SodaStreams are a great way to carbonate water or other beverages for home consumption or small businesses.
However, there is one big problem:
They charge $20 to refill your CO2 tank.
On top of that, the tank is small. My SodaStream CO2 tank lasts my family about 3 weeks at best (unless you just don't drink carbonated water).
WHY HACK THE SODASTREAM?
Paying $20 every three weeks to carbonate water is too expensive.
Doing your own carbonation allows you to control exactly what goes into your carbonated beverages.
And besides this:
For many people the attraction of the SodaStream is the fact that carbonating water yourself should be more cost-effective than buying brand name carbonated beverages.
Doing your own carbonation allows you to control exactly what goes into your carbonated beverages.
And besides this:
For many people the attraction of the SodaStream is the fact that carbonating water yourself should be more cost-effective than buying brand name carbonated beverages.
One problem though...
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It doesn't fit regular CO2 tank fittings
So it can't be refilled at a regular CO2 supplier. |
Solution: Hack the SodaStream
If you have a SodaStream and you want to know how you can make it more cost effective in the long run:
You can "hack" your SodaStream in three simple steps.
You can "hack" your SodaStream in three simple steps.
Three Steps:
1. Get your own CO2 tank.You can get any size of CO2 tank, from a small 12 oz paintball tank to a large 5 lb, 10 lb, or even 20 lb CO2 tank!
Note: the CO2 tank should come with a rubber or nylon gasket, if it doesn't, you should ask the seller about one—you need it to be on the tank nozzle. This tank can be refilled at any CO2 supplier, for a fraction of the cost! |
2. Connect a remote line OR a refill station.A remote line is used by paintball players to connect their CO2 tank to their marker (a fancy name for a paintball gun). We can use the same remote line to connect the SodaStream to a tank that is too big to fit inside the machine itself.
If you would rather just refill your SodaStream tank, then I'd recommend getting a refill station (including the adapter from step 3). Note: if you have a small paintball tank it may be able to fit directly in the SodaStream machine. If so, then you won't need a remote line! You can always buy a remote line from your local paintball supplier. |
3. Complete the connection with an adapter.In order to circumvent SodaStream's proprietary fitting, buy one of several adapters available online (like this one—adapter only—or this other one—including a refill station). At this point you can connect your new tank and start saving up to 90% on carbonating beverages!
Interested in getting everything in one simple package? Check out Trinity Supply's SodaStream refill set! |
My 10 lb tank costs $20 to refill, but lasts 11x longer than the 14.5 oz SodaStream tank!
It's simple.
If you want to carbonate water using a large tank of CO2, you usually need a regulator
and a do-it-yourself fitting that can connect to plastic bottles.
The regulator ensures that the plastic bottle is not subjected to the full pressure of the CO2 tank—that would destroy the bottle and leave you with a big mess, or maybe even worse!
However, the SodaStream Hack presented on this site sidesteps the need for a regulator.
How?
Using the SodaStream machine!
If you already own a SodaStream, don't fiddle around with a regulator or your own bottle fittings.
While those home-carbonation rigs are no doubt useful and effective at reducing the cost of CO2 for carbonation, contriving a completely new set-up means not using your beautiful SodaStream machine!
Since you've paid for one already, it's a good idea to use what you have.
Even if you haven't bought one yet, they look so much better on the counter than a DIY alternative.
(Also, if you don't want the CO2 tank on your counter because you got a big tank, then you can just use your own tank to refill your SodaStream bottle).
Furthermore, even if you don't have a Sodastream yet, but you are interested in cost-effective carbonated water and don't want to have a regulator sitting on your counter in the kitchen, you can grab a SodaStream machine and still enjoy the benefits of setting up your own carbonation system.
If that interests you, check out my personal favourites, SodaStream Source and SodaStream Genesis.
The SodaStream regulates the CO2 for you. That means you simply connect your bottle of water and carbonate as normal.
It's simple, works amazingly well, and works out to big savings for you in the long run.
and a do-it-yourself fitting that can connect to plastic bottles.
The regulator ensures that the plastic bottle is not subjected to the full pressure of the CO2 tank—that would destroy the bottle and leave you with a big mess, or maybe even worse!
However, the SodaStream Hack presented on this site sidesteps the need for a regulator.
How?
Using the SodaStream machine!
If you already own a SodaStream, don't fiddle around with a regulator or your own bottle fittings.
While those home-carbonation rigs are no doubt useful and effective at reducing the cost of CO2 for carbonation, contriving a completely new set-up means not using your beautiful SodaStream machine!
Since you've paid for one already, it's a good idea to use what you have.
Even if you haven't bought one yet, they look so much better on the counter than a DIY alternative.
(Also, if you don't want the CO2 tank on your counter because you got a big tank, then you can just use your own tank to refill your SodaStream bottle).
Furthermore, even if you don't have a Sodastream yet, but you are interested in cost-effective carbonated water and don't want to have a regulator sitting on your counter in the kitchen, you can grab a SodaStream machine and still enjoy the benefits of setting up your own carbonation system.
If that interests you, check out my personal favourites, SodaStream Source and SodaStream Genesis.
The SodaStream regulates the CO2 for you. That means you simply connect your bottle of water and carbonate as normal.
It's simple, works amazingly well, and works out to big savings for you in the long run.
Frequently asked questions:
Do I need beverage-grade CO2?While there are different kinds of CO2 out there, almost all distributors use beverage grade. If you're concerned, ask wherever you get your tank refilled!
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Do all CO2 tanks have the same threads?Almost all tanks have the same threads—except of course SodaStream tanks!—which makes it easy for you once you make the switch.
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Where can I refill my CO2?There are probably many CO2 suppliers in your location. Try calling a paintball store or welding supply store to ask them where you can find CO2.This site created with
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How do I refill my own SodaStream mini tank?
If you prefer to use the SodaStream tank with its proprietary threads, but still want to refill it, grab a CO2 refill station with an adapter, and then attach your bottle to the refill line.
Note: the SodaStream tanks have an internal valve as well (tricky!), but you can easily circumvent this internal vale by starting the flow of CO2 slowly.
Once it starts flowing into your mini tank you can open up the line more and let the CO2 flow a little faster.
Note: the SodaStream tanks have an internal valve as well (tricky!), but you can easily circumvent this internal vale by starting the flow of CO2 slowly.
Once it starts flowing into your mini tank you can open up the line more and let the CO2 flow a little faster.
Even better for those of us who like sniping sweet savings: use Amazon's FREE trial for Amazon Prime, and get free two-day shipping on many items. You can use it and then cancel after the trial expires too, so it's a win-win even if you only use it once. Click the image to the right and see for yourself:
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