You can make changes to modify the AARKE Carbonator 3 bubbly water machine for cost savings. I found that it is so much less expensive to stop using the SodaStream CO2 cannisters. This article will tell you the steps I took to modify the AARKE Carbonator 3. First you need to know that this is an investment that will cost a bit up front, will pay off very quickly and is easy to do with the right equipment. Plus it is good for the environment. Personally I was spending a lot of time and money on flavored carbonated water.
I sometimes share products I use and love with the awesome readers of my blog articles by using links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This will not cost you anything if you make a purchase and I will earn enough to pay for more bubbly water which I drink while creating cool content for you.
First thing you will need is an Aarke Carbonator 3 like this one in shiny stainless steel. I got mine as a present. Always a great way to get things. You can always buy this as a present to yourself. Or maybe a present to the environment and your pocket book especially if you have an addiction to bubbly water. They come in various color and finishes. Here is an Aarke Carbonator 3 in matte black and this Aarke Carbonator 3 in white. There is also an Aarke Carbonator 3 in Sand.
Next step was that I needed to find a good base to modify the AARKE carbonator 3. I purchased this cabinet to hold the equipment that I needed for cost savings. It was only abot $70. The cabinet I converted is slightly different but a cabinet like this works great to hold all the parts that will be needed.
CO2 Tank
Next, I purchased a 5 pound CO2 tank with CGA 320 valve. Like this one, a 5 Pound CO2 tank . You have to take it to a local store like Airgas or Barnes Welding supply to have it exchanged or filled with Food Grade CO2. The one time cost for the tank was only $83 or so. And it costs about $23 to fill up and that is going to last a very long time. I was paying $22 for every cannister so the savings add up fast.
Adapter Hose
You will also need to have a CO2 Adapter Hose Kit that converts your CGA320 to TR21-4 ( this is the female valve that you will hook up to so that you can modify the AARKE Carbonator 3. It sits inside your AARKE carbonator and I will show the steps to do this below. This adapter hose is stainless steel and has a Pressure Gauge and Exhaust Valve capable of dealing with up to 4500PSI. Adapter Hose. It costs around $50 possibly less. I found that the black converter to TR21-4 seen here
in this picture was unreliable, so I purchased this brass soda adapter connector for $17. This adapter is great because it easily fits the quick connect on the adapter hose.
Drill a Hole
When the cabinet arrived, I had to set it up and drill a ½” hole in the top. I drilled my hole to the right of the unit. This went straight through so I could put the hose through it from the bottom. I set the filled CO2 tank in the bottom of the Bathroom Floor Storage Cabinet. And attached the CO2 Adapter Hose Kit tightly to the 5 pound CO2 tank using a wrench. Next I put the hose up through the hole in the top of the Bathroom Floor Storage Cabinet.
Now it is time to modify the AARKE Carbonator 3. These are the same steps that Aarke will have you do when the gasket in your Aarke no longer works. I am including the PDF that comes from them to do this. There is a screw in the back of the unit that comes out easily. You just remove it. Then all you have to do is pull up on the top of the Aarke unit to separate the two parts. Once you have access to the inside of the unit you can install the brass soda adapter connector into the TR21-4 on the bottom side of the inside of your Aarke Carbonator 3. Use a wrench to tighten.
Connect the CO2
Take the hose that is sticking out of the top of the cabinet. Thread it up through the bottom of the Aarke Carbonator 3. Then attach the quick connect hose to the brass soda adapter. Place the top of the Aarke back into the bottom and replace the screw. Your unit should now look like this.
All you have to do is open the valve on the 5 pound CO2 tank. Then follow the regular instructions to create bubbly water. After I make my batch of water, I prefer to close the valve. I like to add flavor and use SodaStream Bubly Drops. Both of these SodaStream Mixed Bubly Drops and SodaStream Bubly Blackberry Drops add great flavor to my water. I add some to my water each time I make it.
Once I had finished my project I realized that I needed some additional Aarke PET bottles. I have several that I keep in the fridge with different flavors.
Savings
Let’s look at the cost and how long it would take to make that back to start saving. I was using a SodaStream Cannister every two weeks. I was not able to locate a return market that had prefilled units for exchange. And had to use SodaStream exchange by mail. Each bottle cost me $22 to refill. The total cost to modify the AARKE Carbonator 3 was $243. In 6 months, I saved the total amount back by making changes to modify the AARKE Carbonator 3. The cost after this job is now just pennies to make refreshing carbonated water. I save money and the environment. As a result, I get my favorite drink with some of my favorite flavors. Now the whole family can enjoy it.