Soda Stream CO2

[Westcliffe01]

I like my soda stream. There are 2 sizes of co2 cylinders available. I find I use 2 per summer. Not an issue at all. I personally dont ike commercial pop and I dont waste my time with the flavoring sold for the sodastream. I add the carbonated water to apple juice or orange juice or you can make a drink from wine + apple juice + soda. None of the sweeteners at all, nor the nasty aftertase associated with artificial sweetners.
If you already have a water maker on board, you save a tremendous amount of weight bulk and trash that you have to schlepp on bard and off if going with cans. So it seems I use it in a non typical way simply as a source of carbonated water and skip all the nasty syrups altogether.

[CarlF]

We've been using the Sodastream for years for sparkling water - usually made from the delicious water that comes out of our watermaker.

In the US, if you exchange an empty canister when buying a full one it's only $15. Which for us works out to about $0.25/quart.

We never use the Sodastream flavors. There are so many better things on the boat to mix it with (guava, lime, lemon, tonic water syrup, gin.....)

I've banned all bottled water (both still and sparkling) from the boat. I don't like the environmental toll of shipping water around the world - nor the toll on my back lugging cases down the dock and out in the dinghy. Especially when the water from our watermaker tastes much better than something Coca Cola made from Cleveland tap water.

[Zai]

I have one on board as well, but I have to admit, it makes me a bit nervous.
All of that heavier than air CO2 in a watertight boat.
I think I will store the bottle in the propane locker when not using it.
At least until I get a good CO2 monitor.

[Pete17C]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

That was an interesting read. But on issue with this whole thing s that if I was somewhere with "sporting goods" stores I probably don't have a supply/storage problem.

I will wait as I would bet I just need to wait the right CR readers to shoot down the learning curve.

You can get CO2 from restaurant or welding supply shops, and bigger tanks are available for the long haul.



https://www.kegoutlet.com/sp202-soda...RoCfq4QAvD_BwE

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Zai

I have one on board as well, but I have to admit, it makes me a bit nervous.
All of that heavier than air CO2 in a watertight boat.
I think I will store the bottle in the propane locker when not using it.
At least until I get a good CO2 monitor.

You are confusing CO2 with CO.

[wsmurdoch]

The system that Pete17C shows in his two posts is exactly what I have. My CO2 bottle stays secured by a nylon strap in a locker. I open the locker door, pull out the hose, and carbonate my water, homebrew, Diet Coke, limonade, Kool Aid, or whatever. I chose this system over a Sodastream because it is physically secured to the boat and because it does not use up any of my counter space.

Bill

[sailorboy1]

well the soda stream as far as useful while spending time in the "boonies" is sounding like a bust

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by sailorboy1

well the soda stream as far as useful while spending time in the "boonies" is sounding like a bust

Yet we love ours. We now have 4 CO2 bottles so can make a decent quantity before running out, but I’m planning to buy a bigger tank for it.

We only use it for plain water like most who like it. Mix with a little apple juice now and then. I do plan to test some tonic syrups but think we’ve given up on cola.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by Pete17C

You can get CO2 from restaurant or welding supply shops, and bigger tanks are available for the long haul.



https://www.kegoutlet.com/sp202-soda...RoCfq4QAvD_BwE

We had the same 5lb tank aboard for years. We bought 5 gallon Coca-Cola syrup from Sam's Club before heading off to the Caribbean, but found it easier to just buy locally.


Matt

[puffcard]

If you want a very good gin and tonic try this, mix with the SodaStream water.

[dannc]

Many years ago I bought a seltzer bottle, which is just a big metal bottle to pour water into, and then carbonize with the little CO2 cartridges. I used to mix OJ and water then carbonate. Worked good for me.

Unfortunately, part of the seltzer bottle went missing during a move...

What I have noticed is that I, and I suspect others, like the CO2 bubbles just as much as the flavor of the drink.

I looked at Soda Stream years ago and it sound like a good idea until I saw the costs. We don't drink soda so I was just looking for a way to make soda water. I could buy it cheaper in the store.

I used to brew beer and thought about doing forced carbonization with pressure, as others mentioned, but never got around to it. It is common to use the previously mentioned setups to put the bubbles in beer.

Lately, I have been making caffeine free, iced tea and wonder what it would taste like with some CO2 bubbles...

Later,
Dan

[Zai]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

You are confusing CO2 with CO.

No I mean CO2 detector/alarm.
They are not as common as a CO alarm but you do find them, especially here in Norway where houses are well sealed and historically we have used oil and wood for heating. (oil is now illegal)

https://www.billigvvs.no/life-co2-al...SABEgJPiPD_BwE

[Olly75]

When I bought mine I went to the home brew shop that sells small recycled fire extinguisher refilled with food standard co2. That plus a valve I can refill the soda stream bottles.

I did the math and it works out way cheaper than refilling the soda stream through exchange (cant remember how much cheaper though)
The soda stream syrups are horrible so I just carbonate the water and add fruit syrup, tastes great.

[clownfishsydney]

Far cheaper and takes up less space than cans/bottles of soda. You can also buy bottles of normal cordial to use with the soda water. I use lemon and orange cordials.

[malbert73]

Why all that big equipment. We have one similar to this and use the little cartridges

https://www.amazon.com/Innovee-Soda-...&tag=hydsma-20