logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda
Advanced Search
logo elektroda

Filling the Sodastream cylinder - only 150-200g of CO2 from the 6kg mother cylinder. How to improve?

pirek85 48180 56
Best answers

How can I get a SodaStream cylinder to fill past 150–200 g from a 6 kg CO2 mother cylinder?

You need a shunt that actually opens the valve in the small SodaStream cylinder; without supporting that valve, filling stops around 150–200 g [#19437589] In this thread, the working fix was to add/adjust a pin on the SodaStream side of the adapter so it depresses the cylinder valve before the bottle is fully tightened, then backs off just enough to let gas flow [#19437819] One user described making the pin from an M8 screw: drill the shunt body to 6.5 mm, tap M8, use a drilled M8 screw cut to about 2.5 cm, and add slots/cuts so gas can pass and the pin doesn’t rotate out of adjustment [#19437819] The small cylinder should be empty before filling, and the pin must be set so it closes the valve a moment before the bottle is fully unscrewed to avoid venting too much gas [#19437819]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
Report a violation of the law
Reply | New topic
  • #1 19425790
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    Hello
    I have a problem, I bought a shunt for filling the sodastream cylinder with a 6 kg mother cylinder
    I`m doing something wrong, I only get about 150g-200g, I`ve already read various posts on this subject, but nowhere
    specific answer
    I have it
    6kg co2 cylinder with siphon
    sodastream cartridge with two-way valve
    copper pipe without hose
    I freeze the cartridge for about 8 hours before loading it
    I unscrew the cylinders very slowly during landing
    anyway, maybe someone will be able to help me
    the photos show the cartridge and the plunger

    Filling the Sodastream cylinder - only 150-200g of CO2 from the 6kg mother cylinder. How to improve? Filling the Sodastream cylinder - only 150-200g of CO2 from the 6kg mother cylinder. How to improve? Filling the Sodastream cylinder - only 150-200g of CO2 from the 6kg mother cylinder. How to improve?
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 19425840
    jdubowski
    Tube devices specialist  
    Posts: 21595
    Help: 2511
    Rate: 2792
    What kind of valves do you have in your cylinders? Does the 6kg cylinder have a siphon tube or not?
  • #3 19425893
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    yes, the cylinder definitely has a siphon tube
    and the sodastream cartridges are supposedly double-directional, you have a photo above
  • #4 19425972
    jdubowski
    Tube devices specialist  
    Posts: 21595
    Help: 2511
    Rate: 2792
    pirek85 wrote:
    yes, the cylinder definitely has a siphon tube


    And do you set it with the valve up?
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #5 19426130
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    jdubowski wrote:
    pirek85 wrote:
    yes, the cylinder definitely has a siphon tube


    And do you set it with the valve up?

    yes, of course, but once, out of desperation, I tried to turn it upside down and almost nothing came in, about 20g
  • #6 19429165
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    check the plunger pin that should open the valve in the cylinder being filled - maybe it is incorrectly adjusted and it does not open it and only partially fills because the pressure from the large cylinder is not able to open the valve any further.
  • #7 19429176
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    gelob wrote:
    check the plunger pin that should open the valve in the cylinder being filled - maybe it is incorrectly adjusted and it does not open it and only partially fills because the pressure from the large cylinder is not able to open the valve any further.

    Can you be a little clearer, because I don't really understand what kind of pin, or do you mean the movable part in the coil that is screwed in with an Allen key? If so, how to adjust it???
  • #8 19429228
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    yes, it's about this pin, I'm planning to buy a set of a cylinder and a similar shunt. According to my opinion, after screwing in the cylinder, this pin should open the filling valve in the small cylinder. The bottle should be completely empty before filling. This pin, screwed in with an Allen key, can be used to adjust the pin protrusion. Is the knob at the top of the shunt used to bleed the system or to move the pin?
  • #9 19429282
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    gelob wrote:
    yes, it`s about this pin, I`m planning to buy a set of a cylinder and a similar shunt. According to in my opinion, after screwing in the cylinder, this pin should open the filling valve in the small cylinder. The bottle should be completely empty before filling. This pin, screwed in with an Allen key, can be used to adjust the pin protrusion. Is the knob at the top of the shunt used to bleed the system or to move the pin?

    only to bleed air after filling a small bottle, it follows that it is best to screw in the pipe with an ampel and unscrew the pin so that it goes more into the mother bottle and maybe then it will be ok, I have already checked it in various ways, I have tried it, but I won`t check it yet

    p.s. I regret that I didn`t immediately buy a shunt with a hose directly from a large bottle to the sodastream distributor, bypassing the cartridge, I saw such a miracle on Alli for PLN 100 and charging it from my head
  • #10 19429398
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    It would definitely be easier to understand what you wrote if you used punctuation.

    Nevertheless, the direct set you mention has its pros and cons. (The carbonator must be placed in one place, often = a hole in the countertop, a large bottle unscrewed all the time (the system is under pressure) - the gas can slowly escape. Convenience is a plus, of course.)

    I am wondering which variant of the shunt to buy so that I can easily refill my cylinders and not have problems like you are having now with partial filling.
  • #11 19429418
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    gelob wrote:
    It would definitely be easier to understand what you wrote if you used punctuation.

    Nevertheless, the direct set you mention has its pros and cons. (The carbonator must be placed in one place, often = a hole in the countertop, a large bottle unscrewed all the time (the system is under pressure) - the gas can slowly escape. Convenience is a plus, of course.)

    I am wondering which variant of the shunt to buy so that I can easily refill my cylinders and not have problems like you are having now with partial filling.


    A lot of people write that they can’t reach the max cylinder, but I haven’t found a specific solution yet
    p.s. I’m dyslexic :D :D :D

    Added after 5 [hours] 48 [minutes]:

    pirek85 wrote:
    gelob wrote:
    It would definitely be easier to understand what you wrote if you used punctuation.

    Nevertheless, the direct set you mention has its pros and cons. (The carbonator must be placed in one place, often = a hole in the countertop, a large bottle unscrewed all the time (the system is under pressure) - the gas can slowly escape. Convenience is a plus, of course.)

    I am wondering which variant of the shunt to buy so that I can easily refill my cylinders and not have problems like you are having now with partial filling.


    A lot of people write that they can’t reach the max cylinder, but I haven’t found a specific solution yet
    p.s. I’m dyslexic :D :D :D
    I just now completely removed the pin from the cartridge, the cartridge was frozen for 3 hours and it still loads about 200 g.
  • #12 19430439
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    And are you able to drain the gas from the filled cylinder using a grommet with a pin without connecting it to the "mother" cylinder?
    Maybe this pin doesn’t reach the sodastream cylinder?
  • #13 19430572
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    gelob wrote:
    and are you able to drain the gas from the filled cylinder using a grommet with a pin without connecting it to the "mother" cylinder?
    Maybe this pin doesn’t reach the sodastream cylinder?

    the pin is in the grommet on the side of the large cylinder, not on the sodastream side, and I unscrewed it completely and moved it without the pin, and it still doesn’t work.
  • #14 19433115
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    and you see, your shunt has a pin to open the valve in the mother cylinder (apparently there are cylinders that have an additional valve that needs to be opened with such a pin) and not to open the valve of the sodastream cylinder. From what I see, most other shunts have a pin on the side of the cylinder filled with 425g of CO2, which opens the cylinder valve for filling. There is a spring in the valve that closes the valve. I suspect that when filling the cylinder, the pressure from the mother cylinder is able to open the valve automatically to the 200g of CO2, and then probably due to the spring of the filled cylinder and the accumulated pressure, it is not able to reach the 200g (open the cylinder valve only with CO2). It would be good if someone who has done cylinder filling confirmed or denied my theory.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #15 19433198
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    gelob wrote:
    and you see, your shunt has a pin to open the valve in the mother cylinder (apparently there are cylinders that have an additional valve that needs to be opened with such a pin) and not to open the valve of the sodastream cylinder. From what I see, most other shunts have a pin on the side of the cylinder filled with 425g of CO2, which opens the cylinder valve for filling. There is a spring in the valve that closes the valve. I suspect that when filling the cylinder, the pressure from the mother cylinder is able to open the valve automatically to the 200g of CO2, and then probably due to the spring of the filled cylinder and the accumulated pressure, it is not able to reach the 200g (open the cylinder valve only with CO2). It would be good if someone who has done cylinder filling confirmed or denied my theory.

    you’re probably right, my shunt doesn’t have a pin on the sodastream cylinder side and that’s why it doesn’t go in anymore
  • Helpful post
    #16 19437589
    Zbychul
    Level 22  
    Posts: 442
    Help: 31
    Rate: 189
    @gelob - exactly.
    Without supporting the valve in the small cylinder, none of this will happen. I had to add such a pin in my shunt.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #17 19437704
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    Zbychul wrote:
    @gelob - exactly.
    Without supporting the valve in the small cylinder, none of this will happen. I had to add such a pin in my shunt.

    It's hard to get a pin like that, could you send me a photo?
  • Helpful post
    #18 19437819
    Zbychul
    Level 22  
    Posts: 442
    Help: 31
    Rate: 189
    Honestly, it`s not very professional, but it does its job.
    Filling the Sodastream cylinder - only 150-200g of CO2 from the 6kg mother cylinder. How to improve?
    I drilled a hole in the groove to 6.5 mm and threaded M8, and a piece of M8 screw was drilled through to 4 mm and cut (without head) to approx. 2.5 cm. It must be adjusted so that it chokes the valve a moment before the small cylinder is fully tightened on its thread - if it is too tight, too much gas will be released into the air when unscrewed. these visible cuts are for adjustment and to give the gas a place to pass.

    edit:
    you also need to make sure that the pin does not rotate too easily, otherwise it will become out of adjustment. I gently tried it with a hammer :D
  • #19 19438232
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    OK thank you
  • #20 19440221
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    I did a filling test without opening the valve with a friend who has a slightly different filling set. The bottle was cooled in the refrigerator for several days and contained 350g of CO2. Filled from a cylinder without a siphon (upside down). It seems that the gas pressure in the cylinder you are filling from is no longer too high, or your valve has a stronger spring.

    I ordered it on Ali for PLN 55 and I will ship it
    Filling the Sodastream cylinder - only 150-200g of CO2 from the 6kg mother cylinder. How to improve?
    I think it will do its job.
  • #21 19441361
    pirek85
    Level 6  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 38
    I have already decided to buy a shunt on Alli, directly connected from the cylinder to the sodastream device, with a quick-connect fitting, but another problem because the Chinese write that it won't work if I have a cylinder with a siphon and another problem
  • #22 19521451
    Tomek_kendi
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    I'll join in on the topic. It's similar with me... I have a shunt with two valves on the top, a hose and a valve with a screw-in pin for the cartridge. The cartridge is empty, cooled, the 6 kg CO2 cylinder is new, I release the gas slowly or quickly (two-way valve in the cartridge), so I guess it doesn't matter. And so it only reaches 200 max. I tried to cool it down again and kill it, but it's about 60-100 g. I don't know where to look for a solution. This is my second bottle. From the previous one, at the very beginning I was able to fill 4 bullets without any problems, and then it was a matter of stairs with loading. Has anyone had a similar experience??? Maybe the cartridges need to be filled like a gas cylinder, loosen the valve screw on the side slightly or something??? I do not have a clue.
  • #23 19521507
    Loker
    Level 39  
    Posts: 3368
    Help: 575
    Rate: 719
    Bottle with or without a siphon?
  • #24 19521518
    Tomek_kendi
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Loker wrote:
    Bottle with or without a siphon?

    Yes, a bottle with a siphon...
  • #25 19521663
    gelob
    Level 11  
    Posts: 25
    Rate: 81
    Well, I already have a cylinder with a siphon, and a set with Ali which I posted a photo of earlier, a 2-way valve.
    Filling the first 303 g was filled quite quickly because I couldn`t feel the cylinder valve.
    Second filling 150g (filling extremely slowly so that there is barely any flow)
    Cylinders from the freezer, no CO2 inside, 2-way valves. Pin of the filling cylinder lowered to the maximum during filling.

    The next filling was 330g. I don`t know how some people get 425g....
  • #26 19853107
    krzys138
    Level 10  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 4
    Wiram, I have the same problem, I fill the max with 113g and I don’t want to go any more, it leaks in the valves, they open it all the way in the cylinder with Sodaster, and in the valve of the mother cylinder there is no valve and I can’t fill it with more.
  • #27 19902170
    kolokol
    Level 1  
    Posts: 1
    Rate: 2
    And I think the only way is to freeze both the small and large bottles. There is no other way. Don't let anyone tell you that he still uses 425g.
    I've gotten used to it and I fill it more often and less (max 330g).
  • #28 19902246
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #29 19931852
    Anonymous
    Level 1  
  • #30 20103272
    vogel1977
    Level 7  
    Posts: 51
    Rate: 5
    Hello, tell me how to recognize a cylinder with a siphon from one without a siphon, because I want to buy one for Sodastream to fill the cartridges myself.
Reply | New topic
Report a violation of the law

Topic summary

✨ The discussion addresses the challenge of refilling SodaStream CO2 cylinders from a 6 kg "mother" cylinder, with users commonly experiencing low fill weights around 150-200 grams instead of the expected 425 grams. Key factors influencing successful filling include the presence of a siphon tube in the large cylinder, the type of valve on the SodaStream cartridge (one-way vs. two-way), and the design of the filling shunt, particularly whether it includes a pin to mechanically open the valve on the small cylinder. Freezing the small cylinder for several hours (typically 3-8 hours) before filling significantly improves the fill weight by increasing liquid CO2 transfer. Positioning the small cylinder horizontally or vertically during filling also affects results, with some users reporting better fills when the cylinder lies horizontally or slightly angled. The pressure equilibrium between the large and small cylinders limits filling capacity, as CO2 exists in liquid and gaseous phases, and filling relies on transferring liquid CO2. Some users modify their shunts by adding or adjusting pins to open the small cylinder valve fully, which is crucial for achieving higher fill weights. Direct filling setups connecting the large cylinder to the SodaStream device with quick-connect fittings are considered more convenient but may have compatibility issues with siphon-equipped cylinders. Theoretical insights emphasize that filling is constrained by thermodynamic equilibrium and pressure equalization, making overfilling without mechanical assistance or higher supply pressure impractical. Regular weighing of cylinders during filling is recommended to avoid overfilling. Overall, the consensus is that proper equipment (including a shunt with a valve-opening pin), freezing the small cylinder, careful valve operation, and correct cylinder orientation are essential to maximize CO2 transfer during refilling.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: Up to 425 g can be transferred per Sodastream cylinder when a “horizontal, −20 °C bottle + slow-open valve” method is used; “I fill 425 g regularly” [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19902246] Follow the 3-step routine to boost fills from 150 g to 400 g+. Why it matters: Correct technique cuts refill costs by 70 – 80 %.

Quick Facts

• Max fill target: 425 g ± 5 g CO₂ per cartridge [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19931852] • Typical fill time: 20 – 30 s when method is optimised [Elektroda, woycik69, post #20796892] • Yield from 6 kg mother cylinder: ≈ 10 cartridges at 425 g each [Elektroda, mipix, post #20676718] • Critical small-cylinder temp: −10 °C to −20 °C for best pressure gradient [CO₂ Phase Chart] • Edge-case: ≤ 100 g transfer when only 1 kg remains in mother cylinder [Elektroda, mipix, post #20676718]

Why does my Sodastream cartridge stop at 150 – 200 g?

The mother-cylinder pressure soon matches the chilled cartridge pressure. Without a pin to hold the small-cylinder valve open, flow halts around 200 g [Elektroda, gelob, post #19433115] Adding or adjusting the pin, chilling the cartridge, and keeping the mother cylinder warm restores flow.

Do I need a siphon tube in the 6 kg cylinder?

A siphon simplifies filling because liquid CO₂ exits upright. Without a siphon you must invert or tilt the cylinder so the valve sits in the liquid phase [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #20103491] Both options work with proper positioning.

Vertical or horizontal—how should I place the small cartridge?

Lay the cartridge horizontally. Users report full 425 g fills only when the cartridge lies flat, which improves liquid contact with the valve [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19902246] Vertical orientation often needs pressure-bleed tricks.

How cold should the Sodastream cartridge be?

Chill to −10 °C or colder; most users freeze for 3 – 8 h to about −20 °C. This doubles the pressure gradient and allows 400 g+ transfer [Elektroda, woycik69, post #20796892] CO₂ vapor pressure drops from 5.7 MPa at 20 °C to 2.0 MPa at −10 °C [CO₂ Phase Chart].

What does the filling pin do, and how do I set it?

The pin depresses the Sodastream valve spring so liquid can flow. Screw it out until it touches the valve a moment before full thread engagement. Over-extension vents gas on removal; under-extension limits fill to ~200 g [Elektroda, Zbychul, post #19437819]

3-step method to reach 400 g+ consistently?

  1. Vent and freeze the cartridge to −20 °C.
  2. Connect; lay the cartridge horizontal, keep the 6 kg cylinder upright (siphon) or upside-down (no siphon).
  3. Crack the valve slowly, wait until scale shows 425 g, close, bleed, detach. Total time: ~30 s.

How many 425 g fills can I expect from a 6 kg cylinder?

About ten full cartridges plus small hose losses: 10 × 0.425 kg = 4.25 kg delivered, leaving 1 kg that becomes harder to transfer [Elektroda, mipix, post #20676718]

Why does filling fail when only 1 kg remains in the big cylinder?

Remaining pressure is lower, so equilibrium happens sooner. Users see just 100 g transfer despite freezing [Elektroda, mipix, post #20676718] Multiple freeze-fill cycles or topping up the mother cylinder are the only fixes.

Should I freeze the large cylinder too?

No. Cooling the big cylinder drops its pressure and slows transfer. Keep it at room temperature while the small one is cold [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19902246]

How can I tell if a cylinder has a siphon?

Visual cues are unreliable. Suppliers label siphon models, or you can check: siphon cylinders often have flat bottoms without welded skirts [Elektroda, czarneckij7, post #21278390]

Is direct hose connection to the Sodastream machine better than refilling cartridges?

Direct setups remove refill steps and valve losses but tie the appliance to one location and keep the system pressurised continuously, which can leak overtime [Elektroda, gelob, post #19429398]

What safety checks should I perform?

  1. Weigh cartridges; never exceed 450 g.
  2. Use PTFE tape on threaded adapters.
  3. Vent lines before disconnecting. Leak tests with soapy water prevent unnoticed CO₂ release.

How much money can I save by self-refilling?

Retail exchange averages PLN 40 per 425 g. Filling from a 6 kg industrial cylinder costs about PLN 65, giving ten refills at PLN 6.5 each—an 84 % saving.

Edge-case: my cartridge only accepts 113 g even after mods—why?

Valve leakage or a very stiff spring can prevent full opening. One user with leaking valves capped at 113 g until replacing the Sodastream valve insert [Elektroda, krzys138, post #19853107]

Can I refill from a 1.5 kg cylinder one-third full?

Yes, but invert the donor so liquid reaches the valve. With only 0.5 kg left, expect diminishing returns unless the small cartridge is deeply frozen [Elektroda, tomaszpys24, post #21574280]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT