In this Article we will explain how you can avoid the high cost attached to the SodaStream refill, and perform it in a more affordable manner. If you drink a lot of carbonated water in your home, you will find that a SodaStream fountain will pay for itself and a pair of tanks quickly. Since it costs about 25 cents per liter of carbonated water, it is a lot more affordable than seltzer from the supermarket. In addition, think about all the environmental costs that go into making glass and plastic bottles and then shipping them.
While a SodaStream machine has a lot of great benefits, one drawback is the tank CO2 refills. Having to pay for SodaStream CO2 refill can be annoying along with the tank exchange.
There are cheaper alternatives, but only when you buy in bulk, like the SodaSense which is compatible with almost every soda maker out there.
Having said that, with some creativity here are some DIY SodaStream refill fixes that will ensure you don’t have to pay for or go to the store for a new CO2 tank every again.
Since a CO2 SodaStream refill canister can cost up to $40, it can get a little expensive to make your own carbonated beverages. Not to mention difficult if you don’t live near a store that carries the canisters. That’s why it’s easier and more affordable to use one of the modifications below that allows you to use a larger tank.
Luckily, there are adapters that can be used to attach regular CO2 tanks to your SodaStream machine. You can save a significant portion of the costs of refilling your SodaStream machine by refilling your CO2 tanks at a homebrew store that provides cheap and food-grade CO2. This method includes a high upfront cost as you need to buy a CO2 tank as well as an adapter but over time you’ll surely recoup the costs. It also involves less work as you simply need to go to the homebrew store to refill your tank once in a while after you’ve set up the system. Since these CO2 tanks can be quite big and carry multiple times the amount of CO2 contained in SodaStream carbonators, you’ll also have to make even less trips to get the tank refilled.
1. External Tank Adapter
If you choose to use an adapter and a hose modification, you will need to buy a kit that includes the hose, adapter, and a pressure gauge along with a 20-pound non-siphon CO2 tank. After that, simply drill an opening into the back of the SodaStream tower that is large enough to fit the smallest fitting in your line. If needed, use a chisel to make the hole larger and clean it up since sharp edge couple potentially cut your CO2 line.
Next, just screw on the line on the SodaStream side and then thread it and the quick-attach fitting into the hole you made. After putting your SodaStream back together, you can add the gauge, plastic washer, and fitting onto the CO2 tank by following the instructions that come with the adapter kit.
Best CO2 Tank Adapters
Now all you have to do it attach the line to the gauge, and you are finished. While the hose and tank are pretty visible in your kitchen, which not everyone cares for, it is a great money saver and saves you a lot of time from running to the store to swap out tanks. Therefore, it is one of our favorable DIY refill method.
Check out the video below to see how one of these kits work.
2. CO2 Adapter For Your Sodastream Refill
CO2 Refill adapters work with a wide range of CO2 bottles. When you are saving money using a larger tank of paintball canister, the adapters are an important part of the modification. Typically, they feature all-metal construction that is durable and stable.
This CO2 cylinder refill connector is a handy accessory to have if you own a SodaStream machine. Easy to screw on, these adapters allow you to fill CO2 cartridges on your own by making it an extension of your SodaStream machine. Part of a cost-effective modification, using a refill adapter making exchanging out CO2 cylinders unnecessary and saves you money.
You only need three things to make this DIY refill modification: A connector, a SodaStream machine, and a CO2 tank. If you can’t find one lying around or from a friend, you can purchase them on Amazon for about $60, but keep in mind that this is the only tank you will need to purchase in the future. Plus, if you buy a 20-pound tank, you get the equivalent of CO2 from 22 small internal tanks. Keep in mind if you buy the largest tank you can afford, you will end up saving a lot of money in the long run.
Best CO2 Adapters For your SodaStream Refill
How to use the Soda refill Adapter
Once you have acquired all the parts, you can start to put them together. First, take off the top of the tank and place it upside down on the container allowing you to see the small threaded port where you would typically screw on the smaller canister. Screw the large end of your tank on until it’s on tight, but not so tight that you cause a crack in the plastic thread. This should be a simple process that requires no physical modifications to your SodaStream device, which will void its warranty.
Next, thread the tank’s cord through the SodaStream’s body before turning it right side up so it can get ready to produce soda. Lastly, take the end of the tank that has the pressure gauge and connect it to the CO2 tank. Do not forget to place the plastic washer in between the brass fitting and the tank to act as a seal in between these two metal pieces, which will prevent you from losing CO2. Once it is connected, all you need to do is open up the valve on the tank’s top and attach and your SodaStream bottle and use it as normal.
By using this method, you won’t have to worry about spending a lot of money or running out of CO2 quickly. You can even install this modified device into your countertop so that the canister and hose are hidden. Check out the video below to see how this modification works.
3. Paintball/SodaMod Tank Adapter
Another way to save some money with your CO2 canisters is to use a paintball tank with your SodaStream machine. Not only will this help save you money, but you won’t have to have tubing running from the back or have an external tank nearby. The only thing that might be an issue is finding out where to have the paintball tanks refilled.
When refilling your paintball tanks, the first place on your list to call should be a sporting goods shop. Paintball shops are also an obvious choice, but they may not be as numerous as you think. If you still aren’t having any luck, also try a dive shop, home-brew stores, or a welding shop.
Best Paintball/SodaMod Tank Adapters
The tanks can be purchased off Amazon and the adapters should be an easy find online. These little brass adapters come with a little adjustable set screw that you may need to tweak to make sure the air is flowing. Make sure whatever adapter you purchase it is stainless steel of lead-free brass, and it doesn’t hurt for it to indicate “food grade.”
Also, look for the largest tank that you can find to fit in your carbonator. This can vary depending on the manufacturer and will range between 24 and 9 ounces. Check out this video to see how paintball tanks can be used as a part of a modification.
By using any of these modifications, you may have to spend a little money upfront, but the savings on the back end will more than make up for it. Not only is this a cost-saving modification, but it also saves you a ton of time from running to the store to swap out tanks. This is the perfect solution for anyone that loves fizzy drinks and loves a good DIY project.
Is Getting a SodaStream Soda Maker Cost-Effective?
Yes, it is. With a SodaStream Maker, you can turn unlimited amounts of tap water into sparkling fizzy water. If you consume lots of carbonated water in your household, you will discover that this product more than makes up for the cost.
One brand of SodaStream currently in the market is Aqua Fizz. It is little enough to fit in the smallest of kitchen spaces. The SodaStream Aqua Fizz machine comes with two glass bottles and a CO2 cylinder. Making soda with the machine is easy and fast.
On average, one carbonation cylinder can be used to make 60 – 130 liters of sparkling water. The actual amount differs depending on your preferred level of carbonation. When the CO2 cylinder is empty, you can refill it at home or take advantage of the SodaStream cylinder exchange policy.
What Are Some Cheap Ways to Refill my CO2 Cylinder?
Refilling your SodaStream cylinder can cost as much at the SodaStream outlet. Fortunately, there are easy ways to refill it yourself for less. Some of these ways include: using a refill adapter, hacking it with a hose and external adapter, using a SodaMod tank adapter.
You can try out the refill using the refill adapter. All you need to do is get the necessary tools first. These tools are A SodaStream machine, a connector, and a CO2 tank. Concerning the tank, buy the biggest tank your money can comfortably afford. Bis because, in the long run, it saves you more money than buying smaller tanks.
With this method, you don’t have to worry about spending more; buying large tanks; we save up. You can also install this modified device to your countertop such that both the canister and hose remain hidden.
How Can I Refill My Cylinder Using the SodaMod Tank Adapter Hack?
Using a paintball tank with a SodaStream machine is a creative way to refill the cylinder and save money. When looking for places to refill paintball tanks, your first line of action is checking sporting goods shops and paintball shops.
You can get these SodaMod tanks on Amazon alongside the adapters for it. These little brass adapters come with a little adjustable set screw. Just note that you may need to tweak to ensure the air is flowing. Make sure whatever adapter you purchase is stainless steel of lead-free brass.
Once all the accessories are in place, it is time to attach it to the machine. Refilling the cylinder from the sports shop costs less than $6.
Can I Use an External Tank Adapter?
Yes, you can use an external tank adapter to refill your cylinders from the comfort of your home. You will require an adapter, hose, pressure gauge, and non-siphon CO2 tank for this hack. Drill the back of the SodaStream tower open. The hole must be wide enough to accommodate your line fittings. You can expand the hole using a chisel; be sure to smoothen it out.
Once that is done, screw on the line on SodaStream’s side, thread it, and the drills you made. Once you are done assembling everything, your cylinder should be good to go.
I’ve been using a refill adapter for my Sodastream tanks for age CO2 tank couple of years. My fills are pretty small, which I assume is because of the check valves. I have a 20 lb source tank. My question is, if I want to use the paintball tank with the adapter instead of the Sodastream tanks, can I use that same adapter to refill that paintball tank from my source tank? if not, what setup do I need?
I am trying to use a 5lb CO2 tank to carbonate directly into a 2 liter coca-cola like bottle.
I use a 0.5 micron ejector, and the time the pressure reach 85 psi is very fast with not a big turbulence in the bottle.
The resulting water is very flat.
To raise the carbonation level I have to shake the bottle a long time until the pressure do not drop when agitating.
My thought is that Sodastream use a much hicher pressure to carbonate, and their relief valve is set at a much higher pressure.
This is why their 1 litre bottle are so thick, so we can’t make the same with “normal soda bottle”
QUESTION : What is the carbonation pressure Sodastream use ?
The short answer is about 15 PSI.
I would check all connectors, make make sure nothing leaks.
I could not get the adaptor to work and returned it. I tried everything, freezing the Sofa Stream bottle, opening the ball valve slowly, repeatedly venting the connect line. I tried all different positions on the round knob. I even bought older bottles on eBay hoping they wouldn’t trip on me. The unit looked good with no leaks.
Buy the adapter from Walmart or Amazon they have them in stock. Walmart 12.99. Or Amazon 16.99
When using the refill adapter, I open the donor tank valve just until I hear flow but then after a few seconds it stops. I’m assuming the sodastream check valve has been tripped. What do I do then?
The key is to open the fill valve very, very slowly until you hear the gas hiss.
Anybody notice someone stated CO2 is toxic? Breathing 100% CO2 would not supply your body with O2 but is not toxic. Your body needs inhaled CO2 to live. Maybe they are confusing it with CO? An entirely different compund.
Actually CO2 is toxic and breathing even 10% CO2 concentrations can be fatal even if there is a sufficient oxygen concentration.
Any welding supply shop has CO2 cylinders for exchange. You bring your empty and they swap it for a full one.
Can anyone recommend a specific store that will refill small CO2 tanks (under 5 lbs) in the NYC metro area? I’ve done a lot of calling, but I’m finding only industrial gas outlets open and they won’t fill small tanks.
I have the same question as hans. Any one have an answer? I just went to a paintball shop and their filler has a finer thread than my soda stream tank. I thought it would be simple to find a direct adapter but I’m finding that to not be the case. Anyone??
You will need to use a paintball tank and buy an adapter so that you can use it in your soda maker: https://www.amazon.com/SodaMod-Soda-Club-CO2-Adapter/dp/B00CU0E73O
Can you refill these directly from a Co2 tank? We have one because we brew beer-What would we need in order to do that?
Yes, you can refill it using this refill adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QJ4MDHY/?tag=smclub77-20
Here’s a video that explains how to do that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THPxvjYv7JM
Good article. I have been refilling my single Soda CLUB (predecessor to Soda Stream, although same company) by purchasing a couple pounds of dry ice each time I need to refill at a beer distributor. Something slightly less than 2 lbs is probably adequate, but I would rather err on the higher side. I feel the concern about weighing your CO2 and avoiding overfilling is overblown. The Soda Stream (CLUB) machines have what I consider to be an overly invasive and conservative relief valve setup that will simply release pressures that are excessive.
Also, there is no need to back-off that relief bolt to ascertain that no pressure remains in the cylinder before removing it from the Soda Stream/Club machine. Just press the button you use to introduce carbonation into a bottle or water (without that bottle present) and continue to keep that button depressed until the hissing of remaining gas ceases, and you are good to go. If you overfill a canister, it will not catastrophically explode, rather, the relief valve will simply allow excessive pressure to escape.
If, by chance, you were to start unscrewing the canister before all gaseous pressure was eliminated, the system is not going to explode on you, rather, as you start unscrewing the canister, you will hear hissing as the pressure escapes.
Once you find a source for dry ice, refilling the canister is very simple.
You can use a chopstick as suggested, or, in my case, I have a set of screw-drivers, and use one of those to tamp pulverized frozen dry ice into the canister. I find that, if I fill my funnel with pulverized dry ice, then tap my screw driver with a rubber mallet, the weight of the dry ice on top (in the funnel) prevents “splashing” of the dry ice so that my tamping sends dry ice through the funnel rather than out onto my working surface.
It all seems simple to me, and works really well.
I am intrigued by the more sophisticated systems by which I might even save more money, but, in my house, sparkling water is pretty cheap since I started refilling my soda club canister. I am happy.
Good luck to all who strive to avoid paying high sums to purchase Soda Stream canisters.
Caruso
Hello. Does anyone make an adapter that goes from soda stream tank and converts to paintball top? I live in colombia with many paintball shops around that don’t care what tank says. Cost is 1.80 cents to fill a soda stream tank, but need the top of tank to fit to their filling machine. So adapter that makes soda stream top into a paintball tank top.
Hans
Great video! Everything was well explained and demonstrated.
Waiting for the next one you promised 😉
to use the adapter you don’t need to us pressure regulator? The pressure in the CO2 bottle is a round 500-1000PSI depending on the temperature can the soda stream handle this pressure ?
Great video. Easy to follow. Thanks!
How can I purchase this bottle and adaptor?
You can buy the SodaMod tank with the adapter at this url: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HHLFD86?tag=smclub77-20
So, I was told you can take the Co2 tank from the soda stream to a local dive shop & they will fill them for you…. cheap !Has anyone tried this?
Seems so sensible & simple !!
Co2 is toxic to breath. Dive shops don’t carry it
Scuba shop cant fill them, some paintball shops can
sorry I just got my 5lb tank filled at a dive shop It was the place who would refill it close to me everyone else want to exchange and I have a new aluminin tank
Go to where they sell kegs of beer, get co2 filled there.
I purchased a soda mod adapter and 2 tanks. Everything shipped pretty quickly, but I can’t get the tanks filled. I’ve taken them to Dick’s and Academy, but neither can fill them. I sent the tanks back to Sodamod thinking they were defective, and got new ones but no luck. I looked on the Sodamod website for any info on what could be the problem, but couldn’t find anything.
CO2 doesn’t degrade. If you refill 3 tanks, they’ll last as long as the storebought tanks.
I just refilled mine but the valve is SO tight that I’m not strong enough to put it back on. Any suggestions?
I’m stuck with an empty 130L tank and they won’t fit in my machine.
Does anyone know if stores will let you exchange a 130L for (2) 60L?
Hi Soda Spork! I have been paying those high fees for soda stream exchanges and I finally got tired of it. So I thought why not try your refill method with dry ice. As a woman I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get the top off, but I followed your directions and stuck to it, and finally, it worked. Then I zipped over to my local grocery store, which had a few super small pieces of dry ice (only half a pound) but I thought let’s try it out before I commit to buying 8lbs which is their standard size. I went home followed your directions to the letter…. AND it worked! Beautiful sparkling water – I am so pleased – Thank you.
Question: If I buy a few extra canisters and fill them with dry ice, how long do you think that they will last without use? Or do you believe once they are sealed they should not degrade? i.e. I want to refill 3 – 60L soda stream tanks at a time, is that wise? 8lbs of dry ice is $18 and finding smaller sizes where I live is a little challenging.
I ordered replacement valves from aliexpress dot com. Search for Soda Valve Pin Valve Thread M18X1-5. They were $20 for two. Downside is it takes a while for delivery but shipping is free.
Can anyone please confirm if the Freedom One + kits work with the Sodastream Play machines? Thanks!
Hi,
I also purchased a hose in Jan., they did not send a message if the product was shipped.
They charged my credit card. Fortunately I paid through PayPal and got my money back.
Over two months that is bad service or a rip off.
Avoid them.
Has anyone heard anything from CO2 Doctor? I placed an order there weeks ago and have not had any follow up communication, nor have I received my merch. Are there any alternate retailers out there?
Sent my money for parts, account charged, product never sent, multiple emails to customer service and they never responded to any of them. Fraudsters. stay away at all costs.