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Review: We Give the SodaStream Soda Maker a Big Thumbs UP

  • Spence Cooper
  • September 8, 2011

Review: We Give the SodaStream Soda Maker a Big Thumbs UPAt home carbonation systems allow you to turn regular tap water into sparkling water in seconds. They’re fun and simple to use, and if you have one or more prodigious soda drinkers in the family, making carbonated beverages from home saves you from lugging heavy soda bottles or cans from the supermarket.

Since our family already owns “iSi’s Twist and Sparkle Beverage Carbonating System”, we were eager to discover how well “SodaStream’s Home Carbonation System” performed, because while both systems carbonate water, each system accomplishes the task differently.

Blanca contacted SodaStream on my behalf and asked if we could borrow a unit to write a review, but the company was kind enough to donate one.

Brief Description of iSi’s Twist ‘n Sparkle

The Twist ‘n Sparkle System by iSi allows you to carbonate beverages using their “Sparkling Wand”. After filling iSi’s custom bottle with water or juice, the user loads a small palm-sized Co2 canister in the sparkling wand’s chamber, and snugly screws the wand head into the custom made BPA-free bottle. Snugly screwing the wand into the bottle pierces the Co2 canister seal, and the Co2 streams out for approximately 60 seconds.

Each Co2 canister makes one bottle (1 Quart/950 ml) of carbonated water or carbonated liquid of your choice.

The drawback with this method is weak carbonation. Often times we were forced to use two Co2 canisters to obtain sufficient carbonation, because not only does each canister contain varying amounts of Co2, the amount of Co2 in each one is insufficient for a really good fizz. Additionally, iSi’s unit only comes with 3 Co2 canisters.

And when using iSi type Co2 canisters/chargers, the strength of the carbonated fizz seems to fade faster than regular store bought soda.

The iSi 10-pack soda “chargers” cost around $13.00 each, and although Leland sells 100 soda chargers for around $40, either way the cost of Co2 chargers (I call them canisters) adds up.

Each Twist ‘n Sparkle unit comes with 1 Reusable bottle (1QT capacity), one Sparkling wand, 3 recyclable Co2 chargers, and 1 recipe booklet. The unit sells for around $45.

SodaStream’s Home Carbonation System

SodaStream claims to be the world’s largest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of Home Carbonation Systems. Their brands are sold in over 40,000 retail stores in 41 countries.

SodaStream makes several different style soda makers. We experimented with the Genesis Home Soda Maker Starter Kit With Drip Tray. The starter kit comes with a recyclable carbonator, two BPA-free plastic bottles, and a soda maker. We were also provided with a variety of SodaStream syrups.

The company has over 100 SodaStream flavored syrups including regular and diet flavors. The range of flavors includes cola, lemon-lime, pink grapefruit, red berry mix, apple, orange, exotic fruit flavors, energy drinks, ice tea and cocktail mixers.

Soda carbonators from SodaStream are made of light weight aluminum, and are available in two sizes: either 60 or 130 liter size (of carbonated soft drinks) per carbonator.

A full Co2 soda carbonator is included with the purchase of their soda maker. When the gas in the carbonator is empty, consumers exchange the empty carbonators for a full one, and pay only the cost of a gas refill.

With the SodaStream soda maker, the first step is to insert the carbonator into the back of the soda maker. Once the seal is removed from the Co2 cylinder (carbonator), the user screws the carbonator into place. It’s a very simple procedure and there’s no way to screw it up.

We inserted the provided slim 60-Liter carbonator which makes up to 60 one liter bottles. Once the carbonator is inserted, the user fills the provided BPH-free plastic one liter bottle with water. At the top of the soda maker, the bottle screws into matching grooves built into the machine. The process is similar to someone holding a bottle cap stationary, while another person twists the bottle on the cap to tighten it.

Once the bottle is secure, the user depresses the lever at the top of the soda maker with quick, short bursts until you hear three loud buzzes. To remove the bottle, the user pulls it slightly forward to release the seal, and then the bottle unscrews from the soda maker.

The strength of carbonation is awesome with plenty of fizz, just as bubbly and effervescent as store bought soda– and this is where the SodaStream outshines the competition hands down. And the level of carbonation is still strong even after two or more days. The bottle and air tight cap SodaStream provides is top notch.

You can add more carbonation by depressing the lever 4 or 5 times instead of the standard three after the buzz, but you won’t need it. Once your water has been carbonated, you add a cap full of one of the many syrups SodaStream manufactures.

About SodaStream Syrups

SodaStream diet syrups contain Splenda, a sucralose-based artificial sweetener derived from sugar. Their regular syrups contain both natural and artificial flavors and colors. We recommend SodaStream’s “Sparkling Natural” and “Clear” line of syrups made with natural sugar, which are free of preservatives, artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

SodaStream also offers “My Water Flavor Essence”, an all natural unsweetened product that provides a hint of fruit flavor.

SodaStream’s syrups range in flavor quality from good to fair. We have not tasted all their syrups, but their cola and lemon lime syrup makes a carbonated beverage similar to any generic cola or lemon lime flavored soda you’d buy at the supermarket. One of our favorites is the Cranberry-Rasberry flavored soda mix.

We’re Impressed

All in all, my family is very impressed with the SodaStream soda maker. It’s fast and simple to operate, the soda maker produces a powerful, hearty level of carbonation, and the carbonation lasts for days in the quality, airtight bottle provided.

We prefer the SodaStream soda maker over iSi’s Twist ‘n Sparkle for two reasons: SodaStream’s soda maker is easier to use and the hearty, lusty level of carbonation can’t be beat. We originally bought the Twist ‘n Sparkle because we didn’t want the hassle of having to return the Co2 cylinders, but the fun and ease of the SodaStream is well worth having to periodically exchange the cylinders.

SodaStream soda makers range in price from around $80 to $200, depending on the model. The SodaStream 60-Litre Carbonators Spare Cylinders are $29.99, but if you exchange one used cylinder, and purchase one spare, the price is around $45 for two. There are varying re-order kits to choose from.

Cylinder exchanges and purchases can also be made at participating stores like Sears, Macy’s and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. We feel a SodaStream soda maker would make a unique and affordable Christmas gift.

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