How many CO2 Cartridges should I be going through?

A common question we receive at Coldbreak is, "How many CO2 cartridges should I be using with my ColdOne?" The answer depends on how you use your system. From dispensing to cleaning, each task requires a different amount of CO2. In this guide, we'll break down the factors that affect CO2 usage and how you can get the most out of your cartridges.

CO2 Usage for Dispensing If you're only using your ColdOne to dispense drinks, with the small keg (which holds two gallons), a single CO2 cartridge can dispense approximately three and three-quarters of these kegs, equating to about 7.75 gallons of liquid. This usage applies strictly to dispensing, not other processes.

Carbonating Water with CO2 Many users also carbonate water with their CO2 cartridges. This process involves using the CO2 to dissolve into the water, creating sparkling water. However, this uses more CO2, meaning you won’t get the full three and three-quarters of kegs dispensed from a single cartridge.

Cleaning the System When cleaning your system, CO2 is also consumed. For example, if you use a cleaner like BLC in your keg, the CO2 cartridge must pressurize the remaining space in the keg to push the cleaner through the lines. Filling the keg completely with cleaner will use less CO2, but you’ll go through more cleaner. It’s a balance between cleaner and CO2 consumption.

Using Nitrogen Instead of CO2 Nitrogen canisters are smaller, holding just 18 grams compared to CO2 canisters’ 74 grams. Nitrogen is more challenging to compress, making it more suitable for still drinks like cold brew or cocktails that don’t require carbonation. However, nitrogen canisters only dispense about one keg per canister, making them less efficient and more expensive than CO2.

Troubleshooting High CO2 Usage If you’re not getting the expected amount of kegs dispensed per cartridge, there may be a leak in your system. With nine connections in the ColdOne, even a small leak can significantly impact CO2 usage. Additionally, if the canister freezes up while in use, it indicates that CO2 is being used too quickly, suggesting a potential issue.

Final Thoughts The number of CO2 cartridges you use depends on how you utilize your ColdOne. Whether you’re dispensing, carbonating, or cleaning, each action affects your CO2 consumption. If you ever feel that your system is consuming too much CO2 or something doesn’t seem right, reach out to us at support@coldbreakusa.com, and we’ll help you troubleshoot.