35 litre Sodastream cylinders - discontinuing.

[nutmeg31415]

Hi, I just wanted to check - Is there still no way to connect a 60L sodastream cylinder to the widget world kit? I currently use that to pressurise my Corny keg, and now it looks like I will need to purchase a regulator and expensive adaptor from germany in order to continue using sodastream gas with the keg? Ouch -that sounds like its going to be expensive!

Does anyone know of another way I could do this? I prefer to use sodastream as getting access to the gas is so easy. Does anyone know of a good regulator?

[mojonojo]

So, if I've got this straight, NOBODY (worldwide) markets an adapter to connect the "world-standard" Sodastream 60 bottles to anything useful?

Or is there some way of doing it with an external valve?

http://www.us-aquaristikshop.com/co2-ad ... ngrob.html and a co2 regulator should do it - i have the setup for my mobile corny rig

[nutmeg31415]

Thank you, I've ordered the bits, so hopefully they'll come soon! Currently got 32 pints of mild sat in the keg, and not much gas in my 35L cylinder. This is the first batch Ive brewed in years, so I was completely unaware of the whole sodastream 35L issue till Id already kegged, and gone out to get a refilled cylinder, only to find the one I got back wouldnt fit. Mind you, if it does take a while to arrive the beer could probably do with a bit of maturing, at least it would stop me drinking it too soon

[Baldbrewer]

Hi Guys,
Forgive my newbness, I'm looking at buying some cornies but am struggling to find a CO2 supplier in the banbury/bucks area

Would somebody please tell me what I need to buy to use these sodastream cylinders?
and perhaps where I can purchase?

Thank you guys.

[nutmeg31415]

In the end I purchased this http://www.us-aquaristikshop.com/co2-ad ... waffe.html

When it arrived, I unscrewed the brass "nut like" object inside it, so that there is a clear line of sight all the way through. I then found a nail in a hardware shop that fitted through this hole - but not a completely tight fit, so there is some movement. The above adaptor then screwed on to the new 60L sodastream cylinder.

I then cut down the nail to leave a metal stump that was just long enough to go into the adaptor, touch the pin on the sodastream cylinder, and also poke out the top of the adapter to allow the pin inside the gas handle on top to reach it when depressed.

The gas handle was the widget world one- similar to this - http://www.homebrewmegastore.co.uk/shop ... ation.html but mine has a corny keg gas disconnect on the end of the tube. I bought mine all together, so there must be someone out there who is selling it, otherwise, if you get the one on the link above (other retailers are available, this was just the first found in a google search) you can just replace the end with a cornelius keg disconnect - http://www.hopshopuk.com/products/view/ ... disconnect

The reason I choose this was because I already owned all the equipment to do this with the 35L sodastream cylinders, so I just needed to convert my equipment to fit the new cylinders. It works well, but the downside being you need to squeeze the handle every few pints to keep the pressure up so it dispenses, but for me its no real problem, and cheaper than buying a regulator - although if you have no kit at all at the moment, by the time you have built all the above, getting a regulator probably isnt that much more expensive. In which case I think you need the adaptor mentioned by mojonojo, and a regulator. I did come across this on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=s ... +regulator - Seems to be for fishtanks, but I dont see why that cant be used with a Keg - Anyone else have any views on that? Seems a reasonable price for the regulator and adapter.

Regarding places to get the cylinders, Argos sell them and do the refils, as do Lakeland Plastics. In the past I have also used Robert Dyas ,Sainsburys and Tesco - so there should be a supplier near you

Hope that helps

[nutmeg31415]

Sorry, just realised the ebay link was to a search result, rather than the item - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Combined-Soda ... 602wt_1190

If anyone has had any luck fitting this on a keg, Id be interested in knowing, as ideally I would like to move towards the regulator route, especially if I do go towards 2 kegs - I cant be doing with needing to keep swapping over the gas supply each time as I would need to with my current setup

[Dr. Dextrin]

In the end I purchased this http://www.us-aquaristikshop.com/co2-ad ... waffe.html

When it arrived, I unscrewed the brass "nut like" object inside it, so that there is a clear line of sight all the way through. I then found a nail in a hardware shop that fitted through this hole - but not a completely tight fit, so there is some movement. The above adaptor then screwed on to the new 60L sodastream cylinder.

I then cut down the nail to leave a metal stump that was just long enough to go into the adaptor, touch the pin on the sodastream cylinder, and also poke out the top of the adapter to allow the pin inside the gas handle on top to reach it when depressed.

The gas handle was the widget world one- similar to this - http://www.homebrewmegastore.co.uk/shop ... ation.html but mine has a corny keg gas disconnect on the end of the tube. I bought mine all together, so there must be someone out there who is selling it, otherwise, if you get the one on the link above (other retailers are available, this was just the first found in a google search) you can just replace the end with a cornelius keg disconnect - http://www.hopshopuk.com/products/view/ ... disconnect

The reason I choose this was because I already owned all the equipment to do this with the 35L sodastream cylinders, so I just needed to convert my equipment to fit the new cylinders. It works well, but the downside being you need to squeeze the handle every few pints to keep the pressure up so it dispenses, but for me its no real problem, and cheaper than buying a regulator - although if you have no kit at all at the moment, by the time you have built all the above, getting a regulator probably isnt that much more expensive. In which case I think you need the adaptor mentioned by mojonojo, and a regulator. I did come across this on ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=s ... +regulator - Seems to be for fishtanks, but I dont see why that cant be used with a Keg - Anyone else have any views on that? Seems a reasonable price for the regulator and adapter.

Regarding places to get the cylinders, Argos sell them and do the refils, as do Lakeland Plastics. In the past I have also used Robert Dyas ,Sainsburys and Tesco - so there should be a supplier near you

Hope that helps

Excellent post - and very ingenious use of a nail!

After you've fitted the Aquarist shop adapter, is the male thread you then have to connect to (on the output of the adapter) the same as on the old Sodastream bottles (the ones that have been discontinued)? Given your nail trick, I'm wondering if I could attach the old Sodastream-to-S30 adapter I already have to it. Unfortunately, I'm finding that "Am Ausgang befindet sich ein G1/2" Aussengewinde," isn't really clarifying that point.

[mojonojo]

In the end I purchased this http://www.us-aquaristikshop.com/co2-ad ... waffe.html
After you've fitted the Aquarist shop adapter, is the male thread you then have to connect to (on the output of the adapter) the same as on the old Sodastream bottles (the ones that have been discontinued)? Given your nail trick, I'm wondering if I could attach the old Sodastream-to-S30 adapter I already have to it. Unfortunately, I'm finding that "Am Ausgang befindet sich ein G1/2" Aussengewinde," isn't really clarifying that point.

After the german adaptor you end up with a standard Co2 1/2inch thread ready for mounting to any standard regulator you choose.

[nutmeg31415]

Yes, the thread is the same as the old sodastream cylinders. The "collar" is slightly longer on the adapter, by a millimetre or two as the adapter has a washer built in to it, but that cant see that causing a problem fitting the S30 adapter

[Down2Die]

I have been looking at this route for gas but the cost of the adapter and a new sodastream canister and reg and the little amount of gas in the bottles its just not worth it. it will only dispense 60 litres with one if using sugar to carbonate or force carb and dispense only 30 litres. I know convenience is a big factor in getting refills from asda/tesco etc. but over the course of a year its much cheaper to buy a pub style co2 cylinder and get it refilled at a local fire extinguisher place or similar.

[Dr. Dextrin]

Thanks for the confirmation nutmeg31415.

The cost is bothering me too. Fortunately I still have a half-full old-style Sodastream bottle and I don't use a lot of gas (so hard to justify a pub cylinder), but I'll have to bite the bullet before long. Whichever way I go it looks like costing a hundred quid or so. That's nearly twenty brews! If I could re-use my old S30 injector I'd avoid buying a regulator, though.

Anyone know if it's possible to trade in an old Sodastream cylinder against a new one without having to buy a new Sodastream machine to go with it?

BTW this video is kind of interesting if you can get hold of dry ice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWcRDMAA8RE

[boingy]

I managed to get a bunch of my 35l cylinders refilled just before they were discontinued so I should be OK for a year or two (I only use them for portable dispense). After that, I have no idea. The adapter for the new cylinder is way too expensive for my liking so I will probably seek an alternative solution.

Anyone know if it's possible to trade in an old Sodastream cylinder against a new one without having to buy a new Sodastream machine to go with it?

A few months back they did have a "new cylinders for old" offer but I can't see it on their website any more.

Ask 'em: customer.care-uk@sodastream.com
(you might have to pretend you have or had an old SS machine though - they take a dim view of us lot using the gas without their machine!)

[nutmeg31415]

Thanks for the confirmation nutmeg31415.
Whichever way I go it looks like costing a hundred quid or so. That's nearly twenty brews!

Id be really interested in knowing how you have got your cost of each brew down so low. Ive not brewed for ages and just starting to get back in to it with kits at the moment, but these are around £20 ish (either for the premium kits, or the cheaper ones plus sugar etc). I used to all grain brew, but that was quite expensive too.

Do you AG? and buy grains etc in bulk? I find even the yeast can be a few quid a packet! Any advice on getting in the brew cost down would be really appreciated (although I realise its a bit off topic here!)

[Dr. Dextrin]

Thanks for the confirmation nutmeg31415.
Whichever way I go it looks like costing a hundred quid or so. That's nearly twenty brews!

Id be really interested in knowing how you have got your cost of each brew down so low. Ive not brewed for ages and just starting to get back in to it with kits at the moment, but these are around £20 ish (either for the premium kits, or the cheaper ones plus sugar etc). I used to all grain brew, but that was quite expensive too.

Do you AG? and buy grains etc in bulk? I find even the yeast can be a few quid a packet! Any advice on getting in the brew cost down would be really appreciated (although I realise its a bit off topic here!)

Just a rough guesstimate and I probably ignored all the little extras like energy, finings, caps, etc. But yes, I always do AG and I get malt in bulk (25kg sack) from whoever is cheapest at the time and hops, also in bulk, most recently from Worcester Hop Shop who seem to be way cheaper than elsewhere (hops keep forever in a freezer). That's the main cost. The other adjuncts are fairly cheap and are used in small quantities anyway. I'm not one for killer levels of hoppiness or ABV, so I guess that keeps the cost down too.

Most ingredients store pretty well. Buying in bulk keeps delivery costs down and means you can splash out when you see a good offer, rather than paying top whack because you ran out of something.

I have several yeasts that I'm using at the moment. Most have been recovered from commercial bottle-conditioned beers and the few I've actually paid for have been re-started from my own bottles many times, so the cost per brew is very little. I also freeze wort from each brew for making starters.

[nutmeg31415]

Cheers, definitely going to try bulk buying then. Last time I did AG I just bought roughly what was needed, and didnt realise you could freeze the hops, so that's the way I'll go. Might invest in a fridge freezer, and stick the hops in the top freezer and turn the bottom into a kegerator!

How easy is it to get the yeast from a bottle conditioned beer?Is it just a case of drinking the beer, and pouring the yeast sediment into the defrosted wort?