only way to get co2 was to go via a fire extinguisher company, but there they filled it for you on the spot and they knew it was for beer so that helped mitigate any possible worries...

Living in Ballygobackwards by anychance?

Force Carbonating with a CO2 Fire Extinguisher?

Help Support The Homebrew Forum:

New Member

Active Member

Landlord.

New Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Well-Known Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

New Member

Active Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!