Best $150 DIY Carbonator [Food on a Boat]

In this episode of FOOD ON A BOAT, Clark talks about the DIY, home-built water carbonation system he built for $150. This gives us a virtually unlimited supply of seltzer water while living aboard our boat when used in combination with our watermaker. We make one or two 2-liter bottles of flavored seltzer per week, and this 10-lb CO2 tank will easily last us 10 years without a refill! It attaches to any standard soda bottle. This carbonator could also be used to carbonate homemade beer or soda pop, or to make sparkling wine. It’s much cheaper, more durable, and longer-lasting than a SodaStream. Several other boaters have asked us to explain and review our system, so here it is!

Below is a list of the parts needed to build this system yourself, and our favorite source for flavorings. If you purchase using the links below, you’ll get the equipment quickly and easily through Amazon, and we sometimes earn a few bucks. (Many of these parts can be acquired for less money from eBay, or your local AirGas or other gas supply store).

If you have questions or comments, please leave them below. We try to answer all of them!

CARBONATION SYSTEM PARTS (Total $150-$175)
This list was updated in October 2020, since some parts are out of stock.

10-lb Tank ($75): https://amzn.to/2Ir2q7N
5-lb Tank ($65): https://amzn.to/358CFCV
Regulator ($40): https://amzn.to/2TDIaF7
Hose ($20): https://amzn.to/2OnNM4Y
Ball Lock Valve ($5): https://amzn.to/2LOchH3
Brass Fitting – likely not needed with this regulator ($5): https://amzn.to/31ToeRi
Carbonation Cap, Hose & Air Stone ($19): https://amzn.to/2oY4cGx

FLAVORINGS ($1-$10 each) – These are much stronger than regular extracts. Use 1 drop per glass of seltzer (we use a chopstick and stir it in). A 1-oz bottle will last you a LONG time (we have had this system for 2 years and have yet to empty one bottle of flavoring). You can also buy variety packs with 1 dram of liquid each (1/16 the size). You can add sugar or other sweeteners, but we prefer flavored seltzer only. These flavors are also great for yogurt, smoothies, protein shakes, baking, and other foods. Just make sure you purchase oil-free ones if you plan to use them in seltzer water.

SMALL BOTTLE FLAVOR PACKS (For variety)
24-pack LorAnn Super Strong Flavors with Cola + Other Flavors ($28): https://amzn.to/30KVh8J
12-pack LorAnn Super Strong Flavors – Fruit ($13): https://amzn.to/31QOpIb
6-pack LorAnn Super Strong Flavors – Fruit ($11): https://amzn.to/35dsZaC
Choose your Own 12 Flavors ($16): https://amzn.to/2LNrx6O

1-OZ BOTTLE FLAVORS (The kind we use)
Black Cherry: https://amzn.to/2LPMZbs
Blackberry: https://amzn.to/30SjHgt
Citrus Flower: https://amzn.to/31Tt2Gk
Coconut: https://amzn.to/2VcOMKS
Grape: https://amzn.to/2AM2zhW
Grapefruit: https://amzn.to/30P9nGe
Key Lime: https://amzn.to/2MiGxsu
Lemonade: https://amzn.to/2IqhO4h
Lime: https://amzn.to/3380hWF
Mango: https://amzn.to/2LPOIgY
Orange Cream: https://amzn.to/359QBNb
Peach: https://amzn.to/33fXGKv
Peach-Mango: https://amzn.to/31Sew1q
Pina Colada: https://amzn.to/2AMMhWg
Pineapple: https://amzn.to/2AJq7nw
Raspberry: https://amzn.to/2OnsrbT
Root Beer: https://amzn.to/2Vgssjn
Tropical Punch: https://amzn.to/2AJGrVv
…and more.

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