One forgotten Step for viewers, When disconecting the adapter to your large CO2 bottle. You must vent between the large bottle and the first "handle" before disconecting. With the Black screw valve on the large bottle closed. Open both Red handles to vent the adapter. I can just see someone trying to unscrew the adapter and having a supprise that there is preasure in the system as you show venting the hose to the smaller bottle with the Large bottle's black screw tap closed but "Handle" one fully closed. Briliiant idea though. I'll be giving this a try for sure. :)
Thank you Scott for the video; this and your other videos explain the process very well. I have been refilling my 60L and 130L tanks on my SodaStream system for many years. There used to be a company called CO2 Doctors, and they had the best-quality adapter setup for connecting and refilling SodaStream bottles. They also sold the unrestricted valve that went on the SodaStream bottles to remove the restrictive filling tops from SodaStream so that you could refill them yourself. Their adapter kit connected to the 20-pound Siphon tube tank, then attached to the SodaStream bottles without an adjusting valve; you would screw them in, and the permanent pin inside would automatically depress the SodaStream refill pin, which I like a lot. Their system costs about $100. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business. Some users in the comment section mentioned a significant safety point: the 20-pound tank recertification/hydro testing process. It is essential to make sure that you locate the date punched into the top of the tank, like an expiration date. Once that date arrives, you must take the tank to an authorized facility to recertify your CO2 tank. Usually, again already mentioned, a local brewery, a welding supply business, or a fire suppression business where they refill and service fire extinguishers. The process takes a day or two, and if they are not busy and cost less than $50, they will punch a new expiration date into the top of the tank after passing the hydro testing process. Usually, they are 5 years out, and smaller bottles are 10 years out. When hunting around for one of these businesses, I want you to please make sure that they will return your tank compared to some places that exchange tanks, which means when you give yours in, you will not get yours back; this is not ideal. The other issue with using a 20-pound siphon tube tank is that at a certain point, the large 20-pound tank will be unable to refill your smaller bottles as it doesn’t have enough pressure to push liquid and gas C02 into it. So, there is a loss there. I’ve put it at 70% usage and 30% loss. Absolutely no science behind that number; I am just sharing an example. I mention this because when this happens, you can’t refill your bottles and must refill your 20-pound tank again. When you bring it back to your refilling company, they will mention that the tank is not empty and will need to recoup that gas properly. Setting up this refilling process makes sense if you enjoy using your SodaStream because it saves a lot of money. I usually refill my 20-pound siphon tube tank for about $55, including tax, and it lasts about an entire year. Compared to $20 a month or more forever, once you purchase the necessary items, it pays for itself within the first year. Supporting your local business is also a good thing. Even though it is not a lot of money for them, I would rather it go to them than anyone else. When I refill my 60L and 130L SodaStream bottles, I don’t waste my time weighing them. I don’t weigh them because the bottles will stop receiving liquid/gas when they become full, as you can’t overfill them in any way. Having at least one spare bottle is excellent, so keep that one in the freezer (already mentioned) and ready to refill when needed, as refilling an icy bottle will allow more liquid CO2 to get in before it turns to gas, yielding a longer lasting bottle refill experience.
I've watched at least a handful of these already and found myself confused every time, this was easily the best one. thanks for answering all the questions and troubleshooting.
I was confused by many as well, it’s a little scary feeling at first, but once you get the process down it’s much less stressful. Thanks for watching! 🙌
I would still replace the small cylinders every few years, though. A gas cylinder needs to be tested periodically for safety, which is why the big one will have a date stamped in it. The small ones won't be getting that periodic safety testing at home.
Here we have to test the cylinders every 10 years, so quite a bit of time for refilling :) On the other hand, always make sure you have some Co2 left before you refill. That way you have positive pressure and can be relative sure it stay clean.
Yep, that’s very doable. Just need the space or setup to keep that connected. I like the minimal setup and just refill my 4 cylinders every other month or so.
Can the tank be kept outdoors, like in a garage or should it stay around room temperature? Can you use the same connector with the sodastream quick connect bottles?
@WTPReel there is an adapter for quick disconnect system to use a hose to the larger tanks. We go to welding store for the tank and ours has lasted a long time
@@sodascott There are businesses around refilling here as well, I think thats why there is cheap refills. Also the new bottles have not yet had the refill prices come down as hard as the refill procuredure is different but also possible.
Know that your tank is a pressure vessel and has a service life - it is etched into the tank. So, factor into the cost of your shiny new tank - it will be useful for several years and then you have to replace it or have it tested...this is why going the exchange route can be less expensive. You still pay for a tank, and the tank will probably not be pristine, but you can exchange tanks with your gas provider FOREVER.
Sorry, but even paying for a pressure test every 5 years, doing this will be less expensive than paying $60 to exchange two of the soda steam tanks. Just one refill of two bottles alone pays for a pressure test of the main tank. Then, just buy two new soda steam gas bottles which will be cheaper than the exchange, every five years which is the recommended pressure testing window.
@@oldfredbear I understand that it's different in many areas - just for me in Atlanta - the cheapest refill was $22. I pay $24 and I don't have to concern myself with a tank needing recertification. Since they don't "re-etch" a cert on the tank, you have to prove it every refill. It's too much crap for $2 to me. Your mileage may vary - I acknowledge that.
@@jcinsaniac But your comparing apples to oranges. In this video the gentlemen is demonstrating how to refill your sodastream tank at home. No one at home is checking the cert on the soda stream bottle. When you're no longer comfortable refilling it yourself, exchange it for a new bottle and start again. The 5 lb CO2 tank that you fill it from does get an etching and gets recerted every 5 years for cheap.
@@oldfredbear You're absolutely right. I was only commenting for those who are weighing the cost of buying a new empty tank and then taking that to a refiller vs. getting into an exchange program. I don't have a position on refilling sodastream tanks and I did not mean to conflate the two.
I have the same Aarke and refill equipment as you except I have a Kegco 5# tank that I had a siphon tube installed within. Yesterday, I took the tank in for a refill at a local fire extinguisher company. Their CO2 is food grade (I asked them). It cost $17.20 for 5# of CO2 ($16.00 + $1.20 tax). It costs me around $2-$2.50 per refill. More expensive, but the 5# tank is much easier to handle. Ideally, I would have purchased a 10# tank. Nice balance between refill expense and handling, IMO. That handle is not to protect the valve. It's a carrying handle only. Lots of internet reviews complaining about broken handles. You also don't want SodaStream canisters as they have a valve designed to prevent refilling by the user. Other brands have a valve with a small pin instead of the SodaStream flat disc in the center of the valve. The other brands fill easier and faster. THANKS for this video!!
Well... he did manage to fill the SodaStream branded CO² canister, so it is possible. You may be referring to the SodaStream pink topped canisters that are different from the older blue tipped ones. The pink topped ones, I've heard, are impossible to do a self fill.
@@rddav1 No. I was referring to the blue tipped 2nd iteration, the one he filled in this video. As he said, you have to fill it VERY slowly, or that valve closes and the filling stops. The first iteration, and the one most brands still use, has a narrow pin that allows normal, faster filling. If waiting around for the tank to fill works for you, great. I just posted my comment to make people fully aware that there are options that enable faster filling.
@krazmokramer I was unaware of the differences of the blue tipped bottles. I purchased my SodaStream many years ago when they were still using the large 120 liter canisters. I haven't used mine in years and was unaware that there was a newer design to the blue tipped canisters! Glad you posted that comment!
@@rddav1 Thanks. Sodastream is the only company with this valve, from what I've seen. All the other common 60L bottles seem to use the old, standard, easily refillable valves. The only difference is the plastic label they wrap around each tank. The tanks are interchangeable between brands of soda machines, (except for the sodastream machines I think). I'm currently using tanks from DrinkMate in my Aarke. DrinkMate tanks were the cheapest to purchase when I bought my Aarke machine.
Nicely presented video! I've just begun researching soda makers so I appreciate all the detail you've went into with the whole process and the equipment you used. Small nitpick with the use of locking pliers since it's not the best tool for tightening the valve vs a wrench.
Is the CO² you get in a welding store the same as you would get from a brewery? I know it sounds stupid, but i was told before that there was a difference between welding CO2 and food grade CO2.
@veganpotterthevegan I thought it was stupid too, CO2 is CO2 but food grade CO2 could be produced in a lab and is pure CO2, whereas welding CO2 could be produced in a dirty factory through diferent methods where other gas contaminants are left mixed in with the CO2 because it doesn't matter as much.
@@SirJamez0 There are Beverage Grade, Food Grade, Medical Grade, and Industrial Grade. Beverage grade is keeping purity so there is nothing that can mess with the taste. Food grade is probably the least you want to go, but there may still be some impurities.
Industrial CO2 is >=99% CO2. Beverage grade CO2 is >= 99.9% CO2. Beverage grade tanks may also be handled differently to ensure purity of the gas. The cost differential is not so great that it’s worth the risk of ingesting potentially harmful industrial gases.
I have the same setup, and have not been able to refill more than 50g (due to lack of freezer space, I'm not freezing empty tanks). I was getting 200g when the tank did not have a siphon tube and I had to invert it. I'm thinking really hard about removing the siphon tube on the next refill. I'm also beginning to think that carbonating directly from a regulated non-siphon 20lb tank to water bottles may yield hundreds more liters of carbonated water. Experience and some research tells me that siphoning liquid Co2 may be extremely inefficient.
Hi, I am using the same attachments as in your video. My big CO2 bottle is full but I cannot fill the cartridge more than 14 gm. The CO2 bottle has the siphoning tube to be used standing upright. The pin on top of the cartridge fitting appears to be working fine and when no cartridge is connected, the air flows unrestricted once the valve is opened. When the cartridge is connected there is no flow to the cartridge or it just gets the 14gm. Any ideas?
I had the same exact issue. What I think I discovered is that the knurled screw that depresses the valve on the small receiving bottle has to be perfect (or maybe it was something else for me). What I did was attach the system to a full sodastream bottle, and then, with the donor tank still closed and the relief/exhaust value open, start to turn the knurled nob until you start to hear the gas in the sodastream bottle escape. Close the knurled valve and mark that location that the hissing first started. Then shut the exhaust valve and remove the full bottle and attach an empty. You want to turn the knurled valve about a eighth of a revolution past that marked point. Then when you actually start filling, go super slow. I also froze the sodastream bottle an went super slow -- so maybe the knurled knob turn amount was not the issue and it was just the speed that I was trying to transfer -- or maybe it was that I hadn't frozen the canister.
Good video but it would be more logical to set the zero/tare on the kitchen scale after you have placed the empty sodastream cylinder and filling valve apparatus on the scales. That way you are only measuring the weight of the Co2 as it transfers into the empty sodastream cylinder and there is no need to do any approximations or addition calculations to arrive at the correct filling weight.
I used to use the direct adapter and had to invert the cylinder. Could never get the original sodastream cylinders to work. And when still 3 of 10kg were left I only got about 100g in each fill, even frozen. So in the end it was not worth the hassle for me and I went back to swapping cylinders at the store.
hi, do you a part number for an adaptor for a quick disconnect. I see multiple videos for the older bottles but none for the quick disconnect. I notice your part is not available on amazon. I am in portland OR, I think you are in Portland OR. do you know where I can get one?
Every metal that undergoes pressurisation and depressurisation, will eventually fail. My question is how many refills can you pump inside these small canisters before they blow up?
When my main tank is running out and doesn't top up the CO2 bottles anymore, I'll connect it directly to the sodastream dispenser using another adapter. Once it is completely exhausted, I'll bring it to my CO2 gas supplier to top up. This is the best way to get more reasonably priced CO2.
The bottles should never be completly empty, that way there is way lower chance to get anything else inside. Empty tank can easily get moisture inside, corroding it from the inside where you cant see what is happening (why commersial Co2 bottles are not allowed to be empty and required to test the Co2 after refills)
Having done this for quite some time. The refill process does not give you the same volume as new canisters. Not sure why, maybe half. I believe that the tanks would need to be evacuated, negative pressure. Freezing helps but only slightly. This was my experience.
Yeah, sometimes you don't get up to a full 420grams in, but usually 300-400 is very doable when frozen and yes starting from fully empty tanks helps. Thanks for the comment!
@@sodascott Thank you for the response. Do or can using the canisters "wear out" specifically the valve that is constantly being depressed while filling?
@@sodascottdo you know that you only pay for the CO2,not the container, if you take the container back to the place where you are getting a new one? Yes, if ee bought a new one everytime, it would be way more expensive here, too. But if you return the cylinder you pay much less.
ok yea $40 is alot you would go broke but here in canada you can return your old empty c02 canisters and get $20 off your next c02 canister for soda stream this is a good idea but i will stick with the what we are able to do here. i wouldnt doute you can return your c02 canster to any soda stream retailer try it
Quite surprised about the replacement cost. Here in Finland you can take your old empty co2 bottle to a store and exchange it into a filled one for 5-8€ ($5,5-$8,8) depending on store or if the have some campaign going on. Even new bottles (without exhanging old) can be found for around 20€ so that $40 price seems like a robbery to me 😮 I keep 2 bottles around and can exchange immidiately when the one in use is emptied and have plenty of time to swap emptied one back to a full before the next runs out. 😊
Having a siphen tube is only a factor if you need/want liquid Co2 in the refill bottle, and dont use a regulator (what pressure do Sodastream bottles use?) $2/LB i dont think you get "foodgrade" Co2, it may be filled from a certified food grade container but lack the steps required to still sell as food grade. Simply do not get those required tests and extra work for $40. Practically you get industry grade Co2, both should be like 99+% pure Co2 but 1 have vertification that it is clean and usable for food/resale
one thing to note on the safety warning (which, great job for bringing up) - CO2 sinks in fresh air, your children or pets may be affected before you are, and CO2 has killed thousands and thousands of people (and is an excruciating way to go). please be safe. (love, a former brewer who used CO2 regularly)
Pardon, Sodastream has you buy refills, for that extortionate price? Here they swap your empty bottle for a reconditioned and refilled one for an equivalent of $7 at any supermarket. I mean it's obviously a fat profit for them but also not agonisingly expensive for the consumer, reasonable. Also cheap aftermarket ones have appeared recently, they cost even less.
@@sodascott Thanks. That won’t work for us, small apt with small kitchen, no place to viably put a 20# tank and leave it attached. I’ll look into 5# tanks see if maybe I can fit that in. Was hoping for a refilling solution for the pink quick connects.
That is an option. I'll have a video on that soon (I just did one on directly connecting a quick connect pink machine: ruclips.net/video/ReEoknf_veA/видео.html ) Some people (me included) don't want a tank or have space in their kitchen for it. So refilling makes the most sense.
@@sodascott That's fair. Ive had an old Jet that I was using paintball tanks in, and getting those refilled at a shop nearby. But they closed during covid. I've since bought a newer Aqua Fizz machine that takes those pink quick connect tanks. I'm thinking it would just be easier to get a 5lb tank and hide it under the counter and run a line to the machine.
Some people don’t want a giant tank in their kitchen. Which is where most people keep their soda stream. It’s unsightly and can’t be hidden easily unless you have large cabinet space and are willing to drill your countertop.
You can also unscrew the fitting in the bottle and add the right weight of food grade dry ice then screw it back on. No expensive equipment needed. Just don't overfill it!
So if a canister holds 14.5 oz of Co2 and there are 16 oz in a pound . You would get 22 out of a 20 lb tank , not 40. FYI Co2 tanks need to get re- certified as a pressure vessel every 5 years .A Siphon/Dip tube 20 lb. Tank cost about $200 and $25 to re certify . The cert date is stamped on the tank Mon/Yr . $21 to fill each time saving you $19/ canister .If you buy an addition 5 cylinders as Spares your total investment will be close to $500.00 however you will now own 5 + canister you will have filled your 20lb tank twice and will have saved $222.00 on refilling you canisters 38 times . Your welcome ..Jim
You said 40 $ for a refill cylinder? Wow ... here in Germany I take the empty cylinder to the supermarket and get a full one for 5-7 EUR (5.5-7.60 USD)
home refilled gas container explodes causing massive personal injury or home damage: "hey at least i saved like 100$ on those last 5 refills!" sodastream refill bought from the store explodes somehow: sue for damages
I now use this CO2 Wrench: amzn.to/3Yg9LPo It's $9 and works way better than the pliers to quickly tighten your adapter hose to the main tank.
One forgotten Step for viewers, When disconecting the adapter to your large CO2 bottle. You must vent between the large bottle and the first "handle" before disconecting. With the Black screw valve on the large bottle closed. Open both Red handles to vent the adapter.
I can just see someone trying to unscrew the adapter and having a supprise that there is preasure in the system as you show venting the hose to the smaller bottle with the Large bottle's black screw tap closed but "Handle" one fully closed.
Briliiant idea though. I'll be giving this a try for sure. :)
Thank you Scott for the video; this and your other videos explain the process very well.
I have been refilling my 60L and 130L tanks on my SodaStream system for many years.
There used to be a company called CO2 Doctors, and they had the best-quality adapter setup for connecting and refilling SodaStream bottles. They also sold the unrestricted valve that went on the SodaStream bottles to remove the restrictive filling tops from SodaStream so that you could refill them yourself. Their adapter kit connected to the 20-pound Siphon tube tank, then attached to the SodaStream bottles without an adjusting valve; you would screw them in, and the permanent pin inside would automatically depress the SodaStream refill pin, which I like a lot. Their system costs about $100. Unfortunately, they are no longer in business.
Some users in the comment section mentioned a significant safety point: the 20-pound tank recertification/hydro testing process. It is essential to make sure that you locate the date punched into the top of the tank, like an expiration date. Once that date arrives, you must take the tank to an authorized facility to recertify your CO2 tank. Usually, again already mentioned, a local brewery, a welding supply business, or a fire suppression business where they refill and service fire extinguishers. The process takes a day or two, and if they are not busy and cost less than $50, they will punch a new expiration date into the top of the tank after passing the hydro testing process. Usually, they are 5 years out, and smaller bottles are 10 years out. When hunting around for one of these businesses, I want you to please make sure that they will return your tank compared to some places that exchange tanks, which means when you give yours in, you will not get yours back; this is not ideal.
The other issue with using a 20-pound siphon tube tank is that at a certain point, the large 20-pound tank will be unable to refill your smaller bottles as it doesn’t have enough pressure to push liquid and gas C02 into it. So, there is a loss there. I’ve put it at 70% usage and 30% loss. Absolutely no science behind that number; I am just sharing an example. I mention this because when this happens, you can’t refill your bottles and must refill your 20-pound tank again. When you bring it back to your refilling company, they will mention that the tank is not empty and will need to recoup that gas properly.
Setting up this refilling process makes sense if you enjoy using your SodaStream because it saves a lot of money. I usually refill my 20-pound siphon tube tank for about $55, including tax, and it lasts about an entire year. Compared to $20 a month or more forever, once you purchase the necessary items, it pays for itself within the first year. Supporting your local business is also a good thing. Even though it is not a lot of money for them, I would rather it go to them than anyone else.
When I refill my 60L and 130L SodaStream bottles, I don’t waste my time weighing them. I don’t weigh them because the bottles will stop receiving liquid/gas when they become full, as you can’t overfill them in any way. Having at least one spare bottle is excellent, so keep that one in the freezer (already mentioned) and ready to refill when needed, as refilling an icy bottle will allow more liquid CO2 to get in before it turns to gas, yielding a longer lasting bottle refill experience.
Out of dozens of videos on this in YT, this is by far easiest to understand. Great job!
Thanks! That was my goal!
I've watched at least a handful of these already and found myself confused every time, this was easily the best one. thanks for answering all the questions and troubleshooting.
I was confused by many as well, it’s a little scary feeling at first, but once you get the process down it’s much less stressful. Thanks for watching! 🙌
I would still replace the small cylinders every few years, though. A gas cylinder needs to be tested periodically for safety, which is why the big one will have a date stamped in it. The small ones won't be getting that periodic safety testing at home.
Here we have to test the cylinders every 10 years, so quite a bit of time for refilling :)
On the other hand, always make sure you have some Co2 left before you refill. That way you have positive pressure and can be relative sure it stay clean.
Would a crescent wrench 🔧 be better than vise grips to avoid damaging the fittings? Glad you mentioned not over tightening.
Yea, just need the right size for CGA320. I had trouble finding one
I believe that you can get a hose adapter straight from the 20 pounder to your soda stream, you need a tank without siphon, tho.
Yep, that’s very doable. Just need the space or setup to keep that connected. I like the minimal setup and just refill my 4 cylinders every other month or so.
Can the tank be kept outdoors, like in a garage or should it stay around room temperature? Can you use the same connector with the sodastream quick connect bottles?
@WTPReel there is an adapter for quick disconnect system to use a hose to the larger tanks. We go to welding store for the tank and ours has lasted a long time
Yep: just did a tutorial on this - make sure no siphon tube for direct connection:
ruclips.net/video/ReEoknf_veA/видео.html
Nice video. I ended up with Soda Mod system. If you get a crescent wrench it won't damage the brass nut on the adapter.
Couldn't you get a pressure regulator and hook the big tank up to the soda stream directly?
In Australia we take the empties back to the supermarket and get the full ones for almost half price when we exchange them. $35 down to $19.
yeah and that $19 is still a RIP,going to do this and save,can we just connect up to the 20ltr tank and bypass all this stuff?
In Germany refill is about 7€
Yep, but at $19 it’s still an expensive way to make soda water.
It feels amazing to live in Norway. Where you can get a full replacement bottle for just around 4$ and dont need all of that 😂
That is a steal. Wish we had that here - not quite as cheap but still solid value!
@@sodascott There are businesses around refilling here as well, I think thats why there is cheap refills. Also the new bottles have not yet had the refill prices come down as hard as the refill procuredure is different but also possible.
Ah, it's 12€ here in Italy :D
Belgium too! we only pay for the gas if you swap a bottle
The cheapest i've seen in Sweden is at Byggmax, 30 Kronor ($2,87) to swap a bottle.
You can all together skip refilling the 60L canisters and get an adapter to go straight into the machine from the large canister.
Excellent excellent video thank you very much. By the way you should be using food grade CO2
Thank you! Yes, you want food grade or "beverage grade" CO2 for sure.
Know that your tank is a pressure vessel and has a service life - it is etched into the tank. So, factor into the cost of your shiny new tank - it will be useful for several years and then you have to replace it or have it tested...this is why going the exchange route can be less expensive. You still pay for a tank, and the tank will probably not be pristine, but you can exchange tanks with your gas provider FOREVER.
Solid recommendation. I'll ask my gas provider if they offer this.
Sorry, but even paying for a pressure test every 5 years, doing this will be less expensive than paying $60 to exchange two of the soda steam tanks.
Just one refill of two bottles alone pays for a pressure test of the main tank. Then, just buy two new soda steam gas bottles which will be cheaper than the exchange, every five years which is the recommended pressure testing window.
@@oldfredbear I understand that it's different in many areas - just for me in Atlanta - the cheapest refill was $22. I pay $24 and I don't have to concern myself with a tank needing recertification. Since they don't "re-etch" a cert on the tank, you have to prove it every refill. It's too much crap for $2 to me. Your mileage may vary - I acknowledge that.
@@jcinsaniac But your comparing apples to oranges. In this video the gentlemen is demonstrating how to refill your sodastream tank at home. No one at home is checking the cert on the soda stream bottle. When you're no longer comfortable refilling it yourself, exchange it for a new bottle and start again. The 5 lb CO2 tank that you fill it from does get an etching and gets recerted every 5 years for cheap.
@@oldfredbear You're absolutely right. I was only commenting for those who are weighing the cost of buying a new empty tank and then taking that to a refiller vs. getting into an exchange program. I don't have a position on refilling sodastream tanks and I did not mean to conflate the two.
Great video. You get about 22 ish refills from a full tank. 20 pounds/.9 per cylinder.
I have the same Aarke and refill equipment as you except I have a Kegco 5# tank that I had a siphon tube installed within. Yesterday, I took the tank in for a refill at a local fire extinguisher company. Their CO2 is food grade (I asked them). It cost $17.20 for 5# of CO2 ($16.00 + $1.20 tax). It costs me around $2-$2.50 per refill. More expensive, but the 5# tank is much easier to handle. Ideally, I would have purchased a 10# tank. Nice balance between refill expense and handling, IMO. That handle is not to protect the valve. It's a carrying handle only. Lots of internet reviews complaining about broken handles. You also don't want SodaStream canisters as they have a valve designed to prevent refilling by the user. Other brands have a valve with a small pin instead of the SodaStream flat disc in the center of the valve. The other brands fill easier and faster. THANKS for this video!!
Well... he did manage to fill the SodaStream branded CO² canister, so it is possible. You may be referring to the SodaStream pink topped canisters that are different from the older blue tipped ones. The pink topped ones, I've heard, are impossible to do a self fill.
@@rddav1 No. I was referring to the blue tipped 2nd iteration, the one he filled in this video. As he said, you have to fill it VERY slowly, or that valve closes and the filling stops. The first iteration, and the one most brands still use, has a narrow pin that allows normal, faster filling. If waiting around for the tank to fill works for you, great. I just posted my comment to make people fully aware that there are options that enable faster filling.
@krazmokramer I was unaware of the differences of the blue tipped bottles. I purchased my SodaStream many years ago when they were still using the large 120 liter canisters. I haven't used mine in years and was unaware that there was a newer design to the blue tipped canisters! Glad you posted that comment!
@@rddav1 Thanks. Sodastream is the only company with this valve, from what I've seen. All the other common 60L bottles seem to use the old, standard, easily refillable valves. The only difference is the plastic label they wrap around each tank. The tanks are interchangeable between brands of soda machines, (except for the sodastream machines I think). I'm currently using tanks from DrinkMate in my Aarke. DrinkMate tanks were the cheapest to purchase when I bought my Aarke machine.
I used a kitchen gage and filled the sodastream with cheap dry ice. Close it and wait some hours till the bottle isnt fronzen outside anymore.
Best how to vidio I've seen BTW. Great job!!
Thanks! I wanted to make it as clear as possible. More to come!
Nicely presented video! I've just begun researching soda makers so I appreciate all the detail you've went into with the whole process and the equipment you used.
Small nitpick with the use of locking pliers since it's not the best tool for tightening the valve vs a wrench.
Thanks so much! Yes, a better tool would be a wrench for sure, but just had to go with what I had on hand. Thank you for watching and stay bubbly! 🫧
THANK YOU
IVE been searching and getting close however THIS video was CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS
Thanks! Appreciate the kind words, that was my goal
Is the CO² you get in a welding store the same as you would get from a brewery? I know it sounds stupid, but i was told before that there was a difference between welding CO2 and food grade CO2.
Doesn't matter. Oxy-acetylene soda tastes better!!!
@veganpotterthevegan I thought it was stupid too, CO2 is CO2 but food grade CO2 could be produced in a lab and is pure CO2, whereas welding CO2 could be produced in a dirty factory through diferent methods where other gas contaminants are left mixed in with the CO2 because it doesn't matter as much.
@@SirJamez0 There are Beverage Grade, Food Grade, Medical Grade, and Industrial Grade. Beverage grade is keeping purity so there is nothing that can mess with the taste. Food grade is probably the least you want to go, but there may still be some impurities.
Industrial CO2 is >=99% CO2. Beverage grade CO2 is >= 99.9% CO2. Beverage grade tanks may also be handled differently to ensure purity of the gas. The cost differential is not so great that it’s worth the risk of ingesting potentially harmful industrial gases.
Больше вред приносит вдыхание обычного воздуха в мегаполисе.
I have the same setup, and have not been able to refill more than 50g (due to lack of freezer space, I'm not freezing empty tanks). I was getting 200g when the tank did not have a siphon tube and I had to invert it. I'm thinking really hard about removing the siphon tube on the next refill. I'm also beginning to think that carbonating directly from a regulated non-siphon 20lb tank to water bottles may yield hundreds more liters of carbonated water. Experience and some research tells me that siphoning liquid Co2 may be extremely inefficient.
There is no liquid CO2. It's compressed at high pressure but still a gas. It's skips liquid state till very high pressures if u try to freeze it
Hi, I am using the same attachments as in your video. My big CO2 bottle is full but I cannot fill the cartridge more than 14 gm. The CO2 bottle has the siphoning tube to be used standing upright. The pin on top of the cartridge fitting appears to be working fine and when no cartridge is connected, the air flows unrestricted once the valve is opened. When the cartridge is connected there is no flow to the cartridge or it just gets the 14gm. Any ideas?
I had the same exact issue. What I think I discovered is that the knurled screw that depresses the valve on the small receiving bottle has to be perfect (or maybe it was something else for me). What I did was attach the system to a full sodastream bottle, and then, with the donor tank still closed and the relief/exhaust value open, start to turn the knurled nob until you start to hear the gas in the sodastream bottle escape. Close the knurled valve and mark that location that the hissing first started. Then shut the exhaust valve and remove the full bottle and attach an empty. You want to turn the knurled valve about a eighth of a revolution past that marked point. Then when you actually start filling, go super slow. I also froze the sodastream bottle an went super slow -- so maybe the knurled knob turn amount was not the issue and it was just the speed that I was trying to transfer -- or maybe it was that I hadn't frozen the canister.
Good video but it would be more logical to set the zero/tare on the kitchen scale after you have placed the empty sodastream cylinder and filling valve apparatus on the scales.
That way you are only measuring the weight of the Co2 as it transfers into the empty sodastream cylinder and there is no need to do any approximations or addition calculations to arrive at the correct filling weight.
Yeah, that would be a better way to do it, I'll do that next time. Thanks!
i assume it would be best to have a regulator before the fill valve
I used to use the direct adapter and had to invert the cylinder. Could never get the original sodastream cylinders to work. And when still 3 of 10kg were left I only got about 100g in each fill, even frozen. So in the end it was not worth the hassle for me and I went back to swapping cylinders at the store.
hi, do you a part number for an adaptor for a quick disconnect. I see multiple videos for the older bottles but none for the quick disconnect. I notice your part is not available on amazon. I am in portland OR, I think you are in Portland OR. do you know where I can get one?
Every metal that undergoes pressurisation and depressurisation, will eventually fail. My question is how many refills can you pump inside these small canisters before they blow up?
When my main tank is running out and doesn't top up the CO2 bottles anymore, I'll connect it directly to the sodastream dispenser using another adapter. Once it is completely exhausted, I'll bring it to my CO2 gas supplier to top up. This is the best way to get more reasonably priced CO2.
That’s a great tip - thanks!
The bottles should never be completly empty, that way there is way lower chance to get anything else inside.
Empty tank can easily get moisture inside, corroding it from the inside where you cant see what is happening (why commersial Co2 bottles are not allowed to be empty and required to test the Co2 after refills)
I got an adapter that goes straight from the big tank to the soda stream.
Yeah, that's a great way to go if you have space and don't mind the hose running out of the SodaStream.
Aren't you loosing many liquid CO2 inside the hose after the filling process?
A small amount you vent yes, but not a huge amount
Having done this for quite some time. The refill process does not give you the same volume as new canisters. Not sure why, maybe half. I believe that the tanks would need to be evacuated, negative pressure. Freezing helps but only slightly. This was my experience.
Yeah, sometimes you don't get up to a full 420grams in, but usually 300-400 is very doable when frozen and yes starting from fully empty tanks helps. Thanks for the comment!
@@sodascott Thank you for the response. Do or can using the canisters "wear out" specifically the valve that is constantly being depressed while filling?
Did I hear right? Is the refills around $40 over there? Over here we get them for $3 to $10!
For 20lbs - yep, $40 last time at my home brew place.
@@sodascottdo you know that you only pay for the CO2,not the container, if you take the container back to the place where you are getting a new one? Yes, if ee bought a new one everytime, it would be way more expensive here, too. But if you return the cylinder you pay much less.
@@johanneshalberstadt3663He’s talking about $40 to refill the 20lb cylinder, NOT the Sodastream cylinder.
ok yea $40 is alot you would go broke but here in canada you can return your old empty c02 canisters and get $20 off your next c02 canister for soda stream this is a good idea but i will stick with the what we are able to do here. i wouldnt doute you can return your c02 canster to any soda stream retailer try it
Why does the canister needs to be frozen for the refill?
Freezing lowers the pressure - makes it easier for the liquid to go from high pressure to low pressure
Worth mentioning you should be looking food-grade safe CO2, ideally FSSC 22000 certified
So, you.left the CO2 Monitor out of the equation at 100 - 150 Euros? Which would raise the price for the first tank to 1,50 to 1,75 per refill.
You can find a cheaper model certainly - mine is a bit fancy pants
In Sweden we can just get our empty bottles exchanged for full ones at supermarkets or hardware stores for $4-5.
That’s actually a decent deal! Still not as cheap as refilling your own, but much better than our $15 range price here in the US
it is 8$ to refill at the local equivalent wholefoods here in Sweden...
That’s pretty good!
Here in Sweden you can get a refill bottle for $2.85, just saying.
Dang, you got it good there - in many ways lol 😂
Quite surprised about the replacement cost. Here in Finland you can take your old empty co2 bottle to a store and exchange it into a filled one for 5-8€ ($5,5-$8,8) depending on store or if the have some campaign going on. Even new bottles (without exhanging old) can be found for around 20€ so that $40 price seems like a robbery to me 😮
I keep 2 bottles around and can exchange immidiately when the one in use is emptied and have plenty of time to swap emptied one back to a full before the next runs out. 😊
Yeah, you got it good there (in many ways lol)
in Germany we pay 4-7€ per filling, y is it so expensive at your place?!
Yeah, USA not always the best pricing 😭
Having a siphen tube is only a factor if you need/want liquid Co2 in the refill bottle, and dont use a regulator (what pressure do Sodastream bottles use?)
$2/LB i dont think you get "foodgrade" Co2, it may be filled from a certified food grade container but lack the steps required to still sell as food grade. Simply do not get those required tests and extra work for $40. Practically you get industry grade Co2, both should be like 99+% pure Co2 but 1 have vertification that it is clean and usable for food/resale
one thing to note on the safety warning (which, great job for bringing up) - CO2 sinks in fresh air, your children or pets may be affected before you are, and CO2 has killed thousands and thousands of people (and is an excruciating way to go). please be safe. (love, a former brewer who used CO2 regularly)
Thanks for the note and watching!
Pardon, Sodastream has you buy refills, for that extortionate price? Here they swap your empty bottle for a reconditioned and refilled one for an equivalent of $7 at any supermarket. I mean it's obviously a fat profit for them but also not agonisingly expensive for the consumer, reasonable.
Also cheap aftermarket ones have appeared recently, they cost even less.
Yeah, the refill pricing in US is bananas 🍌
Is there an adapter available for the “Pink” Sodastream bottles? They don’t have a screw top.
There is not a pink to screw in I’ve seen. You can direct connect:
ruclips.net/video/ReEoknf_veA/видео.html
@@sodascott Thanks. That won’t work for us, small apt with small kitchen, no place to viably put a 20# tank and leave it attached. I’ll look into 5# tanks see if maybe I can fit that in. Was hoping for a refilling solution for the pink quick connects.
If you already have that large tank, why not circumvent the refilling and just connect the tank to the soda machine?
That is an option. I'll have a video on that soon (I just did one on directly connecting a quick connect pink machine: ruclips.net/video/ReEoknf_veA/видео.html ) Some people (me included) don't want a tank or have space in their kitchen for it. So refilling makes the most sense.
@@sodascott That's fair. Ive had an old Jet that I was using paintball tanks in, and getting those refilled at a shop nearby. But they closed during covid. I've since bought a newer Aqua Fizz machine that takes those pink quick connect tanks. I'm thinking it would just be easier to get a 5lb tank and hide it under the counter and run a line to the machine.
Some people don’t want a giant tank in their kitchen. Which is where most people keep their soda stream.
It’s unsightly and can’t be hidden easily unless you have large cabinet space and are willing to drill your countertop.
Much simpler way is to fill opened bottle with dry ice chunks and close it while ice is in solid form
I'm doing a video on that soon. Not sure it will be easier, but we will find out!
@@sodascott thanks in advance for that video!
How long can you keep a full co2 cylinder ? Say if I have a 20 lb cylinder and with 5lbs left after year or so is that still good to make sodas?
As long as the tank is stored properly and there are no leaks, the CO2 can be stored indefinitely without losing its quality or pressure.
Will the adapter work for a Ninja Thirsty? Seems like it might since Sodastream canisters work in Ninja port.
Yes, if using the blue standard threaded co2 canisters. Which looks like is what Ninja uses 🫡
Is there an adapter for the newer quick connect soda stream canisters that can be used to do this?
Working on that video now! Should be out in a few weeks - testing a number of them
ive been throwing dry ice in a blender and adding it to the bottles. this is way better
That works 2!
How does that work ?😊
Will this setup work with the Aarke Carbonator III? Thanks
Yep! I have the Aarke and use this exact setup for it.
@@sodascott sweet! I’m planning to buy one this week. Thank you Scott
Why refill at all, rather than just run a hose from the tank to the device?
Some people don’t have room in the kitchen or don’t want to run a hose anywhere. Clean lines! Direct is great 2 🙌
Hey, Do you have the link to the scale?
Not for this particular scale, it's a bit older. But this Amazon Basics one will do the trick to show grams for $9 amzn.to/4fvcSZT
@@sodascott very thanks!
why not get an adapter and hook the big tank to the soda stream and just throw the small cans away
That's a great option. Sometimes people don't want a big tank in their kitchen or don't have the space for it.
Or you could just buy the adaptor to hook up the 20 or 50lb tank directly to the soda machine
Yep - this is for those who can’t hide a tank somewhere easily or don’t want too
You can also unscrew the fitting in the bottle and add the right weight of food grade dry ice then screw it back on. No expensive equipment needed. Just don't overfill it!
So if a canister holds 14.5 oz of Co2 and there are 16 oz in a pound . You would get 22 out of a 20 lb tank , not 40. FYI Co2 tanks need to get re- certified as a pressure vessel every 5 years .A Siphon/Dip tube 20 lb. Tank cost about $200 and $25 to re certify . The cert date is stamped on the tank Mon/Yr . $21 to fill each time saving you $19/ canister .If you buy an addition 5 cylinders as Spares your total investment will be close to $500.00 however you will now own 5 + canister you will have filled your 20lb tank twice and will have saved $222.00 on refilling you canisters 38 times . Your welcome ..Jim
You said 40 $ for a refill cylinder? Wow ... here in Germany I take the empty cylinder to the supermarket and get a full one for 5-7 EUR (5.5-7.60 USD)
You can do the same in the US. But for some reason Americans think you throw away the old cylinder and buy a new one every time.
@@Frooonti Wow
I USE CO2 for airing up my car tires.
No No No Please don't use Welding CO2! You want at least food grade mix, beverage grade is what you really need.
Nothing like a glass of poisoned water to start your morning...
Yes, many welding supply stores will offer beverage grade CO2 as well - make sure to get that.
If you keep hold of the Sodastream bottles after you've filled them, you can use them to refill the 20lb bottle for free.
I don't understand what you mean here lol
it's pronounced "tehr" not "tarry" @ 11:54
Thank you! Always wondered that
20lb bottle is good for 28 full refills fyi…..
home refilled gas container explodes causing massive personal injury or home damage: "hey at least i saved like 100$ on those last 5 refills!"
sodastream refill bought from the store explodes somehow: sue for damages
Holds up a wrench: "pliers are handy."
Those are vise grip pliers, not a wrench.
0:05 👉💥💨⚠️
Who is playing ping pong?
40 dollar refills?!??!?! Geez, talk about Murica things. Refills is like 2 dollars here
Yep - Murica things lol 😭
40$ refills...lol, cost 8€ in France.
@0:54 "if you do experience dizzyness or confusion..." what? Run for US president?
😂
Political take: I wouldn't patronize Soda Stream at all, since they reportedly have mfg. plants in occupied Palestinian territiories.
Is there a specific connector/hose for the new quick connect Soda Stream cannisters?