At Adams Gas, we stock a wide range of gas bottles that are suitable for many different applications. This includes beer brewing, camping, tyre inflation, TIG and MIG welding, and so much more. Whether you need some gas for a home project or for your business, you may have asked yourself the question: just how long does a gas bottle last?
So, in this article, we’re providing a few estimates on how long specific bottles can last, which will help you see the value for money and the exact amount of gas you require for your project before you make a purchase.
Factors That Impact Gas Consumption
As a gas bottle supplier, we know there are several things that influence how long the gas bottle lasts. These factors include:
Your Burner
The type of burner you’re using will make a huge impact on this, and so will the size of the burner, as bigger ones will consume gas faster. So, depending on what you have at home or use in your business, you may want to buy more or less bottles to ensure you have the right amount and don’t have to make additional purchases or pay for too much gas.
Low Heat or High Heat
When cooking, for instance, setting the cooker on a high heat will consume gas faster than on a lower heat. Same if you cook for a longer period of time since this will consume more gas. So, if you ever find yourself running out of gas, then it’s a good idea to keep it on a low setting to ensure you don’t run out when you least expect it – and try to make it quick!
Gas Flow in Welding
If you’re welding, the flow through the aperture can greatly impact how long the gas will last. The more you use, the faster you’ll run out.
The End Use
How are you using the gas bottles? Are you welding, making beer or filling balloons? The gas application is a major factor because it determines how much gas you need. Cooking a BBQ on the patio throughout summer will probably consume less than welding for that same amount of time.
Frequency of Use
And, if you’re using your gas bottles every day, then they won’t last as long as if you only use them sparingly, of course. Frequency of use is crucial when deciding how many bottles to buy, so don’t skip this step if you want to purchase the right amount.
So, How Long Will Your Gas Bottle Last?
Keep in mind these are only estimates, as we’ve just seen there are many factors that influence how long the gas bottles actually last. Still, they can be incredibly useful if you’re about to make a purchase but aren’t sure where to even start.
How long does a 45kg gas bottle last?
A 45kg cooking gas bottle can last around 244 days, depending on the burner you have and the frequency you use the gas. If you use it for over an hour a day, for example, you can expect the bottle to last a lot less. No matter what, it’s still a very respectable number, so you can expect such a large bottle to keep working for you for a long time.
How long does 6Kg cooking gas last?
If you were camping and cooking on a full-size BBQ, for example, you could expect your 6kg bottle of BBQ and patio gas to last, approximately 18 hours. Plenty of time for a few delicious meals over the span of a few days, so you don’t have to worry about running out in the middle of your trip.
How long does a 6kg propane gas bottle last?
Is there any difference with propane? If you have a Calor gas propane 6kg bottle – and if you consider that 1kg of propane can give around 13.6 kWh of energy – you may be able to use a cooker for about 81.6 hours.
How long does a butane tank last?
At Adams Gas, we provide many different types of gas, including butane. Each 220g of butane, more or less, will last about 3 to 4 hours on low heat, meaning you can really get your money’s worth with this type of gas. One of our Calor gas butane 15kg bottles could last, therefore, approximately, 238 hours on low heat.
If you want more accurate estimates, why not get in touch with Adams Gas today? We can let you know how long your gas cylinder will last depending on the project on hand, so you’ll get a figure that’s more tailored to you.
You can send us an online message any time you want, and we’re more than happy to help. Likewise, we can answer any questions you may have about any of our products.
How Long Does a Gas Bottle Last?
At Adams Gas, we stock a wide range of gas bottles that are suitable for many different applications. This includes beer brewing, camping, tyre inflation, TIG and MIG welding, and so much more. Whether you need some gas for a home project or for your business, you may have asked yourself the question: just how long does a gas bottle last?
So, in this article, we’re providing a few estimates on how long specific bottles can last, which will help you see the value for money and the exact amount of gas you require for your project before you make a purchase.
Factors That Impact Gas Consumption
As a gas bottle supplier, we know there are several things that influence how long the gas bottle lasts. These factors include:
Your Burner
The type of burner you’re using will make a huge impact on this, and so will the size of the burner, as bigger ones will consume gas faster. So, depending on what you have at home or use in your business, you may want to buy more or less bottles to ensure you have the right amount and don’t have to make additional purchases or pay for too much gas.
Low Heat or High Heat
When cooking, for instance, setting the cooker on a high heat will consume gas faster than on a lower heat. Same if you cook for a longer period of time since this will consume more gas. So, if you ever find yourself running out of gas, then it’s a good idea to keep it on a low setting to ensure you don’t run out when you least expect it – and try to make it quick!
Gas Flow in Welding
If you’re welding, the flow through the aperture can greatly impact how long the gas will last. The more you use, the faster you’ll run out.
The End Use
How are you using the gas bottles? Are you welding, making beer or filling balloons? The gas application is a major factor because it determines how much gas you need. Cooking a BBQ on the patio throughout summer will probably consume less than welding for that same amount of time.
Frequency of Use
And, if you’re using your gas bottles every day, then they won’t last as long as if you only use them sparingly, of course. Frequency of use is crucial when deciding how many bottles to buy, so don’t skip this step if you want to purchase the right amount.
So, How Long Will Your Gas Bottle Last?
Keep in mind these are only estimates, as we’ve just seen there are many factors that influence how long the gas bottles actually last. Still, they can be incredibly useful if you’re about to make a purchase but aren’t sure where to even start.
How long does a 45kg gas bottle last?
A 45kg cooking gas bottle can last around 244 days, depending on the burner you have and the frequency you use the gas. If you use it for over an hour a day, for example, you can expect the bottle to last a lot less. No matter what, it’s still a very respectable number, so you can expect such a large bottle to keep working for you for a long time.
How long does 6Kg cooking gas last?
If you were camping and cooking on a full-size BBQ, for example, you could expect your 6kg bottle of BBQ and patio gas to last, approximately 18 hours. Plenty of time for a few delicious meals over the span of a few days, so you don’t have to worry about running out in the middle of your trip.
How long does a 6kg propane gas bottle last?
Is there any difference with propane? If you have a Calor gas propane 6kg bottle – and if you consider that 1kg of propane can give around 13.6 kWh of energy – you may be able to use a cooker for about 81.6 hours.
How long does a butane tank last?
At Adams Gas, we provide many different types of gas, including butane. Each 220g of butane, more or less, will last about 3 to 4 hours on low heat, meaning you can really get your money’s worth with this type of gas. One of our Calor gas butane 15kg bottles could last, therefore, approximately, 238 hours on low heat.
If you want more accurate estimates, why not get in touch with Adams Gas today? We can let you know how long your gas cylinder will last depending on the project on hand, so you’ll get a figure that’s more tailored to you.
You can send us an online message any time you want, and we’re more than happy to help. Likewise, we can answer any questions you may have about any of our products.
Steps To Guarantee A Good Weld
Welding can be a challenge even for the most experienced of welders. There are a huge number of factors that can affect the quality of a weld. In this article, we will look at some of the steps you can take to minimise the risk of your welding project going wrong.
We will discuss several tips such as investing in the right equipment, ensuring you have new equipment on hand, as well as more simple steps like ensuring your work surface has been suitably prepared before welding.
We will refer to always purchasing high-quality TIG and MIG welding gas to ensure you can consistently get a good weld in your next project.
Investing In The Right Equipment
As the saying goes, if you buy cheap, it will cost you, dear. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to spending money on welding equipment. Increased global competition in the market has forced fabrication and welding companies to come up with new ways to cut costs.
Most companies try to save money by cutting the cost of production. Quite often, the biggest production expense is equipment. Welding and fabrication companies try to get the best price possible when dealing with equipment manufacturers.
Although it might seem like a great idea initially, it can be ineffective in the long run. Increasing overall productivity offsets the cost of production. Fabrication and welding companies can keep costs down over time by using better equipment to increase productivity.
Investing in one high-quality piece of fabrication and welding equipment now, rather than two or three over the next ten years, saves money. Higher quality equipment reduces waste and delivers improved sustainability.
Ensuring You Have The Right Equipment On Hand
Choosing the right welding machine can be confusing. Welding is still very much a skill. Many welders prefer to stick with the tried and tested methods. Depending on what the result needs to be, a more modern approach might be beneficial.
With new processes comes new equipment and welders must have the right equipment to hand. When it comes to picking the right tools, many factors need to be taken into consideration. The specifics of the job, spatial requirements, location and the skill of the welder all play a part.
Different types of welding processes are used for different jobs. MIG welding is the most commonly used welding process. It allows high-quality results and speedy processes. MIG welding works when a filler wire ignites the welding arc. The MIG welding gas shields the molten weld pool from oxidation. High-quality MIG welding gas is vital for a top-quality weld.
Pure Argon gas is used in MIG welding for aluminium and its alloys. MIG welding gas made up of an Argon CO2 mix is commonly used for steel processes, while Argon/Helium mixes are traditionally used for deeper penetration. MIG welding is relatively easy to learn, and with new digital machines, the process is smoother than ever.
TIG welding uses a shielded gas process. It’s used to produce great quality and seam-free welds. It’s commonly used on stainless steels copper and titanium. This process is found most in pipeline and aerospace industries. As with MIG processes, TIG welding gas is used to shield the workpiece from oxidation. It’s important to have the right equipment on hand to cover weld processes. Top of the list in this equipment should be high-quality TIG gas.
The Importance Of Clean Weld Surfaces
Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Nowhere is this more important than with welding. Dirty welds can never be strong. Debris can risk the integrity of the weld so clean metal is the key to a good weld, and there are a few materials you can use to prep your metal.
Even new metal has to be prepared before welding. New metals usually come with a coating so that it doesn’t rust in the shipping process. The different types of weld you are carrying out will determine the way you prep your metal.
MIG welding doesn’t need to have the same level of cleanliness as TIG welding. Angle grinders and flap discs are perfect for preparing metal for both MIG and TIG welding. After you’ve used the flap disc to remove the coating from the metal, a wipe down with acetone will leave it clean and ready.
A clean surface and the use of high-quality equipment is vital to the result of every weld. It’s a part of the process that should be carried out before any welding takes place. So if you’re looking for the perfect TIG or MIG welding gas to ensure your weld goes off without a hitch, be sure to consider purchasing from a trusted and reliable supplier such as Adams Gas!
How Much Gas Did It Take for David Blaine Ascension?
Illusionist and endurance performer David Blaine took to the skies this year with his latest performance project: Ascension. Using helium balloons, Blaine undertook what could be considered a tribute to the Pixar film Up by floating over the Hudson strapped underneath a bunch of balloons at around 25,000 feet before slipping out of his harness and falling back to the Earth.
Here at Adams Gas, we love the chance to talk about all things gas related. Helium is something we know a lot about, so we were curious to find out just how much helium went into this stunt. Read on to find out more about David Blaine and Ascension.
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Who is David Blaine?
David Blaine is an endurance artist and extreme performer best known for his high-profile endurance feats, such as living in a suspended glass box for 44 days. He started as a street magician, and when he sent a recording of himself performing magic to ABC, he received a tremendous response. In 1997 he had his own special, David Blaine: Street Magic, and in 1999 he performed his first endurance stunt where he was entombed in an underground plastic box beneath a three-tonne water-filled tank for seven days.
In 2008 he broke the world record for a person holding their breath underwater, 17 minutes, four and a half seconds, surpassing the previous record of 16 minutes, 32 seconds. However, this was beaten five months later by a German diver who managed a time of 17 minutes, 19 seconds.
Over the last couple of decades, Blaine has performed a number of endurance feats, magic shows and broken several world records. In 2000 he stood in a large block of ice for almost 64 hours, and in 2006 he was submerged in a water-filled sphere for seven days. Ascension marks the first endurance stunt in Blaine’s career for eight years.
Ascension
Blaine’s aerial stunt saw him rise into the Arizona sky beneath a cluster of multicoloured helium-filled balloons. He reached an altitude of nearly 25,000 feet before falling back to the Earth. However, this is by no means the highest a balloon skydiver has ever gone, but the appeal of Blaine’s performance was not just about the height reached.
The world record currently stands at 135,890 feet when Alan Eustace jumped from a scientific balloon. However, Eustace, like previous daredevils who have attempted this kind of stunt, had worn a special pressurised suit during his dive, and the previous world record holder before Eustace had even ascended inside a custom-built capsule.
Blaine took to the skies in his regular street clothing, adding a mix of danger and drama to the stunt.
Fifty-two latex balloons that stretched up to around 50 feet tall were used to take Blaine up into the air. Most of the balloons used were 8 feet in diameter, but there were also some smaller 5.5 feet and 4 feet balloons used to help get the exact balance just right. It’s estimated that one of the large 8ft balloons would give around 15 pounds of uplift, so with Blaine’s 198 pounds of weight, there was quite a lot of uplift needed to get him 25,000 feet up into the air.
So how much helium was used in the stunt? There would need to be an awful lot of the gas required to fill 52 massive balloons. Well, to figure it out, we need to look at how much helium is necessary to fill balloons of that size.
A balloon of 8ft in diameter will require approximately 10,730 litres of helium to fill it – which is a whole lot of helium! When we factor in Blaine’s 198 pounds of weight, we calculated that the entire stunt would require around 85,850 litres of helium to get him up into the air.
You can watch the entirety of Blaine’s stunt on YouTube from set up to take off to the final skydive back down to the Earth:
The stunt is undoubtedly impressive and is an excellent demonstration of just how incredible helium gas really is. His ascension lasted around 30 minutes, and he controlled the lift by shedding small bags of sand to go higher and released individual balloons in order to descend before performing the jump.
We actually covered how many helium balloons it would take to lift several items and animals from around the world in a handy infographic before. You might be surprised just how much gas is required for some objects!
While you’re unlikely to be attempting Blaine’s stunt yourself, you may still find yourself in need of helium canisters. At Adams Gas, we specialise in providing a wide variety of gas bottles and canisters, including disposable helium cylinders and refillable helium canisters. We can stock a vast range of other gas cylinders including Calor gas, propane, butane, patio gas, beer and cellar gas, and MIG and TIG welding gas. Contact us today for more information.
Amazing Welding Work from Around the World
Welding can be an art form in itself. Doing a good job is one thing but having the ability to create a truly impressive project is another. There are many amazing welding projects online, and we’re taking a closer look at some of them in this article – who knows, you might even feel inspired by them as well.
What Defines Great Welding Work?
If you were presented with a welding job done by someone with many years of experience as well as a more amateurish job, we’re confident that you’d be able to tell the difference immediately. So, what makes great welding great?
- The skill of the welder
- A deep understanding of the welding processes (like MIG and TIG)
- Correct gap preparation between two parts being joined
- Quality of the weld
- Lack of defects like overlaps and root cracks
- Welded joints that are well designed and look great
Having all of the above can be a challenge, but those who do are able to create welds that are not only functional and capable of withstanding the test of time, but that also look good. And aesthetics is just as important, especially if the welds are in plain sight.
Below, you can see how people put these elements into practice and the projects that resulted from that hard work.
What Does Amazing Welding Work Look Like?
A beautiful weld is a sight to behold, and the comments on this Instagram image agree with us. The project uses the TIG process to create an aesthetically pleasing and well-crafted weld. Just looking at how consistent the style is, it’s clear this welder (who we believe is in Japan) has a lot of skill and knowledge.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHMTDweDRwG/
You can create amazing projects as well with our TIG welding gas, as we supply this and other key elements that go towards making a great weld.
Another clearly skilled welder is the person who created a WALL-E from metal parts they welded together. This clearly takes welding to the next level, especially as this particular creation even has a Bluetooth speaker built-in.
This one is the perfect blend of art project with metalworking and welding skills, and we love it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHLMpD-jJmn/?igshid=5bh5l2bx1xwd
This scrap metal artist has other amazing projects on his Instagram page, including large dinosaurs, so make sure to check it out.
We couldn’t stop ourselves from adding in another stunning welding job. The next image shows a very consistent and clean weld made on Inconel 690. Inconel can, sometimes, form cracks, but the job below has been done properly from start to finish. It’s impossible to pick up any starts and stops either.
The devil’s in the details, as they say, and the next example of great welding work really showcases that. Making sure the welds look consistent is just as important as making sure the gate works properly, and this hobbyist welder seems to have nailed it.
Or how about this welding job done on 316 stainless steel? Again, this weld is consistent and shows a great deal of skill, as it appears impossible to detect any starts and stops either. Work like this looks visually beautiful but also allows the metal part – in this case, a reducer socket – to perform well. And, of course, we’re also confident this type of work will last for a very long time.
Part BBQ, part Death Star, the following project is a truly amazing feat made from scrap metal and put together through skill and welds. We couldn’t agree more with commenters saying the artist should sell more of this, as many people would love to own a fire pit like it.
One of the most impressive things about this, apart from the obvious, is that its builder doesn’t create diagrams or draw plans of any sort, preferring to build as he goes.
If you enjoy metalwork sculptures, like the WALL-E we showcased above, how about a dragon on a massive scale? This 3.5-metre-high dragon is made from iron and, according to the artist, it has over 1km of welds! That’s incredibly impressive, and you really have to see it to believe it.
Fortunately, the artist provided a video:
Lining up so many angles and perfectly executing so many welds takes a great deal of skill and this welder, who we believe is in the USA, has it in heaps. All in all, the dragon measures 9 metres from nose to tail and the different metal parts were put together using MIG.
We also offer MIG welding gas at Adams Gas, so you too could start creating amazing projects such as this. 
At Adams Gas, we are passionate about welding and metalwork and aim to help people create their own projects, whether they’re amateurs or professionals. We provide a wide range of products you can use for your next project, so contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
Why You Should Invest in a Home Bar Today
Many people love spending an evening with friends or family at their local, something that current circumstances has unfortunately put on pause throughout the year.
But whilst the doors to your favourite pub are closed, there is nothing stopping you from creating your very own at home.
Home bars are quickly becoming more popular. By implementing your own bar, you can enjoy your favourite drinks from the comfort of your own home. You get to stock your bar with whatever you want and enjoy it, without having to worry about designated drivers or closing times.
Here are all the reasons you should invest in a home bar, and how Adams Gas can help.
Save Money on Drinking Out
The initial investment of a home bar might be pricey, but it will actually put money back in your pocket in the long run. When you have your own bar, you only pay for the drink itself – or the ingredients when you brew your own – you don’t have to worry about service charges.
Stocking your home bar doesn’t have to break the bank, especially if you want to brew your own beer to serve. There are so many ways to create your home bar that will suit every style and budget.
Plus – you don’t have to worry about travel either.
Enjoy a Bar During Lockdown
With all pubs and bars having closed their doors in November, now is the perfect time to install your very own home bar. You can relax from work – whether you’re working from home or not – and enjoy a cold, refreshing beer in your very own bar, regardless of restrictions. You and your loved ones can unwind and enjoy nights in from the comfort of your own home.
Even when life returns to normal and bars open their doors, you will still have the choice of going out or staying in when you fancy a drink.
Stock Your Favourites
For beer lovers, there is nothing worse than getting to a pub and realising you like nothing they have on tap.
When you’re responsible for stocking your own bar, this is something you don’t need to worry about. At your bar, you stock only what you want to drink, so it’s always there waiting for you. Make your home bar truly yours by stocking it full of your favourite drinks, whether it’s wines, liquors or home-brewed beer.
Enjoy A Drink With Family and Friends
Whilst we cannot spend time with family as freely as we would like to right now, once restrictions are lifted slightly in the coming months, there is a great opportunity to invite your friends and family round for a tipple in your very own bar. Whilst pubs and bars are great, there’s nothing quite like enjoying some genuine quality time with friends and family in the privacy of your own home. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a catch up with friends and family who have been unable to visit you in person for a long time.
Whether you’re inviting life-long friends for a home-brewed beer, or hosting a family get together, your home bar can act as a genuine social hub for your closest friends and family. It’s also worth noting that children don’t have to be left out too, you could choose to install a soda machine as part of your overall home bar, so no one has to be left out!
Beer Gas from Adams Gas
Suppose you’ve been convinced that a home bar is right for you. In that case, you need to consider what kind of drinks you’ll serve there. Brewing your own beer is a cost-effective way to drink it, allows you to get creative with flavours and can even give you a great way to make extra money by selling it, or providing you with homemade gifts to give out at Christmas. Brewing your own beer isn’t as tricky as it sounds, and Adams Gas can help.
We can provide you with a range of rent-free bar gas cylinders that are perfectly suited to home users. Adams Gas have carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide/nitrogen mix cylinders that are easy to handle and store. Our range of home bar gas is perfect for your home brewery creations, and our range of beer gas can help improve the taste of your beer, extend its life and improve its overall presentation. Contact us today to find out more about our range of gases and how we can help you bring your home brewed beer to life.
The Importance of Quality Beer and Cellar Gas
They say that expensive paints don’t make an artist, but when it comes to making beer the quality of your ingredients and equipment has a profound effect on the final product. If you have ever wondered about how the quality of your beer gas can affect your brew, you have come to the right place.
WHAT IS BEER GAS?
Beer gas is a crucial element of the beer making process and is often formed from carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or a mix of the two. While most breweries opt for the tried and tested carbon dioxide formulas, there are a select few craft companies who prefer to opt for nitrogen, claiming that it results in a creamier beer.
CARBON DIOXIDE FOR BEER
When carbon dioxide is introduced to a beer brew, it improves the aroma and adds a slight bitterness to the flavour.
NITROGEN FOR BEER
By using a nitrogen mix, you can create a creamy beer for high pressure dispensing. This typically results in a frothy beer, like a Guinness.
HOW TO FORCE CARBONATE YOUR BEER
It is possible to let your beer ferment naturally when you’re making a homebrew, but this takes a lot of time, patience, and can go very wrong – leaving you disheartened after months of anticipation.
The equipment required to force carbonate your beer requires an initial cost but is a far quicker method for beginners who want to focus on exploring flavours and techniques, rather than halt their learning process with months of waiting between tastes.
You can discover the initial steps to making your beer in our blog, How to Start Your Own Microbrewery at Home, but once you have your chilled wort solution, here is what you need to do to force carbonate it:
- Siphon your beer into a specialised Corny keg.
- Connect the gas and set the pressure. This should usually be set to around 40psi, but you should always check the limits of your keg and the recipe’s instructions.
- Check your keg and gas line for leaks. A leak could lead to a loss of gas as well as a ruined keg of beer! You can check for leaks by spraying soapy water around the connections – if it bubbles a lot then this means that there is escaping gas.
- Leave the keg in a cool place, preferably a fridge, and leave for the recommended time. This is usually around twenty-four hours.
- Adjust the pressure for the next twenty-four hours, usually by halving the original pressure.
- Test the carbonation level by turning the regulator down to ten psi and releasing the excess through the pressure relief valve.
- Sample the beer! If more carbonation is needed (if your beer tastes flat and sour), continue to carbonate the beer for another day.
- Sample the beer again! Hopefully, it should be ready now.
Image: Home Bar Gas
BAD BEER GAS…
There are two ways to ruin your beer through force carbonation. The first is to fail to carbonate your beer enough – leaving your beer tasting flat. The second is to over carbonate the beer, which could be caused by a few things and results in a bubbly beer.
Over carbonation could be caused by any of the following:
- Sugar can cause over carbonation if you used too much or failed to disperse it properly.
- Infections can occur in your beer if you fail to properly clean your equipment between uses. Failure to thoroughly clean your equipment can cause bacteria to gather on the remaining alcohol and will be present when you’re making your next batch. This bacteria creates more CO2 than you’re planning for, and could ruin your beer. At worst, it could lead to the creation of a bottle bomb which is quite dangerous.
- Temperature is the final factor that could lead to poor carbonation. If you fail to cool your beer properly while it is carbonating, it won’t take as much CO2. This leads to beers that foam a lot, but this quickly fades and the drinker finds the solution hasn’t actually retained much CO2.
When it comes to creating your own beer, you can’t compromise when it comes to beer gas. Settling for subpar gas can have a huge effect on the final brew, so be sure to use a trusted and reliable gas supplier for your next brew. A great beer should use expertly mixed beer gas, sold in a safe canister from an experienced supplier, and Adams Gas can provide you with what you need.
We are pleased to offer both home bar gas for domestic users, as well as beer and cellar gas for trade customers, so you can rest assured we have the right solution for you.
Image: Beer Cellar Gas
If you require any guidance on the right gas or cylinder size for your requirements, please do feel free to get in touch with us by calling 01843 220 596 or using our online enquiry form.
Why You Should Always Purchase Gas from A Trusted Supplier
Choosing the right company to purchase gas from is a big decision, with the transportation and safe handling of gases being as important as the eventual usage of the gas. If you do choose to purchase gas from the wrong business, you could find yourself with faulty goods or, even worse, unstable gas. (more…)
How Can CO2 Be Used in Business?
There are a whole host of uses for CO2 gases within many industries, and some may just take you by surprise. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the main uses of CO2 in a variety of sectors, whilst also delving deeper into some of the less known uses of CO2 in the business world.
Modern Food Production
CO2 has numerous uses in modern food production. Commonly, it is used to create fake atmospheres that preserve plastic wrapped and easily perishable food like salads. This is where the general consumer comes into obvious contact with CO2, but it’s not the primary use for this gas in food.
CO2 is a vital tool for many abattoirs too, offering arguably a more humane stunning method than electric shocks. Once the animal has been butchered, CO2 is also vital for preserving the meat and extending its shelf-life by preventing aerobic bacteria growth.
CO2 is also used for shipping food from place to place, ensuring that it arrives on shelves safe to eat. This is done by using the CO2 to create dry ice, which further prevents bacteria from growing on the meat since bacteria thrives in hot temperatures.
Food Production of the Future – Hydroponics
Hydroponics is another way in which CO2 is used in making food. It uses food-grade CO2, which is a pure type of CO2 more suitable for consumption, to grow plants without soil. Instead, a water-based solution is used with special UV lighting which allows plants to be grown indoors. Plants need CO2 to photosynthesise, which is why our CO2 for hydroponics is vital.
One of the greatest benefits of using hydroponics to produce food is that the yield is unaffected by seasonal conditions, unlike traditional farming. This means that hydroponics allow for greater control in food production.
Another benefit of hydroponics is that plants can be grown in shelf-like stacks. This means that it is great for saving space, especially when compared to field growing. In the future, this could mean that fields are used to plant trees instead, which will help to lessen greenhouse emissions.
You can learn everything you need to know about hydroponics on our blog.
As you can see, CO2 is used at almost every step in the food production industry. Our modern way of living would not exist without it.
Dry Ice
Dry ice is used for more than just food transportation. It is used to keep luxury goods cold on planes and to keep blood bags and organ donations fresh during transport.
You can make dry ice simply by cooling carbon dioxide below -110 degrees, at which point it becomes a solid. When you bring this solid into room temperature, it starts turning back into a gas and creates a heavy white fog.
Because it is so cold, dry ice can be very dangerous to the common consumer. Touching dry ice can cause frost burn and inhaling too much of it as it disperses from the dry ice can cause sickness in small mammals. It can be very flashy, but it is best left to the professionals.
Safety
CO2 bottles might also be used in fire extinguishers in the right circumstances. CO2 extinguishers are typically found in offices and server rooms because they are the best type of extinguisher for putting out a fire with electrical risk.
The reason for using CO2 instead of water when electricity is involved is because the water would conduct the electricity and cause further damage, potentially exacerbating the fire. CO2 puts the fire out by displacing the oxygen in air which the fire needs to burn. As a result of a blanket of CO2 gas, the fire should be suffocated without further electrical risk.
Water Maintenance
CO2 might also be used in fish tanks or your local swimming pool to stabilise the water’s pH level. When diffused in water, some of the CO2 reacts with the water to form H2CO3 – a carbonic acid. This acid will actually help to lower the acidity of the pool until the CO2 eventually disperses into the air above the pool, at which point the pool’s pH level will start rising again. Pool maintenance requires regular treatments of CO2 to maintain a safe pH (between 7.2 and 7.8), which can be managed using a specialist controller.
As you can see, there are plenty of business uses for CO2, from protecting your office to cooling your drinks. If you want to learn more about CO2, you can do so on our blog: Fun Facts About Carbon Dioxide.
How to Start Your Own Microbrewery at Home
There’s so much that can be achieved from within your own home, but the ability to create your own microbrewery is a great achievement with real world benefits. Aside from drawing the envy of your neighbours – who will undoubtedly request samples – starting your own microbrewery could mean turning your hobby into a profitable business.
In this guide, we will help you to understand the basics of homebrewing as well as some of the complicated aspects of starting up your own microbrewery.
Ingredients
There are four key ingredients used to brew beer, but to effectively brew a great taste from home, it helps to understand how these ingredients affect the brewing process.
- Malts
Wine is made from grapes, cider from apples, and beer from malts. Malts are grains that have been germinated then dried to prevent further plant growth. The most common malted grain used in the production of beer is barley. To create interesting flavours and textures, it is common for brewers to add a small percentage made from a different grain, such as rye, oats or wheat.
A portion of the malts are also toasted to bring out the sugar and flavour. These malts are called the ‘specialty malts’, and will affect the beer’s colour as well as the flavour. Lightly toasted malts produce pale beers, for example.
- Water
Beginners can use any drinking water without worry, but more advanced brewers will consider the effects of mineral, hard and soft water, too.
- Hops
Hops are a flower used in beer making to counterbalance the sweet, sugary malts. Hops have a fairly bitter taste, meaning that it is important for beginners to carefully weigh their ingredients or risk making their brew inedible!
Hops add more than just flavour; they’re an important preservative and endow beer with that characteristic aroma. More advanced brewers might exchange or combine their hops with a variety of spices and herbs.
What Type of Hop?
For the entry-level brewer, there are two types of hop to be aware of: the pellet hop, and the full hop. A full hop, or whole leaf hop, is a freshly picked hop and which is used by experienced and dedicated brewers. Whole leaf hops can be stored in a fridge, but they spoil quickly. Most beginners, therefore, will rely on pellet hops when they’re starting out. Pellet hops are dried and compressed hop flowers that last a lot longer and are typically more affordable.
Hop Resin or Hop Oils?
When crafting the perfect taste, you need to pay attention to the type of hops that you are using. Hop resin adjusts the bitterness of your brew, where hop oils affect general flavour and scent more. There are three main groups of hops that are self-explanatory: bittering hops, aroma hops, dual hops.
For example, a bittering hop will have a higher percentage of hop resin than an aroma hop.
- Yeast
Adding yeast will consume some of the sugar from your solution to produce carbon dioxide and alcohol – this is where your solution starts to become a real beer. There are two types of yeast and these are ale yeast and lager yeast.
Ale Yeast
Ale yeast works best between 65°F to 75°F which makes it a popular choice for beginner home brewers. This temperature range means that you don’t need to purchase additional temperature monitoring equipment than if you were to use lager yeast.
Ale yeast is perfect for those who like their beers to be full of flavour and aroma.
Lager Yeast
A larger yeast wants to be kept at around 50°F for the initial fermentation, but brought down to a lower temperature – around 40°F – for ‘the lagering period’. Lager’s are understood to be more difficult to brew than ales, but can be extremely rewarding with their crisp, clean taste when done right.
For beginners, we recommend concentrating on crafting the perfect ale before diving into lager recipes.
Tools
There are plenty of gadgets for the aspiring home brewer to collect. Here are the necessities:
- Malt Grinder
You’ll need to find someone to grind your malts or do it yourself.
- Safe Storage for Ingredients
If you’re not using all your malts quickly, you’ll need somewhere dry and cool to store them. The same goes for your hops.
- Sanitiser
The success of each brew you make will depend on how well you can keep your equipment clean. Don’t risk contaminating your next batch by neglecting to clean your tools!
- Brewing Kettle
You’ll need to brew your ingredients together.
- Hops Spider
When boiling your hops into your beer, sediment collects at the bottom of your boiling kettle. You don’t want that sediment to wind up in your final brew, so you should use a hops spider to collect it.
- Corny Kegs
These kegs are used to force carbonate your beer using beer gas. In the olden days, beer was left to carbonate slowly overtime in a sealed bottle, but here in the 21st century force carbonation is far easier and less dangerous. You can read more about why corny kegs are so fantastic on one of our earlier blogs: Tips and Tricks to Make Your Home Brewing a Great Success.
- Chilling Plate or Immersion Cooler
One of the easiest places to fail your home brew is by failing to chill it quickly enough after the boil. A chilling plate can help you to cool your brew in seconds, ensuring that you maintain the taste and flavour that you want. Chilling plates can be expensive, so you might want to consider alternatives such as immersion coolers.
Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you’ve collected everything you need, you can start putting it together to make your beer.
- Cleaning
You should always start by checking that your equipment is clean. A boiling kettle stained with the remnants of last year’s beer is not a good start for your new brew.
- Heat the Water
Get out your boiling kettle and heat your water.
- Steeping
Add your grains and steep them for twenty minutes in a grain bag. Remove the grains without squeezing the bag – doing so could add unwanted tannins.
- Boiling, Malt Extracts, and Hops
Bring your solution to a rolling boil and, if your recipe requires you to, add your malt extracts and wait for them to dissolve. Your recipe will tell you when you should be adding your hops to the mix, but remember to avoid letting your solution boil over.
Congratulations! What you have now is called ‘wort’.
- Chilling
Failing to chill your wort quickly enough will create a hazy-looking beer, which no-one wants. We recommend using a chilling plate if you can afford to, but other home brewers use ice baths or ‘wort chillers’ which run cold water through your wort in pipes.
- Ready the Fermentation
Now that your wort is chilled, you need to ferment it. Do this by putting it into your corny keg and adding water as recommended by your recipe. Shake your keg a little before adding the yeast because yeast needs oxygen to work properly.
- Fermentation and Adding Yeast
Add the yeast and follow instructions for force carbonating your brew.
- Transfer Your Beer
You might need to use a siphon to get the beer out of your keg. One thing to bear in mind when transferring your beer into a bottling bucket is that you’ll be trying to avoid picking up any sediment from the bottom of the keg. A hops spider will have prevented the worst of it, but the solution at the bottom will likely still have some and it is very bitter to taste.
- Fill Your Bottles
Lastly, you need to bottle your beer. Now you have a finished product to share and sell.
What Is a Microbrewery?
If you think that you’ve got what it takes to compete in the brewing industry at a local or national scale, then you might consider turning your hobby into a business.
Microbreweries are famous for producing very small batches of beer that concentrate on flavour and quality. A craft beer, for example, refers to a beer produced in small batches with exceptional quality. Microbreweries concentrate on producing these kinds of high-class beers all the time.
With enough success, it’s possible to elevate a microbrewery into a brewpub. A brewpub is a highly unique enterprise that concentrates on selling the beers made by it’s founding microbrewery. In this manner, brewpubs can become important venues for local society.
It’s important to note that a microbrewery has more than one employee in the business. If you’re considering trying to turn your hobby into profit completely on your own, you would technically be classified as a nanobrewery.
Supporting You in Your Hobbies and Work
At Adams Gas, we love to see how our customers use our gas to further their passions. Whether you’re making beer as a hobby or for work, we’re more than happy to you our advice on our beer gas. We also support F1 enthusiasts with our nitrogen gas, and welders with MIG welding gas and TIG welding gas.
If you’re a hobbyist, get in touch and we’ll support you.
How to Stay Safe When Handling CO2 Gas
CO2 is known as the gas that we breathe out and that plants use to create oxygen. However, it has a number of more interesting applications, such as allowing businesses to carbonate drinks.
Being safe when handling gases like CO2 is essential. While CO2 can create those bubbly drinks that we love so much, insufficient handling and storage can have disastrous consequences.
CO2 is all around us in the air, and when it increases, say from a leaking gas cylinder in a confined space, it can cause suffocation and possibly lead to death. CO2 is stored in bottles as compressed liquefied gas, and an increase in temperature will cause an increase in pressure. Too much pressure and the cylinder can rupture.
So, we know that CO2 can be dangerous. If we want to enjoy all its benefits, we must know how to properly handle it to ensure nothing goes wrong. Here’s how you can stay safe when handling CO2 gas.
Transporting CO2 Cylinders
Always ensure that you handle your CO2 cylinder with care. Make sure your hands are 100% dry when you carry them, never lift them with wet hands. Don’t drop them or allow them to be struck or used as any kind of support for other objects. If too heavy to carry, you can use a trolley for moving the cylinder short distances. Otherwise, bottles should be carried using the handles and not lifted above chest height, but do hold them close to the body. Please do not use the valve cover to lift the cylinder, as it can become detached.
If transporting by vehicle, make sure the car you are using is open, or at least well ventilated if this is not possible. Transporting them in closed vehicles with no ventilation is a health hazard. Ensure that the cylinder is secured sufficiently in the vehicle so that they will not shift if you have to stop in an emergency. Make sure you unscrew any connectors and that the protective cap is on the valve.
Operating CO2 Cylinders
When operating your cylinder, make sure that you have thoroughly read through the guidelines from the manufacturer before proceeding. Make sure the bottle is stood vertically with the valve at the top before use. Point the valve outlet away from you before opening it. When in use, have the valve in the fully open position, and close the valve and depressurise the circuit before disconnecting the cylinder.
Only connect gas cylinders to primary regulators. Make sure all the connections are correctly made before you open the valve, and don’t use the valve as a flow controller. If the valve is faulty, do not use the cylinder or interfere with it and try to make any substitutions. Gas cylinders should never be tampered with.
Storing CO2 Cylinders
It’s vital to store CO2 cylinders correctly. Keep the bottles out of direct sunlight to prevent an increase in temperature which will lead to an increase in pressure, and never store them near anything electrical or beside anything that could potentially knock or fall into the cylinders.
To prevent tipping, don’t store cylinders on an uneven floor and keep them in an upright position. Use an appropriate chain or plastic wire cable to secure cylinders regardless of whether they are full or empty. However, empties should be returned to the gas supplier from which you purchased them.
Do not keep cylinders in a damp or corrosive atmosphere and ensure that they are correctly labelled. Keep them somewhere well ventilated and with minimal foot traffic to help prevent cylinder damage. They should be somewhere easy to reach but secure.
Whenever you are moving, using or storing CO2 cylinders, make sure you are appropriately clothed with the right kind of footwear and wearing protective gloves. Never lift more than you can handle and always handle the cylinders with care.
At Adams Gas, we can provide you with a range of CO2 bottles in different sizes that can be used in a number of industries for various uses such as glass frosting. We are one of the very few UK bottled gas suppliers that still offer rent-free CO2 bottles. We offer gas canister refills and can provide you with gas bottles throughout the UK. So, if you’re looking for CO2 cylinders, contact Adams Gas today to find out more about how we can provide you gas bottles for your business.
How is Nitrogen Gas Used in the Food and Beverage Industry?
Nitrogen is a very useful gas. It’s used in many different industries, including the food and beverage sector, and it has a wide range of applications within it. Nitrogen is also inert, non-toxic, colourless and odourless, so it won’t harm any food or drinks. (more…)
How to Create Your Own ‘Beer Garden’
With the UK having been stuck in lockdown for the last few months, people have been creating their own spaces at home to make up for how much they’ve been missing pubs and restaurants. On those sunny days when you’re off with family and friends, the beer garden is a sorely missed part of the season.
So, if you’ve been missing the humble beer garden this summer, why not make your very own at home? With the right kind of tables and chairs, décor and, of course, drinks, you can create your very own beer garden in the comfort of your own back garden.
The Perfect Spot
Choose a level spot in your garden to create your beer garden. Traditionally, beer gardens aren’t propped up on grass and pubs will have their back garden spaces paved with gravel. However, if your garden is all lawn, you’ll have to work with what you have.
If you have any patio space, that would be ideal for table and chair placement, keeping everything steady. But if you don’t, don’t worry, some simple stones or paving slabs are a great way to mark out the space to use for your beer garden.
Seating and Tables
An essential aspect of the beer garden is the seating and table arrangement. You need to make sure there’s enough space for everyone to sit – with space for social distancing if you’re planning on inviting guests who don’t live in your home.
Choose seats that can weather outdoor conditions, like steel or iron. But don’t forget to get some seat cushions for added comfort, just make sure they’re brought inside at the end of each day – there’s plenty of rain to be had even in UK summers, after all.
For tables, high top tables dotted around can be a great choice to allow people to mingle. If you’re going for a rustic look, wooden furniture is perfect. Picnic tables are a classic staple of many beer gardens, and they have the added bonus that they can be used in the daytime for family picnics before being transformed into beer garden furniture in the evening.
If you’re on a budget, chairs can be fashioned from tree stumps or upside-down boxes. You can source cheap or even free furniture online that people are looking to get rid of, so have a dig around. As long as there are plenty of places to sit, people won’t care if none of the seats match. But with a few matching cushions, you can create a more cohesive look even with drastically mismatched chairs.
Atmosphere
To get the right kind of atmosphere for your beer garden (and it’s crucial you do, so you’re not just drinking a beer outside) consider lighting. The right kind of lighting can take your outdoor space from garden to beer garden in a flash. String lights are a great addition and can be strung up anywhere, like around a table or across the top of a shed. Candles and lanterns are also great, one for each table will help give your space that real beer garden feeling. Fetch down those old Christmas lights, they’re no longer just good for December.
If you have a portable electric fire or are handy with matches, why not set up a fire? It adds warmth as well as a pleasant atmosphere. And don’t forget the music. Speakers playing quietly in the background will add that extra touch that will take you back to all those wonderful evenings spent in a beer garden with your friends, right in your very own back garden.
Food and Drink Storage
Finally, the most crucial element of the beer garden: the drinks and food. You need somewhere to store them outdoors, so you don’t have to go back into the house to top up. Consider buckets, tubs or even a wheel barrel full of ice to store your beer bottles and soft drinks.
Food can be something as simple as pub snacks like crisps, but maybe you could go all out if you’re having guests over. Homemade dips and finger food can be placed on tables to get everyone eating and drinking communally. And if you want to keep the kids distracted, set up a table with a gas fire and some marshmallows on sticks for the kids to eat to their heart’s content – just keep an eye on them.
If shop-bought beer isn’t your thing, why not make your own? Give that beer garden a real touch of magic with your very own homebrewed beer. It’s not difficult to make your own beer, and with beer gas from Adams Gas, we can help.
Our high-quality beer gas can help improve the taste of your beer, extend the life of draught beers and improve its overall presentation, impressing your guests pint after pint. If you’re going to set up your very own home bar for your beer garden, our beer gas can help you provide quality beverages each and every time. Contact us today to find out more about our beer gas and other gas solutions.