making soda water

[porthos]

i drink over 1 liter of soda water per day (store bought) thinking about making my own. for those that do so; what equiptment do you use??

[Mk42gunner]

Fifty years ago or so, I remember my Grandma making some. Seems like she added vinegar and baking soda to a glass of water.

No real idea of the proportions, but I remember it didn't taste bad.

Robert

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

SodaStream©

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

It can also be done the old timey way with yeast and a bit of sugar (1/2 oz per gallon). When I've done this, I've added grapefruit zest for flavor...it covers up the yeast flavor if you don't like yeast flavor.

[WRideout]

It can also be done the old timey way with yeast and a bit of sugar (1/2 oz per gallon). When I've done this, I've added grapefruit zest for flavor...it covers up the yeast flavor if you don't like yeast flavor.

This will certainly work. It is an alcoholic fermentation, so those who abstain might not want to do this. Keep in mind that the percentage of alcohol is dependent on the sugar dose. A small amount (one or two tablespoons in a quart of water) will not generate a lot of alcohol. That is how the old-fashioned root beer was made, with added RB extract.

You will need to seal the bottles to capture the CO2; an empty pop bottle with a tight fitting cap works fine. Once it is carbonated, the bottles can sit for quite a while with no harm. Bread yeast was most often used for a starter culture, back on the farm.

Wayne

[GhostHawk]

Ginger Beer, Root beer from scratch are easy ways to get carbonation with small amounts of alcohol.
Key is controlling sugar. More sugar = more alcohol.

I did a small batch of hard lemonade that was both easy and tasty. Wish I'd kept better notes.

For small batch's a glass gallon jug and a stopper with airlock works well.

Don't let the purists fool you. Regular twist off beer bottles cleaned, delabeled, sanitised worked fine in my capping machine. You do NOT have to have crown cap bottles.

A half hour trip to a busy bar the morning after will give you an abundance of bottles, boxes, etc.

We always soaked in the kitchen sink with soap and bleach. Scrubbed off labels, verified bottles were empty of foreign objects. Then sanitised in Dishwasher and packed in boxes once dry. Store inverted in boxes so anything liquid drains out and drys.

Hit a brewing store for a variety of yeasts. I used to use empty sunny D bottles for yeast farming. Once I had good growth they got labeled and moved into the fridge.

[farmerjim]

I make 12 liters of carbonated water for my wife about every 3rd day. I have a 20 lb CO2 cylinder from a welding supply that lasts about 2 years. I carbonate the water with a regulator set at 40 lbs of pressure in 2 liter plastic soda bottles. I connect the regulator to the bottles with beer brewing equipment. Get the water cold as cold water will hold more CO2.
Leave about 3 inches of air space , but squeeze the air out and tighten the cap. Pressurize the bottle and shake for about 30 seconds. Remove the pressurizing cap and put the regular cap back on.
This saves me about $2,000 a year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLFvw4CVKgY
This is the cap I use
https://www.amazon.com/Carbonation-Cap-Diffusion-Air-Stone/dp/B07P254KZX/ref=sr_1_2?crid=22OE1QR5811QB&keywords=carbonating+cap&qid=1680956746&sprefix=carbonating%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-2

The connector:
https://www.amazon.com/PERA-assembly-liquid-disconnect-brewing/dp/B079LX9575/ref=sxin_16_ci_mcx_mi_sr_m_il?content-id=amzn1.sym.14a38c0a-385f-4735-bb28-d2be35b783e1%3Aamzn1.sym.14a38c0a-385f-4735-bb28-d2be35b783e1&crid=22OE1QR5811QB&cv_ct_cx=carbonating+cap&keywords=carbonating+cap&pd_rd_i=B079LX9575&pd_rd_r=385966f9-1c54-4e00-9e29-b8afb814e964&pd_rd_w=IjOJ3&pd_rd_wg=bIA7A&pf_rd_p=14a38c0a-385f-4735-bb28-d2be35b783e1&pf_rd_r=B6FFJ4BQQPE64KT7VYYJ&qid=1680956746&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=carbonating%2Caps%2C244&sr=1-1-9eb59ba4-cd99-4f87-9222-b322340b23c8

Regulator

https://www.amazon.com/SKYTOU-Regulator-Homebrew-Kegerator-Dispensing/dp/B07SN4MV2R/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1AG3X5VN59PO7&keywords=co2+regulator&qid=1680956966&s=home-garden&sprefix=co2%2Cgarden%2C193&sr=1-2

By your tank and CO2 in a 20 lb cylinder. Much cheaper.

[MaryB]

I make 12 liters of carbonated water for my wife about every 3rd day. I have a 20 lb CO2 cylinder from a welding supply that lasts about 2 years. I carbonate the water with a regulator set at 40 lbs of pressure in 2 liter plastic soda bottles. I connect the regulator to the bottles with beer brewing equipment. Get the water cold as cold water will hold more CO2.
Leave about 3 inches of air space , but squeeze the air out and tighten the cap. Pressurize the bottle and shake for about 30 seconds. Remove the pressurizing cap and put the regular cap back on.
This saves me about $2,000 a year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLFvw4CVKgY
This is the cap I use
https://www.amazon.com/Carbonation-Cap-Diffusion-Air-Stone/dp/B07P254KZX/ref=sr_1_2?crid=22OE1QR5811QB&keywords=carbonating+cap&qid=1680956746&sprefix=carbonating%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-2

The connector:
https://www.amazon.com/PERA-assembly-liquid-disconnect-brewing/dp/B079LX9575/ref=sxin_16_ci_mcx_mi_sr_m_il?content-id=amzn1.sym.14a38c0a-385f-4735-bb28-d2be35b783e1%3Aamzn1.sym.14a38c0a-385f-4735-bb28-d2be35b783e1&crid=22OE1QR5811QB&cv_ct_cx=carbonating+cap&keywords=carbonating+cap&pd_rd_i=B079LX9575&pd_rd_r=385966f9-1c54-4e00-9e29-b8afb814e964&pd_rd_w=IjOJ3&pd_rd_wg=bIA7A&pf_rd_p=14a38c0a-385f-4735-bb28-d2be35b783e1&pf_rd_r=B6FFJ4BQQPE64KT7VYYJ&qid=1680956746&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=carbonating%2Caps%2C244&sr=1-1-9eb59ba4-cd99-4f87-9222-b322340b23c8

Regulator

https://www.amazon.com/SKYTOU-Regulator-Homebrew-Kegerator-Dispensing/dp/B07SN4MV2R/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1AG3X5VN59PO7&keywords=co2+regulator&qid=1680956966&s=home-garden&sprefix=co2%2Cgarden%2C193&sr=1-2

By your tank and CO2 in a 20 lb cylinder. Much cheaper.

Basically how I do it but I do 5 gallons at a time... If I find coke syrup cheap I make my own Coca Cola at a stronger strength! I like intense flavors! Local McDonald's runs theirs at a higher concentration too, where I got to liking it stronger. I knew the manager so I asked her what they did different.

The hose coming in the left wall of the beer fridge and going straight to a keg is my 30psi line, line to the divider block is at beer pressure of 12psi.

https://i.imgur.com/D9Dx5lS.jpg

[farmerjim]

If I had a refrigerator like MaryB, I would make my carbonated water like she does her beer and coke.
I have all the stuff to make home brew, But I will be having back surgery soon.(I should have had it last week)

[popper]

old-fashioned root beer
Uncle used to make it as a kid. Don't know what root he used but put it bottles in the basement with balloon over the spout. Grandma would get mad if it fizzed.

[ulav8r]

Have had sparkling water one time, it was one time too many. Bought some sparkling cider on clearance. Wife likes it but it has hardly any flavor, just a light burn from the carbonation. Not worth the dollar a bottle we spent on it in my opinion.

[perotter]

Baking soda and citric acid. Add water.

[Hogtamer]

May I ask what one does with that much carbonated water?

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

May I ask what one does with that much carbonated water?

Belch

[GregLaROCHE]

We started using a Soda Stream a number of years ago. We only make carbonated water, but we have gotten to like it so much and consume so much, that I am considering getting a CO2 bottle, fittings and regulator, to keep the expense down. Plus not always running out of the small CO2 bottles. I would suggest you try Sodastream first. It’s simple and a good way to figure out if it’s for you. Also, keep in mind that the water you use can really make a difference. We are lucky to have our own spring water that tastes great. I have tasted some made with chlorinated city water that didn’t taste that great to me. However, if you are used to drinking city water, it may taste good to you.

[.429&H110]

Back then when I was sugaring
I borrowed a soda syphon.
Fill the bottom with maple sap
put in a co2 cart,
presto, maple soda.
Mixes well with wild turkey,
with a little snow for garnish.

[porthos]

soda stream prices are too high for me. from what i can figure it will cost around $1 dollar per liter. i buy at the store for that. i'll need to look into c02 tanks; if i can figure out how to do it.

[GregLaROCHE]

How do you figure it costs $1.00 a bottle. We spend a fair amount on the refill canisters, but the three of us consume a lot. Also the price of the refills varies greatly. It’s best to shop around.

[porthos]

well , looking at the price of a soda stream co2 bottle the front shows 60L. i'm assuming that means 60 liters @ $ 30.00 per co2 bottle. my statement of $1.00 per liter is way off.(don't know where that came from). so 50 cents a liter is still a lot to pay for a bottle of co2. or , am i missing something in the cost per liter of soda water??

[GregLaROCHE]

We buy CO2 bottles for €9.99. That’s a little bit more than ten dollars, but everything is more expensive here. As I said before, you need to shop around for the CO2 bottles.

Actually, maybe you are counting the cost of a new bottle without a returned empty. Once you have the bottle, you can probably refill it for ten bucks. That’s sixty liters for ten bucks. Is that around 6 cents a liter.

[WRideout]

Back then when I was sugaring
I borrowed a soda syphon.
Fill the bottom with maple sap
put in a co2 cart,
presto, maple soda.
Mixes well with wild turkey,
with a little snow for garnish.

I take it that is "Wild Turkey," as in proper name.
Wayne

[porthos]

ok, thats better; didn't know that refill's were that cheap. i buy polar soda water in the plastic bottles. can i use these to store soda stream soda. and if so, what kind of shelf life can i expect??

[GregLaROCHE]

ok, thats better; didn't know that refill's were that cheap. i buy polar soda water in the plastic bottles. can i use these to store soda stream soda. and if so, what kind of shelf life can i expect??

I’ve thought about doing that, but haven’t yet. We’ve bought extra bottles for ours. Again, you’ve got to shop around. There’s a big difference in price. The bottles are heavy duty. They’ve been dropped and rolled around on the car floor for years now.

PS: The colder the water is, the more CO2 you can get into it. I once tried making Champagne out of white wine. It was a real fiasco! Good luck.