Seltzer Bottle Question

[rp2813]

I've created a new, small, dry bar scene at our new house, and as a result the seltzer bottle is now within easy reach and I have a bunch of cartridges so I'm going to start using it.

 

I've read that it's best to fill the bottle and then place it in the refrigerator to chill before charging.  Is this really necessary?  Is there a physics angle to this, or is it just another old bartender's tale?  I've also read that chilling the bottle after charging provides better effervescence. 

 

I'll probably keep it in the fridge once it's charged, but wouldn't mind using it right away over ice if chilling the contents (filtered fridge water) before or after charging makes no difference.

 

[arbilab]

For every statement on the internet there is an equal and opposite statement on the internet.  Might have meant, 'storing chilled prolongs effervescence'.  Hmm, Pepsi doesn't have a problem staying effervesced in the store.   Wait, I tell a lie.  Pepsi in plastic has a greatly foreshortened shelf life vs can or glass.  Turns out at the molecular level, plastic is (greater than zero) gas permeable.

 

I researched seltzer briefly considering purchase.  Abandoned, too expensive for no more use than it would be.  Concensus I came away with was that it works better starting with chilled water. 

 

Although, back when I had one and made my own Coke with drugstore syrup, worked fine with tap cold.  Shows how long ago that was, people still drank tap water.

 

Double although, too young to have much frame of reference on how well a seltzer bottle was working, and today's bottles not identical to those of the 50s.

 

Would think preferable to dispense cold.  Would also think, standing water doesn't so specially stay fresh very long, vesced or otherwise.  Sterility helps.  So does ozonated bottlewater.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Per Sodastream booklet

Cold water absorbs and holds the carbon dioxide gas better than warm. Always start with cold or chilled water.

BTW--when touring the Pepsi bottling plant on 47th street here in Wichita. When bottling their product they chill the incoming mixture to 36 degrees. By doing this they ensure that the mixture holds the maximum amount of fizz.

Another demonstration of how the warm water will give up the fizz faster; try shaking a warm soda and popping the top. It will spray twice as high as if you open a freshly shook cold soda.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks guys.

 

I gave it a shot with the water dispensed from the fridge.  It wasn't 36 degrees, but colder than from the tap.  It did OK -- seltzer bottles are no match for the carbonation levels of store-bought sparkling water in cans or bottles.

 

I'm thinking I'll use this water for a glass of it during the day or with dinner instead of buying it in 12 oz. cans, which I don't necessarily want to drink in one sitting.  Plus, as stated above, I have two boxes of chargers so I might as well go through them.

 

I don't know how old my seltzer bottle is, but I got it at a thrift store.  I had a sleek vintage one but a seal was shot and I couldn't find a replacement. 

 

I've also read that a seltzer bottle makes things like apple and cranberry juice a little more interesting.  I may experiment with that, too.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Also good for a little comic-relief!

Those bottles w/ the triggered bring back the right memories:

-- Dave

 

[iheartmaytag]

Another thing to do with carbonated water.

Make Jell-O with Carbonated water. It gives your Jelled -O a different tingle as you are eating it.