You ran out of CO₂. Your kegerator is flat, your soda system is down, or your fire extinguisher discharged and needs to go back in service. You need a refill fast — and you don't want to wait three days for a delivery or drive across town to find out the place you called only does exchanges.
If you're in the Tampa Bay area, here's the short answer: drive to Serviced Fire Equipment at 3200 62nd Ave N in St. Petersburg. Walk in, drop off your cylinder, and we'll fill it by weight, leak test it, and have it back in your hands in under 15 minutes. No appointment, no exchange program, no waiting on a delivery window.
Here's everything else you need to know about CO₂ refills — pricing, what happens during the fill, when you need hydrostatic testing, and who in the Tampa Bay area relies on us for their CO₂.
Where to Get a CO₂ Tank Refilled Near You
Not every place that sells CO₂ actually refills cylinders. Here are your real options and the honest tradeoffs:
Fire Equipment Companies — Best Option for Most Customers
A licensed fire equipment company with a DOT-authorized facility is the gold standard for CO₂ cylinder refills. We fill by weight to manufacturer specifications, check valve integrity, verify hydrostatic test dates, and leak test every cylinder before it leaves. We handle beverage CO₂ tanks, fire extinguisher cylinders, and industrial applications all day every day — it's not a side service, it's core to what we do.
Serviced Fire Equipment's CO₂ refill and recharge facility in St. Petersburg serves restaurants, bars, breweries, kegerator owners, aquarium operators, paintball facilities, and industrial customers throughout the Tampa Bay area. Walk-in service, no appointment.
Beverage Gas Suppliers
Some beverage gas companies offer refills but many operate primarily on exchange programs — you hand over your cylinder and get a different one back. This works fine if you don't care which cylinder you have. If you have a specific cylinder you want to keep — one that's been recently hydro tested, or a brand-specific tank — exchange programs aren't ideal.
Welding Supply Stores
Welding suppliers carry CO₂ but typically focus on large industrial cylinders and exchange programs. Smaller beverage tanks and fire extinguisher cylinders are often not their specialty. Turnaround times are slower and the staff may not be equipped to evaluate cylinder compliance the way a fire equipment company is.
Home Brewing Stores
Some homebrew shops offer small CO₂ tank refills for kegerators and home carbonation systems. Fine for a 5 lb tank if one is conveniently nearby. Not the right choice for commercial beverage systems, fire extinguishers, or anything requiring compliance documentation.
CO₂ Refill Pricing — What It Actually Costs
Here's our actual pricing at Serviced Fire Equipment for CO₂ refills at our St. Petersburg walk-in facility:
| Cylinder Size | Refill Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lb CO₂ cylinder | $35.00 | Plus hydro if testing is due |
| 10 lb CO₂ cylinder | $45.00 | Plus hydro if testing is due |
| 15 lb CO₂ cylinder | $60.00 | Plus hydro if testing is due |
| 20 lb CO₂ cylinder | $70.00 | Plus hydro if testing is due |
| Above 20 lb | $1.75 per lb | Plus hydro if testing is due |
If your cylinder is past its hydrostatic testing date we'll let you know before we proceed — and because we operate our own DOT-authorized hydrostatic testing facility in-house, we can test and refill in the same visit so you're not making two trips.
What Actually Happens During a CO₂ Refill
A proper CO₂ refill is not just cracking open a valve and letting gas flow. Here's exactly what we do with every cylinder:
Step 1 — Cylinder Inspection
We check the physical condition of the cylinder — looking for dents, corrosion, damage to the valve, and any signs that would indicate the cylinder shouldn't be filled. A cylinder that isn't safe to fill doesn't get filled. We also check the hydrostatic test date stamped on the cylinder collar. If it's past due the cylinder cannot legally be refilled until it passes hydrostatic testing.
Step 2 — Valve and Thread Check
The valve is inspected for damage, corrosion, and proper seating. Damaged threads or valves that won't seal properly are flagged before filling — not discovered after the fact when the cylinder loses pressure overnight.
Step 3 — Fill by Weight
CO₂ cylinders are filled by weight — not pressure. This is critical. Filling by pressure alone doesn't account for temperature variations and can result in underfilled or dangerously overfilled cylinders. We tare the cylinder weight, fill to the correct net weight per manufacturer specifications, and verify the final weight before disconnecting.
Step 4 — Leak Test
Every cylinder gets leak tested after filling. A cylinder that doesn't hold pressure doesn't leave our facility. This step catches valve seat issues and minor thread leaks that would drain your cylinder before you even get it home or back to your business.
Step 5 — Return to You
Cylinder is ready. Most refills are completed in under 15 minutes from the time you walk in.
When Does Your CO₂ Cylinder Need Hydrostatic Testing?
Every CO₂ cylinder has a hydrostatic test date stamped on the collar. Under DOT regulations CO₂ cylinders must be hydrostatically tested every 5 years. A cylinder past its test date cannot legally be refilled — anywhere. This isn't a technicality, it's a federal regulation.
If your cylinder is approaching or past its test date bring it in and we'll test it and refill it in the same visit. Our DOT-authorized hydrostatic testing facility handles CO₂ cylinders, fire extinguisher cylinders, SCBA bottles, and high-pressure compressed gas cylinders — all in-house with no outsourcing.
A cylinder that fails hydrostatic testing cannot be returned to service. We'll let you know immediately and can help you source a replacement.
Who Gets CO₂ Refills at Our St. Petersburg Facility
Tampa Bay is one of the most restaurant and hospitality-dense markets in Florida. CO₂ is the lifeblood of a huge portion of that industry. Here's who drives to our facility regularly:
Restaurants and Bars
Commercial soda systems and draft beer lines run on CO₂. When a cylinder runs out mid-service it's not a minor inconvenience — it's revenue walking out the door. Restaurants and bars throughout Ybor City, South Tampa, downtown St. Pete, Channelside, and Clearwater Beach make regular trips to our facility to stay ahead of their CO₂ needs. We fill commercial-size cylinders fast and send you back to service.
Breweries and Taprooms
Craft breweries use CO₂ for carbonation, purging, and draft dispensing. We handle large commercial cylinders and high-volume accounts efficiently. Many Tampa Bay breweries have standing arrangements with us for regular refills.
Kegerator Owners
Home kegerator owners with 5 lb tanks are some of our most regular walk-in customers. Fast, inexpensive, no exchange required — you keep your tank and it comes back full.
Aquarium Operators
CO₂ injection for planted aquariums requires precise fill levels. We fill aquarium CO₂ cylinders accurately by weight — the same precision we apply to every fill.
Paintball Facilities and Players
We fill paintball CO₂ tanks for commercial paintball facilities and individual players throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Restaurants with CO₂ Fire Extinguishers
CO₂ fire extinguishers are required in many commercial kitchen and server room applications. When a CO₂ extinguisher discharges it needs to be refilled and recertified before going back in service. We handle both in the same visit — CO₂ refill and annual inspection certification — so you leave with a compliant extinguisher in one stop. CO₂ fire extinguisher recharge starts at $35 for a 5 lb unit.
Industrial and Commercial Operations
Welding operations, hydroponic facilities, and industrial CO₂ users bring large cylinders. We fill cylinders above 20 lb at $1.75 per lb — call ahead for large industrial orders so we can confirm capacity and turnaround time.
Refill vs Exchange — Which Is Right for You?
| Factor | Refill | Exchange |
|---|---|---|
| Keep your cylinder | Yes | No — you get a different one |
| Know the cylinder history | Yes | No — unknown history |
| Hydrostatic test date control | Yes | No — may get a cylinder near its test date |
| Fill accuracy | Weighed to spec | Varies |
| Cost | Typically lower | Often higher per fill |
| Speed | Under 15 minutes walk-in | Immediate swap |
For most commercial beverage operators, restaurants, and anyone who cares about cylinder condition and history, a refill is the better option. Exchange programs make sense when convenience is the only priority and cylinder history doesn't matter.
CO₂ Refills Throughout the Tampa Bay Area
Our St. Petersburg facility at 3200 62nd Ave N — just off I-275 — is the fastest CO₂ refill option for businesses and individuals throughout Tampa Bay. Customers make the drive from:
- St. Petersburg — local, no drive needed
- Clearwater — 20 minutes up I-275. Bars and restaurants on Cleveland Street and Clearwater Beach count on us for beverage CO₂ refills
- Largo — 15 minutes away. Bars and restaurants along Clearwater-Largo Road
- Tampa — 30 minutes across the Howard Frankland. Ybor City restaurants, South Tampa bars, Channelside venues
- Pinellas Park — 10 minutes away
- Palm Harbor — 30 minutes up US-19
- Bradenton — 45 minutes across the Sunshine Skyway
Frequently Asked Questions — CO₂ Refills
How long does a CO₂ refill take?
Most refills are completed in under 15 minutes at our walk-in facility. Bring your cylinder in during business hours Monday through Friday — no appointment needed.
What size CO₂ cylinders do you refill?
We refill all common sizes — 5 lb, 10 lb, 15 lb, and 20 lb cylinders. Larger cylinders above 20 lb are filled at $1.75 per lb. Call ahead for large industrial orders to confirm capacity and turnaround time.
Do you fill CO₂ tanks for kegerators?
Yes. We fill 5 lb and larger kegerator CO₂ tanks — the most common sizes for home and commercial draft systems. Walk in, drop off your tank, and it's ready in under 15 minutes.
What if my CO₂ cylinder is past its hydrostatic test date?
A cylinder past its 5-year hydrostatic test date cannot legally be refilled until it passes testing. We perform DOT-authorized hydrostatic testing in-house — bring it in and we can test and refill in the same visit if it passes.
Do you fill CO₂ fire extinguishers?
Yes. CO₂ fire extinguisher recharge starts at $35 for a 5 lb unit. We also provide annual inspection and certification in the same visit — so your extinguisher leaves compliant and tagged.
Can I bring multiple cylinders at once?
Yes. Restaurants and commercial accounts regularly bring multiple cylinders in one trip. We work through them efficiently. For large commercial orders call ahead at (727) 620-3473 so we can confirm capacity.
Do you do CO₂ exchanges or only refills?
We do true refills — you keep your cylinder and it comes back full. We don't operate an exchange program. This means you know exactly what cylinder you have, its hydrostatic test date, and its service history.
Get Your CO₂ Refilled Today
Serviced Fire Equipment is the Tampa Bay area's most reliable walk-in CO₂ refill facility. We fill by weight, leak test every cylinder, and get you back to business in under 15 minutes.
- Beverage CO₂ refills — restaurants, bars, breweries, kegerators
- CO₂ fire extinguisher recharge — from $35, inspection included
- Hydrostatic testing — DOT-authorized, in-house, same visit as refill
- Walk-in service — no appointment, no exchange program
Address: 3200 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 — just off I-275
Phone: (727) 620-3473
Email: Info@ServicedFireEquipment.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, business hours
