An apparatus comprising: a carbonator having an outlet for dispensing a flow of carbonated water; a flow compensator having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the carbonator, the flow compensator including: a housing comprising a conduit having an inlet port; an insert at least partially disposed within the conduit, the insert including a longitudinal axis and comprising: a tapered portion extending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a wider end distal the inlet port; an outlet port located distal the tapered portion; a cylindrical portion extending from the tapered portion distal the wider end of the tapered portion; and a facility for adjusting the position of the insert within the conduit; wherein the flow compensator is configured to receive the carbonated water at the inlet port, direct the carbonated water through the conduit around a portion of the insert disposed within the conduit, from the narrower end of the tapered portion to the wider end of the tapered portion and along the cylindrical portion, and outlet the carbonated water at the outlet port; wherein at least one of the conduit or the cylindrical portion of the insert includes one or more surface features (222; 701, 702), the one or more surface features including: a plurality of alternating ribs and channels formed in at least one of a surface of the cylindrical portion or in a wall of the conduit facing the cylindrical portion of the insert, wherein the plurality of alternating ribs and channels extend along at least 50% of the cylindrical portion to decrease the magnitude of the velocity of the flow through the channels. a carbonator having an outlet for dispensing a flow of carbonated water; a flow compensator having an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the carbonator, the flow compensator including: a housing comprising a conduit having an inlet port; an insert at least partially disposed within the conduit, the insert including a longitudinal axis and comprising: a tapered portion extending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a wider end distal the inlet port; an outlet port located distal the tapered portion; a cylindrical portion extending from the tapered portion distal the wider end of the tapered portion; and a facility for adjusting the position of the insert within the conduit; wherein the flow compensator is configured to receive the carbonated water at the inlet port, direct the carbonated water through the conduit around a portion of the insert disposed within the conduit, from the narrower end of the tapered portion to the wider end of the tapered portion and along the cylindrical portion, and outlet the carbonated water at the outlet port; wherein at least one of the conduit or the cylindrical portion of the insert includes one or more surface features (222; 701, 702), the one or more surface features including: a plurality of alternating ribs and channels formed in at least one of a surface of the cylindrical portion or in a wall of the conduit facing the cylindrical portion of the insert, wherein the plurality of alternating ribs and channels extend along at least 50% of the cylindrical portion to decrease the magnitude of the velocity of the flow through the channels. a housing comprising a conduit having an inlet port; an insert at least partially disposed within the conduit, the insert including a longitudinal axis and comprising: a tapered portion extending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a wider end distal the inlet port; an outlet port located distal the tapered portion; a cylindrical portion extending from the tapered portion distal the wider end of the tapered portion; and a facility for adjusting the position of the insert within the conduit; a tapered portion extending from a narrower end proximal the inlet port to a wider end distal the inlet port; an outlet port located distal the tapered portion; a cylindrical portion extending from the tapered portion distal the wider end of the tapered portion; and a facility for adjusting the position of the insert within the conduit; wherein the flow compensator is configured to receive the carbonated water at the inlet port, direct the carbonated water through the conduit around a portion of the insert disposed within the conduit, from the narrower end of the tapered portion to the wider end of the tapered portion and along the cylindrical portion, and outlet the carbonated water at the outlet port; wherein at least one of the conduit or the cylindrical portion of the insert includes one or more surface features (222; 701, 702), the one or more surface features including: a plurality of alternating ribs and channels formed in at least one of a surface of the cylindrical portion or in a wall of the conduit facing the cylindrical portion of the insert, wherein the plurality of alternating ribs and channels extend along at least 50% of the cylindrical portion to decrease the magnitude of the velocity of the flow through the channels.