Author Topic: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)  (Read 26343 times)

stevesteve

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Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« on: August 21, 2013, 03:56:52 PM »
I was bought a SodaStream a number of years back and it's pretty good.  I use it a lot and it's far cheaper to bring along a bottle to work than to buy something out.  I've recently been trying to upgrade my system to avoid the inflated SodaStream refill prices.   I think this system seems like the way to go except I don't want to use old soda bottles.  I really like my 1 liter SodaStream bottles and am wondering if anything like The Carbonater adapter exists for SodaStream thread sizes?  If not, has anyone who has done this bought nice, durable hard plastic bottles with a standard sized cap?

Any help on this or anyone else's set up would including good, cheap syrups they buy (I use syrup rarely, but do like it occasionally) would be great.

Cromacster

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #1 on: August 22, 2013, 06:39:45 AM »
This isn't the most mustachian response but......

for around $250 you can buy a system that will let you make 5 gallons at a time.  Then you just fill bottles as needed.  Not sure about the payback over your sodastream would be.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/co2-cylinder-10-empty.html

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/five-gallon-keg-system-used-keg.html

Craigslist is a good place to look for equipment as well.  And if you ever start making your own beer you already have a kegging system :)

Samsam

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #2 on: August 22, 2013, 07:26:47 AM »
I'm trying to find it right now but online some guy makes an adapter for a paintball canister to be used with the soda stream.  It cost about $60 and now refills are like $3.  My mom did point out that there could be a different grade in the CO2 and that I'm probably going to die young.....haha.  So you might want to look into that before doing what I did.  But here is a link:

http://www.sodamod.com/SodaMod-SodaStream-Soda-Club-Adapter-p/sodastream-sodamod.htm

The money I put in for the adapter and the paintball canister has def made up for the freaking +$15 refills for the soda stream canister if I was still using that.  The paintball canister is a lot bigger too so I've only had to refill it a couple times over the past couple of years.  i would have had to refill the SS canister much much more frequently.   


Cromacster

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #3 on: August 22, 2013, 07:34:06 AM »
I'm trying to find it right now but online some guy makes an adapter for a paintball canister to be used with the soda stream.  It cost about $60 and now refills are like $3.  My mom did point out that there could be a different grade in the CO2 and that I'm probably going to die young.....haha.  So you might want to look into that before doing what I did.

If you are getting it refilled at a sporting goods store the CO2 most likely is not "food safe".  Compressed gases are usually filtered, but food safe CO2 will be required to be below a certain amount of particulate oil that is left in the gas from the compressor.  So you are most likely ingesting some sort of lubricating oil.....

Samsam

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #4 on: August 22, 2013, 07:54:46 AM »
Mmm, its delicious...jk haha.  I've been told by a friend too, that next time I should get it refilled at one of the home brew stores around.  That will definitely be food grade just don't know how much it will cost.  Live and learn :)

Rebecca Stapler

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2013, 07:56:30 AM »
Here is a post from a few months back, on this exact issue. There are a few good ideas in here.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/the-bubbles-they-burn-my-throat/msg100090/#msg100090

Spork

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2013, 07:57:54 AM »
I use the adapter from http://co2doctor.com/.

They make both a paintball adapter and a tank adapter.  I personally use the tank adapter and purchased a 20lb tank from my local welding supply store. 

I can't speak for paintball/sporting goods refills, but welding stores are generally the suppliers for soft drink machines here in my town.  They're food safe.  They often supply medical oxygen and other filtered items.  But ask them if this is a worry.

Here's an old thread that talks about this:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/the-bubbles-they-burn-my-throat

edit: That may have been redundant... Stan posted it right when I did...

As an update: I finally had to refill my tank.  It lasted about 1 year making at least a quart a day (or whatever size that bottle is).

Rebecca Stapler

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2013, 08:01:21 AM »
 I haven't yet pulled the trigger on buying a Primo in lieu of my soda stream, I think because they're no longer manufactured so I feel like I should buy extra bottles just in case the one that comes with the machine breaks or gets lost or whatnot. They retail for $40 on amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Primo-flavorstation-Beverage-Maker-Model/dp/B006CXP2AM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377179822&sr=8-2&keywords=flavorstation

I should probably pull the trigger on that soon, though, because I'm SO sick of getting to BBB to replace it. I'm never there and I don't want to be tempted by the shiny home goods. But I can get refills there for $10, so I don't want to buy them anywhere else. 

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2013, 08:11:36 AM »

I should probably pull the trigger on that soon, though, because I'm SO sick of getting to BBB to replace it. I'm never there and I don't want to be tempted by the shiny home goods. But I can get refills there for $10, so I don't want to buy them anywhere else.

What size canister for $10?

Rebecca Stapler

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #9 on: August 22, 2013, 08:52:31 AM »

I should probably pull the trigger on that soon, though, because I'm SO sick of getting to BBB to replace it. I'm never there and I don't want to be tempted by the shiny home goods. But I can get refills there for $10, so I don't want to buy them anywhere else.

What size canister for $10?

It's the soda stream canister. They're $15 to refill, but you can use a coupon for $5 off a $15 purchase (even the expired ones!).

Spork

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2013, 09:03:57 AM »

I should probably pull the trigger on that soon, though, because I'm SO sick of getting to BBB to replace it. I'm never there and I don't want to be tempted by the shiny home goods. But I can get refills there for $10, so I don't want to buy them anywhere else.

What size canister for $10?

It's the soda stream canister. They're $15 to refill, but you can use a coupon for $5 off a $15 purchase (even the expired ones!).

just an fyi cost compare:

14.5oz Sodamate cannister at $10 = $0.68 per oz
20lb tank at $20 = $0.06 per oz (but requires a bit of $$ up front)

stevesteve

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2013, 09:46:31 PM »
Thanks for comments and the interesting discussion about sources for CO2.  I was a bit reticent to try the small paintball tanks mostly because $50 for the connector and a small canister seemed less convenient than setting up a system with a 5 pound tank.

I'm still going to be on the lookout for a carbonater cap that fits a soda stream or hard plastic, durable 1 liter bottles with a standard size cap.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2013, 06:13:23 AM »
Is soda stream really that much cheaper than generic store brand soda?  I obviously have not run the numbers, but it seems like an awfully high start up cost and high cost for the replacement syrup/supplies to make what is essentially generic soda.  Just curious.

Samsam

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2013, 07:44:56 AM »
OK! I'll run my numbers, didn't think about it much when I bought it as it was my pre-mustachian days.

I got my soda stream package with a coupon for $120.  The package included the soda stream, 2 bottles, samples, and 1 filled canister.  I bought my 5 favorite flavors, those bottles are only like $5. Now I did get the adapter for $60 and in 1 year refilled it only once (at $3 a refill).

120 + 5x5 + 60 + 3 = $208

The flavor bottles I think are estimated to be about 50 cans ( I only fill up the top of the flavors half way and not to the line b/c I think its way to much). So the above is supposedly then 500 cans.   

A 12 pack of coke is around $4.  I was getting one of those a week... so for one year: $192  or 576 cans. 

So the first year I had the soda stream yes...buying the cans would still not have me at even.  But then next year:

1 refill, 5 more bottles
3 + 25 = $28 for around 500 "cans"

where as the 12 pack still gives the same 192 for 576 cans

After 2 years:
1152 cans at $384 = $0.33 / can
1000 cans at $236 = $0.236 / can

----
More reasonable if I was buying a 24 pack every other week
24 pack of coke ($6) every other week = $144 / yr
after 2 years $288 / 1152 cans = $0.25 / can
---

Now this was my pre-mustachian days so silly me didn't think to get the costco card and try to buy a palette or something like that.  Those numbers the soda stream would take longer to catch up I, but I would also have to have the room for a palette of coke, grape drink, sprite, dr pepper, and diet grapefruit drink. 

What the soda stream mostly did for me was stop my bad purchasing of pop and also I started drinking less of it as well.  If I wanted to make a new bottle of pop I would have to actively do it, whereas sometimes bored me just likes to open the fridge and grab the easiest thing to eat / drink.  So drinking pop was easier than even getting myself a glass of water (laaazzzyyy).  I also use the soda stream with juices and crystal light drinks, it is pretty versatile.  Great for making mixers and barely takes up any space and I can have my favorite 5 flavors. 

Each side has its pros and cons but until my soda stream breaks it is saving me money as of right now, 2 years after purchase.  I'd be really interested to see the numbers on all the home made rigs.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2013, 07:58:26 AM »
Is soda stream really that much cheaper than generic store brand soda?  I obviously have not run the numbers, but it seems like an awfully high start up cost and high cost for the replacement syrup/supplies to make what is essentially generic soda.  Just curious.

I don't use any of the syrups... I just drink plain bubbly water.

The sodastream + tank + adapter ran me about $260.  Yes, fairly big initial investment for "soda".

I was spending $3.80/12pack for bubbly water at a cost of about $230 a year. 

Ignoring the obvious solution of "just stop drinking the stuff" ... For about the cost of a year's worth of bubbly water, you get almost infinite bubbly water.

It now costs me $20 a year for refilling a 20lb tank. 

At year 2 you're "ahead".

igthebold

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #15 on: August 23, 2013, 08:22:17 AM »
Have you tried using wine yeast or brewer's yeast to make soda? A lot less equipment and a lot cheaper. There's a slight flavor, but it usually complements the kinds of soda I make.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #16 on: August 23, 2013, 08:30:08 AM »
Have you tried using wine yeast or brewer's yeast to make soda? A lot less equipment and a lot cheaper. There's a slight flavor, but it usually complements the kinds of soda I make.

Interesting idea.  I never thought about that.  I'm assuming this only works with sweetened sodas (otherwise the yeast wouldn't replicate)?

Can you get intense carbonation?   I know the "new wines" I've tasted while they were fermenting (as well as sparkling wines) are just slightly carbonated.

igthebold

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #17 on: August 23, 2013, 08:45:51 AM »
Interesting idea.  I never thought about that.  I'm assuming this only works with sweetened sodas (otherwise the yeast wouldn't replicate)?

That's right, it wouldn't work with anything that didn't have some kind of sugar to ferment. Of course, you can use a lot less than store-bought, but it's still sugar.

Can you get intense carbonation?   I know the "new wines" I've tasted while they were fermenting (as well as sparkling wines) are just slightly carbonated.

It depends on the kind of yeast you use. Champagne yeast will keep going and going and going, even in the fridge, but the problem there is that you end up with very high pressure and potential for explosions if you're not careful. :)

Also, the fact that you're fermenting in a tightly closed space, rather than in a carboy with an airlock, means all the CO2 that's produced stays, so you've got a lot more to begin with, regardless of the yeast used.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #18 on: August 23, 2013, 09:12:23 AM »


Also, the fact that you're fermenting in a tightly closed space, rather than in a carboy with an airlock, means all the CO2 that's produced stays, so you've got a lot more to begin with, regardless of the yeast used.

Ah.  That's the part I wasn't thinking about.  Now I understand.  I've only made wine... not beers or other carbonated brews.  I wasn't thinking about a pressurized vessel.

stevesteve

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #19 on: August 26, 2013, 06:21:15 AM »
Is soda stream really that much cheaper than generic store brand soda?  I obviously have not run the numbers, but it seems like an awfully high start up cost and high cost for the replacement syrup/supplies to make what is essentially generic soda.  Just curious.

I was given mine so I think it costs $99.  If you look at the marginal cost of just producing the soda the cheapest liters I can get are $0.69 (and rarely).  Two liters go flat before I can drink them and I don't have access to a Costco nor would I pay for membership with the given what I eat and cheap grocery options by me.  Using their estimate of 60 liters per bottle that's $0.25 per bottle or $0.17 if I use a $5 off coupon at Bed Bath and Beyond.  I'll use the assumption of $0.25 since I don't count and it might make a bit under 60 liters.

That means 238 liters made to break even given those assumptions.  Now, I also think it means I don't go to the soda aisle and I drink more seltzer and less soda which I'm sure is a good thing.  Add to that the probably not-very Mustachian addition of convenience of not having to carry many liter bottles from the store and the probably environmental benefits and I think it's a suboptimal but good decision at least compared to buying seltzer at the store.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #20 on: March 31, 2015, 06:02:32 AM »
RE:stevesteve  I am also looking for an adapter that will allow regular soda bottles to be attached to the sodastream system. The only thing I have found is a reference to a 3D print file that will create one on a 3D printer. It seems like someone has an opportunity to make some $$ selling these adapters :)

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #21 on: April 01, 2015, 11:08:47 PM »
Interesting idea.  I never thought about that.  I'm assuming this only works with sweetened sodas (otherwise the yeast wouldn't replicate)?
That's right, it wouldn't work with anything that didn't have some kind of sugar to ferment. Of course, you can use a lot less than store-bought, but it's still sugar.

I also make fermented carbonated water!  You don't have to make a sweetened soda, you just add a little sugar and yeast to a bottle of water and leave at room temperature for a few days.  I use 1/6 tsp instant yeast and 2.5 tsp sugar for one liter of water for pretty intense carbonation.  That small amount of sugar will pretty much all convert to alcohol + CO2.  It does taste very slightly bready but mostly just a nice bitter taste (like a light tonic water) from the yeast and tiny bit of alcohol.  I prefer the taste to normal carbonated water. 

Don't blame me if you have exploding bottles, but If you don't go crazy on the amount of sugar then you should be fine.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #22 on: April 02, 2015, 04:49:26 AM »
You can also make fermented "pop" with recipes such as this http://www.sallywise.com.au/blog/sparkling-fruit-drinks/

HipGnosis

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #23 on: April 02, 2015, 01:58:58 PM »
Is soda stream really that much cheaper than generic store brand soda?  I obviously have not run the numbers, but it seems like an awfully high start up cost and high cost for the replacement syrup/supplies to make what is essentially generic soda.  Just curious.

I don't use any of the syrups... I just drink plain bubbly water.

The sodastream + tank + adapter ran me about $260.  Yes, fairly big initial investment for "soda".

I was spending $3.80/12pack for bubbly water at a cost of about $230 a year. 

Ignoring the obvious solution of "just stop drinking the stuff" ... For about the cost of a year's worth of bubbly water, you get almost infinite bubbly water.

It now costs me $20 a year for refilling a 20lb tank. 

At year 2 you're "ahead".
How are you connecting the 20 lb tank to the sodastream??

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #24 on: April 02, 2015, 03:45:20 PM »
Is soda stream really that much cheaper than generic store brand soda?  I obviously have not run the numbers, but it seems like an awfully high start up cost and high cost for the replacement syrup/supplies to make what is essentially generic soda.  Just curious.

I don't use any of the syrups... I just drink plain bubbly water.

The sodastream + tank + adapter ran me about $260.  Yes, fairly big initial investment for "soda".

I was spending $3.80/12pack for bubbly water at a cost of about $230 a year. 

Ignoring the obvious solution of "just stop drinking the stuff" ... For about the cost of a year's worth of bubbly water, you get almost infinite bubbly water.

It now costs me $20 a year for refilling a 20lb tank. 

At year 2 you're "ahead".
How are you connecting the 20 lb tank to the sodastream??

I use this:  http://co2doctor.com/freedomoonespec.htm

I suspect there are other hacks that are less expensive.  I've seen at least one posted on some thread around here that didn't require a sodastream, but was some plumbing, a CO2 canister and an old soda bottle.

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #25 on: April 03, 2015, 11:56:32 AM »
It now costs me $20 a year for refilling a 20lb tank. 

How are you connecting the 20 lb tank to the sodastream??

I use this:  http://co2doctor.com/freedomoonespec.htm

I suspect there are other hacks that are less expensive.  I've seen at least one posted on some thread around here that didn't require a sodastream, but was some plumbing, a CO2 canister and an old soda bottle.
Thanks
I did a bit of googling on it last night
There is an adapter out there that connects a 20oz CO2 tank (VERY common w/ paint ballers) to the soda stream.  They're refilled for $3.50-$4.
But I learned that the soda stream really ONLY carbonates the water - and it seems like a pretty expensive way of doing it.
Brewers use CO2 too, I found a $15 'carbonator' adapter on a brewers supply site - but I'm not sure what bottles it connects to, and I think you need to use a CO2 pressure regulator with it.
I'm wondering about converting a (used, broke?) paint ball gun into a carbonator - each pull of the trigger is a controlled amount of CO2...
I also found there are other, cheaper sources of flavor syrup.  Amazon and Costco sell Coke syrup; 2.5 - 5 gallons (you need a special 'coke' spout).  SnowCone flavors give a LOT of options (but few std soda flavors).
« Last Edit: April 03, 2015, 11:59:12 AM by HipGnosis »

Spork

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Re: Home carbonation help (bottle adapter)
« Reply #26 on: April 03, 2015, 12:08:41 PM »
It now costs me $20 a year for refilling a 20lb tank. 

How are you connecting the 20 lb tank to the sodastream??

I use this:  http://co2doctor.com/freedomoonespec.htm

I suspect there are other hacks that are less expensive.  I've seen at least one posted on some thread around here that didn't require a sodastream, but was some plumbing, a CO2 canister and an old soda bottle.
Thanks
I did a bit of googling on it last night
There is an adapter out there that connects a 20oz CO2 tank (VERY common w/ paint ballers) to the soda stream.  They're refilled for $3.50-$4.
But I learned that the soda stream really ONLY carbonates the water - and it seems like a pretty expensive way of doing it.
Brewers use CO2 too, I found a $15 'carbonator' adapter on a brewers supply site - but I'm not sure what bottles it connects to, and I think you need to use a CO2 pressure regulator with it.
I'm wondering about converting a (used, broke?) paint ball gun into a carbonator - each pull of the trigger is a controlled amount of CO2...
I also found there are other, cheaper sources of flavor syrup.  Amazon and Costco sell Coke syrup; 2.5 - 5 gallons (you need a special 'coke' spout).  SnowCone flavors give a LOT of options (but few std soda flavors).

I totally think there are cheaper ways to go about this than Soda Stream.  You're probably on the right track. 

I drink carbonated water plain.  It's a crutch I still lean on 15+ years after kicking the Coca Cola habit.  And the handful of Soda Stream flavored syrups I've tried -- I really didn't like.   If you're wanting "Coke" (or any name brand flavor you can identify with) ... I'd look for some other syrup.  (But: tastes vary wildly.)