How to Exchange Tanks at The Beverage People

1. Check to see if your tank has been tested within the last 9 years.
2. Check to be sure it is empty of argon.  The tare weight will be stamped on the side.  An empty tank should have that weight. Additionally, when the regulator is attached and the tank valve is open, the high pressure gauge should read 0.
3. Add THIS ITEM to your cart.  With this exchange, you will need to bring your empty steel 19 cu ft argon tank to our warehouse at the time you pick up your filled tank.  
4. As you pick up the USED Filled Tank from the staff at our warehouse, drop off your empty 19 cu ft Steel Argon Tank with the staff. We will notify you as soon as your filled tank is ready for pickup.  Your card will not be charged until the exchange is completed.

Out of date tanks from other vendors will be charged a $55 hydro test fee.

How We Handle Hydrostat Testing Fees

If you are exchanging a tank that you RECEIVED FROM The Beverage People and that tank has an expired hydrostat test date stamp on it, we will exchange that tank without charging a hydrostat test fee.  In this case The Beverage People will pay the retest fee.

If you are exchanging a tank that you DID NOT RECEIVE FROM The Beverage People, and that tank has an expired hydrostat test date stamp on it OR a date that will expire within the next 12 months, you must pay a $55 hydrostat test fee in order to exchange that tank at The Beverage People.

Comparison of Beverage Gases

Weights of Beverage Gases in Reference to Air (as specific gravity of gas at 68°F):

Air = 1.000 (reference)
Nitrogen = 0.97
Argon = 1.38
Carbon Dioxide = 1.52  

If you review carefully the comparative weights of the gases above, you 'll note that Nitrogen is lighter than air, while both Argon and Carbon Dioxide are heavier than air.  All three of them are inert noble gases, meaning they are not reactive with your beverage.  The heavy weight of Argon and Carbon Dioxide can be a great advantage for filling tanks and kegs because it can be used to displace air before they are filled, ensuring your beverage is not exposed to oxygen during transfer.  Argon is the most expensive of these gases, however, so if you choose to work with it be sure you are not wasteful and that you have pressure tested the whole system to avoid leaks.