This guide will help you maximize the carbonation you get from each Carbon Capsule by improving efficiency—how much carbonation you get per CO₂ unit used.
Optimizing for your taste:
- 1 Spritzes = Light Effervescent
- 2 Spritzes = Starting to sparkle
- 3 Spritzes = Average bubbles
- 4 Spritzes = Extra Bubbly
Water Temperature
Colder water holds significantly more CO₂. Try 45ºF and below. Consider chilling water with ice for 5 minutes first.
Shaking
More shaking means better mixing. Vigorously shake the bottle 3-4 times between each Spritz to mix pressurized CO₂ with the water and achieve higher carbonation levels.
Short Taps
Try not to waste gas. Spritzing with short taps helps prevent excess CO₂ from venting and maximizes carbonation efficiency.
Fill Level
Don’t over or under fill the bottle. Ensure the water level aligns with the depth gauge to optimize mixing and maintain proper headspace for CO₂ diffusion.
Going Deeper
Water Temperature
To get the best carbonation, make sure your water is cold—between 40ºF and 50ºF. Cold water holds more CO₂, so you get more bubbles.
Fill Level:
1. Mixing: For the best carbonation, the nozzle at the bottom of the Aer1 device should be just under the water. This ensures CO₂ mixes well with the water. Be sure to use the line on your Aerflo bottle to reach the correct level of water.
2. Head Space: This is the air space between the water and the cap. If you overfill, there won’t be enough space for CO₂ to mix into the water. Underfilling means more CO₂ is needed to fill the extra air space. Aim for the right amount of head space for efficient carbonation.
3. Water Volume: More water means more CO₂ is needed. Be mindful when using larger bottles.
Limiting Valve Opening Time:
When carbonating, press the Aer1 button in short bursts. Release it as soon as you hear a valve opening sound. Holding the button too long releases extra CO₂ that could have otherwise carbonated your drink.
Shaking:
After each burst of CO₂, shake the bottle 3-4 times. Shaking helps mix the CO₂ with the water for better carbonation. There’s no such thing as too much shaking!
Capsule Temperature:
Keep your CO₂ capsules in the fridge. Cooler capsules have lower pressure, making it easier to control the CO₂ flow and improve carbonation.
Testing Efficiency:
We measure how well our Aer1 cap works by carbonating water and checking the results. We use 12g of CO₂ to carbonate 2 liters of water in four 500mL batches. By measuring the carbonation levels and comparing them to the amount of CO₂ used, we can determine how efficient our system is.
Testing Procedures (If you’re REALLY curious):
1. Gather Materials: Aerflo Bottle, Aer1 Cap, 500mL of cold water (10ºC ±3ºC), fresh Carbon Capsule, Carbonation Tester.
2. Weigh Capsule: Measure the weight of the Carbon Capsule before use.
3. Fill Bottle: Fill the bottle with 500mL of water.
4. Cap Bottle: Screw on the Aer1 Cap quickly to prevent the water from warming up.
5. Carbonate: Press the Aer1 button in short bursts, releasing after you hear the valve open. Shake the bottle vigorously between bursts.
6. Test Carbonation: Pour the carbonated water into the tester, shake, and record the pressure and temperature.
7. Repeat: Perform the test multiple times to ensure accuracy and to use up the entire Carbon Capsule.
Following these steps ensures you get consistent results and the best carbonation from your Aer1 system.