SodaStream CO2 Refill - No Special Gizmos!

The Update Video has arrived! Check it out here: • SodaStream Refill Upda...
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Refilling SodaStream CO2 tanks inexpensively using pelletized dry ice instead of the costly prefilled exchange cylinders. Preview and download a free copy of the soda cost spreadsheet I mention in the video here: docs.google.co...
Happy 2020 everyone! Thanks for all the renewed interest in this, my first video from way back when. An update is on my computer for editing now but since so many have commented on it, the dry ice I’m using IS safe for food use. The form of the ice (pellets, brick, etc.) is not an indicator of whether it’s food safe or not. Yes the pellets are used for non-food purposes (mold blasting and road machine track pin cooling) but they’re also used for food packing, beverages, etc. The only way to know what you've got is to talk to your supplier.
For MY local guys, they tell me that since they need some food grade product for the nearby lobster packing operations, there’s no cost advantage for them to bring in the only very-slightly-cheaper non-food versions for any other customers so everyone gets the good stuff whether they need it or not. They explained that ‘food grade’ is simply a function of extraction, storage, and transport. I know all this after an in-depth conversation with them which is exactly the sort of talk you should have with YOUR local shop.
Some have asked for clues to finding the pelletized version of dry ice. It's used for 'sandblasting' mold in restoration work and by road repaving crews when they take core samples (typically in the summer). Also heavy equipment repair sometimes uses it to chill (and shrink) track pins so they can be replaced more easily. Look in your local directories under 'industrial gas' suppliers and I bet you find it there. Or talk to the big name shipping companies in your part of the world who regularly get the question about where to find it for cold-pack shipments. Thanks for watching and happy fizzing!

[@brave_ulysses5958]

Thanks! I just refilled six bottles with $15 worth of dry ice. You saved me $100 bucks today. You’ll continue to save me about $100 bucks every 90 days. My wife drinks a lot of club soda. $400 dollars a year is real money. Thank you :)

[@MrSporksHands]

Well done mate. Glad to help the bank account and you're right that it adds up. In these parts $400 is a free mortgage payment a year! Right there with your wife on the club soda front. A lime wedge tossed in and I'm all good alone or with a meal. Now if only I had a plate of tacos to go with it. Thanks for watching!

[@time2go265]

@@MrSporksHands where i am a mortgage payment for a small house on a acre is 2200 a month

[@felixarbable]

Mr. Spork's Hands haha thats what i pay in rent every 3 days

[@markg.2501]

@@time2go265 and obviously you can afford it......... soooo??

[@taztaz79]

I pay 3-4$ to refill them. You could also buy a big co2 tank to refill them with. Or even better, a big tank to connect to the sodastream and you willhave co2 for several years ;)

[@ioneyesed]

Useful tip, weigh the empty bottle and funnel before you start. A lot of scales have an auto turn off function which can happen at an inopportune moment. If half way through your scales turn off you could be stuck wondering where you had got to. If you already know the empty weight of the cylinder and funnel, just subtract that weight from the total weight of where you are at and it will save you needing to go back to the start or guessing how much more dry ice to add.

[@MrSporksHands]

I have long since upgrade that little scale. The FIRST thing I looked for in a new one was a plug and no 'auto-off' so I hear you on the inconvenient timing. Thanks for watching!

[@alexwright6728]

As a precaution just record the empty open bottle weight and write it on the bottle, you then always have a backup if you lose your way when weighing.

[@anthonylosego]

@@alexwright6728 write that on the funnel too!!

[@micheleb2558]

@@MrSporksHands what model did you get? I am thinking of replacing my little Taylor as it does turn off and I am pretty sure isn't accurate for anything over a pound

[@MrSporksHands]

Hey Michele. Sorry your question got lost in the comments. I went through a few brands and JUST got one I'm pleased with that's accurate to the gram. I need to figure out how to link it properly because I noticed a HUGE range of prices for the exact same model (literally +/- $150) but in the end I got it on an Amzn warehouse deal for

[@bradwiebe5692]

just a tip: chill your water before putting the bottle into the soda stream as chilled water receive carbon much better then warm water does!

[@MrSporksHands]

Very true. I do that myself and really should update the video to include. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesm5192]

@@MrSporksHands What about the lack of purity in random dry ice?

[@dalriada842]

That's what I do. It also makes it less likely to 'fountain' when adding the syrup.

[@wizard3z868]

also use a 2litter bottle like 3/4 full push out most of air than freeze or cool less air in water more co2 absorption as well

[@myCloudWatcher]

@@MrSporksHands CO2 on other worlds exists in lakes of liquid. The factor is pressure, under pressure CO2 is a liquid. At sea level on earth CO2 at room temp is a gas. The way CO2 enters water is called a dissolved gas.

[@yungjc2]

I would never guess this is your first video. Very professional. Informative. Lots of safety. This video is much much better than vast majority on handling dry ice.

[@MrSporksHands]

Appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching!

[@Brazmando]

It’s not the video I asked for, but it’s the video that we all needed.

[@MrSporksHands]

A little fizz makes the world a happier place. Thanks for watching!

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

1st Time Video!? Mr. Spork hits all the marks: Simplicity, brief to the point with no nonsense, video is clear in frame and in focus. My "sodastream" has been in my shed for awhile. If I can find dry Ice, I will try this. Thanks for the video!

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks eezy. DIY refills I suspect have rescued a lot of Sodastreams from the shed, closet, house of the cousin you don't like much, etc. It really turns them into something affordable. Thanks for watching and the kind words!

[@eezyclsmooth9035]

@@MrSporksHands Spent a week on the web and then around my area looking for "Dry Ice". NO Luck, untill... Driving 30 mi. to Houston for DI was not practical. Turns out 3 branches of the same grocery store ALL have DI. 1 even in my town!!

[@dennis270]

I was thinking of buying a co2 tank, gas, and adapter. Very expensive! Now I just need to go to my local grocery store (check around, many chain stores sell them) and buy some dry ice. Outstanding tutorial. Quick speaking (some people painfully drag things out) and covering all the bases. 5 stars! Yah. Now here I go to fill my 9 ounce bottle.

[@hokiecyclist]

Chemist here. A couple of safety features to consider: 1. Don’t get any water into the CO2 tank. Carbonic acid eats away at aluminum. 2. Most electronic balances will get skewed under temperature changes. Don’t leave the cold tank on as you fill with dry ice, you could wind up filling more than intended.

[@MrSporksHands]

Good tips. I try to work fast enough when I`m not filming so the cold bottles don`t freeze to anything. Thanks for watching and adding to the discussion.

[@r.l.anderson8980]

We have 2 Soda Stream carbonators, the newer 60L and the older 130L. After watching this very informative and helpful video, I got 5 lbs of pelletized dry ice (minimum qty locally) and was able to recharge 2 of the 60Ls and one 130L cylinder. There was a little left over, plus what I dropped and otherwise wasted. Had to insert each pellet in manually because they were actually little cylinders themselves and pellet diameter was very close to the opening diameter of the metal cylinder, but even with that, it was a fairly quick and kind of fun project. Thanks Mr. Spork - you da man !

[@MrSporksHands]

I've seen that 'cylinder' shape a couple places. Glad the dimensions worked for you even if it did take a little bit of manual override help. Thanks for watching and enjoy the cheaper bubbles!

[@falcardeckion]

Science! Well done Sir! I am a chemist, and my wife wants one of these gizmos. I figured someone else has figured how to home fill the bottles, and you did not disappoint. Now that I know how, I will tell her to order one. 15 bucks+/- a refill was a nope from me. Now that I know I can do this, and for basically free (all the dry ice pellets from my lab for free) I can buy a few canisters and keep em full! The real MVP!

[@MrSporksHands]

Wish I had a mad scientist lab with free dry ice. LOL Hope you and the wife enjoy the free fizzing and that you 'experiment' with some whacky flavours. Enjoy and thanks for watching!

[@lordbob6722]

I have watched a couple videos telling how to do this, by far this was the most concise. None of the other explained how much dry ice to use, thank you.

[@williamsantiago4318]

I’m on my third SodaStream and I have about six CO2 tanks and I bought dry ice and watched your video. I just hooked up the CO2 tank that I filled with Dry ice and it worked great saved my self about $90 dolors 😃 Thanks!

[@MrSporksHands]

Very glad to help keep your fizz affordable. Thanks for watching!

[@carolharris8459]

Great video. My dad is older and I use the SodaStream my sister gave him to make inexpensive "soda" with all natural ingredients. I can bypass the "bad" stuff and keep his diabetes in check. So no syrup for us... just lemon or lime and stevia... thank you again for showing how to refill the tank at an affordable price.... Carol

[@MrSporksHands]

+Carol Harris Glad to help. I've been on a honey kick lately myself but have grown fresh stevia in the past. Good stuff as long as you don't slip in too much. And I found that ginger really takes the edge off it being TOO sweet. Down with high fructose corn syrup. Cheers!

[@sinenomine7405]

@@MrSporksHands was just about to say honey :) you can also use organic fruit juices (pineapple or watermelon which is really good for you and delicious) as they don't affect diabetics like refined sugar

[@venus1999]

I'm a frugal fanatic! My beloved Sodastream made me a Fizz-a-holic, helped me kick my diet coke habit., and saves me money. So when I learned that I could save about $13.50 per canister(my local prices), I immediately bought dry ice, grabbed my supplies and refilled 2 empties (with the help of an assistant who crushed my ice because we couldn't find pellets.) It was easy to do, took 5 minutes of my time and saved me $27. I'm smiling so hard right now! 😁 Thanks so much for sharing this superb video!!!

[@MrSporksHands]

Very glad to save you some coin on carbonation but even happier to hear you're off the diet soda. Next step, plant a whacky herb garden for flavour inspiration. These days I'm all over a mint and watermelon mixup that I sweeten with FRESH stevia leaf. Thanks for watching. Keep smiling!

[@ruthscott5166]

So glad I found this. We've put off filling/exchanging our bottles due to cost.

[@MrSporksHands]

Mine sat unfilled for months before I sorted out an affordable solution. Really brings it back into the realm of useful. Thanks for watching and happy fizzing!

[@markbranum5223]

I just filled 5 bottles today for 8 dollars. Man this is great.

[@MrSporksHands]

Well done mate. That's an extra (math... in my head... never good...) 80 bucks in your pocket. Glad it helped the budget. Happy fizzing!

[@markbranum5223]

Thanks for letting us know how easy it is.

[@brianmartin7964]

@@MrSporksHands Is it really 80.00? those extra bottles aren't free (and neither is the Dentist) Im trying to find extra bottles (locally they are about 40.00 (USD)

[@MrSporksHands]

I was doing CO2 math there compared to "retail" but you're correct that bottles do add to cost. I rotate in a new one every so often but it's still money ahead by far for me refilling. Everyone's math is going to be different depending on how many you fill at a go and the local price of CO2. Better fizzing through spreadsheets I say.

[@Birdman3131]

Keep an eye out at local thrift stores. Soda streams are common there. if not full real close to it. Usually the entire unit with bottle is $3-7. Picked up one with a ~33oz tank for $2.92 at goodwill the other day. (No soda bottle though but I had a couple already.)

[@vipnetworker]

I’ve been doing this for 2+ years now, works great. The only thing I do different is, I can’t find anywhere that has pellet dry ice. So I buy it in blocks and chop it up myself. At first I broke it up with a hammer, which is slow and ineffective (but worked). Now I stick it in a cheap ninja blender I have ($40 bucks, so I don’t care if it breaks, but it has worked great for 2 years). The ninja blender turns the dry ice into powder, super easy to get into the soda stream canisters with a funnel. Works great. I have 4 canisters and refill them all at once and that lasts me 2-3 months, depending on how much I’m drinking.

[@MrSporksHands]

Luckily I have the pellets just up the road. I don't want to risk the Vitamix. LOL Thanks for watching. Glad it's working for you.

[@jkeezy93]

You're very good at giving directions in a simple enough way where I now feel competent enough to do this at home. We've had a soda stream for over a year and never refilled the CO2 bottle since it ran out. After watching this, its gonna be refilled within a week. Also the dry humor is a plus, it breaks the monotony of instructions. Keep doing good work.

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks Josh. Hope the bubbles are working for you. Cheers!

[@patriciadriver988]

I just wanted to thank you for your information. I followed your instructions to the “almost” letter. I was very successful and very proud of myself! Thank you again for this video. I’m going to save a ton!

[@MrSporksHands]

The simple joy of cheaper fizzing. Have fun making your own flavours and thanks for watching!

[@47Fitzroy]

Didn't knew this was possible. I was put off by price of exchange. So thanks for your easily understood video. Nice one.

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad to do it. Hope you enjoy the cheaper bubbles. Thanks for watching.

[@wrecksandtech]

I had always wondered if I could refill paintball tanks like this. You just proved my theory. Although a few years late

[@MrSporksHands]

Paintball was where I learned the trick during my impoverished college days. Thanks for watching!

[@Gu1tarZer0]

haha as soon as I started the video that's what I thought of

[@TheAnantaSesa]

Wrecks and Tech; you got me curious what disaster befell you because of not knowing about this trick?

[@Steven-wx1nh]

@@MrSporksHands do a paintball one ;)

[@gavinhanson9213]

We just ended up buying a 50lb Co2 tank for paint ball & a local shop would refill it for like $80 but it would last a very long time.

[@oxo010]

Suggestion: put the just-filled canister in the refrigerator. It will absorb heat from the refrigerator as it warms up to refrigerator temperature, and save you a few cents worth of electricity.

[@eliasjacobson4254]

Thank you for doing this great video tutorial. Everyone in my family loves the Sodastream. I started looking for a cheaper refill when it was clear we were going through one 130L refill bottle a week at $50 each. Finding your video and spreadsheet was a godsend. Thanks again for helping us keep our budget in check!

[@MrSporksHands]

I'm very glad it helped. Sound like the savings will pile up around your house. Thanks for watching!

[@kalemercer7053]

The algorithm gods have blessed you with my view, and I approve.

[@MrSporksHands]

I was as surprised as anyone to open my dashboard today. Better get the update to this edited quick, eh? Thanks for watching!

[@prybar27]

Perfect.

[@patrickrooney7016]

Great news. Thx.

[@justinsmithson8127]

Lll.13mmn

[@AtotehZ]

It also helps that others are referring to this video.

[@djsavage2421]

My props go out to you and people like you who give a thorough explanation and step-by-step on how to accomplish a task kudos keep up the good work!

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I've got updates coming on several of my vids and a few new ideas too. Stay tuned and thanks for watching.

[@C3Stingray]

Just bought a SodaStream and ran into your video by chance. Wow, can't believe it is that simple. Haven't even ran through my first bottle yet but I plan on trying this method as soon as I do. Although I am not sure where to look for that dry ice at. Nice to see an informative video as opposed to the people that just babble on and don't really tell you anything.

[@Mike03311992]

Awesome idea, so simple and effective. Sidenote: CO2 normally has no liquid state. ;)

[@aka12176]

At high pressure co2 can be liquid

[@wizard3z868]

under pressure it dose like inside of a co2 tank filled to the max

[@ib9rt]

What is "normally"? The CO2 is liquid inside those bottles, and that seems pretty normal to anyone holding a CO2 bottle.

[@sinenomine7405]

It's a liquid when under pressure Like butane

[@danijelb.9979]

Yeah but because of the pressure it is liquid

[@godsfinalpleaministries]

I just bought a DrinkMate Soda Maker, which uses SS standard canisters. I am so glad I found your video, it will save me, and others, a lot of money. Thanks for sharing...

[@MrSporksHands]

May all your bubbles be cheap and fizzy. Thanks for watching and for the kind words.

[@evosportychop8332]

I figured refilling the CO2 would be easy, but this is even easier than I expected

[@MrSporksHands]

Totally a snap, especially after you get the valves off the first time. I've got an update on how to do that a bit easier coming too as soon as I get my blasted bench vise mounted LOL. Thanks for watching!

[@dakkol434]

Very good. That is one of the most valuable and helpful videos I have seen in a long time. Well produced. Instructional, not filled with a lot of extra talk, no long theatrical intro, to the point.

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks. Hopefully I've gotten a bit better over the years. This was my first go and it seems to have helped folks. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. Happy fizzing!

[@BilgeDweller]

Great video! Many thanks! Just an FYI, you can use a 15/16" open end wrench on the flats of the brass fitting, and a 10mm box end wrench is an exact fit on the relief valve. For disassembly, I wrap the body of the cylinder in a small towel, and then gently clamp in in my bench vise below the jaws, and I only tighten enough to keep the cylinder from turning when the wrench is applied. Just throwing the information out there for anyone who has the tools / equipment.

[@MrSporksHands]

That's solid info. Thanks for pinning down the specs for everyone. Been meaning to do that myself. Happy bubbles out there mate!

[@BilgeDweller]

A little more for everybody, I came across this doing additional research. You're on the right track with weighing the bottle and not overfilling them. They state in this linked article (explaining CO2 physics to the paint ball gang) that overfilling makes the bottles much more sensitive to changes in temperature; the pressure will rise much quicker and higher. For your review! www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/gasses/co2dynamics.shtml

[@benevolenthighwayman882]

It's actually 24mm. 15/16 is about 0.025" too small.

[@micheleb2558]

Going to try this on my new bottle. I have 2 that won't open for love or money. Traded one in and the brass seems super soft in this new one. I am afraid I am going to round out the check valve nut.

[@mercypilkington1894]

Tried this today... it was so easy! I live 20 miles from a store, and our only store that swapped canisters closed last month. Thank you so much for this, it was unbelievably easy and cost effective. $8 for four pounds of CO2, maybe ten minutes of work. I did have trouble getting three of my canisters open, so took them to a local mechanic who didn't even charge me to get them open.

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad you got your bargain bubbles sorted Mercy. They can be tricky to open the first time but after that seem to cooperate more. Worst case or if you get more new cylinders in the future, peek at the update I did that shows a new method using a strap wrench and vise to get the stubborn ones open. Or just go back to the mechanic! LOL Great idea that was. Thanks for watching and happy fizzing!

[@frayakatz1947]

Thank you from someone who would never have been able to figure this out on her own. I found the video easy to follow and actually had everything I needed to refill except the pellets.

[@MrSporksHands]

No worries. You'll get there I'm sure. No go find some dry ice and enjoy the fizzing. Cheers!

[@sinenomine7405]

Can just get a large piece and smash it up

[@naomij66]

Those canisters are about $70 here in Australia. Your a champion for sharing this thank you.

[@MrSporksHands]

Ouch. $70 is steep. Hope you can find the dry ice and save a heap of coin on your bubbles. Thanks for watching!

[@jakelewis3d]

Thanks for the guidance here Mr Spork. I'll add that the relief valve, given it's made of brass, will be much better supported with a 10mm ring wrench than an adjustable. Secondly, if you get some dry ice in a frozen food delivery you can re-use it in place of the pellatized dry ice, although you'll need a strong blender to break it down ( it blends to a fine powder)

[@MrSporksHands]

Good point on the sizing and I agree it would be preferred. Little did I know at the time my hack job with an adjustable would be all over the net. LOL I'd probably skip the food processor/blender to save my gear and resort to a heavy zip lock bag wrapped in a bath towel and a sturdy mallet (dead blow style perhaps?) to get any chunks down to size. And vent any current frustrations. Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@unrealdevop]

Probably the most practical guide I have come across yet, your a genius.

[@MrSporksHands]

I appreciate the king words John. Check the update video from a few weeks ago too for some added tips getting the stubborn bottles open. Thanks for watching!

[@peteyquickk]

Finally a SodaStream refill video that uses actual dry ice measurements, I knew my digital postal scale would come in handy someday, Thank You!

[@xramcam]

Just got refilling my 130l bottle and can't believe how easy and cheap it was! This used to cost me $30 per trade in, but no more. Thank you!!!

[@MrSporksHands]

My pleasure. Glad to save you a few pennies. Next step, making your own flavour syrups!

[@C71-m1l]

This is genius. I use paintball tanks for various things from welding shielding gas to portable air supplies for my air tools, my sodastream, and of course paintball. However, CO2 filling stations are becoming less common as paintball is dying out. Most places that sell tanks don't offer a refill service. This gives me the ability to refill them without having to scavenge.

[@MrSporksHands]

Paintball in my distant past - long before it was popular and refilling stations were equally as rare - is exactly where I got the idea. Be careful and enjoy the recharging. - MSH

[@youknownothingofmeormywork6001]

I don't know why I enjoyed this so much. I don't even have or want a soda stream.

[@MrSporksHands]

Science is fun? Or when there's some Canadian with a funnel, a chopstick, and dry ice there's comedy potential? No matter the reason, thanks for watching. And get a SS on the cheap on Boxing Day - they're loads of fun when they don't cost a fortune to refill.

[@christiangeiselmann]

He is a very good narrator. Pleasant voice and pronunciation.

[@AtotehZ]

The longer you wait before sealing the flask back up, the more certain you are that all the O2 as been displaced by the CO2. However, if you prefer doing it this way, you can let the pressure build a bit and then let a little gas out. The O2 will leave first as it's lighter.

[@nstevensonpotter]

Nice video! I just unpacked a new Fizzi, went to the interwebs for assembly instructions, and your money-saving video popped up! Thank you! Anyone who has done HS science can save a ton o’ money, and this is brilliant in the pandemic as well.

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad to help. It really does make these gizmos usefully affordable. Enjoy the new bubbles!

[@jeanettevoet5243]

You are an amazing instructor. Very articulate straight forward and easy to listen too. Great camera and hand work too. Thank you for this well done and informative video.

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks for that but hopefully my camera-pointing ability has improved a bit from this first-ever video. I hope it helps you save some cash on your bubbles. Thanks for watching and Cheers!

[@larrywalker6620]

Like us old timers used to say when having a shot at the bar - You are Top Shelf. 1st Class

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks for the kind words. Next time you're in the deep woods of eastern Canada, a round is on me. Cheers.

[@elizabethbrown1276]

I've seen some refill videos that were very complicated and I wasn't interested. I thought this was the best one on KZbin. Thank you. I subscribed so that I don't miss the video for making the syrup.

[@Netflyr]

Well done, sir...well done. Informative, with measurement explanation for those who've forgotten science lab from HS or those with little training with simple physics and chemistry. I've been refilling my canisters since I purchased my Sodastream (about a year now) and have grimaced (and chuckled) at many other's videos. Yours appears to have good production value with little to no background noise, clean edit points, and practiced or scripted dialog leaving out the, "uhmm's" - "uhh's" and awkward pauses. I'm subscribing to your channel and looking forward to additional videos of other "hacks".

[@DanSanniti]

Here's your little bit of love ❤. Perfect video. Not under detailed but not verbose. Plenty of details and only relevant side bars... Damn good job - to the point

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks man. I appreciate the kind words especially on my first one all those years ago. It's probably been downhill ever since. LOL Appreciate the view. Cheers!

[@billtontzjr5734]

Mr Spork. Thank you for showing me how to enjoy my SodaStream and be a chemist at the same time. You're the best.

[@MrSporksHands]

Science! Thanks for the kind words and for watching.

[@kennrayy]

Excellent! I just received one as an early Christmas present and it will be employing your ingenious hack!

[@MrSporksHands]

Really does bring them into a useful cost range. Report back with success or failure. Thanks for watching, Happy Christmas, and enjoy the fizzing!

[@pannini21]

nice! i was worried about having to buy all types of hardware and other things to do a co2 tank to sodastream but this is much easier!

[@0008dustin]

My family uses SodaStream like crazy, you have just saved me so much money and I much appreciate it.. thank you good sir.

[@MrSporksHands]

Very glad to help. I don't think I'd use mine much at full price refills. I will say that having super fresh bubbly water is a joy, particularly when making waffles or tempura. Seems to work better than even a freshly opened retail bottle. Not sure why it would be any more effective there but my batter goes delightfully fizzy on command. Thanks for watching and enjoy the cheaper bubbles!

[@iIiWARHEADiIi]

Wouldn't it be cheaper and safer to buy 2kg or even better 10kg co2 bottle, some pressure reducer to 3bar and some pipe with sodastream adaptor to connect to sodastream directly. Im currently start looking on beer keg for soda, possible to find 5l version and user feedbacks are more positive than for sodastreams.

[@MrSporksHands]

I discuss this in the update video but for me, no, it wasn't cheaper. The math never gets repaid for all the extra gizmos when you consider that ALL tanks, big or small, have an expiration date. Plus for anyone not in a metro area the shipping is considerable whereas you can get SS cylinders at any big box store even out in hinterlands. Your math may vary but when I counted the costs of 'big tank' I would have had to consume lab rat quantities several times my bodyweight to make it more cost effective. I see zero case for any safety differences.

[@iIiWARHEADiIi]

@@MrSporksHands here in europe it is quite cheap to order 10kg gas tank. It will cost 22euro to exchange. First time you need to pay 130euro for the tank, but later you can return that money if you dont need it anymore. And with exchange you constantly would get updated gas tank. But as you said, it is strongly depends on shops around you. In our case i have no idea where to get dry ice.

[@stevenseward1557]

What an excellent video! Narrator speaks clearly and shows every detail of the process, including helpful tips. Thanks!

[@MrSporksHands]

Greatly appreciate the kinds words. Hopefully I've cleaned up even more of the rough edges since my first one here. Thanks for watching.

[@ronzawora]

I've never searched but always wondered if anyone had tear down maintenance videos on their soda stream along with attempts to carbonate non-conventional beverages that likely do not exist on the open market because the carbonic acid ruins their taste - such as orange juice or iced teas. I need to service my unit to test more beverages for experimentation. This video was old but good and I just discovered it today!

[@stevef4010]

MIO works good

[@wolffang489]

I've seen a couple people (regret) carbonating milk.

[@greggv8]

You can only carbonate water. If you put something in the water then shoot it full of C02, it'll blow all over the place when you unscrew the bottle. I did that once with an original Soda Stream that used glass bottles and a lever to clamp and seal the bottle inside. Had a bottle of root beer go flat so I wanted to give it some more gas. Not a fun result.

[@urughak]

I love you Canadians. Thanks so much! A neighbor friend was moving and gave me her soda stream and I love seltzer so I'm starting to use this thing. Your walkthrough is gonna save me a ton!

[@MrSporksHands]

Happy to help. I suspect DIY refills have saved a lot of these gizmos from languishing in the back of closets. Really makes them affordable to use again. Thanks for watching. We Canadians love you too.

[@melcoats9696]

I was about to throw my SodaStream away, tired of paying for refills. Can't wait to try this! Thank you!

[@MrSporksHands]

I stopped using mine for months until the idea light went on. Hope it helps you. Thanks for watching!

[@johnferguson4089]

What a great tip. I've just bought a Sodastream Spirit and have not yet had to get a refill. All I now need to do is to look to find where I can get the CO2 beads. Thanks for the great idea.

[@MrSporksHands]

Really makes them affordable doing your own refills. Have fun with the new bubbles and thanks for watching.

[@DeanRendar]

I was going to go 3rd party for a carbonator, but this method I'd probably just find a second hand unit and make refills this way. The spreadsheet shows you care about the details. Well done.

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad the math helped. It really just didn't make sense in my case either to go with another big tank/hoses/etc. Plus I like the portability of the unit as it sits. Thanks for watching!

[@cyberherbalist]

I just did this, following your directions, Mr. Spork! It worked OK, although I ran into a few glitches in connection with loading the CO2 pellets. First one was yes, I thought I had a funnel, but no, I couldn't find it. Second, my pellets were not pellets like you had, but they were mostly shaped like little cylinders -- like the pellets for wood pellet stoves. So they didn't flow easily into the sodastream tanks, and so the funnel probably wouldn't have worked very well either. It ended up taking longer to get the pellets into the tanks, and I'll bet I lost a significant amount of CO2 through sublimation due to the extra time taken. Because I had to hold the tanks over the CO2 box, my fingers got quite frosty, even in my oven gloves -- until I added an extra layer of insulation with a towel. Another issue was the pellets came in a sealed styrofoam container, and towards the end of the project my scoop started dredging up styrofoam along with pellets! Yikes! I think I got a few styrofoam particles into the last tank. Probably won't hurt. You had an insulated tub for this, and next time that's what I will use, once I find one. I did manage to fill three CO2 bottles -- though I did expect to be able to fill five. So I still saved money on this. I did try grinding pellets up in my herb/coffee grinder, and that didn't work very well, because ground up Co2 pellets do not flow like sand -- they kind of stick together in clumps -- so I couldn't really "pour" them. But if I had had a funnel, then it would have worked! So I have a better idea of how to do this for next time.

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad you had some success. The first time I too tried without a funnel and got it everywhere. It'll be that much easier next time. Appreciate you watching and hope you enjoy the bubbles. Cheers!

[@SMG707]

KZbin algorithm is weird

[@CockroachFPV]

yes, I don't drink soda water

[@chukwow5738]

Cockroach FPV Dang, YT should know that!!!😁

[@JFPriest]

Popped up on mine today..We we in Walmart and went by a display of Soda Streams..(And we made a comment about them) ..Wonder if the Cell phone I had in my pocket picked this up and caused the algorithmic notification ?

[@MrSporksHands]

I was as surpised as anyone to open my dashboard to 300+ comments. Thanks for watching weird me and my fizzing obsessions. Cheers!

[@leifsalvesen9505]

@@MrSporksHands i gotta giwe you, a Like four that one. and a comment.

[@AlanTrulock]

This was your fist KZbin video? Well done! Bravo! Now for me to see what is easier to get in my area between gas and frozen CO2.

[@michellerodriguez5742]

Thank you ..I didnt know you could refill the cartridges..They get expensive..Great tip..

[@MrSporksHands]

Really makes the math work out to be useful for sure. Thanks for watching!

[@Anand-qb1wp]

My kinda guy. He does the spreadsheet with all the nitty gritty. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@mhashi7274]

Tried the refilling with dry ice for the first time today. At the end, gas was leaking through the security (burst) valve. After reading some comments here, thought the security valve was damaged. But no, the issue was all about a tiny silver round cap that goes inside the hole of the security valve, which was missing. I think this cap breaks whenever there is overpressure in the cilinder. When I first unscrewed the security valve, I totally removed it from the main valve and didn't notice the cap going away. Fortunatelly, my wife found it on the floor and I could put it back in place. So, if you totally remove the security valve, be aware not to loose this cap. Thanks for the video!

[@MrSporksHands]

+1 Wife eyes! It would have been lost forever in my house. You're spot on with how the burst valve works in that the 'disc' is the mechanism that triggers. I've noticed some of mine are held in with a little gasket and others loose in the cap. Well spotted and glad you were able to salvage the refill. Thanks for watching!

[@henderthing]

Well done video! One suggestion... The fittings on my canisters were extremely tight. Tapping/muscling a single wrench just wasn't getting them loose. A strap wrench applied to the canister (in addition to the crescent wrench on the fitting) really helped increase torque applied, and required no tapping.

[@MrSporksHands]

Agreed. This idea came up earlier in the comments and I tested it using a bench vice on the main valve nut (mounted "upside down" in the vice) and the strap wrench on the cylinder. Works like a charm. I have on my list to do an updated video on my next "fill day". Thanks for watching!

[@jahnbon]

Oh, the money I've wasted before discovering this!! Thank you!

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad you'll save a few coins making bubbles. Cheers!

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

Today we learn that Soda Bubbles = Dry Ice :-)

[@MrSporksHands]

SCIENCE! Thanks for watching.

[@kaufmanat1]

Carbon dioxide... Weird I know.

[@jlfose]

The process works great. Thanks for the video. I recommend doing this under a kitchen hood that vents to outside just in case the CO2 levels get to high in the house. I got the cube kind of dry ice and found that a large-ish mortar and pestle makes grinding down the crystals easy and fast. Last tip would be that I put the cylinders wrapped in paper towel into a bench vise to hold it while I turned the valve off. Of course its lightly tightened in the vice, just enough to hold it, and not dig into the cylinder.

[@MrSporksHands]

Well spotted on the bench vise Jeff. When I get new cylinders now that's the approach I use. Glad it's working for you. Thanks for watching and the field report. Cheers!

[@jimmymels]

I had zero idea this was how the C02 was refilled. You're gonna save me a fortune!

[@MrSporksHands]

It really does bring these gizmos back into the realm of usable on the cost front. Enjoy the cheaper fizz and thanks for watching.

[@terrencebrewton8636]

This the most informative video that will give step by steps to refill your Sodastream CO2 bottle. His instruction will pay about 5$ USD per a bottle. I have followed his instructions over two times. THE INSTRUCTIONS WORK. However I'm lazy. To my embarrassed I have purchased 5 LB tank with the soda stream adaptors featured on Amazon (Just search on Amazon for 5 Lb tank and Soda Stream Adapter). If you are lazy like me, you will NOT save money if you don't follow this video again you will not save money. Mr Spork if your reading this let me know when you are in San Antonio I owe you beers all nights.

[@MrSporksHands]

Hi Terrence, thanks for the kind words. I explored bigger tanks myself but the math for those plus the adapters never worked to my advantage mainly because of shipping and the expiration of the tanks. I don't drink quick enough to hit the break even point but everyone's calculations will be different especially depending on your access to gas suppliers - I'm out in the sticks here. I talk about it a bit more in the update video I posted a couple weeks ago. Thanks again for watching and I'll take you up on those beers when next I find myself in Texas. Cheers!

[@ernestells6791]

Thank you for sharing I am one of those Americans and I also appreciate saving a few dollars here and there so thank you once again

[@michaeljorgensen790]

I have 6 130L CO2 bottles which I refill using this method every 3 or 4 years. I am convinced that Soda Stream stopped selling the large capacity bottles in order to make it harder to use this method in order to sell more 60L CO2 refills. But that is just my opinion.

[@sbwyo1966]

Great video. I've done this procedure and it was simple. As someone who drinks a TON of carbonated drinks (NOT sodas......the usual calorie-free, sugar-free type), the cost-saving is immense. In SoCal where I live, the best deal on replacement cylinders is at Bed, Bath and Beyond, for $25/each. It's usually much more at other places. With the dry ice solution, it's less than $2 plus the effort involved, which takes about 10 min. No comparison.

[@MrSporksHands]

Well done. I'm a fan of mint and watermelon (no sugar) myself. Really anything out of the garden I can muddle in a glass and pour fizz over. Thanks for watching and enjoy the (cheaper) bubbles. - MSH

[@johnsabilla5897]

Your first youtube video is a banger!

[@harmonic81]

Mr Spork, Excellent video. No more waiting for the local store to get a shipment from the mainland for refills! Mahalo

[@Life_With_Lucky_Luke]

Super cool. Great teaching material for solid / liquid / gas explanations. Nice work fellow Canadian! Very novel way of doing refills.

[@MrSporksHands]

I appreciate the kind words Luke. A little science goes a long way. Thanks for watching!

[@EskimoPeelot]

Thanks for the video. Being descriptive but not overly descriptive was great. All DIY type videos need to watch and learn about how to do these KZbin movies.

[@MrSporksHands]

I appreciate the kind words. Hopefully I've gotten a bit better over time since this starter vid all those years ago. Thanks for watching!

[@estbeta]

That’s a really clever solution, I am not using a Sodastream any longer due to the poor build quality of the apparatus but this would have saved me some big bucks. I now use a ISI siphon and those cartridges are cheaper but still pricey

[@OffTheRailGaming]

Thanks for this video man. I'm gonna try this soon and I'm hyped. Very cool.

[@MrSporksHands]

Welcome to the world of cheap fizz, Dylan. Thanks for watching!

[@dfgdfg_]

20 sodastream employees didn't like this ;)

[@MrSporksHands]

+dfgdfg Hahaha. THAT'S who those people are! Thanks mate. Made me laugh.

[@Jamac007]

145 now hahaha

[@tonilutes9575]

Hah, now it’s 162!

[@romyenglish]

They can all kiss my pecker

[@gotitonmp3]

I was working in the SodaStream in NL for five months. It was like 8 years ago.

[@johnhoog8279]

When using an adjustable wrench, the adjustable bit should always face the direction of action, or you run the risk of rounding the nut edges. Otherwise great video!

[@MrSporksHands]

You are 100% correct and I've been caught out on this early in the comments. I was just too pre-occupied with fumbling with the camera on my first go. Thanks for watching!

[@johnhoog8279]

@@MrSporksHands I don't have a Sodastream but it was a really interesting video. Thank you for making it.

[@Nelson4207]

I personally did not know that. Ty for the knowledge =)

[@ericsalidbar1693]

Nelson4207 same here then again I don't use that tool I go for exact size

[@MrFukyootoob]

@@MrSporksHands also co2 has no liquid state, it sublimates directly from solid to vapor/gas state. It does not "melt" from solid to liquid and then "boil" from liquid to gas state like most other fluids that have three states, co2 only has 2 states: solid, and gaseous. Just a little info.

[@Pabloworldwide]

Thanks mate. I just purchased a 6kg CO2 tank with a soda stream adapter. Costs me about $30 AUD every 3 months to fill. I will use your method to refil my stock gas cylinders that are sitting in my garage.

[@crashsitetube]

As others note, exactly what I was trying to find. Everyone who makes a how-to video on KZbin (and elsewhere) should watch this to see how it should be done. Live long and prorsper Mr. Spork.

[@MrSporksHands]

I do appreciate the kind words greatly. Other duties have kept me busy of late (I'm only catching up to comments today because it's the Canada Day holiday) but I shall soon return with more new video madness from up north. In the meantime, thanks again for watching and enjoy the bubbles! - MSH

[@crashsitetube]

I was going to give the dry ice fill a try but, I live in a small cow town in the middle of Oregon and the only place that seems to sell the dry ice is one of the grocery stores. But, they sell it only in 5 lb blocks at about US$20. I have 2 Sodastream CO2 tanks and even if I empty both and refill together, I will waste 2/3 of the ice (since I have no refrigeration to keep it). For me the solution was to buy a tank of CO2 and the refill adapter (which I still awaiting from China). That doesn't change the information I got from your video and it helped me decide the best route for me...at least I hope that's the way it turns out.

[@coheneli3807]

❤❤❤❤ this is a great video! So natural and enjoyable to watch plus great information!

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks for the kind words and the view. Enjoy the cheaper bubbles!

[@davidhart3629]

Just got one ... the video could not of been better tks

[@MrSporksHands]

You're very welcome. They sometimes give you a 'trial' fill on the cylinder that comes with the new units so it may not last as long the first time around. Rather like they do with ink cartridges in new printers. Sneaky. Thanks for watching!

[@dorenelwillis]

Very professionally done. Precise measurements and instructions. Thank you!!!

[@freewaybaby]

I did this after watching your video about a month ago. I couldn’t find pelletized dry ice anywhere so I bought the slab stuff and broke it up with a hammer. But when I contacted the dry ice company to see if it was food grade, they wrote me back and told me that it wasn’t recommended to use for that purpose! And when I wrote them back to ask them if it was food grade or not like I originally asked, they ignored the email and didn’t respond... great customer service huh‽ Well, I did it anyway. The only real problem I had was in trying to get the tops of the canisters off. I’m sure it won’t be hard the next time though since they’ve been off now. But no kidding, I had to get a guy to help to open the damn things and it wasn’t that easy for him either! Definitely worth the savings...assuming it’s not toxic, which I never really got a clear answer on! Thanks Penguin Ice! LOL

[@MrSporksHands]

If it's any comfort, my supplier tells me that if ANY of their customers need food safe, they simply stock that and give it to everyone. Even industrial customers that don't care. It's cheaper for them that way. If your blocks were intended for food shipments, I'll wager you're in the clear but keep banging on them for an answer. They should know that, eh? I'm waiting on a bench vise to show up so I can make a video for you kind folks on my improved valve removal method but basically you mount it upside down in the clamps and use a strap wrench to turn the cylinder. You're right though that after the first time, they'll be an easy twist to get out. Enjoy the fizz and thanks for watching!

[@eboracum]

Really wish I'd come across this earlier. Brilliant!

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad you found me! Hope it helps out with the carbonation budget in future. Thanks for watching!

[@patis3305]

Wow! Thanks! Pretty AMAZING!! Thanks for spending your time to show us!!

[@funbucker846]

This design is very human.

[@richardgenck2692]

That was INSANELY easy to do, thank you!!

[@MrSporksHands]

Glad it helped get you to cheaper bubbles. Thanks for watching!

[@DrLeePhD]

thanks for making this video! I've slowly stockpiled these 60L co2 tanks from thrift stores and garage sales to refill a bunch of tanks at once! initially, Having only two tanks, I had to do this refill process more often than I wanted and had difficulty buying smaller quantities of block dry ice at the grocery store. I haven't found this pelletized ice like you're using, but had great results just running chunks of dry ice in a blender then they seem to fill tanks quite easily.

[@MrSporksHands]

I haven't needed to tackle the dry ice chunks but that sounds as good an idea as any. A large ziplock back wrapped in a somewhat expendable bath towel and some frustration therapy with a rubber mallet works well too I hear. Good luck and thanks for watching! - MSH

[@tomstev5026]

You are so awesome. I totally forgot about this trick. We used to do this in high school to refill our co2 tanks for our paintball guns instead of paying $15-20 at the sporting goods store. Thanks for reminding me of a way to save a lot of cash!

[@MrSporksHands]

Thanks mate. Exactly the same place I learned the trick many years ago when I too ran around in the woods shooting my friends with orange paint. LOL Appreciate you watching.

[@Freestila]

Wow, 15-20$ for a filled co2 cylinder? In Germany you pay around 6$ per refill. Maybe sodastream is more popular here, since you can get refills in nearly every Supermarket here.

[@bradmcmahon3156]

Wow. It's around AUD$20 in Australia for a swap. That is around 12.50 Euro.

[@hirvihirvi897]

It´s like 5€/ per refill in Finland. You can find more expensive if you go looking thou.

[@pr3nzlb3rg3r]

I pay 8 €. Where do you get it for 5,40€ ?

[@court2379]

They are not that available in the western US. Probably a population density issue.

[@upcycleengineer7825]

Freestila F. Carbonated water isn’t as popular here as it is in Germany. When I lived in Bamberg, if I asked for water it always came with bubbles. Maybe because it’s common there is why it’s cheaper.

[@willmadsen6838]

Utah sells these for 45$ in Walmart bro you’ve saved me so much. Imma grab some dry ice tomorrow

[@MrSporksHands]

Well done. It's saved me a ton on lime seltzer over the years. Happy fizzing!

[@ericsalidbar1693]

Are you serious? $45 for a refill?!?!? Do you get money back for returning it or what?

[@puttersammy]

As everyone agrees, great video, thanks for doing it. Might I add, when you replace the valve onto the tank, lubricate the o-ring (gasket) with a bit of silicone grease (or similar). It will seal better and last longer.

[@DS-pv2bj]

Pete Nauth food grade lubricants **

[@wizard3z868]

yes they sell food safe grease and if all else petroleum jelly is a good substitute

[@sandkeyfred]

A strap wrench works great for holding the cylinder secure while the valve is removed with a 15/16" wrench. To reassemble it is not necessary to tighten as much as it was. I usually just snug it up by holding the tank in my hand & tighten the valve & it seals fine and it makes getting the valve off much easier in the future.

[@MrSporksHands]

The strap wrench idea came up a while back in comments and it does indeed do a good job. On new tanks I use a (padded) bench vice to hold the valve now (with the cylinder sticking up in the air) then whip the strap around it. Works a treat and no more banging. Agreed on the hand snug as long as your gaskets are in good shape. Thanks for watching! - MSH

[@michaelsmith4904]

Thank you for making this video! I had read that you could take the top off and put dry ice in, but I could not get it to turn using a wrench. After watching the video I tried tapping it but that didn't work either. Finally I took a rubber mallet and beat on the wrench and after about a minute of pounding on it - to my surprise - it turned and I was able to get the top off! By the way, the only reason I took the trouble to go this route is that SodaStream discontinued the so-called 130L refills. It's already expensive enough but the smaller refills are 50% the price but you only get 43.8% as much CO2! So SodaStream discontinuing what was the most "economical" option they offered was really adding insult to injury and made me determined to really express my dissatisfaction by not buying any more CO2 from them.

[@mockingbird2293]

it worked for me. No leak, no danger.

[@MrSporksHands]

Well done Kingsley. Enjoy the fizzing and thanks for watching.

[@ryanwilliams9644]

So much easier than the tother crazy complicated videos w welding etc

[@JarvidO]

Got recommended this after watching NileRed's carbonating water with diamonds video

[@Snoopy4156]

Jarvid Videodram i did too funny 🤣