Old glass soda siphons (NOT Sparlets type) - can they be opened?

Question

Can the old fashioned ( 1050's 60's ) glass soda siphons be re-filled at home ? I realize that they cannot easily be pressurised at home but I intend to put home made Ginger Beer into them and so the natural pressure from the brew will be sufficient to allow dispensing.

Thanks oldhombre - I usually use plastic 2Ltr pop bottles and they seem to hold the pressure just fine, though not sure how much pressure we are talking about here !! I was assuming a Siphon bottle would be as strong or stronger than a pop bottle ? _ Also I haven't got a glass siphon bottle yet, hence my question before buying one off eBay :)

Answer 1

I thought they used to be sent back to the producer for refilling. Have you tried to unscrew the top off the glass bottle? I can follow your reasoning to put home made ginger beer which will generate the pressure to dispense the product but I think the fermentation will generate too much pressure before the ginger beer is ready. If you fill the siphon to 80% or so there could be huge pressure build up and blow the glass. If you only fill to 50% there is less chance of overpressure but the benefit of having the siphon will not be realised.

Answer 2

I'm not aware that it can be done at home.

They used to be returned to the manufacturer for refilling and resale