Most home setups
Choose 5 lb CO2 for kegerators, homebrew serving, and most sparkling water setups.
CO2, Nitrogen, and Beer Gas Fills & Swaps
Get CO2, nitrogen, or beer gas for homebrewing, kegerators, draft systems, sparkling water, and nitro coffee.
- Fast swaps in minutes - no appointment needed
- Order ahead for quick pickup
- Not sure what you need? Bring your tank - we'll help
Fast Swaps, Refills, and Expert Help
We offer two simple options depending on what you need: fast swaps or direct refills.
- Most swaps take only a few minutes
- No appointment needed for standard swaps
- Order ahead online when you want the fastest pickup
- We'll confirm your tank size, gas type, and valve before you buy
- Not sure what you have? Bring it in and we'll help you sort it out
CO2 Swaps and Refills
We offer CO2 swaps and refills. Most customers choose swaps because they're quick—bring in an empty tank and leave with a full one in a few minutes. This is also the best option if a tank is out of test.
Refills are available for tanks that are in code if you prefer to keep your tank. Smaller tanks are usually quick to turn around. For larger sizes, it's a good idea to call or order ahead.
We regularly swap 5 lb, 10 lb, and 20 lb CO2 tanks. Refills are available for 2.5 lb, 5 lb, and 10 lb tanks, along with smaller tanks that use a CGA-320 valve.
If you're not sure what you have or what makes sense, bring the tank in and we'll take a look.
CO2 for Homebrewing, Kegerators, and Soft Drink Systems
CO2 is used to carbonate and push beverages through a draft system, including beer, sparkling water, and soft drink systems.
Most home setups use a 5 lb tank. It fits standard kegerators, is easy to handle, and covers typical homebrew serving and sparkling water use without taking up much space.
For higher-use setups, like cafés, restaurants, office kegerators, and small draft systems, a 20 lb tank is usually a better fit. It lasts longer and reduces how often you need to refill or swap.
If you're seeing low pressure, inconsistent pours, or carbonation issues, CO2 is often the place to start. If you're not sure what size makes sense, bring in your tank or send us a few photos and we can help you sort it out.
We use beverage-grade CO2 for all fills.
CO2 for Sparkling Water Systems
Standard CO2 tanks are commonly used for sparkling water setups, including SodaStream-style machines, DIY carbonation, and other home systems.
A 5 lb CO2 tank holds about 5.5 times as much gas as a standard 14.5 oz canister, and the exchange cost is often similar. For people who go through sparkling water regularly, that can make a standard tank a practical option.
Many setups use an adapter between the machine and a standard CO2 tank. Adapters are easy to find online, and we can help confirm whether the tank side of your setup uses the standard CGA-320 valve.
- We do not refill or exchange SodaStream canisters. We do refill and swap most standard CO2 tanks with CGA-320 valves.
Nitrogen for Cold Brew
Nitrogen is used for nitro cold brew and other drinks where you want a smooth pour without adding carbonation. It's common in cafés, offices, and home coffee setups.
We offer nitrogen swaps in 20 cu ft and 60 cu ft tanks. The right size depends on how often you're pouring and how much room you have for the tank.
If you're not sure what size tank you need or whether nitrogen is the right gas for your setup, we can help you sort that out before you buy.
Beer Gas for Draft Systems
Beer gas is a nitrogen and CO2 blend used for stouts, nitro beers, and other draft setups where straight CO2 is not the right fit. It lets you serve at higher pressure without over-carbonating the beer.
Most customers use beer gas with a stout faucet for beers that should pour with softer carbonation and a dense, creamy head.
We offer 20 cu ft beer gas swaps only. If you're not sure whether your system should be running CO2, nitrogen, or beer gas, we can help you choose the right gas before you buy.
Tank Sizes & Pricing
Start with how you use the tank. Most home kegerators and sparkling water setups are best served by 5 lb CO2. Commercial systems and heavier draft use usually move up to 20 lb.
We serve homebrewers, cafes, restaurants, offices, and draft systems throughout Chicago.
Need fewer trips?
Choose 20 lb CO2 for commercial draft systems, higher-volume use, or longer stretches between swaps.
Swap or refill?
Swap is fastest. Refill is for an in-code tank you want to keep.
| Tank option | Swap | Refill | Buy tank |
|---|---|---|---|
Most common5 lb CO2Best for home kegerators, homebrew serving, and most sparkling water setups. | $23 | $27 | $109.99 |
10 lb CO2A middle option when a 5 lb tank runs out too quickly but a 20 lb tank is too large. | $37 | $42 | $189.99 |
High volume20 lb CO2Best for commercial systems, frequent pouring, or fewer swap trips. | $44 | — | $249.99 |
20 cu ft NitrogenFor nitro cold brew and other drinks that need nitrogen instead of carbonation. | $26 | — | $139.99 |
60 cu ft NitrogenFor higher-volume nitro setups and longer stretches between swaps. | $45 | — | $259.99 |
20 cu ft Beer GasFor stout faucets and draft systems that need nitrogen plus CO2. | $29 | — | $149.99 |
Hydrostatic testingOne-time test fee for out-of-code tanks that were not purchased from Gnome Brew or previously swapped through us. | $28 | — | — |
Notes
- Smaller CO2 tanks can be refilled if they are in test and use a CGA-320 valve.
- We can only accept out-of-test tanks for sizes we swap. Refill-only tanks must be in test.
Tank Test Dates (In Code)
High-pressure tanks like CO2, nitrogen, and beer gas need to be hydrostatically tested every 5 years to confirm they can safely hold pressure. After testing, the month and year are stamped into the tank.
Tanks can be refilled for 5 years after that test date. Once they pass that window, they're considered out of code and need to be tested again before being refilled. It's common for tanks to have multiple dates stamped on them, so look for the most recent one when checking if your tank is still in code.
If you purchased your tank from Gnome Brew, or if it's been swapped through us before, you won't need to pay a testing fee. If you bring in a tank that's out of code and it wasn't purchased or previously swapped with us, there is a one-time hydrostatic test fee listed in the pricing table.
Need Help With Your Setup?
Not sure what size tank you have, what type it is, or whether it's in code? Call us at 773-961-7750, email gnomes@gnomebrewshop.com with a few photos, or stop in with the tank. We can usually tell you what you have and what your next step should be.
We regularly help customers across Chicago with home kegerators, office coffee setups, restaurant draft systems, and tanks that are out of code or hooked up incorrectly.
We also carry the parts and equipment for draft systems:
We work with home setups, offices, cafés, restaurants, and small draft systems. If something isn't working the way it should, we can help you sort out what's missing or what needs to change.
If needed, we can come out and take a look onsite to help get your system set up or back in working order. We make service calls to homes, restaurants, cafés, and offices. Learn more about draft service.
