Sodastream to do taste tests

[meatabolism]

I have seen on the forum that people have experimented with a sodastream to carbonate with mixed results.

I am interested in whether it would work ok to use the SS as a test sampler once the fermenting has stopped (not do the whole batch), I have a suss brew which is hard to work out if it is going to be any good as (blindingly obviously) carbonated brew will taste better than straight out of the FV

Anybody done this with any success?

 

[anthonyUK]

I bought a few of the stainless ball lock caps from Aliexpress that fit to PET bottles. They work well.

 

[Mr. No-Tip]

A PET bottle and a carbonation cap will do what you're after: they're very cheap and good to have on hand.

 

[meatabolism]

Mr NT

Are you referring to an OZ cap style of thing?

 

[Mr. No-Tip]

Nah, just one of these: http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=870

Won't matter whether you use soda stream or "normal" c02

 

[Tahoose]

The carb caps work better than the soda stream anyway.

 

[Adam Howard]

Sodastreams are only really designed to cope with carbonating water. If you add anything to the water or try to carbonate flat beer it basically causes a gushing explosion when you take the bottle out. Carbonation caps are better because you can gas it but leave the cap on so the solution and headspace equilibrate before opening

 

[takai]

Carb cap works tons better than a Sodastream, and i have both (and believe me i have tried both )

 

[pcmfisher]

You will need a gas bottle and regulator to use those carbonation caps.

Do you have these things?

Even with a soda stream bottle you will need and adaptor and reg.

 

[Beerisyummy]

When I use my Sodastream in the mornings I often leave the bottle attached for some time after the CO2 is added. I haven't tried it with beer yet but this would be your best bet if you don't want beer all over the kitchen.

Try it and report back mate.

 

[Beerisyummy]

T

Try it and report back mate.

I couldn't help myself. I tried the method I suggested with the PA in the fridge.

A few pointers:
Don't treat it like soda water and go for high carbonation.
Don't try to carbonate the sample while warm. Cool it down beyond the point you need.
Once you've carbed it up leave it for 10 min at least. (that's in the sodastream machine).
Release the pressure a little bit at a time until the foam is not going to spray into the head unit when you fully open the machine.
My sodastream might be different to yours. All the machines I've seen work in much the same way, but don't blame me if yours goes pop.