Final thoughts

• $300 for the system
• $50 for the CO2 tank deposit
• $200 for various fittings and hose

Reoccurring costs that you don't recoup are:

• $16 per CO2 tank fill; should last 6 months to a year
• $4 per month for the tank rental (versus $125 to buy a tank)
• Water (we are on city water, but it is so cheap as to be listed as "free")
• Electricity (again, very little)

Reoccurring costs that you DO recoup:

• $50 per 5 gallon box, $25 per 2.5 gallon box. The syrup has an expiration date, so I am trying to stick to 2.5 gallon boxes, since those get used up faster.

Overall, you will save money on soda. But if you don't drink very much of it, then you might not save enough to recover your costs in the first year. There are five people in this house, so we will probably recoup the initial investment within the first year. The bottom line is that you will have to run the numbers for yourself to decide if it is worth it to you. Don't forget to factor in convenience! Essentially, you won't have to buy soda at the store anymore, and you'll never open the fridge to find out there aren't anymore drinks in the house.

Concerning the syrup expiration date, I have been told by someone else who has done this that they are able to use the syrup far beyond the date printed on the box, and that the cola companies only specify the date for consistency and "freshness", whatever that means. Once I've had this machine running for six months, I will report back here how this issue plays out. At any rate, he keeps regular syrup for up to a year. (Diets have artificial sweeteners in them that break down much faster than real sugar).

Update: Well, it seems that six months is the limit on diet. It also seems that we have used up our regular syrup before the six month mark, so I haven't had a chance to test that yet.

Also note that I did not list the stainless steel table, which we bought for $170 at a local restaurant supply shop. That's because we could have easily put it on a table or counter top already in the house, we just didn't want to. That much is up to you. A cheaper wooden table would work just as well.

Don't forget the "wow" factor - you'll be the envy of your neighborhood. Guests will bow at your feet begging forgiveness for being unworthy. Or something. Also, poor people will be envious, and you might just get threatened for being a capitalist pig by a few Islamic fundamentalists. Who says you don't know how to have a good time?

Maintenance

This one is easy. Just disconnect the fitting and connect the new box! If you are changing flavors, be sure to run plenty of syrup out of that line so you don't get mixed flavors. Some flavors will leave an aftertaste in the tube for a long time; in that case, you will need to replace the 3/8" ID syrup feed line to the pump, as well as the 1/4" ID pressurized line between the pump and the fountain head. The metal components and syrup pump itself shouldn't be a problem.

When CO2 runs out:

First of all, disconnect the power to the carbonator. Then turn the fresh water and CO2 gas supply off. Now vend soda until there is no more pressure in the carbonator's tank and the gas lines. Then you can disconnect the regulator and replace the cylinder. Be sure to replace the plastic washer between the regulator and the cylinder! The place you get refills from should be able to supply you with that sort of thing.

Routine Maintenance:

Usually, the carbonator pump needs to be oiled every five years with occasional use (which is what you will be doing.) Follow the manufacturer's directions for that procedure.

Most public health codes require machines and syrup systems to be cleaned every so often, but for your own home use you will have to set the standard. The process basically consists of washing out the ice bin and flushing the syrup lines and heads with a cleaning solution. Disconnect the bag in box connector from the end of the syrup line, then stick the hose into a bucket of cleaning solution. Vend until cleaning solution is coming out of the head. Let it sit for three minutes, then do the same thing again with clean water. Then reconnect the syrup. The procedure varies and manufacturer recommendations vary. Follow the directions for cleaning that apply to your unit. You can also find manuals for ice/dispenser units (such as the FS18) on Lancer Corp's website. Those are decent general directions that you can use if you cannot find any specific ones from your manufacturer. (Look at this file, page 2.)

 

 

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