Carbonating: The Cheap and Easy Way

Step 7 Baking Soda

Grab one square of toilet paper. Put about a tablespoon of baking soda on it. Then fold the toilet paper up as indicated in the pictures.

Comments

[mkambas]

thx very much for this instructable.
i tested it, it works, and it's quite handy. i've assembled the tools in a box and labeled it "Carbonator."

there's only one thing i would change:

PROBLEM
toilet paper doesn't work for me. it disintegrates easily in the water and when shaken it can clog the tube.

SOLUTIONS
since the goal is to add the baking soda all at once, you may wanna use
1. either stronger paper (wax, parchment, plastic) leaving one end open. however, this still is a single-use method, or

2. place the b/soda in a small, open-ended container* (smaller than the bottle neck) and add it to the vinegar all at once. this multi-use method eliminates the need for paper altogether.

*an "open-ended container" can be a marker top, a short cigar tube, an empty BIC pen (remove ink cartridge, leave top on), a piece of hose with a cork on one end, or any similar object.

[Lance Mt.]

"when shaken it can clog the tube"

Swirl it then. You don't want vinegar anywhere near the tubing otherwise it might squirt into your drink.

[sthealthraider]

why in toilet paper?

[mkambas]

to sthealthraider:

"why in toilet paper?"
because carbonation begins the moment the baking soda is added to the vinegar. if the baking soda is added gradually, your vinegar bottle will overflow before you have a chance to add all the baking soda and replace the lid.

since toilet paper disintegrates quickly but not instantly, the entire quantity of baking soda can be added at once. this gives you just enough time to replace the lid.

however, the "toilet paper method" presents other problems. see my comment below for alternative paper types and methods.
good luck!
Mike