Dispense Multiple Kegs with One (CO2 Tank) Gas Cylinder

Sometimes there is a need to dispense more kegs than your current kegerator is setup for. I like that kind of problem and fortunately there are many ways to solve it. Depending on how many kegs you need to dispense or the level of control you want on each keg, there are products and equipment setups to handle any situation you might have. Let's look at a few scenarios and the ways to expand a system to dispense more kegs.

Common kegerator air tank and regulator questions asked...

1. Can I use one air tank to dispense multiple kegs?
Yes. Whether its CO2 or Nitrogen gas, you can use an air distributor, splitter or secondary regulator to make a single gas line into many. There really is no limit on how many lines you can split off of one tank.

2. Can I use the same regulator for nitrogen that is used for CO2?
No, but there is an adapter. The threaded connection to attach to the gas tank is different for each type and Nitrogen regulators are designed to withstand higher pressures. If you plan to dispense beer using Nitrogen, you cannot use a CO2 regulator with the adapter.

3. How can I dispense kegs at different pressures using the same gas tank?
The most common way is to use a primary regulator attached to the gas cylinder and then run the gas line over to a bank of secondary regulators. Secondary regulators can be expanded for however many additional lines you need and each have their own PSI adjustment controls and valve to regulate the pressure and flow rates.

4. Will a larger CO2 tank fit my regulator?
Most likely yes. The regulators sent with most kegerators use a standard thread size that will fit small and large sized tanks.

5. Can I connect two regulators together?
Yes, you can use an extension nipple fitting to connect two primary regulators together. You also can connect secondary regulators to your primary with just an extension hose.

Options for splitting lines

In-Line Splitters (Tees & Crosses)
Splitters are the most economical way to turn one gas line into multiple, but you don't have any control to open and close the lines or adjust the level of pressure. You simply splice the gas line and insert the splitter needed to achieve the number of additional gas lines you need. Splitters are available in different materials like plastic, stainless steel, chrome and brass. Use a cross fitting for three gas lines and a Tee fitting for two gas lines.

Air Distributors
Included with most multiple tap kegerators, an air distributor allows you to expand a single gas line into multiple gas lines. You can control the flow on each line, but you cannot separately adjust the line pressures. This works well when all the kegs you are dispensing require the same dispensing pressure. This is not usually ideal if you are dispensing different beverages like beer, wine and coffee that require different dispensing pressures. If you are dispensing three kegs of beer this setup is usually sufficient.

Gas Regulator Splitter
These regulator splitters allow you to branch off of your regulator and add in shut off valves. This makes it a little easier to control your flow rates or shut off a line when not in use. It also makes changing out the air line easier. You can expand from a single gas line to a double with a 2 way gas splitter or triple line system with a 3 way gas splitter.

Extended Primary Regulator
When you buy a kegerator, odds are it is bundled with a CO2 regulator. Some are single and some are dual gauge. One gauge shows the current pressure setting and the other shows the current tank fill volume. Connect two primary regulators together with a 1/4" regulator extender nipple fitting to double your gas lines and have control of each line's pressure setting.

Secondary Regulators
If you want the most control over each line then what you need is a bank of secondary regulators. You can connect as many secondary regulators together as you need and expand on if you ever needed more lines in the future. You can mount the secondary regulator inside a kegerator or keezer to adjust the flow and pressure of each independent line for ultimate control.

Related Articles on Air Tanks and Regulators:
How to Find CO2 Leaks
CO2 Tank, Pressure and Regulator Questions
CO2 Tank Guide
Finding the Right C02 Regulator