connecting CO2 to 2 L bottle for root beer?

[wilbanba]

anyone done this successfully?
how did you connect?
i have a DIY carbonater cap and not sure if 30 psi will destroy the 2L bottle
also unsure about tire stem valve/not
thanks

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

30psi will be fine. Keep shaking it as it carbs and you will be good to go in about a minute or two.

Make sure the beverage is cold before you try to carb it, or else it won't hold as much CO2.

I wouldn't use a 2L bottle indefinitely like this, but so far, I've used one about a half dozen times and it isn't looking funky yet, so I keep reusing it.

 

[Yooper]

Yes, me too. I've used a 2 L soda bottle for both root beer and ginger ale, and followed the directions on the carbonator cap package. It worked great!

 

[wilbanba]

great thanks for the tip
how long do you leave it connected to the 30 psi?
do you use a commercial cap or a DIY vefrsion?
if the latter, do you take the valve out of the stem or do you have a different air fitting that holds it open?
thanks much

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

great thanks for the tip
how long do you leave it connected to the 30 psi?
do you use a commercial cap or a DIY vefrsion?
if the latter, do you take the valve out of the stem or do you have a different air fitting that holds it open?
thanks much

I leave it connected for about a minute or two and shake vigorously. It's cool. You can actually feel the CO2 getting absorbed. The water makes this metallic-like rushing sound. It's weird. Anyway, shake it good to absorb the CO2 and you're done. No need to keep it on the gas for a long time.

I have a DIY version. didn't use a bicycle valve. I used a simple barbed fitting. After the minute or two of carbing, I swap the cap with the fitting for a normal cap.

 

[JoMarky]

could someone post a link to making a DIY carbonator? I have 2 commercial versions and want a couple more but they're 20 dollars at the lhbs!

+1 on 2L bottle holding 30 psi. The carbonator package says don't exceed 40, but 30 gives plenty of carbonation

Edit: found some links for anyone else interested:

http://www.brewboard.com/index.php?showtopic=47610

http://www.truetex.com/carbonation.htm

Sir Humpsalot, is the second one similar to your DIY?

 

[mysteryberto]

I leave it connected for about a minute or two and shake vigorously. It's cool. You can actually feel the CO2 getting absorbed. The water makes this metallic-like rushing sound. It's weird. Anyway, shake it good to absorb the CO2 and you're done. No need to keep it on the gas for a long time.

I have a DIY version. didn't use a bicycle valve. I used a simple barbed fitting. After the minute or two of carbing, I swap the cap with the fitting for a normal cap.

Does it hold well or long after doing this? I've been wanting to buy a carbonator cap for making soda but the price is kinda steep. I'd like to make small batches for experimental sodas.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

http://www.truetex.com/carbonation.htm

Sir Humpsalot, is the second one similar to your DIY?

The actual parts are different, but the concept is identical. I just scavenged around a bLowes or Home Despot or wherever and got a couple of fittings. Two pieces, plus the screw-top cap. I might go fancy with it at some point and add an O-ring to stop a slight hissing, but I haven't yet.

So yeah, it's really that simple.

As for how long the carbonation holds, I honestly don't know. I guess I've had it last a week or so, but I'm usually out of water before it goes flat. Either way, you can just recarbonate it, so going flat really isn't a big deal at all.