Using a CO2 Detector in Your Kegerator
Pictured: INKBIRD WiFi Indoor Air Quality Monitor, CO2 Detecto
Losing a tank of CO2 because of leak is frustrating. It’s a waste of time and money. Adding a CO2 monitor can help warn you of leaks minimizing loss, wasted money, wasted time and frustration.
A CO2 Monitor Alarm in Your Kegerator
Placing a CO2 Monitor with alarm inside of your kegerator can serve as another line of defense to protect against co2 leaks and loss. CO2 should not be building up in your kegerator. A CO2 monitor with alarm can alert you of this condition.
Options with WiFi and a companion app are nice because you can get notifications on your compatible phone.
- Pictured: INKBIRD WiFi Indoor Air Quality Monitor, CO2 Detector, Accurate NDIR Sensor, Temperature and Relative Humidity, Indoor CO2 Meter with Data Logger, for Cars, Wine Cellars, Grow Tents, Homes (INK-CO2W) – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- INKBIRDPLUS Indoor CO2 Detector, Air Quality Monitor, Tester for Carbon Dioxide, Temperature and Relative Humidity, Indoor CO2 Monitor with Alarm, for Grow Tents, Wine Cellars, Homes, Cars(PTH-9C) – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- LSENLTY WiFi CO2 Detector, 5s Refresh High Accuracy Smart CO2 Monitor, App Control Indoor CO2 Meter with Alert, 1 Year Data Storage Air Quality Monitor for Home, Office(Only Supports 2.4G WiFi) – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- CO2 Carbon Dioxide Detector, 4-in-1 Indoor Air Quality Monitor Portable CO2 Monitor, Tester for Carbon Dioxide, Temperature and Relative Humidity, CO2 Meter with Alarm – note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- More: Search Amazon for CO2 monitor with alarm
Beyond CO2 Levels…
Some models display additional information that can be helpful information about your kegerator. These vary model to model and can sometime include temperature and humidity.
- Temperature – monitor your kegerator temperature
- Humidity – Help judge whether your Eva Dry (or similar) needs recharged for the purpose of handling excess kegerator and fermentation chamber wetness. See: Damp Kegerator? Fix Kegerator Condensation
Not A Replacement for Checking for Leaks…
A do not consider a CO2 alarm as replacement for thoroughly checking for and addressing leaks. Rather this is another layer that could save you a trip to swap out a CO2 tank.
- Step by Step: Finding and Fixing Keg CO2 Leaks
- Checking for Draft System CO2 Leaks – Using The Pressure Gauge Method
- Why Won’t My Homebrew Carbonate? Fixing Beer Carbonation Problems
The Biggest Trouble Spot
Color coded post o-rings. From our Keg Rebuild Post – Jump To: Replace O-Rings
In my opinion the most difficult spot to check and the cause of many a lost CO2 tanks are… gas post o-rings.
Testing at this point using the “spray bottle method” (spray Star San everywhere and check for bubbles) is impossible or at the very least difficult and messy. Leaks will only surface here when a gas QD is actually engaged. The problem is, you can’t easily see that spot when a QD is on.
The problem stated more simply… You need a QD on to see if it’s leaking, but you can’t see it if a QD is on. You can use what I call the pressure gauge method to check for overall leaks. But even using that method you know that you have a leak but it gives no indication where it’s at.
Be quick to replace gas side o-rings… I’m quick to replace gas post (and gas dip tube) o-rings. Beyond slow and no-carbing beers, a bad gas side o-ring can lead to empty tanks. That’s a waste of time and money and it’s frustrating.
These o-rings cost pennies each when you buy them in bulk. Liberally replacing these can save time, money and frustration.
