Hands On: Leland Mini CO2 (and Nitrogen) Regulator
Leland’s Mini CO2 Regulator uses 74 gram CO2 cartridges. These cartridges are about 4.6 times larger than cartridges that are typically used in handheld injectors. The regulator is available in both Ball Lock and Pin Lock Flavors. Additionally Nitrogen Cartridges are an available option.
A look at the regulator, cartridge and ball lock QD combo. Additional options include: A Pin Lock Version and Nitrogen Cartridges. This regulator has a range of 7 to 21 PSI.
Close up of the regulator face. It reads 0 to 30 PSI.
A look at the ball lock QD and connector.
Using my 11 lb capacity digital scale to weigh the regulator and disconnect. This is a beefy little unit. It is solid and well put together. The whole combo comes in at just over a pound and a half.
Installed on a ball lock keg.
When installed, this sticks out approximately 4″.
When installed this sticks up approximately 3.75″.
A close up of the dial.
A close up of the face, installed and at pressure.
For size comparison. Leland regulator next to a handheld injector
For size comparison. 74g cartridge next to a 16g cartridge. A 74g cartridge contains the equivalent of 4.625 16g cartridges.
Stock Photo of the Pin Lock Version of this Regulator
This model differs from other portable handheld CO2 injectors in a couple key ways. First, it has a gauge and you can set the pressure. Your beer stays at the intended pressure automatically. If you’ve used a handheld injector for any length of time, you’ll know what an advantage having a true regulator is. Second, it takes relatively large 74g CO2 cartridges. These cartridges give you the capacity to dispense up to four full 5 gallon kegs. The 74g cartridges are the equivalent of 4.625 16g cartridges. That’s convenient.
Some applications for this regulator…
Small Space Regulator
If you’re in a small space situation, this would make a good everyday regulator. The regulator itself takes up very little room and there is no bulky CO2 tank. If you’re in an apartment or other small space, this gets you serving draft beer without using a lot of room.
Portable Serving
This makes for a great on-the-go regulator.
Nitrogen Serving
Want to serve the occasional beer on Nitrogen but don’t want to buy an additional regulator and tank? More Beer offers Nitrogen Cartridges for this regulator.
Backup – I’m out of CO2 and I want to pour a beer!
I’ve used this as a backup when my main CO2 tank has run out. Swap out the CO2 line for this regulator and you’ve got a temporary solution to keep you up and going until you can get more CO2.
Serve Beers at Alternate Carbonation Levels
This regulator goes up to 30 PSI. That’s plenty to serve high carbonation beers like Hefeweizens and Belgians. If you don’t have a dual or triple pressure setup, you could use this regulator to serve beers at higher pressures. I would not suggest force carbonation with this unit. The 74g cartridges would be pricey. You could carbonate using your existing regulator or just as easily naturally carbonate with priming sugar. After the beer is completely carbonated, use this to serve at the higher pressure.
Saving Partial Cartridges
This particular unit comes with a gas ball lock disconnect and a 74g CO2 Cartridge. A good thing about this setup is… you don’t have to discard partial cartridges. If you decide to serve a 3 gallon keg for a get together, or use this to serve beer from your kegerator in a crunch, you’re able to save the rest of that cartridge for a future use.
The Leland Mini Regulator is well built and has worked great for me since Spring of 2012. It’s small and has a number of handy applications.
- Mini CO2 Regulator Kit KEG960
- Mini CO2 Regulator Kit (Pin Lock) KEG961
- CO2 Catridge KEG962
- Nitrogen Cartridge (18g) KEG964
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morebeerreview:lelandminiregulator
How’s this regulator holding up? Any chance you can measure the 74 g cartridge, excluding the threads?
I just want to mention, I have a similar mini regulator that supports Leeland’s 18g nitrogen cartridges. They are very low capacity. I have had to replace my $18 cartridge twice while dispensing a single 1.75G keg of stout through a stout faucet. That means that dispensing a single 5G keg of stout would require more money spent on a mini regulator and cartridges than purchasing a a nitro tank and regulator.