Carbonation Calculator

Professional CO₂ management based on Henry's Law with multi-factor corrections

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Violent Foaming on Pour

Symptom: Explosive foam, drink sprays everywhere

Cause: Temperature fluctuation or liquid too warm. High temps increase Brownian motion, forcing CO₂ out rapidly.

Solution

Cool liquid to below 4°C (ideally near 0°C). Always keep carbonated drinks refrigerated and avoid temperature swings.

Drink Goes Flat Immediately

Symptom: Carbonation disappears within seconds of pouring

Cause: Nucleation points from impurities, sediments, or dirty glassware triggering instant degassing.

Solution

Filter or clarify your liquid before carbonating. Use clean, polished glassware. Remove sediments and particles.

Weak or Inconsistent Carbonation

Symptom: Large, aggressive bubbles that don't last; uneven fizz

Cause: Seal leaks causing pressure drops. Even 1 PSI drop disturbs equilibrium and causes CO₂ to escape.

Solution

Check all seals, O-rings, and connections. Replace worn gaskets. Ensure vessel is properly pressurized and sealed.

Over-Carbonation (Too Sharp)

Symptom: Painful carbonic bite, harsh texture

Cause: Too much headspace, excessive pressure, or leaving under pressure too long.

Solution

Follow the ¾ liquid, ¼ headspace rule. Use correct PSI for your target. Vent excess pressure slowly before serving.

⚠️ Vessel Failure Risk

Symptom: Bulging container, hissing sounds, explosive release

Cause: Exceeding maximum safe pressure limits. CRITICAL SAFETY HAZARD.

Solution

Kegs: 130 PSI max | PET Bottles: 150 PSI max | Regulators: 70 PSI typical max

Liquid Parameters

Volume

Total Liquid Volume

Composition Estimates

ABV (Alcohol)

Brix (Sugar)

°Bx

Acidity Level

Temperature & Target

Liquid Temperature2.0°C

-5°C (Coldest)25°C (Room temp)

Target 2.50 vol

1.0 (Still)5.0 (Extra fizzy)

CO₂ Solubility Reference (g/L at 1 atm)

0°C

3.34

5°C

2.77

10°C

2.31

15°C

1.97

20°C

1.68

25°C

1.44

Vessel Type

Flow Path Compensation: The calculated PSI includes a 10% increase to account for carbonation loss through lines and during pour.

Required Pressure

27.4

1.89

BAR

4.9

g/L CO₂

Correction Factors

×1.25 (+25%)

×0.90 (-10%)

×0.96 (-4%)

Combined Effect

×1.08

Keg Carbonation Instructions

Chill liquid to target temperature (2°C)
Fill keg to ¾ capacity (¼ headspace)
Purge headspace with CO₂ (3 cycles)
Set regulator to 27.4 PSI
Leave under pressure for 48 hours minimum
Check carbonation level, adjust if needed

Carbonation Calculator

Health & Safety Guide

Violent Foaming on Pour

Solution

Drink Goes Flat Immediately

Solution

Weak or Inconsistent Carbonation

Solution

Over-Carbonation (Too Sharp)

Solution

⚠️ Vessel Failure Risk

Solution

Liquid Parameters

Temperature & Target

CO₂ Solubility Reference (g/L at 1 atm)

Vessel Type

Cornelius Keg

PET Bottle

Correction Factors

Keg Carbonation Instructions

Carbonation Calculator

Health & Safety Guide

Violent Foaming on Pour

Solution

Drink Goes Flat Immediately

Solution

Weak or Inconsistent Carbonation

Solution

Over-Carbonation (Too Sharp)

Solution

⚠️ Vessel Failure Risk

Solution

Liquid Parameters

Temperature & Target

CO₂ Solubility Reference (g/L at 1 atm)

Vessel Type

Cornelius Keg

PET Bottle

Correction Factors

Keg Carbonation Instructions