How to carbonate water with SodaStream: everything you need to know

Sometimes all you want after a hearty meal is a drinking glass of cold cola or at least a fizzy, refreshing mineral water!

If you like the taste of carbonated water and the pleasantly tingling sensation it gives you, and if you’re also trying to give up sugary soft drinks, the idea of carbonating water at home probably appeals to you. It’s a simple, convenient, eco-friendly process and often more economical than buying sparkling water from stores.

The water carbonator does not require electricity or batteries. So how does it work? Find out below just how simple it is!

How is water being carbonated?

In nature, sparkling water forms naturally when volcanic gases dissolve in springs or natural wells. However, the carbonation level of this type of water is lighter than soda water, which is artificially carbonated by humans.

Soda water is created when carbon dioxide is infused into water under pressure, which leads to the formation of the bubbles we enjoy so much. The water becomes effervescent and often refreshes and quenches thirst better than uncarbonated water.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless gas and one of the most abundant gases in our atmosphere. It exists in solid, liquid, or gaseous states and is used in many chemical processes, including refrigeration and cooling.

The bubbles in carbonated water are created when CO₂ is forced under pressure into stilled water.

SodaStream, the expert in water carbonation

SodaStream devices work by releasing carbon dioxide under pressure into the water bottle. When you press the carbonation button or lever, the CO2 cylinder valve opens automatically, and the pressure inside the cylinder forces the gas directly into the water bottle.

We don’t know of an easier water carbonation system to use than SodaStream. SodaStream machines force carbon dioxide into water to turn it into sparkling water.

CO2 gas is stored inside a cylindrical container under high pressure. You’ll find it online and in stores under the name “SodaStream cylinder” or “SodaStream CO2 cylinder” - they are the same thing!

This gas is released from the cylinder only after you install it correctly in the SodaStream machine and press the button or lever (depending on the model). The water in the bottle fills with refreshing bubbles in just a few seconds. It couldn’t be simpler!

Why carbonate water at home instead of buying it from the store?

Drinks stay carbonated longer

Bottled soft drinks lose their flavor and freshness after opening, which is not the case with syrup bottles. Whether you choose sugar-free and calorie-free syrups, homemade syrups, or the quick option of SodaStream syrups, they last for weeks or even months after opening.

Imagine never having to buy PET bottles of mineral water or carbonated drinks again. A few bottles of syrup with various flavors are enough to create a variety of sparkling drinks for all tastes.

You save money and stop taking trips to the store

Carbonating water at home doesn’t just bring benefits related to fizz and freshness. For large families, the difference can even be seen on the weekly shopping receipt. You save money and no longer need to go to the store to buy a soda whenever you crave something refreshing!

You reduce plastic consumption

While you’re reading this article, 1 million single-use plastic bottles are being sold worldwide. ☹ Of course, recycling helps (when it actually happens, though we all know there are still issues, at least in Romania). However, if we don’t take concrete action globally to reduce plastic consumption, by 2050 the oceans will contain more plastic waste than fish.

Of all the plastic ever produced, only about 9% has been recycled, 12% has been burned, and 79% has ended up in nature, oceans, and landfills.

According to SodaStream, a single reusable bottle used with carbonation machines can replace over 3,000 single-use bottles.

You carbonate water safely and without risks

You may not know this, but SodaStream is the only manufacturer in the world of aluminum CO2 cylinders that has 100% control over each cylinder throughout its entire lifecycle. Third parties are never used to manufacture, test, fill, or maintain the CO2 cylinders.

With every refill, empty cylinders are returned to SodaStream factories, where they are inspected, tested, sterilized, and refilled with fresh, guaranteed-quality CO2.

Tips for your SodaStream machine

Use cold water from the fridge for longer-lasting carbonation!

If you use room-temperature water, you’ll notice that the drink loses its fizz much faster. This happens because CO2 molecules (like all molecules) are much more active at higher temperatures and can escape more easily. So we recommend always keeping a spare water bottle in the fridge, ready to be carbonated!

Buy one or more spare cylinders!

To make sure you don’t run out of CO2 at the worst possible moment - like in the middle of a party or during a hearty meal - we recommend having at least one spare cylinder.

Let’s imagine you have a total of 3 SodaStream cylinders: one comes free when you buy a SodaStream machine, and the other two are purchased separately.

When two of them are empty, you can order refills online without paying shipping costs. The refilled cylinders are delivered to your door, and you hand over the empty ones to the courier. While this process takes place, you use the third cylinder to carbonate water.

Always store the CO2 cylinder in a cool, dry place!

Do not expose or store cylinders near a heat source. Each carbonation cylinder is equipped with a unique safety valve that will safely release gas in the unlikely event that pressure inside the cylinder increases.

Re-carbonate your water!

If you feel that your soda has lost its fizz, you can add more gas. Attention! It is not recommended to carbonate water after adding syrup or other ingredients, as this may damage the machine and void the warranty.

Water carbonation, a technique that dates back centuries

You might think that water carbonators are a modern kitchen invention, but SodaStream dates back to the early 20th century. The artificial carbonation process is even older: in 1767, scientist Joseph Priestley carbonated water artificially for the first time in history. Twenty years later, a Swiss entrepreneur named Jacob Schweppes - does that sound familiar? 😊 - began selling the first carbonated drinks.

SodaStream was founded in 1903 in the United Kingdom and quickly became popular among the British upper class, including the royal household!

When it first launched, the product was available only to the very wealthy, but in the 1950s the company created a more affordable home carbonation system that ordinary families could also buy.

Since then, SodaStream has enjoyed tremendous success in Europe and the United States and is now probably the most popular brand of water carbonation machines. Have you tried it?

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