How to Get Soda on Tap at Home

Enjoy soda on tap in the comfort of your own home.

Getting soda on tap at home isn't as difficult as you may think. If you are willing to commit the time and effort involved, you can simply and affordably enjoy soda in the comfort of your own kitchen or office. This involves a few steps, including selecting the sort of system you would like to install, choosing and ordering the soda water and flavoring itself, and testing the final product.

Things You'll Need

• Tap water
• Flavor syrups
• Fountain heads
• Soda machine
• Syrup pumps and connections
• Fittings
• Hoses
• CO2 system
• Large piece of plywood
• Carbonator

Instructions

1. Decide what type of soda machine you want. The most affordable and simplest version is the premix, which comes with the soda premixed and inside metal canisters. While this is the simplest kind of soda machine, it can be difficult to buy premixed soda from a drink company, as they usually reserve such items for businesses only. Your second option is a post-mix with ice bin, which is what you see at many restaurants. This involves three components and can include your own store-bought ice or an automatic ice machine. Finally, the post-mix refrigerated unit is similar, only it does not involve an ice bin. Instead, it uses freon to keep the drink cold.

2. Purchase soda water and flavoring. You can also use regular tap water which is then placed into the soda machine's carbonator where it is mixed with CO2 gas. The carbonator gives the soda its fizz by increasing the pressure of CO2 gas beyond what most cities offer as maximum water pressure. For flavoring, you'll need to try to purchase a soda syrup.

3. Purchase your soda machine parts. This can cost around $5,000 for high-end items, but all parts can usually be purchased at online auction websites for around $500. You can also purchase the main parts, such as the fountain head, from a restaurant that is closing or remodeling. Some restaurant supply stores may also sell these large components or order them for you. You will need to buy not only a fountain head and carbonator, but also syrup pumps and connections, fittings, hoses and CO2 system.

4. Attach the CO2 tank to the soda machine, following the instructions given to you by your local welding supply store. This is important because there are many kinds of CO2 tanks, systems and soda machines. It is essential to follow protocol for your specific brands. Mount the syrup pumps to a piece of plywood and attach to a wall. Run the syrup feeds to the fountain, keeping in mind that many sodas such as root beer, leave a permanent aftertaste in the tubes. This means you cannot use the same tubes later for a different soda flavor.

5. Install the carbonator by looking for a source of fresh potable water in your home. Hook the soda lines from the carbonator output to the dispensing unit. Turn on your cold water line, leaving the emergency pressure release open. When the water starts to come out of the valve, close it off. Turn on your CO2 supply until it reads between 95 and 100 psi. You will hear bubbling.

6. Fill your soda machine with ice if you have purchased a machine that allows it, and calibrate the fountain heads. Enjoy your soda on tap in your home anytime you wish, first testing each flavor of soda installed to ensure a proper flavor and level of carbonation.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a CO2 system at home can be dangerous and even cause explosions. Be sure to follow manufacturer's instructions carefully for your specific system.

References

• Boneville.net: Setting Up a Home Soda Fountain
• Boneville.net: Brix Calibration