Soda Syphon CO2 Charger Substitution

[jwgjr]

Ok, I recently got an iSi Soda Syphon. With it I ended up having to buy iSi CO2 chargers, which ran 10.99 plus tax for a carton of 10- 8g chargers. Cheapest I found them was 9.99 online for an off brand. (Some places list 6.50 but then make up for it with shipping.) So about $1-1.20 apiece when all is said and done.

Walking into the sports section of my local big-box, though, I see 40 packs of 12g chargers for pellet guns selling for $23. Makes it about $0.60 each after tax with 50% more CO2.

Question is, any reason I can't substitute? Before you mention the amount of CO2, iSi allows for double charging the canister if you reduce volume from 32 to 26 oz of water, so we're OK there.

I am also aware that there is, at least technically, a difference between food grade and non-food grade. In reality, though, is there any harmful (as in health... I'm willing to test for taste myself) gas that could make it into non-food grade CO2 or is the distinction, in this case, illusory?

Jim

Edited January 12, 2009 by jwgjr (log)

[XagaEnergon]

Yes, there is a difference. I am told that the ones for paintball guns have oil and other chemicals in them that help them work better in paintball guns and are generally not food safe. Although, you may find some which are food safe, I would not reccomend it. What I did was buy a 100 pack from amazon for about $50 including shipping. They don't go bad afterall.

[Seitch]

This site has a few methods on home carbonation that are cheaper than using those soda siphons.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Soda-W...Pays-For-Itsel/

[Scott Koue]

This site has chargers for around $.38 each, ($3.95 for 10 & $139 for 360 (go in with a friend!)).

And yes air gun chargers contain lubricants that you would not want in your beverage.

Cheers

SK

PS just noticed they also have 24 for &8.95

Edited January 13, 2009 by Scott Koue (log)

[thirtyoneknots]

As far as I know the ones for pellet guns and such are alo longer and would probably not fit in the capsule. I guess you could find a way to improvise it but clearly there are other reasons not to do so. I've bought chargers at a local restaraunt supply place for like $4-5 for a box of 10.

[jwgjr]

Ouch, I must just have an expensive area for buying them. Even target was $10 for 10. I'll have to try better online places. As for the pellet gun ones, I hadn't thought of the size but suspected there might be lubricant in there... too bad. No reason those things should cost as much as they do (I remember filling 30oz paintball canisters for under $4...).

Thanks for the advice and the links!