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quote:
Originally posted by ericlp
With lots of requests and people with the sodastream, you'd think one could by a large tank and an adapter and make some kind of side cash at a farmers market. 
Kinda surprised that Airgas hasn't seen the opportunity to do this^
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Has anyone tried a fire extinguisher service place.
When I lived on the mainland I had a beer keg setup and the easiest place to get the CO2 tank filled was fire extinguisher places.
Hilo Fire Extinguishers
16-643 Kipimana St Ste 17, Keaau, HI 96749
(808) 966-7356
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Thanks Obie, I called them and they do fill co2, but not right now. Said call back in a month or so. She said the cost for filling a 20lb. tank would be around $90, which is about $30 less than Airgas. They fill smaller tanks as well, but I didn't ask about all the prices. Assuming they would be congruent.
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Thanks for all the responses. I read the city-data thread and ordered an adapter, which will be here next week. I never would have thought of the fire extinguisher place.
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Looks like Target has been pretty reliable with swapping the SodaStream tanks, both threaded and quick disconnect. Airgas prices for refilling a 5 gallon co2 tank appear at least twice the average on mainland. Still, kinda, makes monetary sense and environmentally.
Before I go on a full Yellow Pages quest (got nowhere online) of calling around, I thought I’d ask here if anyone knows of a more reasonable source for refilling co2 tanks. Aren’t there enough paintballers, home keggers, and frugal SodaStreamers on the big island to support an alternative to Airgas?
Cheers,
Kirt
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I didn't want to deal with the tank issues so we bought a Spärkel Beverage System. It makes the CO2 from citric acid and baking soda so no dealing with hazmat shipping issues or tank exchanges. It probably costs more per liter than a soda stream to use, but not having to deal with tank or CO2 issues has value that doesn't fit entirely in a financial spreadsheet.
Also, the Spärkel machine can carbonate any liquid (juice, tea, wine, etc). As far as I know the Soda Stream you can only put water in it. One can use the soda stream syrups with the Spärkel system, though I haven't found any that I like.
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we bought a Spärkel Beverage System.
I trust your recommendation terracore, but since Spärkel contains an umlaut, I wondered if Chunkster or die Frau are reading, if they may have additional comments on the device? A second opinion as it were?
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I ended up ordering a 10lb tank from Amazon ($148) and can get it filled at Hilo Fire extinguisher (in Keaau) or Matheson’s for $80-90 and a weeks wait but you get your own tank back.) Also from Amazon the hose for tank to quick connect on the sodastream. (Airgas quoted $260 for a tank and $130 for a fill swap.)
Initially this is a hassle and cost, but a 10 lb tank fill will likely last for years, and the TCO will flip to the positive at some point during that time. With very little ongoing hassle.
Drinkmate seems to have the best reviews for a carbonate anything machine, not just water. But still the little Co2 tanks…
I suppose the idea of fizzing a Chardonnay into champagne is kinda fun. What do you end up fizzing besides water, Terracore?
Cheers,
Kirt
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(Yesterday, 04:21 AM)knieft Wrote: I suppose the idea of fizzing a Chardonnay into champagne is kinda fun. What do you end up fizzing besides water, Terracore?
Cheers,
Kirt
Almost all my fizz are teas. Usually just boring homemade unsweetened ice tea turned carbonated.
I have made a sparkling wine and also an iced fizz coffee a few times.
My dietary leanings tend towards the carnivore side, but I haven't yet tried carbonating bone broth or anything like that.
But I haven't ruled it out.
