Troubleshooting

Can’t Find CO2? Here’s What to Do

Sometimes the directory is thin, the phone calls go nowhere, or every place says “we only exchange” and you have your own tank you need filled. This page is your backup plan.

Open CO2 Directory Call checklist CO2 101 Tools

The goal is “get CO2” with the least wasted time. Not “win an argument with a supplier.”

Quick triage

Fastest path

Try exchange first. It’s the most common “yes.”

Show exchange Refill vs exchange

If you must refill

You’ll need the right words and the right supplier type.

Show refill Call script

If it’s urgent

Use the map for quick scanning, then call ahead.

Open map Directory

Step 1: Switch to exchange (if you can)

If refill is hard to find, exchange is usually the easiest path. Many suppliers won’t refill customer-owned cylinders, but they may still swap through their own program.

Pro move: ask “Do you exchange CO2 cylinders?” first. It avoids the reflex “no” you get from “refill.”

Show exchange suppliers Refill vs exchange Cost comparator

Step 2: Try the other supplier types

CO2 is everywhere, but not every place serves every kind of customer. Swap the category you’re calling.

Industrial / welding gas

Common for exchange. Customer-owned rules vary. Usually efficient once you’re in their system.

Beverage / restaurant supply

Great for drink-related uses. If “beverage grade” matters to you, ask.

Paintball / sports

Often fill small bottles. Not always set up for standard cylinders. Policies are chaos.

Browse suppliers Use-cases hub Supplier policy wizard

Step 3: Ask the right question

If you ask “Do you refill CO2 tanks?” you may get a “no” even when the place does exchange. Use a question that forces the correct fork in the road.

Say this:

“Do you do CO2 exchange or refill (or both), and do you accept customer-owned cylinders?”

Open call checklist Show exchange Show refill

Step 4: If you have a specialty tank or weird valve

Confirm these 3 things

Valve support (standard cylinders are often CGA-320).
Customer-owned policy (refill and exchange rules differ).
Wait vs drop-off (so you don’t waste a trip).

Valve checker Remaining CO2 estimator

If you’re stuck with an owned tank

Some places won’t refill customer-owned but will exchange. Some will do neither. Your best move is switching supplier type, switching service type, or switching tank expectations.

If you care about keeping your exact cylinder, you’re filtering for refill. If you just want CO2 reliably, you’re filtering for exchange.

Try exchange first Safety basics

Step 5: Help improve the directory

If you find a supplier we’re missing, send it in. That’s how this becomes useful instead of “cute project.” If a listing is wrong, corrections are even better.

Send a supplier lead Back to directory

Want the fastest win?

Open the directory, filter for exchange, and call the top 3. You’ll usually land a “yes.”

Show exchange Call checklist Map