Soda Maker?

AmazingGracePlayer · #1 07-24-2011, 02:48 PM

Has anyone bought this soda maker?
SodaStream Genesis Soda Maker - Black - Bed Bath & Beyond

Or any soda maker in general? Is there a CO2 tank that you have to change every once in a while? Do you have any experiences to share?

i_got_a_mohawk · #2 07-24-2011, 03:19 PM

We had an ooollllddd school soda steam when I was wee, kinda like this:

Pretty fun thing, maybe a bit of a gimick, but it was pretty nice being able to make your own sodas (they had individual glass bottles with the one we had), used to also be able to get branded syrups, which I don't think you can get anymore?

They have small CO2 cylinders that you replace.

Probably not something I would use much now, don't think it is any cheaper than buying bottles of soda from the shops (but I could be wrong, not looked at the numbers, just rememeber the syrup and CO2 not being too cheap).

**line6man** · #3 07-24-2011, 03:25 PM

I've been meaning to post a thread about these.

Can you make a good Seltzer water if you skip the flavoring?

I drink a 2 liter bottle of Seltzer water every day or two. The problem is, it costs $1.19 plus taxes per bottle.

I'm wondering if one of those soda machines would make the same thing and save me money?

The flavored sodas sound good, too. Do they taste good? I would not want to end up with something that tastes like cheap store-brand soda.

AmazingGracePlayer · #4 07-24-2011, 03:26 PM

I heard the flavor/syrup is not that good. I'm just buying it for the carbonated water.

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 07-24-2011, 03:31 PM

You can use them to make soda.

Looks like the syrup they do these days is thier own make, not branded. So I doubt it'd be that great.

**line6man** · #6 07-24-2011, 03:35 PM

Eww, apparently those flavorings are sweetened with Splenda.
Splenda is the nastiest crap on the earth. It ruins absolutely anything you sweeten with it.

i_got_a_mohawk · #7 07-24-2011, 03:57 PM

Really?

To each their own. Sucralose > Aspartame in my books

Edit - you could always buy branded syrups, only problem is they tend to come in a large (7L) box !

**line6man** · #8 07-24-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Really?

To each their own. Sucralose > Aspartame in my books

I don't know how anyone can stand that crap. It's awful.

tplyons · #9 07-24-2011, 04:07 PM

I do not own a Soda Stream but I have sampled some of their products, and they're pretty good.

I toyed around with the idea of getting one because I used to drink a lot of soda. So, I went to BB&B when they were doing a demo, and tried it out.

The Red "Cola" Flavor tastes like Coke, only it is sweetened with real sugar and some sucralose. I believe they also have some all natural flavors.

Yes, they do use a CO2 tank which isn't cheap, but I did the math and recall it coming out to significantly less than my Coca-Cola purchasing in the past.

However, I still might revisit it for it's energy drink (aka Red Bull) savings.

Selta · #10 07-24-2011, 04:40 PM

Well, I'm going to buy one just to see. I'm intrigued. Drink about a liter of seltzer water every day or two, so I'm not really even interested in the flavorings. From what I can tell, if you get the one with the 130L CO2, each CO2 container is about $50, making it about $1/L if you get the $79 machine for the first batch. After that, you only buy the CO2 canisters, so your cost per L goes way down.

i_got_a_mohawk · #11 07-24-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

I don't know how anyone can stand that crap. It's awful.

I notice a bitter aftertaste with aspartame that isn't there with sucralose. It'll vary from person to person, depending on what their tastebuds pick up. But for me, it certainly tastes less chemical-like than aspartame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

Yes, they do use a CO2 tank which isn't cheap, but I did the math and recall it coming out to significantly less than my Coca-Cola purchasing in the past.

How did the numbers compare to own-brand drinks? Don't tempt me to buy new toys

DanAleks · #12 07-24-2011, 05:18 PM

I may be wrong, but the bottles look like a proprietary design.
The mouth looks larger than standard bottles.

I don't see where you can buy more bottles when these fail.

If they're not proprietary, then this looks kinda cool!

Selta · #13 07-24-2011, 05:19 PM

You buy bottles right from the source:
Carbonating Bottles

AmazingGracePlayer · #14 07-24-2011, 06:42 PM

Ray please post a review after you buy it and let me know how it is! The only reason I want to buy it is for its convenience, but if I have to change/spend a fortune on changing the CO2 then I might as well start trying to loose the habit of drinking carbonated water all the time.

DanAleks · #15 07-24-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

You buy bottles right from the source:
Carbonating Bottles

Sweet!
I didn't see that.

**line6man** · #16 07-24-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmazingGracePlayer

Ray please post a review after you buy it and let me know how it is! The only reason I want to buy it is for its convenience, but if I have to change/spend a fortune on changing the CO2 then I might as well start trying to loose the habit of drinking carbonated water all the time.

Sometimes I run out of carbonated water and am forced to drink regular water instead. Honestly, a glass of ice cold water with a squirt of lime juice isn't bad. I could get used to it if I had to.

**line6man** · #17 07-24-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

I notice a bitter aftertaste with aspartame that isn't there with sucralose. It'll vary from person to person, depending on what their tastebuds pick up. But for me, it certainly tastes less chemical-like than aspartame.

See, for me, it's the opposite.
If something has Splenda in it, I taste it immediately, and it's sort of like a bitter aftertaste. It's a very "chemical" flavor.

Selta · #18 07-24-2011, 07:51 PM

Well, my order is placed... I went with the Jet model, and bought one of their starter "kits" that you get a bunch of flavors with, and 3 bottles, too. Figure why not, can just try it all and see how it is. It didn't really give me any options for shipping other than "Standard shipping", so I'm not entirely sure when it'll be here. If I get tracking info or anything I'll let you know ETA. Otherwise, I'll just let you know once it shows up and how the first liter goes!

Edit:
Exact kit that I ordered:
http://www.sodastreamusa.com/Fountai...-Kit-P188.aspx

MJ5150 · #19 07-24-2011, 07:56 PM

I just wanted to say I don't drink soda.

-Mike

Thunderitter · #20 07-24-2011, 08:37 PM

I bought one of the new Sodastreams as a bit of a joke for my wife, but it's turned out really well.

We don't bother with the syrups, but we use the flavors to make the flavored water, which is really good. Our soda consumption has dropped to pretty much zero now.