Anyone have a Sodastream?

[Zeke]

Is it any cheaper to make a glass of soda?

While I'm here, can you buy Coca Cola syrup made the Mexican way with cane sugar? I could drink one a day of the 12 oz Mexican Cokes in glass bottles but they run over 2 bucks ea. I know, that's the price of a good beer but sometimes I like a soda and can't somehow do that number.

Especially when a 12 pack of canned sodas are $2.50 ea (about .30 ea plus tax) when on sale and purchased 4 packs at a time. Canned soda sucks anyway. I do pour it aggressively over ice in a glass to help it out some.

The last resort would be to make my own syrup. The Coke recipe floating around is close enough.

And finally, is there an alternative to Sodastream that is practical for the home?

[wdfifteen]

I have a Sodastream and I love it, but I only use it to make sparkling water. I don't like plain water, but I easily drink my 8 glasses a day of fizzy water, so I guess it can be called healthy. A $20 gas bottle makes about 60 litres of water.

[stevej37]

I have had one for years...don't use it much anymore.
There are many types of syrups/flavors available.
It makes great diet rum and cokes.

The best part of sodas stream is that you can mix and match flavors and strengths as to your liking.

[LWJ]

Just plain soda water here. It is another gizmo to crowd your counters. It is pretty nice to have a cold soda water anytime. I would never buy straight soda. I would say it is a take it or leave it thing for me. My wife wanted it. So we have one.

[blucille]

I just bought one for my wife. The machine itself is cheap, poorly made, it should at least have a base plate and rubber feet....oh well.

There are competitors now, probably higher quality hardware. Also, look around, a lot of hacks documented online to let you use paintball canisters instead of the expensive soda stream refills.

Overall, it’s a hit, my wife loves it and I’m happy to lug fewer plastic bottles around.

[red-beard]

You used to be able to buy coke syrup at Sams club.

[Tobra]

How much would it cost to buy a bar/restaurant soda pop setup right now? Probably dirt cheap.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by red-beard

You used to be able to buy coke syrup at Sams club.

I'm sure that you can buy it somewhere, every restaurant and bar w a soda station in the world uses it.

[rusnak]

Smart and Final sells Coca-Cola syrup. The one that's impossible to get is Pepsi. It's really not possible to get the same level of carbonation at home. I think our system is at around 180/200 psi or so. The Mexican coke in glass bottles is crazy expensive. It's almost worthwhile getting a soda fountain with tanks and bag in the box at those prices. And you can skip the CRV.

[Evans, Marv]

I've had one for quite a while but never use it with flavored syrup. I do like the fizzy water sometimes by itself and mixing the carboneted water with fruit juices and maybe some stevia sweetener. I've quit most sugared things and bought the hype about commercial carbonated drinks not being good for you.

[Tobra]

My sister has a pomegranate tree and one of those soda water things. It is good with a bit of the juice in it

[Bill Douglas]

I have a sodastream and like just the plain water.

Or some berry juice with it. But not the sort with a whole lot of sugar in it.

A friend bought one of those adapters so he can hook up his big CO2 cylinder to it. Brings the cost of it way down.

[ZOO]

We use ours regularly. But it always seems to fall on my shoulders to buy replacement cartridges, even though the four adults who live here all use it (two of our children still live at home while they get themselves sorted to leave the nest). Beware . . .

[wdfifteen]

I used to get CO2 canisters at Kroger or Best Buy. For the past 6 months Kroger's supply has been erratic and Best Buy has been non-existent.
I got a Soda Sense account and bought two additional bottles. They send them in a reusable box. When I have two empties I send them back. I really didn't need three bottles since the turn around time is a matter of a few days, but I didn't know that at the time.
The cost to exchange is $19 each bottle (about 2 bucks cheaper than Kroger). Sounded like a good deal, especially since the website said "Free Shipping" all over it. Turned out free shipping only applied to the initial purchase. So many people complained that they now ship exchange bottles free.

https://www.amazon.com/Soda-Sense-Cylinder-Cartridge-Refill/dp/B07WHHW2Y2

[jhynesrockmtn]

I have one collecting dust. I don't drink soda anymore and with Costco's sparkling water at less than $.25/can it's hard to justify taking up counter space and dealing with the cartridges and flavoring.

[911boost]

I use mine often, manly sparkling water like has been mentioned but I do get the decaf syrup too because finding a decaf soda is hit or miss for the rare times I want one.

[stevej37]

Here's just some of the available flavors...

[Bob Kontak]

Sam's Club has soda syrup but it's on-line. Five gallons (ugh) - $60 for off brand Cola and $100 for name brand like Dr Pepper but did not see the Coca-Cola brand.

[creaturecat]

cost concerns? adapters are available to convert to a large CO2 tank. fwiw.

[stevej37]

I found the cost of the syrup much higher than the cost of the CO2
The cylinders seem to last forever.