Cooking & Baking

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)

24. Here's what you'll need

Thu Oct 11, 2012, 07:57 PM

Oct 2012

Typical bottle sizes are 5, 10, 15, 20 lbs. I have a 20 lb bottle which lasts for a very long time even though I make a lot. You'll need a regulator, dual gauge with a valve preferably. Mine goes to 40 psi. I wish it went a bit higher, but 40 is fine. You'll need a hose and a ball lock connector. Other than tephlon tape and a wrench, that's it. You can google these things and you might find them cheaper. I don't recommend buying a used tank because you don't know what's been in it and they need to be inspected every 5 years (I think), or you can't get them filled. Used regulators are OK. You might find the tank and regulator locally cheaper. Check with gas companies, welding supply shops, and home brew supply shops. You may want more than one carbonator cap. I have 3. There are videos on YouTube which show how to charge your bottles. Make sure you remove the plastic ring from used PEP bottles or you wont get a good seal. This same setup can be used to charge home brew beer kegs. You can also carbonate home brew in 2 liter bottles the same way as soda. If you buy commercial soda in PEP bottles, you can recharge leftovers and they don't go flat.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/kegging/tubing/tubing-kits/gas-connector-kit-bl-ball-lock-version.html
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/co2-cylinder-10-empty.html
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/dual-gauge-regulator-w-1-4mfl-backcheck-outlet.html
http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/the-carbonator.html

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Homemade sodas? [View all] shireen Sep 2012 OP

A friend has one of those soda machines and loves it. cbayer Sep 2012 #1

I've done ginger ale using yeast Retrograde Sep 2012 #4

You add the CO2 BEFORE you add flavoring eridani Sep 2012 #5

Yeasted sodas are very tricky Warpy Sep 2012 #2

I never thought it was all that tricky Major Nikon Oct 2012 #15

I make my own "syrups" and add club soda or sparkling water. no_hypocrisy Sep 2012 #3

I've done this, too Denninmi Sep 2012 #6

how do you make ginger ale syrup? shireen Oct 2012 #7

Two recipes no_hypocrisy Oct 2012 #9

thank you so much! shireen Oct 2012 #10

You're welcome. Hope you prefer your own brand to store-bought. no_hypocrisy Oct 2012 #11

Ginger syrup jackbenimble Oct 2012 #13

exactly what i need! shireen Oct 2012 #21

thanks everyone, those are great ideas. shireen Oct 2012 #8

there's a work around for the expense of the CO2 NMDemDist2 Oct 2012 #12

If you wanted to go that route there's no need to buy the sodastream at all Major Nikon Oct 2012 #16

oh great .... shireen Oct 2012 #20

Here's what you'll need Major Nikon Oct 2012 #24

but getting CO2 from a welding company is not food grade CO2. shireen Oct 2012 #19

crap! now you tell me! we've been using it for 3 years NMDemDist2 Oct 2012 #23

CO2 is CO2 Major Nikon Oct 2012 #26

When I was a kid, we has one of these... TreasonousBastard Oct 2012 #27

I have a pretty good amount of experience doing it Major Nikon Oct 2012 #14

thanks, i really like that ginger beer recipe. shireen Oct 2012 #18

There's no diffence really Major Nikon Oct 2012 #25

very yummy imgbitepolitic Oct 2012 #17

this is one of the reasons i love DU shireen Oct 2012 #22