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How to Set Up a Home Soda Fountain
If you’ve ever wanted unlimited soda on tap at home — the same way restaurants serve it — setting up a home soda fountain is easier and more affordable than you might think.
Instead of buying cans or bottles, a home fountain system uses Bag-in-Box (BIB) syrup mixed with carbonated water to produce fresh soda on demand. One 20L BIB of Coca-Cola makes roughly 120 litres of finished drink — the equivalent of sixty 2L bottles.
Here’s everything you need to get started.
What You Need
A home soda fountain has four components:
1. A Carbonator
This is the device that turns flat water into sparkling water. Popular options include:
- SodaStream (entry-level, uses small CO2 canisters)
- Kegerator-style carbonators (uses refillable 5lb or 10lb CO2 tanks — much cheaper per litre)
- Inline carbonation systems (plumbed directly to your water line)
For casual use, a SodaStream works fine. For heavier use or true fountain-style output, a kegerator carbonator with a refillable CO2 tank is the way to go. A 10lb CO2 tank costs about $25–$35 to refill and carbonates hundreds of litres.
2. BIB Syrup
This is the same syrup used in restaurants and fast-food chains. It comes in a sealed plastic bag inside a cardboard box — hence “Bag-in-Box.”
BIB syrup is concentrated. You mix it with carbonated water at a ratio of roughly 5:1 (five parts water to one part syrup), which is why a single box lasts so long.
At Pourly, we carry BIB syrup from Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Sprite, and more — shipped directly to your door anywhere in Canada.
3. A Dispenser or Mixing Method
You have a few options for mixing syrup with carbonated water:
- Manual mixing: Carbonate water, pour into a glass, add syrup with a measuring cup or pump. Simple but effective.
- BIB pump with tubing: Attach a pump to the BIB bag and dispense syrup directly. Combine with carbonated water from a tap or pitcher.
- Full fountain dispenser: A countertop or under-counter unit that connects to both CO2 and syrup lines. These mix and dispense automatically — exactly like a restaurant fountain.
4. CO2 Supply
If you’re going beyond SodaStream, you’ll need a CO2 tank and regulator. These are available at welding supply stores, homebrew shops, and some fire extinguisher retailers. A standard 5lb CO2 tank fits under most counters and lasts months for home use.
How Much Does It Cost?
Here’s a rough breakdown for a mid-range home setup:
| Component | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Kegerator carbonator or SodaStream | $100–$300 |
| CO2 tank + regulator | $80–$150 |
| BIB pump (optional) | $15–$40 |
| First BIB syrup (e.g., Coca-Cola 20L) | ~$137 |
| Total startup | ~$330–$625 |
After the initial setup, your ongoing cost is just syrup and CO2 refills. A 20L BIB of Coca-Cola from Pourly costs about $137 and makes ~120 litres of Coke — that’s roughly $1.14 per litre, compared to $1.50–$2.00+ per litre buying bottles or cans at the grocery store.
The Math: Home Fountain vs. Buying Bottles
| Home Fountain (BIB) | Store-Bought 2L Bottles | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per litre | ~$1.14 | ~$1.50–$2.00 |
| 120 litres of Coke | ~$137 (one BIB) | ~$180–$240 (sixty 2L bottles) |
| Annual savings (500L/year) | — | $180–$430/year |
The savings add up fast, especially for families or anyone who goes through a lot of soda.
Tips for Getting Started
- Start with one flavour. Pick your household’s favourite and test the setup before investing in multiple BIBs.
- Store BIB syrup in a cool, dark place. Unopened BIB syrup has a long shelf life — typically 6–12 months. Once opened and connected, use it within 30–45 days for best taste.
- Get a proper CO2 setup. SodaStream canisters are convenient but expensive per litre of carbonation. A refillable tank pays for itself quickly.
- Use the right ratio. Most fountain syrups are designed for a 5:1 water-to-syrup ratio. Too much syrup makes it overly sweet; too little makes it flat-tasting.
- Keep it cold. Colder water holds carbonation better. Carbonate cold water for the best fizz.
Where to Buy BIB Syrup in Canada
That’s where we come in. Pourly ships Bag-in-Box fountain syrup from all the major brands — Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Fanta, and more — directly to homes and businesses across Canada.
We also offer 2L bottles of repackaged syrup for those who want a smaller quantity or want to try a flavour before committing to a full BIB.
Browse our full catalogue and start building your home fountain today.
Pourly is a Canadian soda syrup retailer shipping BIB and bottled fountain syrup nationwide. Questions? Contact us anytime.
