After years of paying $30 per exchange, I decided to switch to an Spärkel Carbonator machine, which just takes a tablespoon of citric acid powder ($5/lb) and a tablespoon of baking soda ($1/lb) per bottle. So much cheaper.
I'm very tempted to order the system and use it in a 220V country with a stepdown transformer. The specs on the website say that it's 110V only — I assume that's true for the actual product?
If one wishes to set aside Sparkel saying "don't use generic" out of their financial interests, the counterargument I can see is that if one just uses a careless method for loading the baking soda and citric acid into the chute it actually is pretty easy to have it crystalize in the actual latch, or gunk up the rubber seal on the top-latch. I found that the $0.99 funnel from Ikea is the correct length to fit into their chute but under the top latch: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/uppfylld-funnel-bright-yellow-8... I'm, of course, positive there are hundreds of other funnels, but if you're already in Ikea, can't beat it.
As a frame of reference, I was in the kickstarter for the Sparkel, and thus this is the 3rd or 4th year of making my own charges with no ill effects. I've even recently upgraded to storing them in some of those lidded sampling cups so I can mix up 30 charges at a time versus having to get out the spoons for each bottle
I guess I'll just order direct, get it forwarded, and do the same! :) Thanks!
