Nitrous oxide bubbles

the Baron · Post by **the Baron** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 5:21 pm

G'day fellas, I have never used a kegging system but my 21st is comming up in a few months so I was thinking about utilising one to save the place from broken bottles and me trying to obtain shitloads of bottles. I was just wondering would kegging with nitrous oxide have any favourable results and would it work or would it be prohibitively expensive, I have not looked into this at all yet except at the tail end of a session with some very drunk mates who thought it would be a good idea, still just getting ideas. I am not sure if obtaining one is easy or not but I have some mates who have it at their workplace (using it for analgesia on patients) who reckon I could probably just get it from them if I pay for it. I just don't want to bother if it would not make any real difference to you, or if it makes shitty beer. Thanks

grabman · Post by **grabman** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 6:05 pm

Baron

CO2 is the norm for dispensing beer, or if pouring Guinness maybe nitrogen to get the craemy head. I don't know how you'd go with nitrous oxide. I suspect given it's use as an anaesthetic that it may cause problems ie driunk and feeling no pain may lead to accidents.

maybe someone else has more of a clue than this

Also do you plan on buying the kegs or getting from a pub? If from a pub gas is included with setup.

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 9:04 pm

I am thinking it would be very funny pretty quick

Isn't that laughing gas? Am thinking you just can't get that over the counter

Dogger

JeffHool · Post by **JeffHool** » Monday Apr 11, 2005 11:07 pm

Hi all (first time caller, long time listener)

I don't think N2O is illegal or restricted in Australia. You can get food service nitrous canisters from BOC.

A big difference between CO2 and N2O is that nitrous has a sweet taste. Those bitter stinging CO2 bubbles will not be there. That's why it is used in whipped cream.

If you are planning to inhale it (not a recommendation

), get medical grade gas with 40% oxygen.

gregb · Post by **gregb** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 7:07 am

...my 21st is comming up...

Probably easiest for you to just send all our invites care of the forum.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 9:57 am

Howdy lads,

I work as an biomedical technician in a hospital so nitrous oxide is something I am familiar with. Its a colourless and odourless gas that is oxidising and yes it is 'laughing gas' although it is very good at causing nausea, used as an analgesic (pain relief) in anaesthesia. Sorry to rain on the parade guys but N2O is a schedule 4 drug meaning that it is a controlled substance.

Add to this it is much more expensive to refill a cylinder, about twice the cost, and I reckon it would definitely alter the taste of the beer. Also one of the contra-indications with it is not for use on the intoxicated.

You would be better off to stick with CO2, as it only costs about $6 a month to hire a cylinder (C size) and about $30 or so to refil and you know it is going to be OK.

Cheers.

Dogger Dan · Post by **Dogger Dan** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 10:07 am

You know,

Thanks for that Terry bang on the mark. You mentioned something that we all missed. It is an oxidizer, It will beat the daylights out of a stainless keg I bet.

Dogger

the Baron · Post by **the Baron** » Tuesday Apr 12, 2005 3:27 pm

Ok, thanks a lot blokes, I think I will give the nitrous oxide a miss then. Gregb, and for that matter any one else who feels like getting drunk and rowdy in the scrub, if you are near Sarina in July I guess you can come and sink plenty of the good juice. Just as long as it doesn't get to out of hand and shitloads turn up and eat all the food then it should be allright.
note: when I say should be allright, means I don't give a toss, but the oldies might.