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Choosing the Right CO2 Regulator and Accessories
- By Felicia Jenkins
- Published 12/7/2009
- Food and Drinks
Felicia Jenkins
View all articles by Felicia Jenkins
Having the proper equipment is absolutely crucial to making beer properly. One of the equipment pieces you need is a CO2 regulator. This is the piece that allows you to control how much CO2 is being sent into the keg. If you don't know what you are looking for, the process might seem somewhat overwhelming, but it really isn't that difficult.
Being able to control the CO2 going into the beer is crucial to it being good to drink. Too much will result in lots of foam, and nobody likes losing beer to foam. Also, whenever there is a lot of pressure, there is the risk of something bursting, and having something to tell you how much pressure is present is the best way to avoid something like this happening.
If you have a regulator with a gauge, you will also be able to get the right pressure going for any type of beer. Some beers need more carbonation than others, and this may also come down to some personal taste. A gauge will allow you to set the tank to let our just the right amount of C2 for any given beer. Then in the future you will be able to set it faster because you know where you want it.
Some people insist on having two gauges on their regulator because they think they need to be able to see how much pressure is still in the CO2 tank. The problem with this is that the gauge will only tell you whether there is pressure or not. W
hen the CO2 runs out the needle will suddenly drop from the lack of pressure. Generally this happens so quickly that you don't have time to do anything about it anyway.
The only exception to this is if you have a 20 pound or larger CO2 tank. If you have a large tank like this, once the CO2 runs out there may be enough pressure in the tank to push more beer out of the keg. But most people don't have a tank this big. So for most cases, a single gauge will do just fine.
If you are thinking about using nitrogen in your beer instead of carbonation, make sure you get a coupler that allows the regulator to be hooked up to a nitrogen tank. Many people are choosing this option because it makes a smoother beer. This way you can use the same gauges, but you will be able to use CO2 or nitrogen at will.
Finally, make sure you get a "gauge cage" for the regulator. This is a small item that is usually made from strong wire that goes around the gauge. Gauges aren't terribly expensive to replace, but it can be an amazing annoyance to do if yours gets broken. You would be amazed by how frequently this happens and the many ways in which it can occur.
By getting the right regulator with a gauge the process of setting up your beer keg will be made simpler. On top of this, adding a couple extra accessories will help you to keep your equipment in good shape. Once you have all of this and have it set up, you will be able to enjoy your beer without worry.
Being able to control the CO2 going into the beer is crucial to it being good to drink. Too much will result in lots of foam, and nobody likes losing beer to foam. Also, whenever there is a lot of pressure, there is the risk of something bursting, and having something to tell you how much pressure is present is the best way to avoid something like this happening.
If you have a regulator with a gauge, you will also be able to get the right pressure going for any type of beer. Some beers need more carbonation than others, and this may also come down to some personal taste. A gauge will allow you to set the tank to let our just the right amount of C2 for any given beer. Then in the future you will be able to set it faster because you know where you want it.
Some people insist on having two gauges on their regulator because they think they need to be able to see how much pressure is still in the CO2 tank. The problem with this is that the gauge will only tell you whether there is pressure or not. W
The only exception to this is if you have a 20 pound or larger CO2 tank. If you have a large tank like this, once the CO2 runs out there may be enough pressure in the tank to push more beer out of the keg. But most people don't have a tank this big. So for most cases, a single gauge will do just fine.
If you are thinking about using nitrogen in your beer instead of carbonation, make sure you get a coupler that allows the regulator to be hooked up to a nitrogen tank. Many people are choosing this option because it makes a smoother beer. This way you can use the same gauges, but you will be able to use CO2 or nitrogen at will.
Finally, make sure you get a "gauge cage" for the regulator. This is a small item that is usually made from strong wire that goes around the gauge. Gauges aren't terribly expensive to replace, but it can be an amazing annoyance to do if yours gets broken. You would be amazed by how frequently this happens and the many ways in which it can occur.
By getting the right regulator with a gauge the process of setting up your beer keg will be made simpler. On top of this, adding a couple extra accessories will help you to keep your equipment in good shape. Once you have all of this and have it set up, you will be able to enjoy your beer without worry.