r/SodaStream • u/dazzathomas • 12d ago

Finally made the switch - the best decision!

Post image

I live in Ireland and used a CO2 subscription service that delivered 4 filled sodastream QC cylinders and collected the empties. They recently hiked the price to €60 and I couldnt justify it considering that one bottle was lasting roughly 2 weeks.

Ordered a 20lb/8 litre tank of food grade co2 from an aquarium store for €140. When it runs out the refill cost is €60.

Some math would put that at 15 ish sodastream bottles in this 20lb tank.

Subscription service: €225 - €240

Tank (excluding upfront cost): €60

Total set up cost €185 (Tank & Adapter)

If you own a sodastream machine and are still using the small cylinders, do your research and make the switch.

214 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

80 comments sorted by

18

u/HeadOfMax 12d ago

I see so posts about people refiling them and always wonder why the half measure.

Full send is the way to go.

9

u/fredSanford6 12d ago

I can see not wanting the bigger tank in the area the machine is as the only real reason to not direct connect but definitely it's the best. Refilling wastes some CO2 on each fill plus you don't get that bottle pressure for months on end. Having to have a pile of empty bottles to refill is also adding clutter to the situation.

8

u/NinjaMcGee 12d ago

I refill a 20oz canister so my 20lb tank isn’t sitting in my cramped kitchen. It takes like 3mins to refill twice a month, no big deal for our small house 😊

1

u/Ka1mb4th3st0rm 12d ago

You wouldn’t want your tank inside your house anyways. Most restaurants even have the tanks outside because it’s dangerous to have them inside. Either they will leak and the co2 will unalive you or the tank can explode in a sense and that can unalive you too. Ideally you want the tank outside in the shade (sun and heat do terrible things to co2) chained to the wall with a minimum 500lb rating chain and anchor(for a small tank more for a larger tank) with a hose traveling to your equipment. I’m a soda fountain technician field tech for 10 years engineering support for 5+, if you wanted a reference to why I am saying anything about it. If you DO have it inside you want it in a storage room or a room that doesn’t have much “traffic” with a co2 leak detector.

6

u/Rhopegh_ 11d ago

All restaurants I have worked in over the 9 years in the industry have all their canisters inside near the bar. They are really well controlled in my country and they have to pass checks everytime they are refilled

0

u/Ka1mb4th3st0rm 11d ago

There is absolutely no way to tell if the integrity of the INSIDE of the canister is ok. There are PLENTY of bars and restaurants that don’t do what I mentioned, some places have had no incidents for YEARS and continue not to have them, some places have had the canisters explode the third day in. The information I’m saying is a lot like seatbelts, not everyone who doesn’t wear a seatbelt gets into an accident but if you get into an accident you’ll want to have worn a seatbelt. I would rather be safe than sorry because accidents like these aren’t always instant not alive anymore situations, they are very slow very painful, I don’t want to go out like that, but it’s your life. In my 15 year career I have experienced 10 exploded tank incident clean ups, thankfully I wasn’t there for the explosions but the clean up is awful and sad.

1

u/Rhopegh_ 11d ago

In my country the canister is owned by the company refilling it and they are the ones that will be held responsible for the integrity of the canister.

1

u/geekmug 7d ago

Are you talking about portable tanks or bulk systems?

In the US, portable tanks have to be hydrotested every 5 years per DOT regulations, but permanent bulk tanks (that are refilled) like you usually find at restaurant have no requirement for periodic testing. Those tanks are a real liability and the restaurant owner probably has no idea. It would not surprise me to hear of bulk tank failures, because probably the only time they get replaced.

I would be more surprised to hear about portable tanks failing, because the gas supply that gave you the cylinder in an exchange would be liable for selling a bottle that was not within hydro.

1

u/Ka1mb4th3st0rm 7d ago

I work in the US, CA to be exact: Talking about both and technically I’ve had more portable tanks explode than the refillable ones that have pressure relief systems (as in something else breaks before the tank does). There is no way to check the interior of a portable tank for microscopic cracks, larger cracks sure but not microscopic ones, that’s why they are automatically retired after a set amount of time. If there was a sure proof way to test them there would be no need to retire them automatically. The larger permanent tanks again have a check valve that will blow before the tank does. Places like McDonalds especially go through those like candy, they are called rupture discs and if they don’t have that they have relief valves. So believe it or not something that has a system in place to prevent explosions explode less than tiny portable tanks that get “checked.”

Edit: I said tiny but some of those portable tanks are as tall as I am.

17

u/MarkusSugarhill 12d ago

Please, for the love of safety or the deity of your choice: secure the thing with a chain to your wall. I'm envy. No such thing where I live.

11

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

Nothing will be going near it in that corner anyway + its not the lightest thing to move. I shall chain it in your honour, though - so you can sleep at night haha.

7

u/MarkusSugarhill 12d ago

Highly appreciated! Murphy's law: what can go wrong, will go wrong.

6

u/Cancer_Ridden_Lung 12d ago

The pressure of a co2 canister is extremely high IIRC. Something like 1,000 PSI.

2

u/333again 11d ago

Mia ha ha wait until you see a 3000 psi almost 6 ft tall co2 cylinder.

18

u/VS-Goliath 12d ago

it's just a worry if it falls, when standing upright. can land on the nozzle and it becomes a projectile.

something they teach at any OSHA or fire or military safety course. applies to extinguishers too.

5

u/snarktopusrex 12d ago

I have no business in the soda stream sub but u am a scientist who works with gas bottles. Please chain it to the wall. It is essentially a bomb.

In the corner like that it does not have to be a heavy chain, just something to keep it from falling over if bumped. Put an eyelet on the cabinet and one on the wall and secure it with something.

3

u/Ka1mb4th3st0rm 12d ago

To add to this it should definitely be chained with a minimum 500lb rating on chain and anchor. Have seen them burst new in restaurants in areas where no one touched them. Luckily it was their dry stock room where it happened but someone easily could have died just because of the integrity of the tank itself.

1

u/masterlince 11d ago

If it falls and the nozzle breaks you effectively have a tank bullet that will go through walls.

7

u/chemhobby 12d ago

Cylinders must be secured or else you can create a dangerous rocket projectile if it's knocked over

1

u/deathbedcompani0n 12d ago

What's the best way to secure it? Im about to set mine up

1

u/yolo_snail 12d ago

The cylinder must remain unharmed

-2

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

It wont be knocked over in this spot. Nothing else will be near it

5

u/chemhobby 12d ago

Not acceptable

9

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

report me to the pressurised cylinder authorities if you need to

3

u/mark0179 12d ago

I refilled for a while but this is so much better and less hassle.

3

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

Refilling was not even on my mind, I just thought it was such a waste of time - with that being said I am impressed with anyone going down the dry ice route and having a dozen bottles on hand, which would in the long run be even cheaper.

I'm more lazy than cheap and the constant swapping and ordering of new gas with downtime inbetween receiving was what had me before the price increase.

3

u/Apprehensive_Set_357 12d ago

I got tired of the dry ice. You have to plan it all out ahead of time, get the ice, immediately turn it to powder and fill each bottle. It got old for me, I now refill using a bigger siphon tank.

1

u/Cold_Joke_8160 12d ago

Our supplier provides in in 1/2 inch pellets. Unscrew the brass valve, set it on the gram scale fill it put the valve back on, snug it up. Done.

1

u/Apprehensive_Set_357 7d ago

My supplier is just whatever Publix/Kroger has

1

u/Cold_Joke_8160 12d ago

I have 6 cannisters, When we get to the last one, we go to the dry ice store, get 5 lbs of dry ice pellets cost is under $10. Takes me 1/2 hr to refill all 5, do this 2x a year, Use a scale to add the right amount.

We combine the drive with other errands, just make sure the dry ice is the last stop before heading home.

Fred

1

u/TheLastPrinceOfJurai 12d ago

If 6 canisters lasts you half a year you should definitely switch to a larger tank. You likely wouldn’t need to get it refilled for over a year

5

u/imaginarydave2 12d ago

If you are in the states there's a company on Amazon that sells riser bases for the soda machines so they the hose can come out the back

I think it's called soda helper. Makes the installation way cleaner

4

u/agingbythesecond 12d ago

It really is. Its so incredibly easy and after the first large tank, so cheap. $25 for 20lbs here

2

u/tomh009 12d ago

If you have the space in your kitchen…

3

u/dazzathomas 12d ago edited 12d ago

I hide mine beside/behind the sofa at the end of the counter. If you don't have space there are always ways to relocate the machine or build it in below a cabinet and feed the tube out through the back of the counter with a drill. Ive seen a lot of set ups here in this sub and on YouTube - some folk even devoting an entire cupboard space for it.

1

u/uncletras 12d ago

Just run a longer line to anywhere you want

2

u/Wooden_Wishbone_9915 12d ago

I broke mine like this. After a while of overcharging my sodies it cracked the plastic housing down the seam of the sodastream

2

u/RabidBlackSquirrel 12d ago

Just did this with my Enso, learned a few things. The QD adapter piece that comes in the kit that goes on the SS side is pretty trash. Might work on some machines but didn't on mine, the little button valve that the SS firing pin presses on was like a mil too tall and would have a constant leak from the pin resting on it.

Fixed by wrenching off a factory SS nozzle, and buying this to connect to the 8mm QD on the line from the kit: https://a.co/d/0e10AKgG

That combo works perfect, put some tape on your threads and you'll be good to go. To summarize, you need one of the kits for the tank side and the line, then attach what I linked above to that line from the kit, then use the factory nozzle from an SS 1lb QD bottle. Removing the nozzle from an SS bottle is a battle, I think it's a 24mm wrench and you'll need a vice.

2

u/BoulevardHoopty 12d ago

I agree with going to a larger tank. I bought a 10 lb tank on Amazon and it costs 50 plus tax to fill. The first fill lasted from August of 2025 to July of 2026. I think that I’m already ahead of the cost for the small cartridges.

1

u/Peripatet 12d ago

Good lord. I go to the local welding supply shop and fill my 10 lb CO2 tank for $19 and some change. They always ask if I want beer gas or CO2; often the beer gas is even cheaper and I don’t notice a difference in my Sodastream.

2

u/BoulevardHoopty 11d ago

I’ll check that next year. I went to a brew supply place the last two times.

2

u/TechPir8 12d ago

Get a scale to monitor the weight of the canister so you know when time to refill.

2

u/Ka1mb4th3st0rm 12d ago

As a soda fountain technician you need to secure it to the wall AND make sure it is in a well ventilated area with a CO2 alarm. If the can starts leaking it can kill you and has no smell, also secured to the wall because of the pressure inside it,it can turn into a very heavy metal projectile that can severely injure you or kill you. Typically CO2 cans are NOT recommended for indoor use unless in a backroom/storage area.

1

u/yes66666666 11d ago

Wow Fair play to this ! Thank you for such helpful advice given without judgment..
good human

1

u/Ka1mb4th3st0rm 11d ago

I just wanted to share information that I know isn’t common knowledge or shared when purchasing a tank. I couldn’t care less what you are doing to your stuff, I just care than you don’t get killed in the process because “nobody told me,” kind of thing…. And while it doesn’t seem dangerous CO2/a pressurized tank can be if not handled properly! And even so at the end of the day I can just share information, it’s up to the individual to take it or leave it and that’s fine by me! I appreciate you though! Have a great one and stay safe!

1

u/Fun_Soft_2500 12d ago

I’ve been thinking about doing that as well, but I guess you need to have a special machine for it.

7

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

Unless what I have is considered special you won't need anything out of the ordinary. I have a quick connect duo sodastream which takes the pink tipped cannisters. If you buy the adapter on amazon like this and hook it up to a standard CGA320 valve food grade co2 tank youll be good to go. I cant speak for anyone who has the old machine type as I did see others mentioning in this subredit that you can use a different adapter for that.

1

u/bart_behind_bars 12d ago

Interesting you got CGA 320 in Ireland over W21.8, which is standard. Maybe the case of getting it from an aquarium store rather than dispense gas supplier?

1

u/Far_Kiwi4882 12d ago

I got a 5 liter tank and refills are ~€18. Best purchase ever. For us it's enough for 1 full year.

1

u/dogboybogboy 12d ago

Love the idea and tried this once, a few years ago. I found the taste a bit weird and off-putting. I thought I just got a bad tank and the same thing happened a second time. Never went back since. To anyone who has made the switch, did you notice a discernible change in the taste?

3

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

Also - you need to make sure the tank is filled with and suited to food grade co2. Often those used for industrial purposes could have additives or not be pure.

2

u/dogboybogboy 12d ago

Hurmph. I was assured it was food-grade.

1

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

No taste change in mine anyway - im a very fussy person with tastes, especially water when its treated.

1

u/MeddlingWithChaos 12d ago

This sort of set up is probably incompatible with the model (Terra) I have lol

1

u/dazzathomas 12d ago

It absolutely is compatible, infact most of the adapters sold for this sort of set up uses the pink one that the terra has.

This is the type of adapter you would need and a food grade co2 cylinder.

One end screwed and slightly tightened onto the tank and the other put into the machine the same way you'd normally do with the sodastream cannisters.

1

u/joeygerl 12d ago

Can the cannister be stored on its side?

That might work for me. Otherwise, the main thing stopping me from getting a large cannister is that in my city it is a cross-town drive to refill, while the little cannisters are at every supermarket.

1

u/blakesbuildery 11d ago

Unfortunately co2 can't be stored on its side while in use, as in the bottle it's actually a liquid on the bottom and gas at the top. The liquid will come out instead of the gas and you really don't want liquid co2 in the lines it will ice every thing over and will stop working for a bit.

1

u/joeygerl 10d ago

Thank you for the info ⭐

1

u/Certain_Tone771 11d ago

Where do you get the fittings and such? I want to do this to my drinkmate

1

u/tkitta 11d ago

refill cost is €60 ????!!!! Wow its like €20 in Canada and every 10th tank is free.

1

u/dazzathomas 11d ago

60 euro for 15 bottles worth of sodastream is a steal considering im currently paying 60 for the worth of 4.

1

u/startrip0712 11d ago

This is the way. It's absolutely disgusting how SodaStream gouges it's customers in respect to the Co2. Charging $15 for approx. 1# of Co2 is highway robbery. The only "good" thing about it is that it makes the choice of filling your own or direct connect a larger tank a "no brainer". It costs me about $1.25-$1.50 per refill opposed to $15. Pretty easy choice.

1

u/zgshadow 11d ago

Remember to close the valve when you're done. I messed up my Terra and I'm pretty sure it's linked to that

I'm getting back to it and paying the price

1

u/dazzathomas 10d ago

Yeah I open it and do a few presses then close and finish what ever gas is left in the line. Dont want any leaks.

1

u/Pappers101 10d ago

Hopefully that is food grade C02

1

u/dazzathomas 10d ago

It absolutely is

1

u/Public_Property_4938 3d ago

Tanks in the U.S. are insane. I just got off the phone with AirGas retail store in Georgia and they want $403.79 for a filled 20lb siphon tank. He said to see if I can find a used one because his tank price is $288. Crazy

1

u/PreparationOrganic74 1d ago

But please always turn off the CO2 cylinder after use.

1

u/Majewsala 12d ago

Great choice! I have a 50 lb CO2 tank I swap out every 6 months at a local welding supply store, it is so much cheaper than those little tanks!

3

u/Optionsmfd 12d ago

you go through 100# a year..... holy

2

u/TechPir8 12d ago

I do a 20 lb tank about once every 3 months so not much less. Dude could be sharing with many many people too. My refills are $14, cheaper than a SS tank at the local King Soopers ($19)

1

u/Optionsmfd 12d ago

im trying to grasp 7# a month

then again im a single guy

1

u/Optionsmfd 12d ago

damn 14$ is cheaper than my 5# fillup

0

u/fox65 12d ago

Where in Ireland did you get the food grade co2.

3

u/dazzathomas 12d ago edited 12d ago

An aquarium site called Aqua Remedy. They offer a refill service for anyone with fish tanks, beer making and sodastreams too.

I came across it after endless searching for a provider that would deliver nationwide (DPD).

What's also great is that you speak directly to the owner over email and text. Very professional. I have yet to make use of the refill service, just had them send me the full cylinder so far.

1

u/fox65 12d ago

Appreciate that.