Build a Home Soda Water System

(Carbonated water for about 4 cents per liter)

Soda water, seltzer water, sparkling water, carbonated water, bubbly water – whatever it's called, I love the stuff. However, at about a dollar a liter, it is surprisingly expensive and a pain to haul from the market.  

 

About ten years ago, I came up with a water carbonating system that works well for me. The entire system fits under a kitchen sink. It consists of a 5 pound, high pressure bottle of carbon dioxide (CO2), a pressure regulator with gauges, a fire extinguisher mount, and some hose and connectors. By shaking two liter bottles of refrigerated water connected to the CO2, you can make soda as fizzy as you like.

 

 

The parts to build this system cost under $200 and it takes an hour or so to install. Refilling the CO2 tank at our local fire extinguisher supply shop costs $9 and provides us with enough gas to make soda water for a year.  Soda water made with this system costs roughly four cents a liter. We drink about 2 liters a day, so in theory, the system paid for itself well within its first year. Because making soda water is so inexpensive and convenient, our consumption is higher than it would be if we were buying it. The true period to recover the cost of the system is a matter for debate.

There are other options for home soda water systems. I've outlined some of them here.

CAUTION!

Before describing how to build this system, it is good to go over a few precautions. Please read them!

 

General Warnings:  There are no guarantees the information presented here is complete or correct. Use common sense and follow all printed warnings including those on the high pressure CO2 bottle. This system, like all carbonating systems, uses a source of very high pressure CO2 gas. CO2 and high pressure vessels are inherently dangerous. A ruptured CO2bottle can propel itself like a rocket and may cause injury or death. Secure your bottle to an interior wall or cabinet. It is critical you understand how your pressure regulator works. Never adjust the regulated pressure above 40 psi. Failure to set the pressure regulator properly may cause soda bottles to explode. Replace plastic soda bottles frequently or when damaged to avoid rupture and explosion when refilling. A gas leak from a CO2 bottle could cause rapid suffocation and death. Keep children away from the CO2bottle. If you locate your system inside a cabinet, use child-proof devices to prevent access to the system. Mount and secure the CO2bottle above the floor of your installation location to keep it dry. Liquids can corrode and damage your CO2 tank. If you have any reservations about installing this system, don't!

 

Warnings from CO2 Bottle: HIGH PRESSURE LIQUID AND GAS. CAN CAUSE RAPID SUFFOCATION AND DEATH. CAN INCREASE RESPIRATION AND HEART RATE. MAY CAUSE FROSTBITE. Secure cylinder in storage and use. Avoid breathing gas. Store and use with adequate ventilation. Do not get liquid in eyes, on skin or clothing. Cylinder temperature should not exceed 125°F (52°C). Use equipment rated for cylinder pressure. Close valve after each use and when empty. Use in accordance with Material Safety Data Sheet. NOTE: Suck-back into cylinder may cause rupture. Always use a back flow preventive device in the piping. CAUTION: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription. FIRST AID: IF INHALED, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician. IN CASE OF FROSTBITE, obtain medical treatment immediately. Return with 25 PSIG pressure.

 

Ok. There.

 

Now, if you are still interested, find an appropriate and safe location for your carbonation system before buying parts. Make sure you have adequate space to hold the system. You will need an empty space of about 12" wide x 12" deep x 22" high for a 5 lb. CO2 bottle with pressure regulator. I have ours installed in the cabinet under our kitchen sink, but there are other possibilities.

Parts List and Sources

Item (click to view or order)

  

 Cost 

 Source 
5lb CO2 Bottle

1

  $   57.00 Beverage Factory Cellar Homebrew,  The Cellar Homebrew
Amerex 862 Fire Extinguisher Bracket 1 1  $   27.00 AAA Fire & Safety, Inc., Seattle
Double Gauge Regulator w/shutoff 1  $   38.00 Beverage Factory,  The Cellar Homebrew
5/16 Inch ID Air Tubing (5 ft) w/ 2 clamps 1  $    4.00 Beverage Factory,  The Cellar Homebrew
Ball Lock Gas Quick Disconnect 1  $    7.00 Beverage Factory,  The Cellar Homebrew
Carbonator® Soda Bottle Adapter (x2) 2  $   24.00

Beer Beer and More Beer,  The Cellar Homebrew, Bob's Home Brew Supply,2821 NE 55th Street, Seattle (206) 527-9283  
Tubing Retractor (Badge Reel) 2 1  $    6.00 Office Max
Cable Tie (with screw hole) 1  $    0.10 Home Depot
Wood Screws 3 Home Depot
Penny Washers 3 Home Depot
Empty 2 Liter Soda Bottles 2

     
Shipping (estimated)  $   20.00
Sub-Total  $  183.10
Tax  $   16.30
Grand Total - (Parts)    $ 199.40  

 

Operating Costs:

Yearly Bottle Refills

 $    9.00

Bottle Pressure Test (Every 5 years)  $   23.00

 

Notes on the Parts List:  

1 This is a very well made bracket that makes removing and replacing the CO2 bottle particularly easy.

   However, cheaper fire extinguisher brackets will do.

2 This automatically retracts the gas hose back into a cabinet and is a convenient way to manage a long gas hose.

 

Primary System Assembly

 

(1) 5lb CO2 Bottle

(2) Regulator Gauges

(3) CO2 Bottle Shutoff Valve

(4) Regulator Shutoff Valve

(5) Regulator Pressure Adjuster

(6) CO2Gas Tubing

(7) Ball Lock Gas Quick Disconnect

 

 

 

Installation Instructions

  • Attach pressure regulator and gauge assembly, (2) and (5), to threaded opening of CO2 bottle.

  • Before mounting the fire extinguisher bracket, make certain there is plenty of clearance for the top of the 5lb CO2 bottle as well as the regulator and gauges, when the bracket is mounted an inch or more above the floor of the cabinet. 

Pressure Regulator and Gauge Assembly
 

  • CAUTION: Make certain the walls of your cabinet (or other mounting surface) are strong and thick enough to support more than double the weight of a full CO2 bottle.  Make certain wood screws will not penetrate, and possibly damage electrical wiring, washing machines or other items behind the mounting wall.

  • The fire extinguisher bracket should be mounted securely an inch or more above cabinet floor. To do this, place a thick book on the floor of the cabinet and rest the bracket on top of the book.  With bracket resting on book, using the bracket as a template, make centering marks on the inside of the cabinet wall with a pencil.  Remove the bracket and drill pilot holes for wood screws.  Return the bracket, and fasten it to the cabinet wall with wood screws and penny-sized washers. 

  • Secure 5/16 tubing (6) to shut-off valve end of pressure regulator with tubing clamp (4).

  • Secure ball lock gas quick disconnect to other end of tubing with remaining tubing clamp (7).

  • Making certain all connections are complete, and regulator valve (4) is closed, slowly open main CO2 bottle valve (3).

  • Adjust pressure regulator (5) to 20 psi.

  

Fire Extinguisher Bracket

 

  • Slowly open regulator shutoff valve (4).

  • Test all connections for leaks.

  • Mount complete bottle, regulator, and tubing assembly on fire extinguisher bracket.

 

  

Regulator Shutoff Valve

 

  • Mount a retractable badge holder under within the top of the cabinet using a cable tie if necessary.

  • Connect retractable string to mid-point of tubing and adjust as needed.

 

 

  

Retractable Cord Connection to Tubing
Installed System

    

The installed soda water system should look something like this.

(note retractable badge holder and cord in upper right)

 

    

 

 

Instructions for Making Soda Water

  • Fill a 2 liter plastic soda bottle with water to the point where the bottle begins to taper. 

 

Filling a Bottle

  • Thread Carbonator soda bottle adapter on top of bottle, but not all the way – allow air to pass through bottle top.

  • Squeeze all the air out of the bottle.

  • Twist the Carbonator soda bottle adapter closed.

  

Squeezing Air from the Bottle

  • Refrigerate the bottle until completely chilled. Gases (such as CO2 ) dissolve much more readily in cold water.  Even cold tap water will not carbonate as well as refrigerated water.

  • While holding chilled soda bottle upright, connect carbonator soda bottle adapter to ball lock gas quick disconnect. If you haven't used a quick disconnect style connector, this may take some practice.

  • Turn bottle sideways and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. The longer and harder you shake, the more carbonated the water will become.

  • Turn bottle upright and remove ball lock quick disconnect

  • Serve !

  

Chilling a bottle before carbonation (left)

Carbonated bottle (right)

Questions or Comments?