CO₂ - Part 2 - Hansen’s

(click here to go to part 1)

In Part 1 (December 1997) I described the CO₂ gas manifold, pressure regulators, and check valves for my new dispensing system, but I was having difficulty finding a good place to fill my 20-lb CO₂ tank. The experienced club members recommended Hansen Fire Equipment, Inc. in San Leandro. Once I found the place I had no problem getting the tank filled.

Hansen Fire Equipment, Inc.
536-C Lewelling Boulevard
San Leandro, California 94579
(510) 357-9982

I got vague directions from Roger at the Christmas party. Knowing that it was on Lewelling, I started in Hayward and drove until I found A-1 Pool Tables (under the 238/880 interchange). When Roger said "look for the pool place" I was thinking "swimming pool" – Not! Around the side, behind the pool table place is Hansen’s, a warehouse on the left. I’m sure there’s an easier way to get there than the way I took, but it was a nice sunny day and I enjoyed the drive.

When I drove up I found several men sleeping in cars and vans. I thought this was odd, but the man in the brown van (pony-tail, leathery skin, staring through an imaginary hole in the ceiling) turned and gave me a "chin wave." He unfolded himself from the van, took one glance at me and asked "Did Brewmaster send you?" How did he know? I hate it when someone sizes me up before I even say anything. Maybe I look like a homebrewer (except that I was wearing a suit and tie from work) but how did he know the exact shop where we meet?

I brought two 20-lb tanks; one aluminum and the other steel. Tanks need to be hydrotested every 5 years (they stamp the date into the tank). The steel tank hadn’t been tested since 1984, so it required hydrotesting, which Hansen’s can do on site. Then, we noticed the rubber boot on the bottom was coming loose, so the boot would have to be reattached in order to not trap air when zeroing out for the hydrotest. On top of that, it looked like it was rusty under the boot, so it might not pass the hydrotest anyway. Part of me wanted to have it tested anyway just so I could see and hear what a failure looked and sounded like, but then the sensible side took over and suggested that it probably wasn’t worth it. Perhaps I could get another aluminum tank and reuse the valve? Forget it. The threads for the aluminum and the steel tanks are different, just so you don’t reuse old valves. The whole tank was useless to me, so I flat out gave it to him. At least he had a use for the valve.

Next we turned to the aluminum tank. I stuck a sticker over the name stamped in the tank, but that didn’t fool him - the man knows tanks! I was relieved to hear him volunteer his philosophy about tanks: "Coke, Pepsi, whatever - possession is ownership. You bring it, I fill it." He filled my 20-lb tank without any problems. The cost was $10 and it only took 2 minutes.

I wandered around the warehouse while he filled the tank, checking out the various tanks stacked around the entrance. I asked him if he sold tanks, and he does, quite frequently to homebrewers. He has some new 3-lb and 5-lb aluminum tanks for sale, and a couple of used 5-lb steel tanks ($55). Used aluminum tanks get sold very quickly. Aluminum tanks are much more desirable than steel (lighter, won’t rust, generally newer). A used 20-lb aluminum tank goes for $90, so I figured I still got a great deal even by giving away the useless steel tank. Remember, I paid $100 for 2 CO₂ tanks and 6 5-gallon soda kegs.

He gave a few tips on testing for system leaks (soapy water at the connections) and reminded me not to forget to use the white plastic washer to prevent leaks between the tank valve and the regulator. Ahhh, so that’s what that thing’s for that came tied to the tank.

I left with my aluminum tank dripping with condensation after just being filled, feeling confident that my keg dispensing system was ready to go on-line. It’s just a matter of connecting a couple of hoses, replacing O-rings in the soda kegs, filling and chilling. I have a lagered Vienna in the carboys right now. And when the CO₂ runs out (in about a year), I’m heading back to Hansen’s for a refill.