Aarke Cylinder Compatibility: What Fits and What Doesn't
If you own an Aarke Carbonator and you're trying to work out which CO2 cylinder fits it, here is the short answer: Aarke machines work with any standard screw-in CO2 cylinder - including CO2 YOU's. The one cylinder that does not fit an Aarke is theQuick Connect - the newer click-in design. The valve system is physically different, so a Quick Connect cylinder won't thread into an Aarke.
This guide covers what fits, what doesn't, how to swap the cylinder in and out, and what to do if you've ended up with the wrong cylinder type for your machine.
What you'll need
- Your Aarke Carbonator (Carbonator 3, Carbonator Pro, or earlier model)
- A screw-in CO2 cylinder (60-litre capacity)
- If you currently have a Quick Connect cylinder: a new screw-in cylinder to swap in instead
Which CO2 cylinders fit an Aarke?
Aarke machines are designed for the standard screw-in CO2 cylinder.
If the cylinder you're looking at is described as "screw-in", it will fit your Aarke Carbonator.
CO2 YOU's screw-in cylinder is the most direct fit and arrives on doorstep delivery, so the next one shows up before the current one runs out.
TheQuick Connect catch - and what to do about it
The exception to the rule is the Quick Connect cylinder. This is the newer click-in cylinder used in SodaStream's Terra, Art, and E-Duo machines. It looks similar to a screw-in cylinder at first glance, but it uses a click-in valve system instead of a thread.
A Quick Connect cylinder will not fit an Aarke Carbonator. The valve doesn't line up with the Aarke's threading, and trying to force it isn't a workaround - it's just two incompatible systems.
If you've recently switched from a Quick Connect to an Aarke and you've got a Quick Connect cylinder at home, you have three sensible options:
- Return the Quick Connect cylinder, then buy a screw-in cylinder for your Aarke. If it’s a CO2 YOU Quick Connect cylinder that you have, reach out to our customer care team who will be able to help with your return.
- Pick up a screw-in cylinder from CO2 YOU and put the Quick Connect cylinder aside for now
- If someone else in the household uses a Quick Connect machine, keep the Quick Connect cylinder for them - and order a screw-in cylinder separately for the Aarke
If you actually need a Quick Connect cylinder - CO2 YOU does sell a Quick Connect cylinder as well. It just isn't the one to put in an Aarke.
How to swap a cylinder into your Aarke
- Tip the Aarke gently onto its back and unscrew the rear panel to access the cylinder bay
- Remove the empty cylinder by turning it anti-clockwise - it will lift out once unthreaded
- Take your new screw-in cylinder, remove the safety cap, and discard it
- Lower the new cylinder into the bay and screw it in clockwise until it's hand-tight - firm, but never forced
- Replace the rear panel and stand the Aarke upright
- Press the carbonation button briefly with no bottle attached to confirm the connection - you should hear pressurised CO2 release
If you hear nothing on the test press, unscrew the cylinder a quarter turn and tighten again. If you hear hissing after fitting, the connection isn't fully seated - re-tighten until the hiss stops.
Common issues
The cylinder feels loose or the machine isn't carbonating.
Unscrew and re-attach, making sure the threads are properly aligned before tightening. Cross-threading is the most common cause of a loose seal.
Hissing sound after attaching the cylinder.
Usually means the connection isn't fully tight. Hand-tighten another quarter turn. If the hiss continues, the cylinder valve itself may be faulty - try a different cylinder.
Cylinder won't screw in at all.
Check that it's a screw-in cylinder, not a Quick Connect. Quick Connect cylinders have a smooth click-in connector rather than a thread, and they will not engage with an Aarke's cylinder bay. For more on the differences between Aarke models, our Carbonator 3 review covers what each machine takes.
Where to get your next Aarke cylinder
CO2 YOU sells screw-in cylinders that fit every Aarke Carbonator model. They're available individually or on a doorstep delivery subscription — meaning the next cylinder arrives when the current one runs out, so you never have to make a special trip or wait for a swap.
Frequently asked questions
Are CO2 YOU cylinders compatible with Aarke?
Yes. CO2 YOU's screw-in CO2 cylinders fit all Aarke Carbonators, including the Carbonator 3 and the Carbonator Pro. The cylinder is a standard 60-litre screw-in design - the same fitting Aarke is built for.
What's the difference between screw-in and Quick Connect cylinders?
Screw-in cylinders use a threaded connection and twist into place inside the machine. Quick Connect cylinders use a click-in connector that pushes into place with a single motion. The two are not interchangeable. A machine designed for a screw-in cylinder cannot accept a Quick Connect cylinder, and vice versa.
How long does a CO2 cylinder last in an Aarke?
A standard 60-litre cylinder produces around 60 litres of sparkling water - roughly 120 standard 500ml glasses. How long that lasts in your household depends on how much sparkling water you drink. For a household drinking around a litre a day, that's about two months per cylinder.
Can you refill a cylinder, or do you have to exchange it?
At CO2 YOU, you exchange it. CO2 YOU's work on an exchange model - you send back the empty and a refilled one comes out the other end. CO2 YOU runs this on a doorstep delivery subscription, so the exchange happens automatically without you having to make a trip to a supermarket exchange point.
Need a refill for your Aarke? Get a screw-in CO2 cylinder delivered straight to your door — no exchange queues, no supermarket trips, no remembering.
