Project

CO2 Cylinder Stand

Photos by Wayne Hanno

There always seems to be something that needs attention with my brew-making hobby that requires some creative action to solve a nagging issue. This time, it was my spare 5-lb. CO2 cylinder that had a mind of its own wanting to get tipsy (but not from drinking too much homebrew). That double gauge pressure regulator with two product outlets, two gas line hoses each with a gas-in ball-lock fitting on the end and installed on the gas cylinder valve adds extra weight at the top of the cylinder. This makes it all too easy for the cylinder to tip over, especially when the tank contents start running on empty.

One of the concerns was a tip-over event when using the cylinder for purging activities. The first thing I do after filling a keg of homebrew and before placing it in the kegerator is to perform numerous CO2 pressurize-and-vent cycles to rid the headspace of oxygen. This keeps the beer fresh while it chills and carbonates. Even when gently tugging on the gas line hose to connect it to the keg gas-in post, that tug will tend to tip the cylinder over. Careful attention is required to keep the cylinder in the upright position. This concern also applies when using my Tapcooler counter-pressure bottle filler to purge bottles prior to filling.

Another issue is storing of the cylinder when not in use. In my brewing storage area, I have many items nearby that could cause a tip-over when moving things around. So, I always worry that the cylinder will get accidently knocked over. These worries revolve around two potentially disastrous results: Either the valve breaking off and the cylinder becoming a projectile or the regulator breaking from a bad fall.

This makes it all too easy for the cylinder to tip over, especially when the tank contents start running on empty.

These concerns led me to do some internet searching to gather some ideas for a do-it-yourself (DIY) project that I could make to add some stability for my CO2 cylinder. Efforts focused on finding a solution for my desired design constraints that included being light in weight, easy to construct, stable, portable, use readily available materials, and kept at a minimal cost. I found PVC to be the ultimate make-anything-toy-set, as you can pretty much make anything you can think of by just using some fittings and pipe.

Other considerations that factor into a satisfactory solution are taking advantage of tools and extra stuff that you might already have. Of course, like all DIY projects, there are countless ways to end up solving a particular issue that one may have. The final solution therefore features PVC materials and wood scraps that best satisfied my design constraints.

If you are somewhat handy, have the time, want to make something simple, and stop your cylinder and regulator from meeting a tragic ending, this solution is for you.

Tools and Materials

  • (4) ½-in. 90-degree PVC side outlet elbow
  • (8) ½-in. 90-degree PVC tee
  • (4) ½-in. schedule 40 PVC cap
  • (5) ½-in. x 2 ft. (61 cm) 600-psi schedule 40 PVC white.
  • PVC cement
  • Doorjamb scrap (about 8-in. long x 45⁄8-in. wide x 5⁄8-in. thick or 20 cm x 11.4 cm x 1.5 cm)
  • 1×2 wood scraps
  • Miter saw
  • Wood glue
  • Danish oil (natural oak)