I was so thrilled when I was offered the chance to review the
SodaStream Soda Maker. I received the
starter kit 
which included: the black and silver model, along with (2) 1-liter bottles, and 1 60-L carbonator. I also received 7 different
soda flavors (cola, lemon lime, root beer, orange,diet cola, diet pink grapefruit, diet energy). The soda flavors contain NO high fructose corn syrup or aspartame. I also received a package of their
MyWater which is an unsweetened, all-natural flavor essence for making lightly flavored seltzer or sparkling water.
My family was so excited when the shipment arrived, we immediately set it up! It is very easy to set up. No electricity or batteries needed!
You hook up the carbonator, fill your bottles with water,carbonate, add syrup (Be careful on this step! pour the syrup slowly, otherwise it will fizz over. And lastly, gently rock the bottle to mix the syrup. In 5 steps, you have made your own soda!
Our first batches of soda were not very successful. We found that we were not putting enough carbonation into the water. It also works best if you get your water really cold. Cold water holds the carbonation better then room temperature water.
Once we figured out the right amount of carbonation and water temperature, the soda quality improved! Press the button until you hear a loud buzzing noise. It is recommend doing this three times for a “standard” amount of carbonation.
I think the 2 favorites in my family have been the root beer and the orange soda flavors. My mom, who mainly drinks diet, enjoyed the diet pink grapefruit the best from the diet selections. For soda made at home, it really does taste like store bought soda! To me, the SodaStream soda stays carbonated longer. That is one complaint that I have with store bought soda. It just doesn't hold the carbonation long once opened.
I love the reusable aspect of the SodaStream. The average American drinks 55 gallons of soda each year. If you don’t recycle the plastic bottles, that bottle will stay in the landfill for 700 years! Using the sodastream, the
plastic bottles are reusable.
The bottles have some specific care and handling instructions. You can’t wash them in the dishwasher, or with hot water. If the bottles have any damage, it is recommended that you stop using them and replace with new ones. Each bottle comes with an expiration date, and should be replaced at that time.
SodaStream is an "Active Green" product, meaning that consumers are actively reducing their CO2 footprint every time they make soda or sparkling water at home instead of buying it from the store. The more the system is used on a daily basis, the more CO2 footprint the user actively saves. Since my family has been working on becoming more "green", the SodaStream has been able to help us cut down on the amount of cans and plastic bottles. We have also helped to reduce pollution caused by transporting beverages.
What happens when your carbonator is empty? SodaStream has a
carbonator exchange program. SodaStream must receive an empty cylinder in return for each exchange carbonator that you order. Empty cylinders are cleaned, inspected and refilled with beverage-grade CO2 — and shipped out to other SodaStream customers. Or you have the option of finding a
local retailerthat stocks exchange carbonators. The retailer will sell you a full one for the price of the gas contents only. Note that retail locations carry the 15oz. (60L) exchange carbonators only.
One SodaStream carbonator makes 60 or 110 liters, equivalent to 170 or 310 aluminum cans! When empty, the carbonator is refilled and reused, ready to make more fizzy and tasty soda whenever you want it.Overall, I love this machine! My entire family has had fun making their own great tasting soda. We have not had the waste associated with store bought soda. We have also saved money. Being green and saving money make this product unbeatable, in my opinion.
Disclosure: I received the starter kit and soda flavor for free. I did not receive any monetary compensation. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and were in no way influenced by SodaStream.
Posts
.jpg)
.jpg)
