Buzz
During the early pandemic, while people scrambled for toilet paper, my issue was a much less critical but still important one: finding SodaStream canisters. These had become nearly impossible to get, and my once-constant supply of bubbly water was replaced by dull tap water.
It turns out that you don’t actually need the replacement canisters — all you need is the gas inside them: carbon dioxide. Specifically, liquid CO₂, and there are cheaper, eco-friendly alternatives for obtaining it.
While some have managed to refill their canisters using a complicated method involving paintball tanks, there’s a far simpler option: Just buy a real CO₂ canister.
Introducing: Airgas
CO₂ tanks come in various sizes, but most people will likely opt for a 20-gallon tank to start. It occupies a bit more space than your SodaStream alone, but you can easily stash it in a cabinet, under a table, or behind a door. Personally, I’ve got mine stationed beneath my tea and drink bar, and yes, I can hear the judgment coming through the internet for having a dedicated drink station.
Getting your CO₂ tank is as simple as contacting Airgas, driving to their location, and buying one. You’re purchasing the tank and the CO₂ inside it. Later on, you can simply return the tank for a refill, which is surprisingly affordable.
How affordable is it? The tank itself cost me around $170, which also included the first refill of CO₂. Three years later, it still hasn’t needed a refill, but when it does, it will cost about $40. You simply load it into your car and drive to the door. The entire process takes about twenty minutes.
Sure, the initial tank is pricey, but consider the long-term savings. I used to go through a new SodaStream canister every six weeks. Even with the $15 exchange price, that would total $360 over three years, compared to just $170 for the tank.
Setting Up Your New Tank
To connect your SodaStream to the new tank, you’ll need to buy a connection kit. While you could attempt to assemble this yourself, there’s no need to. You can easily purchase the hose adapter on Amazon from multiple vendors for under $40.
To set it up, take the canister out of your SodaStream, screw one end of the adapter onto it, and attach the other end to your new CO₂ tank.
From now on, when you insert a water bottle into your SodaStream, you’ll briefly open the tank valve for a second or two while pressing down on the SodaStream to carbonate the water, then close it again. For a truly bubbly drink, a quick two-second burst of CO₂ is all it takes.
The water will have a slightly fresher and cleaner taste, and most people find it more enjoyable. Personally, I do too.
Alternatively, you could skip the SodaStream entirely and get the CO₂ directly from the tank. You could buy ten-gallon bags of Diet Coke syrup, set up a bar area, and hire a moody waiter who’s always on the lookout for someone to cover his shifts while he auditions. Go all in.
Or, you could simply make your SodaStream more efficient and call it a day.
