For well-carbonated water, use cold water, fill your bottle to the marked line and make sure your bottle and cylinder are installed correctly. Then adjust your button presses to your machine and the level of fizz you enjoy. A few simple habits can make a difference to both the bubbles in your glass and how you use CO₂.
However, nearly flat water, an overflowing bottle or a cylinder that seems to run out too quickly do not always mean you are using your machine incorrectly. Here are seven habits to review, along with situations where it is best to ask our team for help.
1. Using water that is not cold enough
CO₂ dissolves more readily in cold water than in room-temperature water. If your water is not cold enough, you may find yourself pressing the button more often to achieve the fizz you want.
Best practice: fill a compatible bottle with water and chill it in the refrigerator before carbonation. Use the cold water as soon as you take it out. Add ice cubes to your glass after preparing your sparkling water.
Chill the water, not the CO₂ cylinder. Use and store the cylinder according to the manufacturer’s instructions, away from heat sources.
2. Guessing how much water to put in the bottle
A bottle’s total capacity does not necessarily match the amount of water it is designed to carbonate. Filling above the line reduces the space needed for carbonation and increases the risk of overflowing. If the water level is too low, the end of the tube may sit above the water.
Best practice: fill your bottle to the marked line without going above it. Place it on a level surface to check the water level, then attach it as directed for your machine.
Use a bottle designed for carbonation and compatible with your machine model. A regular water bottle, or one that simply appears to fit the connection, is not enough.
3. Holding the button down for too long
One long, continuous press can use more CO₂ without giving you the result you want. Every additional press uses gas, so adjust the number of presses to your preferred level of carbonation.
Best practice: with the Indigo Soda machine, press the button for 2 to 3 seconds at a time, releasing it completely between presses. Adjust the number of presses to the level of fizz you enjoy. For a machine from another brand, follow its user manual or automatic settings.
Once carbonation is complete, follow your machine’s pressure-release procedure before removing the bottle. Never force the bottle out.
4. Choosing the wrong cylinder or forcing it into place
Choose your cylinder based on your machine’s connection system. At Indigo Soda, the purple Classic Twist is designed for compatible screw-in machines, while the turquoise Easy Connect is intended for compatible Quick Connect machines. The Indigo Soda machine uses the Classic Twist.
Best practice: check your machine model before buying or exchanging a cylinder. For a screw-in cylinder, align it correctly and tighten it by hand, without tools or excessive force. If the connection resists or does not engage normally, check it rather than applying more force. Our guide to choosing the right CO₂ cylinder explains both systems. If you already use an adapter and encounter a problem, ask our team for advice before changing your setup.
5. Neglecting the bottle, nozzle and seals
A bottle that is not properly attached, a nozzle that has not been put back correctly after cleaning or a displaced seal are among the things to check when carbonation becomes weak. These symptoms alone do not identify which part is causing the problem.
Best practice: when the machine is not in use, check that the bottle attaches correctly and inspect the accessible parts intended for routine maintenance. On the Indigo Soda machine, make sure the white dip tube and nozzle are properly in place, following the machine’s instructions. If a seal appears to be missing or damaged, contact us before using the machine again.
Wash Indigo bottles by hand with lukewarm water and mild soap, then rinse thoroughly. Use them only within their recommended service life and replace any damaged bottle. See our sparkling water maker cleaning and maintenance guide to make these checks part of your routine.
6. Adding flavours before carbonation
Adding syrup, juice or fruit to the bottle before pressing the button is not suitable for the Indigo Soda machine. It is designed to carbonate plain, cold water only. Other ingredients can cause foaming and leave residue inside the mechanism.
Best practice: carbonate the water first, then pour it into a glass and add your flavours. Do not put an already flavoured drink back in the machine to restore its fizz. For more inspiration, browse our homemade sparkling drink recipes. They offer ways to customize your drinks using water that has already been carbonated.
7. Continuing to press the button when the fizz fades without checking why
If your water becomes less fizzy, repeatedly pressing the button will not necessarily solve the problem. The cylinder may be running low on CO₂, installed incorrectly or defective. The machine may also need to be checked.
Best practice: if there is no leak or damage, check that the water is cold, the bottle is filled to the line and everything is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the cylinder is empty, find a retailer using our exchange point locator.
A continuous hissing sound when you are not carbonating, a major leak or a broken part means you should stop using the machine. Do not try to repair the cylinder valve or remove a stuck part with a tool. Contact our team to find out what to do next.
Tell us your machine model, cylinder type and what you are noticing. Our team may also ask you to weigh the cylinder to estimate how much gas remains, since the weight of an empty cylinder varies depending on the container. Photos can help, including a close-up of the valve if the cylinder has already been removed and is not leaking. A video with sound may be useful if the machine is still operating normally without a leak; do not run a leaking machine again to film it. Our sparkling water maker troubleshooting guide covers additional basic checks.
Good habits at a glance
| Before carbonation | During | After |
|---|---|---|
| Plain, cold water; bottle filled to the line; compatible equipment installed correctly. | Press the button as directed for your machine, releasing it completely between presses on the Indigo Soda machine. | Remove the bottle according to the user manual, add flavours to your glass and clean your containers. |
To get the fizz you enjoy, start with these guidelines and adjust carbonation gradually. If an unusual change persists, our team can help you identify the next useful check.
FAQ
Why is my water still barely fizzy with a new cylinder?
First, check that the cylinder is compatible and installed correctly, the water is cold and the bottle is filled to the line. Also check that the bottle and nozzle are attached according to the user manual. A new cylinder can be defective: if the problem persists or a leak appears, stop using the machine and contact our team.
Why does my CO₂ cylinder run out so quickly?
Yield depends in part on how much gas you use per bottle. Long or frequent presses can reduce the number of litres you get. A leak or defect may also be responsible. If the cylinder empties very quickly or you hear a continuous leaking sound, have the problem assessed before continuing to use the machine.
Can you recarbonate flavoured sparkling water?
No, not with the Indigo Soda machine. Carbonate plain, cold water only, then add flavours to your glass. If your drink already contains syrup, juice or other ingredients, do not put it back in the machine.
