Commonly Asked Questions

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

What is liquid bulk carbon dioxide?

Liquid bulk carbon dioxide is a safer, low-pressure alternative to high-pressure compressed gas cylinders. With the TCS system, liquid bulk carbon dioxide is stored on the premises at a lower pressure in a stainless steel holding tank, and is automatically refilled on a regular schedule based on your usage pattern. Our tanks are permanently installed at your location, so you don’t need to worry about the hassle of changing cylinders. Our professional sales staff will help you to determine the system that is right for you.

What is different about beverage quality carbon dioxide and why is it important to my customers? 

A cold fountain soft drink or draught beer beverage is usually your customer’s first and defining experience upon entering your establishment. Without a continuous and reliable supply of quality carbon dioxide, your customer’s experience is at risk. Carbon dioxide is a key ingredient in carbonated beverages and helps to determine the taste, aroma and level of carbonation – not all carbon dioxide is made equal.

TCS delivers bulk carbon dioxide that is certified to be CGA-2000 I Grade, or “beverage quality.” TCS is focused solely on the quality and integrity of carbon dioxide for fountain soft drink and draught beer beverages. The product we deliver to you has been put through rigorous testing before we deem it to be suitable for beverages. Alternatively, some distributors provide the same carbon dioxide that you use in your food service operation to other customers for use in metal fabrication, cleaning and solvent extraction, the production of pulp and paper and other applications.

Will a liquid bulk carbon dioxide system be compatible with my fountain soft drink or draught beer system if I currently use high-pressure cylinders?

The liquid bulk carbon dioxide systems supplied by TCS are fully compatible with all fountain soft drink and draught beer beverage dispensing systems.

Nitrogen

What is a nitrogen generator?

Nitrogen generators separate nitrogen from the other components of air on site at your establishment, eliminating the need for nitrogen cylinders.

Why should I use a nitrogen generator?

Producing nitrogen on site eliminates the need for high-pressure nitrogen cylinders. This reduces the stocking and handling of cylinders that can lead to safety concerns and accidents as a result of mishandling.

Producing nitrogen on site also reduces the chances of running out of nitrogen gas and interrupting the pouring of beer. Should nitrogen gas run out, the proper gas blend can no longer be produced and the beer could be ruined.

Mixed Gas

What is a gas blender?

Depending on the style of beer and the nature of the draught beer system, different gas blends using nitrogen and/or carbon dioxide are required to preserve the level of beer carbonation as determined by the brewer.

Beers are made to brewers’ specifications of precise amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide to meet a specific taste profile. It is the goal of any draught beer system to maintain that balance of dissolved carbon dioxide or carbonation from keg to faucet.

Stouts and other nitrogenated beers have a low amount of dissolved carbon dioxide and, as such, use a 25% CO2 / 75% N2 blend to keep that balance. Other styles of beer, such as ales and lagers, have higher amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide and require a higher amount of carbon dioxide in gases used to preserve the beer in the kegs and push the beer to the faucet. In high-pressure, long-draw draught beer systems (more than 15 psi), these styles of beers typically will use a 60% CO2 / 40% N2 blend. In low-pressure, short-draw systems (less than 15 psi), these styles of beer can use 100% CO2.  TCS blends carbon dioxide and nitrogen to give consistent, precise gas blends.

Beer

Why should I care about the gas I use for draught beer?

Gas – carbon dioxide and sometimes nitrogen – is a standard ingredient in beer and also is needed to push draught beer from the keg to the faucet. You must maintain the correct gas blend and pressure or risk severely damaging your beer by under or over carbonating it. This will result in the taste and appearance being unacceptable to the consumer.

Can I use the same gas from the cylinder I use on my stout beers for all of my other beers on tap?

No. If you use the 25% CO2 / 75% N2 blend used for stouts on all of your beers, it will cause them to become flat.

Beers are made to brewers’ specifications of precise amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide to meet a specific taste profile. It is the goal of any draught beer system to maintain that balance of dissolved carbon dioxide or carbonation from keg to faucet.

Stouts and other nitrogenated beers have low amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide and a high amount of dissolved nitrogen, so they require a 25% CO2 / 75% N2 blend to stay properly balanced.

Ales and lagers, on the other hand, have higher amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide, so they require higher levels of carbon dioxide to properly maintain the prescribed carbonation. Typically, these styles of beers will either use 100% CO2 – if they are pushed short distances – or they will use a 60% CO2 / 40% N2 blend – if they must be pushed long distances from the keg to the faucet.

Why is my beer too foamy?

There are several causes of over-carbonated, foamy beer, including: the beer temperature is too warm, the gas pressure on the keg is incorrect, the blend of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas is incorrect, or there could be obstructions in the beer line. Please consult TCS as well as your draught system technician immediately to help you resolve this problem.

Why is my beer too flat?

There are several causes of under-carbonated, flat beer, including: the beer temperature is too cold, the gas pressure on the keg is incorrect, or the blend of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas is incorrect. Please consult TCS as well as your draught system technician immediately to help you resolve this problem.

If the gas pressure or the carbon dioxide blend is too low, carbon dioxide escapes from the beer and the result is under-carbonation or flat beer. This results in more beer being poured into each glass of beer. This “overpour” could result in as much as 5% reduced profitability from each keg of beer.

At what temperature should I keep my beer?

Temperature is a critical factor when it comes to properly dispensing draught beer. Kegs should be kept between 34°F and 38°F in your beer cooler. If the beer is kept too cold, you risk it becoming flat. We typically see mistakes with temperatures being too warm. This causes carbon dioxide to break out of the beer and results in over-carbonated or foamy beer being served.

Beverages – Soda

Can I use my bulk carbon dioxide for my fountain soft drinks and draught beer beverages?

Yes. Bulk carbon dioxide from TCS is certified beverage grade and is an excellent source of carbon dioxide for carbonating fountain soft drinks, and to preserve and push draught beer. It can be used by itself in low pressure draught beer systems for your ales and lagers, or blended with nitrogen in high pressure draught beer systems for all styles of beer.

Can I Switch to TCSCO2?

What if I already have liquid bulk carbon dioxide with another company?

Contact a TCS sales representative today and he or she will help you coordinate the transition of service to TCS. You can contact a TCS sales representative at 1-866-763-2427.