For those with Sodastreams, what is your DIY refilling method?

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Wolf555

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#271702 23-May-2020 07:52

We're wanting to pick up a Sodastream this weekend finally as we drink quite a bit of sparkling water (any recommendations to mimic the sparkling water + lemon you can buy at the supermarket?) but wanting to know how you guys refill your tanks.

There seems to be a few methods and to be honest I'm willing to sacrifice a little bit of cost for something relatively easy and safe to do.

1) Refill with dry ice - you seem to be able to buy pellets in NZ fine and it seems to be as simple as unscrewing the lid/valve and putting in 400g and done. Anyone do this method? What do you pay for your dry ice and do you buy just what you need at a time or is it fine to store bulk of this?

2) Refill your own sodastream canister - so this one you seem to need an attachment (any good recommendations? There seems to be a lot out there, even on Trademe) and obviously a larger tank. I think having a liquid tank is more cost efficient right, but then you need to invert it or need a second attachment? (a siphon?)

3) Connect a larger tank directly to your sodastream - again, need an attachment (and a hose). Probably my least preferred option (but maybe the cheapest?) as depending on the size of the tank not a lot of room in the kitchen/under the sink etc for a large tank. Regardless, those that do this - where do you buy/refill your tanks?

4) Briscoes 50% off sale and get a refill - if all else fails

Not sure if I've missed any methods but figured there must be some people here who have figured out the best way.

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#2489921 23-May-2020 08:09

Mate of mine did option 3. Had a dive tank sized tank sitting under the bench, hose coming up into the back of the soda stream.

Bit of a setup cost, but very cheap to refill, and you wouldn't have to refill very often. eg https://www.co2-bottle-refill.co.nz/ (random google result). Looks like you could probably get your fittings required reasonably easily, as they are commonly uesd for home brewing.

surfisup1000

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#2489922 23-May-2020 08:16

We have a Co2 tank, regulator, and bottle cap adaptor. We fill 2.25l coke bottles with cold water, attach the Cap adapter , open the valve, shake the bottle, and we have a bottle of fizzy water.

Our Co2 tank lasts over a year and costs $40 to fill.

This..

https://www.seriouseats.com/2014/06/pros-cons-diy-carbonation-rig-how-to-carbonate-cocktails-at-home-equipment-how-to-build-cheaper-sodastream-replacement.html

BlinkyBill

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#2489930 23-May-2020 08:43

Are you aware that SodaStream exploits workers in Palestine, paying low wages for oppressively long hours? Surely there are alternatives that do not exploit vulnerable workers in this way.

sbiddle

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#2489943 23-May-2020 09:22

BlinkyBill:

Are you aware that SodaStream exploits workers in Palestine, paying low wages for oppressively long hours? Surely there are alternatives that do not exploit vulnerable workers in this way.

Huh? No they don't.

If you're referring to their factory in the West Bank that was the subject of Sodastream boycotts you presumably haven't caught up with the news that this was shuttered years ago because of the boycott.

Ultimately the boycott was so successful it resulted in Sodastream moving the factory from the West Bank back to Isreal, when resulted in all the Palestinian workers losing their jobs...

BlinkyBill

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#2489966 23-May-2020 10:14

sbiddle:

BlinkyBill:

Are you aware that SodaStream exploits workers in Palestine, paying low wages for oppressively long hours? Surely there are alternatives that do not exploit vulnerable workers in this way.

Huh? No they don't.

If you're referring to their factory in the West Bank that was the subject of Sodastream boycotts you presumably haven't caught up with the news that this was shuttered years ago because of the boycott.

Ultimately the boycott was so successful it resulted in Sodastream moving the factory from the West Bank back to Isreal, when resulted in all the Palestinian workers losing their jobs...

I am aware of that, apologise for the extremely minor error. The fact remains, the company is exploitative, rascist (Israeli Management, Palestinian employees), and homophobic.

Wolf555

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#2489967 23-May-2020 10:17

Dude I just want some sparkling water...

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BlinkyBill

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#2489969 23-May-2020 10:33

Wolf555:

Dude I just want some sparkling water...

OK, I just wanted to provide a bit of information that might help with your buying decision.

Stu1

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#2489970 23-May-2020 10:39

I’m simple I just grab refills at Briscoes when on sale which is normally every week

surfisup1000

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#2489973 23-May-2020 10:55

BlinkyBill:

Are you aware that SodaStream exploits workers in Palestine, paying low wages for oppressively long hours? Surely there are alternatives that do not exploit vulnerable workers in this way.

Couldn't the same could be said of many western companies who choose to shift their manufacturing operations to low wage economies? The global economy is based on operational mobility and worker exploitation.

But, the overall trend is that 3rd world working conditions are gradually improving.

BlinkyBill

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#2489980 23-May-2020 11:18

surfisup1000:

BlinkyBill:

Are you aware that SodaStream exploits workers in Palestine, paying low wages for oppressively long hours? Surely there are alternatives that do not exploit vulnerable workers in this way.

Couldn't the same could be said of many western companies who choose to shift their manufacturing operations to low wage economies? The global economy is based on operational mobility and worker exploitation.

But, the overall trend is that 3rd world working conditions are gradually improving.

Sodastream was bought by an Israeli business, I can’t remember when, and I think there is a difference between a company locally owned-and-managed cynically exploiting local Workers on a rascist basis; and a business owner moving manufacturing to a lower-cost situation (like, for example, Katmandu has done).

Exploitation of low-skilled and low-educated workers is rampant globally; but SodaStream is pretty bad since they can’t claim ignorance in any way, shape or form for their actions. What really irritates me about SodaStream is their cynical attitude towards the $ at all costs, and their history of overt rascism, and exploitation of minorities.

I believe Sodastream is now owned by PepsiCo, which puts PepsiCo in a bad light as well.

so to answer your question - no this is not the same as moving manufacturing to a low-wage economy, which can be done without cynical exploitation.

richms

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#2489986 23-May-2020 11:53

Is there anywhere I can take them to and pay them to refill them up rather than swapping at mitre10 or similar? Seems that might be a cheaper way to go if someone does it. I have 5 small and 3 large ones that I would just take and get most done at once.

Also will places swap the small for the big when trading them in? I got all the small ones when I had the old machine that didnt do big ones.

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cruxis

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#2490070 23-May-2020 14:41

I use method 1, I take down a empty ice cream container to BOC the gas shop Christchurch, the shopkeeper fills it with pellets for 10$. With that I put about 400 grams in 2 bottles and dump the left overs. The pellets are nicely shaped like tubes, they are easy to drop into the gas bottle.

So yeah 2 bottles refilled for 10$.

neb

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#2490136 23-May-2020 17:52

Wolf555:
any recommendations to mimic the sparkling water + lemon you can buy at the supermarket?

Load it up with sugar. Depending on what specific product you're referring to, you're most likely being sold a supersaturated sugar solution with a touch of fizz and lemon essence.

In other words you may not be able to reproduce what you're getting at the Supermarket, but then again it'll be a lot less unhealthy.

Wolf555

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#2490139 23-May-2020 17:58

neb:
Wolf555:

any recommendations to mimic the sparkling water + lemon you can buy at the supermarket?
Load it up with sugar. Depending on what specific product you're referring to, you're most likely being sold a supersaturated sugar solution with a touch of fizz and lemon essence. In other words you may not be able to reproduce what you're getting at the Supermarket, but then again it'll be a lot less unhealthy.

What sparkling water is loaded with sugar?? I just checked the label for the ones we had been getting, Kiwi Blue Sparkling Water Lemon, and it has no calories/sugar. It's literally just "Carbonated Spring Water, Food Acid (330), Flavour."

Wolf555

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#2490140 23-May-2020 18:00

cruxis:

I use method 1, I take down a empty ice cream container to BOC the gas shop Christchurch, the shopkeeper fills it with pellets for 10$. With that I put about 400 grams in 2 bottles and dump the left overs. The pellets are nicely shaped like tubes, they are easy to drop into the gas bottle.

So yeah 2 bottles refilled for 10$.

Not in Chch so wonder how shipping works with dry ice. Their website also asks me to register before they show prices. Do you have any issues with leakage? I hear that's common when refilling your own. Was it straight forward to get the top off (at least the first time)?

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