Sodastream - 6kg c02 Canister Hack

LArchaleas on 16/01/2023 - 10:35

Hey all,

So finally got around to completing the Sodastream hack of ordering a large food grade c02 tank (https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/co2-food-fresh-g-size-082g…) and the Sodastream adaptor from keg land.

Set it all up and cranked out a few carbonated bottles. My partner and I noticed it seemed a bit funny to the taste, we also started to feel really dehydrated after drinking a few bottles. Unfortunately I have now gotten in my head about and feel like it might be poisonous or make us sick…….did some googling which make it worse saying that food grade c02 is known as a 'dirty gas'.

I have emailed Sodastream to send me their co2 certificates to compare against the BOC ones

Anyone else have any experiences doing this hack, and what were your findings?

Food & Grocery SodaStream

Comments

  • Tradey on 16/01/2023 - 10:50

    Interesting. I am about to go down this track with the Kegland DIY kit. Bearing in mind they sell their Co2 bottles and gas for carbonating and dispensing beer, maybe talk to them. They did mention in one of their Youtube video's about the volume and pressure of the gas you add to the water can make a difference.

    • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 10:04

      I went with this route, albeit with a different, more local brewing specialist.

      The only thing that comes to mind right now is that the yeast might ferment any impurities leaving pure CO2?

      Otherwise, i must not have anything BUT CO2.

      • Charmoffensive on 30/01/2023 - 19:43

        You don't gas until after fermentation.

  • BlasterBoy on 16/01/2023 - 10:52

    I use BOC 6kg C02 for beer and have no issues.
    Try making it with some bottle water or boil your water first and let it cool, get rid of any tastes and try again?

  • cheeksahoy on 16/01/2023 - 10:57

    Interesting reading here:

    https://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/43655/is-there-s…

    "One impurity that all homebrewers should be aware of is benzene. Benzene is a no-no for homebrewers. If the CO2 that you are purchasing has high benzene levels, it will leave you and fellow drinkers with terrible headaches. When I say high levels, we are not talking about much. Benzene is usually an impurity that is referred to in PPB. The benzene level should be around 20 PPB."

    I get my C02 from various home brew stores and have never had any issues with taste or otherwise.

  • singlemalt72 on 16/01/2023 - 11:00
    +1

    Food grade is food grade, unless it ha been contaminated during filling the BOC cylinder is fit for purpose, the filling procedures are robust and should never result in contamination as these are used by pubs and drink dispensers everywhere, if something was wrong with the gas they would be onto the supplier asap and a recall issued.

    "Dirty gas" refers to fire extinguisher refill gas, but as they will also fill food grade cylinders and nobody has a problem with it, i think it is all exactly the same gas.

    • Archaleas on 16/01/2023 - 11:12

      So in the event there is not recall issue, its likely just in my head?

      • singlemalt72 on 16/01/2023 - 11:19

        could be, no way to really tell without a gas chromatograph. You could call the BOC that you got the cylinder from and ask for a swap (you have probably used less than 1% of the gas) but not sure if they would.

        I bought mine from a kegland reseller and had no problems, will be due for a refill soon and intend just using the fire extinguisher refill service around the corner from me.

  • 7ekn00 on 16/01/2023 - 11:19

    Use brewery stores, not gas companies for sodastream CO2 !!

    • Archaleas on 16/01/2023 - 11:33

      Is this a genuine concern though? As I would assume food grade is food grade no?

      • 7ekn00 on 16/01/2023 - 11:37

        Brewers taste it too, so when there is a problem, all customers report it …

        Gas companies have a much lower GAF factor - two CO2 taps, do you really think the minimum wage refill guy really cares which they use to fill that CO2 canister?

        Technically it shouldn't matter, but in my personal experience, brewery supply stores are always better (I have tried 3 gas companies and 2 brewery stores - brewery stores win for consistency - taste wise - hands down!)

    • ESEMCE on 16/01/2023 - 12:21
      +1

      Where do you think the brewery stores are getting their gas from?

      • 7ekn00 on 16/01/2023 - 12:25
        +2

        From a supply where the operator only has one choice of tap …

        But hey, discount my experience all you like, betting you don't even have the mod :P

  • Hardlyworkin on 16/01/2023 - 11:23

    For those less adventurous, are there any Ozbargain hacks to cheaper soda stream refills from stores? That make a significant difference that is.

  • iDroid on 16/01/2023 - 13:44
    +4

    People discussing hacking sodastream is a sure sign the recession has started.

    Don't mind me, I'm just smashing down a fritz and sauce sandwich.

    • GrueHunter on 16/01/2023 - 14:49

      So some sliced fritz on a plate, covered in sauce, and you roll the fritz up and eat it?

      Or do you have actual bread, you class traitor?

      • iDroid on 16/01/2023 - 14:58
        +1

        Close, but due to inflation we're substituting bread with a serviettes now. If you close your eyes you can't even tell the difference.

        • foursaken on 16/01/2023 - 15:03
          +1

          Better be no frills sauce

          • iDroid on 16/01/2023 - 15:11

            @foursaken: I just cut my finger and drip a bit on, looks the same.

        • GrueHunter on 16/01/2023 - 15:03
          +1

          If you steal serviettes from Subway they're saturated with the aroma from the ovens, so it's almost the same as eating a sub.

          • iDroid on 16/01/2023 - 15:10

            @GrueHunter: Whoa - not often you see a real life hack on OzBargain!

        • Sleuth on 27/01/2023 - 10:39

          Serviettes?
          Is that French?

    • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 10:06

      $35 every week is expensive when it can be done for $4 or less

      • iDroid on 17/01/2023 - 11:59

        Absolutely - I was never dissing the idea.

        I use a 19L beer keg and a large brew Co2 bottle and we always have sparkling water on tap - cost about $40 - $60 a year in total gas (also used for beer and cider, etc).

        Couldn't live without it now.

        • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 12:07

          Well yeah, that's what i use it for - as a sparkling water maker.

  • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 09:51

    I've just purchased a similar kid from a brewer speciality store, so I'll let you know.

    Technically speaking, if it's good for beer, it's good for water.

    It sounds to me like your CO2 supplier might be the issue…

    EDIT: also op, the food grade gas from 'BOC' is 99.9% pure - this is 99.99% pure (https://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/gases/carbon-dioxide-gas-c…)

  • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 10:16

    Ok so there's a major difference between 'food grade' for DISPENSING fizzy drinks and 'beverage grade' for CARBONATING drinks…

    I've purchased this one which the company infer is used for 'carbonating' - but I'll see how it goes and get back to you all.

    • Archaleas on 17/01/2023 - 10:27

      Which one did you purchase? And where from?

      Edit: just saw your post above

      • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 10:32

        Yeah it was from a reseller of the above - see what happens..

        I'm hoping that it's of a higher standard due to the supplier being a home brewing enthusiast…

        Coke, pepsi, and even sodastream definitely would not take shortcuts with the gas they use, since all of the profit they make would disappear if the dizziness and headaches hit even 1% of their products.

      • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 17/01/2023 - 10:47

        Just as fyi I'd purchased a 6kg from kegking

        • Archaleas on 17/01/2023 - 11:44

          Great thanks for that, yeah keen to hear your thoughts. My partner ended up swapping out soda stream refills as we aren't sure if we should use it and I'm not sure if it's a placebo or not, but the soda stream at least 'feels' better to drink.

          Really hope this hasn't all been a waste of time and money though

  • Tradey on 19/01/2023 - 13:16
    +1

    Cost to produce 1000 litres of soda water based on manufacturer usage and RRP.
    (Excludes shipping or transportation).

    Coles 500 x 0.55c/l (2L PET bottles) = $550 (please recycle).
    Sodastream Terra ($92) + 15 x 750g refills ($19) + 1000L tap water ($3) = $380
    Kegland DIY kit ($132) + 1.5 x 2.6kg refills ($20) + 1000L tap water ($3) = $165

    • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 30/01/2023 - 20:15

      I'd paid $140 for a 6 KG CO2 refill kit which costs 40 to refill - ends up being $3.50 to refill one sodastream CO2 Cylinder.

      6kgs of CO2 can refill 13 sodastreams which can make 70 litres of carbonated water and or beverage, each.

      13 times 70 = a but under 1000 liters for $40.

      • Archaleas on 30/01/2023 - 20:59

        What's your co2 grade? As above I'm on food grade but feel something off about it

  • BlueGlass on 19/01/2023 - 19:43

    Another consideration is a potential leak, depending on the room, a 6kg if CO2 can be a real safety hazard.

    • lgacb08 on 21/01/2023 - 22:53

      No it's not, co2 is different to co. At high concentration the brain can detect co2 presence and make you react (the same way that you can't hold your breath to kill yourself). And co2 is very heavy so it will sink to the bottom and disperse out, unless you like to crawl around your house all the time.

    • BargainHunterJohnnyB on 30/01/2023 - 20:15

      Keep it in the garage or balcony you doofus

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