Refilling Winekeeper Nitrogen Canisters

Can anyone describe how to refill the little winekeeper nitrogen canisters? I am tired of paying $100 for four canisters. Alternatively does anyone know what the PSI of the canisters is? I could set a standard nitrogen cylinder to the right pressure to attach the winekeeper regulator. The spigots are good for preserving wine for weeks, but the little tanks only last for 20 bottles. I like have several bottles open at once. It is good for comparing wines.

Thanks for the help!!!

thubten

I don't think it's possible to refill those Winekeeper nitrogen canisters.

I have an older Winekeeper system that uses a standard nitrogen cylinder. It's good for a lot more bottles before you need to refill it, and the refill consists of a cylinder exchange at the local welding supply shop, and costs 1/3 less than a new Winekeeper canister. The original refillable nitrogen cylinder does cost about $40, though, but you soon get that investment back.

You can convert one of the disposable-canister Winekeeper systems to a refillable-cylinder system. I did this some years back with a disposable-cylinder Winekeeper that my brother had bought. The company that makes the Winekeeper (see http://www.winkekeeper.com) also sells spare parts for the reusable-canister system. I don't remember the details, but the gist is that you buy a regulator that fits a standard refillable nitrogen cylinder and you just connect the plastic tube from your disposable-cylinder system to it. Call the tech support folks at Winekeeper and they can advise you as to what parts you need.

-Paul W.

ThANKS FOR THE HELP!! I was coming to the same conclusion that you did, but I was hoping maybe some engineer type might have a cheaper fix. I have not had luck finding the regulator you described. I will call winekeeper themselves.

Rod

Trust me, Winekeeper DO have that regulator. Take a look at their "Commercial Keeper" line of products. Maybe for more than you're willing to pay for, perhaps. Give them a call, figure out what you need to complete your system, and get a quote from them. Then decide whether it's right for you.

Regards,

-Paul W.

Hi Rod,
This thread got me thinking, I wonder if it is possible to convert a portable oxygen generator into a portable nitrogen generator. The exhaust outlet on such a device has to be expelling a “rich” nitrogen air mixture (instead of just letting it “vent” out and mix with the surrounding air, somehow adapt a fitting to the “exhaust” and “capture” the “rich” nitrogen air mixture. I definitely have to look into this. Thanks.

Salute

The big question is how pure the nitrogen from such a source would be. Nitrogen from commercial N2 cylinders is, for all practical purposes, completely devoid of oxygen (99.9% oxygen-free or better). An O2 generator might generate pure oxygen, but also vent out an exhaust that still has significant amounts of oxygen present.

-Paul W.

I got a quote from the local airgas retailer for a regulator and 20 gal. tank full of N2for about the same price as the regulator from winekeeper. I will need to find an adapter to connect from the tank regulator to the winekeeper regulator. I think airgas has that kind of stuff. I will give it a try. I don't like being held hostage by winekeeper for the little tanks.

Yee ha