4 Simple Methods for Making Carbonated Water (Without CO2)

Carbonation is what gives soda and seltzer their fizz, giving beverages a little additional kick. However, for those of us who wish to produce our own carbonated beverages, there is a lot more to it than that.

CO2 tanks are the most frequent method of carbonating water, but what if you don’t have one or don’t want to use one? Fortunately, there are lots of alternative ways to add some fizz to your drink.

Carbonated Water 101

Before we get into the various techniques for generating carbonated water with or without CO2, let’s first define it.

Carbonated water is regular water that has had carbon dioxide gas added to it. All of those bubbles are caused by the fact that it is highly pressured. Because carbonated water is seldom consumed on its own, beverages that use it generally require additives.

The chemical interaction between water and carbon dioxide causes the tingling feeling and flavor. Carbonated water has a pH of 3 to 4, making it somewhat acidic.

Salt and maybe a few minerals are often added to carbonated water and seltzer. Perrier and San Pellegrino, for example, both employ spring water, minerals, and sulfur compounds.

Meanwhile, sodas include sugar or sugar substitutes.

Tonic water (G&Ts, anyone?) is manufactured from a chemical called quinine.

One of the great mysteries about carbonated water is its impact on your health, which is currently being explored. We don’t have complete answers yet, but we do have some indicators of how carbonated water might effect our bodies.

One concern is that carbonated water can harm your teeth’s enamel. One prevalent myth is that Coke may promote tooth decay. However, rather than the carbonated water, there is some evidence to indicate that the underlying issue is the sugar in soda.

Nonetheless, there are some worries that carbonated water may create bone density problems. However, phosphoric acids and sugars, not carbonated water, are the major offenders here.

That is not to imply that there aren’t any advantages to drinking carbonated water. There is some evidence that carbonated water may aid with constipation and dyspepsia, while the specific reasons for this are unknown. It may also be effective in combating cholesterol and inflammation, as well as lowering the overall risk of heart disease.

Finally, cold fluids maintain their carbonation better than warm fluids.

Methods for Making Carbonated Water Without CO2

For all of the reasons stated above, CO2 is generally used in the production of carbonated water. You’ll have to be inventive to compensate for its lack.

Fortunately, there are various options available. Each of the approaches outlined here has advantages and disadvantages, but which is ideal for you will depend on what you have available.

Another crucial consideration is that manufacturing carbonated water without CO2 necessitates the use of professional CO2 tanks. As previously stated, water and carbon dioxide (aka H2O and CO2) mix to form a chemical reaction, which is what produces carbonated water in the first place.

As a result, making carbonated water without half of its fundamental chemical components would be difficult.

Professional CO2 tanks, on the other hand, are unquestionably more costly, which is why you may want to examine some of these other options instead.

1 – Soda Siphons

This solution substitutes professional CO2 tanks with containers to store the carbonated water. The container is then screwed with a head, which is subsequently introduced to the water to carbonate it.

Soda siphons have various advantages, beginning with the fact that they are one of the most portable solutions on our list. That is due to their being the closest thing to a CO2 tank, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t more portable.

They are, nevertheless, on the slim side, making them an excellent option for usage at parties.

Furthermore, they are simple to install, which is not always the case with CO2 tanks.

In terms of CO2 tank alternatives, they are also more cheap. Nonetheless, the cost might add up over time.

The main disadvantage of siphons is that they cannot deliver the same level of carbonation as a CO2 tank, even if you shake the siphon for more bubbles.

Soda siphons are ideal for individuals who desire an occasional glass of sparkling water without spending a fortune on a professional CO2 tank. They’re also an excellent alternative for folks who want something more portable.

Soda siphons are an excellent CO2 tank replacement if you want sparkling water for picnics and other outdoor dining occasions.

2 – Baking Soda and Vinegar

What can’t baking soda and vinegar solve? They’re two of the most often utilized chemicals in a variety of DIY treatments, and their chemical interaction creates bubbles naturally, which is a huge benefit.

To make this DIY carbonated water option work, collect the following materials first:

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Two plastic bottles with caps
• Tubing that can fit in the bottle
• Drill using a smaller drill bit than your tube.
• Scissors
• Funnel
• Toilet paper

To begin, attach the drill bit to the drill and drill holes through the tops of both bottles. After that, take the scissors and cut both ends of the tubes so that they may be easily inserted into the caps.

To get the reaction going, start filling the bottles with baking soda and vinegar. Fill one bottle halfway with water and the other halfway with vinegar.

The oddest part is still to come. Wrap whatever amount of baking soda you wish to use in toilet paper and put it in the container with vinegar that way.

After screwing the lids back on the bottles, tubes and all, shake the liquid, put it down, and wait for the bubbles to develop.

Without the typical CO2 canisters, this is obviously a more scientific project-like method of producing carbonated water.

3 – Dry Ice

Another MacGyver-worthy method for making carbonated water without tanks. However, unlike the more indirect approach employing baking soda and vinegar, dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide and hence requires a far more direct method of production.

Simply add one pound of dry ice to one gallon of water, mix, and you’re done. The ensuing reaction produces vaporization, fog, and, yes, the kind of carbonation required to produce carbonated water.

If it seems simple, it is, but there is one significant caveat: you should never contact dry ice with your bare hands or you will get freezer burn.

When handling it, be sure to use a spoon or tongs. It is also important to note that the pressure formed by this combination might be enormous, so do not cover the top.

Finally, since dry ice may produce a lot of fumes, you should only use it in a well-ventilated environment.

4 – Sparkel Sachets

This is an excellent choice for individuals who want to manufacture their own carbonated water using something as easy to use as a household appliance since, well, it is.

our coffee maker-sized carbonated water producer is also the simplest way on our list, since it can be controlled with only a few buttons.

This model’s technique is also straightforward.

Water fills a sleek enclosed chamber, creating enough pressure to produce CO2 using a blend of citric acid and sodium bicarbonate. Even better, you won’t have to worry about the carbonator affecting the flavor of your drink; you’ll simply benefit from the CO2.

The equipment within the Sparkel chamber cycles the water even more, increasing the pressure inside to 80 PSI. That’s a lot of pressure, and it’s more than many household containers can withstand.

The Sparkel chamber, on the other hand, is expressly constructed to bear that much pressure, acting as a natural pressurizing juicer, generating a ton of bubbles and releasing a lot of flavor.

Each of these choices has advantages. Both the dry ice and baking soda and vinegar solutions need reasonably affordable supplies.

You have more control over the process with the siphon soda and Sparkel choices. The first are more do-it-yourself and inexpensive, whilst the latter are more professional and reproducible in their effects.

Regardless of the technique you choose, you’ll be able to add carbonation to your beverages without using a CO2 tank, giving you the crisp refreshing flavor of carbonated water without the difficulty or cost that too frequently comes with it.