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Old 2nd Aug 2021, 1:12 pm   #1
Beobloke
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Default Vintage soda siphon refills

I realise I may be pushing the limits of what can be discussed on this forum, so apologies to the mods, but I thought this was probably a good place to ask a simple question to the "guardians of the classic era"! And, to be fair, the topic of my question is definitely mechanical, as you have to squeeze it!

Basically, I would like a soda siphon to add to my cocktail-making kit and really fancy a vintage one as they seem to be plentiful and cheap. however, I remember my parents having two back in the late 1970s/early 80s but the reason they eventually gave up on them was that it became increasingly difficult to obtain the replacement gas cartridges for them.

However, as there seem to be many moderns versions out there, I was just wondering if anyone knows whether you can now buy gas cartridges ("Sparklets" I think) that fit the old ones any more, or would I just be better off buying a modern one?
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Old 2nd Aug 2021, 1:17 pm   #2
TonyDuell
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

If these are the little CO2 cartridges that slot into a holder that you then screw onto the main unit (which has a hollow spike to puncture the cap of the cartridge) then a google search for 'sparklet bulbs' will find many suppliers.
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Old 2nd Aug 2021, 2:14 pm   #3
Jon_G4MDC
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Be aware of which type you need. Threaded or unthreaded?

https://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/co2-cartridges
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Old 2nd Aug 2021, 4:18 pm   #4
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

A local home brew shop should have them.
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Old 2nd Aug 2021, 4:29 pm   #5
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Could also be worth speaking to a company that does fire-extinguisher maintenance: there used to be a kind of small fire-extinguisher that used a CO2 bulb arranged so that when the plunger was struck to activate it, the CO2 bulb was punctured and the released gas-pressure drove the water out.
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 4:07 am   #6
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

They are definitely on sale.
https://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/chemic...nts/gas-bulbs/
The fire fighting ones may be cheep non food grade gas.
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 12:09 pm   #7
D.Finney
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Wilko sell them or did sell them a year or two ago, find them in the home brew section of your local Wilko.
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 12:53 pm   #8
Beobloke
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Thanks everyone - much appreciated.

Looks like I can take a punt on a classic model!
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 12:59 pm   #9
ex seismic
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Those type of cylinder are very common in the air pistol world.
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 1:59 pm   #10
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

I've got a CO2 powered air rifle (a legal one I should add). It uses 12g unthreaded capsules which are easily obtainable from airgun dealers for under £1 each.
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 2:57 pm   #11
paulsherwin
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

SodaStream are still in business. I think I've seen their stuff in Robert Dyas, so other high street outlets are likely to stock it too. There have been many changes of ownership, and the company has been the subject of some political controversy at times, which is hardly what you'd expect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SodaStream

The glass soda syphons used in pubs until the 1980s used to be returned to the brewery with the other empties to be refilled. I don't think there's a practical way to recharge them at home.
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Old 3rd Aug 2021, 4:15 pm   #12
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Quote:
I don't think there's a practical way to recharge them at home.
Unscrew top, fill with water and drop a few lumps of dry ice in. Reseal and wait...
 
Old 3rd Aug 2021, 4:35 pm   #13
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Ah, but you have to get hold of the dry ice...
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Old 5th Aug 2021, 9:45 am   #14
Brigham
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Quote:
Originally Posted by paulsherwin View Post
Ah, but you have to get hold of the dry ice...
No difficulty there,then...
... as long as you are growing-up in Billingham in the 1960s!
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Old 5th Aug 2021, 8:27 pm   #15
Graham G3ZVT
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Quote:
Originally Posted by paulsherwin View Post
The glass soda syphons used in pubs until the 1980s used to be returned to the brewery with the other empties to be refilled. I don't think there's a practical way to recharge them at home.

Mine is etched with the Royal Arms.

Click image for larger version

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It has the number 57 under the COA, maybe that is the year of manufacture?
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Old 6th Aug 2021, 6:23 pm   #16
Dave757
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Default Re: Vintage soda siphon refills

Hi,

When I worked at R.Whites many years ago, soda syphons were placed onto a jig
which held the valve open, and filled through the spout with chilled carbonated water.

I don't remember the tops being removable, but perhaps some were and some weren't

Kind regards
Dave
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