I've had a sodastream for a few weeks now and just got two cylinders at Bed Bath and beyond. As far as I can tell, they're both empty! I exchanged my old cylinder for one of them, and took the other off the shelf. When I put either in the sodastream and try to carbonate, it makes an initially strong bubbling but then dies off. The water never gets more than the most minor fizz.

Is it possible both cylinders are empty?

The only troubleshooting faq I could find on sodastream' website said I might have two black rubber gaskets in place. I checked, and there's only one.

If one of them is off of the shelf, new, then there is probably something wrong with your machine. I'd reach out to sodastream.

The two cylinders you bought from BB&B had their tops wrapped in plastic, right? Employees who aren't entirely familiar with the exchange process may have given you empties by accident.

Yes, both were wrapped in green plastic and had a little white plastic cap on top (under the green plastic).

I just called SodaStream and they said to leave a message because of heavy call volume. We'll see how long it takes to call me back.

Bumping this older thread with apologies, but it seemed relevant to share that due to the current COVID-19 situation, I am having challenges in exchanging empty canisters.

My normal go-to was Bed Bath and Beyond with a 20% coupon, but all of their stores are now closed. My backup was Staples, but as of today, I was informed by my local store that they aren't accepting recycle/exchange items (including SodaStream) for now. So, it seems the only option is to do mail order exchanges. Looks like I can order from SodaStream, with a 3% kickback from Mr Rebates; anyone else have a better option?

Thanks!

refilling Soda Stream
 

Wow! This thread is nine years old! Cool!
I love my Soda Stream. Use it every evening, in fact.
The Achilles Heel is not the device (unless you object to buying things made in the Occupied Territories ?) # BDS ?
For years, I paid retail for the refills. Cost me a bundle. Two years ago, I discovered a local dude on Craigslist who was selling refills out of his basement. Bizarre, but it worked for me!
When he went off line, I found another guy who sells refills out of a retail store. I got 4 refills on Sat and I think he will be around for awhile. Unless covid puts him out of business ?

Target does canisters exchange.

Sodastream was one of my best investments :D

I have found another use for my SodaStream syrups and mixers as White Claw now sells a unflavored version ($5.99/12 pack at my local liquor store)

Hardware stores usually sell these both for exchange and new in box. Usually we have 1 backup but we added another.

a nearby gourmet market (expensive liquor etc) also stocks it.

but nowhere is as cheap as BB&B. Likewise, it’s still much less than buying sparkling water at a shop.