does anyone own a soda stream?

[CandleontheWater]

I've been thinking about getting one because I drink a lot of seltzer, and DH drinks soda. I was at my aunts house last week and she raved about hers, and I thought it looked pretty awesome. If you own one, what do you like/dislike, would you purchase it again?

 

[mjkacmom]

We like ours. We use it mostly for seltzer - dd16 drinks a bottle every day just by herself.

 

[mrsv98]

I've been thinking about getting one because I drink a lot of seltzer, and DH drinks soda. I was at my aunts house last week and she raved about hers, and I thought it looked pretty awesome. If you own one, what do you like/dislike, would you purchase it again?

I bought one for DH a couple of Christmases ago and it was a total bust. He loves Coke so I thought it would be perfect. Unfortunately, all the syrups have sorbital in them so everything tastes like diet even if it isn't. We don't drink seltzer so I can't speak to how it is plain. It was pretty easy to use but all in all a waste of money.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I love mine. I mostly use it for seltzer. I like not having to buy bottles or cans (or return them). I've also been known to make sparkling moscato with it.

 

[caitlinsmom]

I bought one for DH a couple of Christmases ago and it was a total bust. He loves Coke so I thought it would be perfect. Unfortunately, all the syrups have sorbital in them so everything tastes like diet even if it isn't. We don't drink seltzer so I can't speak to how it is plain. It was pretty easy to use but all in all a waste of money.

This is exactly why we haven't bought one yet.
Although they are starting to come out with new flavors that don't have artificial sweeteners. I've heard you can use italian soda syrups instead though

 

[Disney Doll]

You can use any syrup you want. Basically you put the syrup into the bottle with some water, attach it to the machine andit blasts "fizz" into it.

 

[sunshinehighway]

You can use any syrup/flavoring you want. You fizz only water in the soda stream and add the syrup after. Its no different from adding flavored syrups to bottled seltzer. I think soda stream now sells natural syrups made with sugar instead of artifical stuff.

 

[tinkx3]

I saw these in Walmart (have seen the infomercials b4) and brought it up to my DBF because he drinks a lot of canned sodas, I buy them when they are on sale 3 12 packs for $9 or so, and I buy at least 3 12 packs a week! So I end up spending about $40 a month on sodas Anyway, I asked him what he thought about getting 1 and trying it, he said he is willing, but then if he hates it then we've just blown like $150 on it...so I would love to hear 1st hand experiences

 

[mrsv98]

You can use any syrup/flavoring you want. You fizz only water in the soda stream and add the syrup after. Its no different from adding flavored syrups to bottled seltzer. I think soda stream now sells natural syrups made with sugar instead of artifical stuff.

Thanks for this, I had just stuck the whole thing in the basement and forgotten about it. I think I will get some of the sparkling naturals and see what they taste like!

 

[sunshinehighway]

I saw these in Walmart (have seen the infomercials b4) and brought it up to my DBF because he drinks a lot of canned sodas, I buy them when they are on sale 3 12 packs for $9 or so, and I buy at least 3 12 packs a week! So I end up spending about $40 a month on sodas Anyway, I asked him what he thought about getting 1 and trying it, he said he is willing, but then if he hates it then we've just blown like $150 on it...so I would love to hear 1st hand experiences

You can find them cheaper. If you have a Kohl's card you can usually use any coupons they send you. Bjs has a good deal on them. Even bed and bath usually has a 20% off coupon floating around.

 

[Nette]

We use ours for seltzer exclusively and love it! The only thing I hate is refilling the bottles with water because I somehow always manage to spill it on myself. Every. single. time.

We also keep an extra canister of CO2 on hand... but one canister lasts us about 3-4 weeks at 2 bottles of seltzer per day.

 

[JoiseyMom]

We had been looking at it for awhile, and DH wanted to jump on it. I slowed him down, and then we finally tried it at Costco. He wanted to buy it immediatly and I stopped him...LOL. I waited for a sale and 30% off Kohls and bought it then! LOL...saved lots.

We use the coupons for Bed Bath and Beyond for refills and the syrups. We buy both the natural (all sugar) and the others. They are really good.

I use it for seltzer, the kids for soda. We have four of the bottles.

If you aren't sure if you are going to like it then buy it from Costco or Kohls that lets you make returns if you don't like something.

 

[keetmommy]

We had been looking at it for awhile, and DH wanted to jump on it. I slowed him down, and then we finally tried it at Costco. He wanted to buy it immediatly and I stopped him...LOL. I waited for a sale and 30% off Kohls and bought it then! LOL...saved lots.

We use the coupons for Bed Bath and Beyond for refills and the syrups. We buy both the natural (all sugar) and the others. They are really good.

I use it for seltzer, the kids for soda. We have four of the bottles.

If you aren't sure if you are going to like it then buy it from Costco or Kohls that lets you make returns if you don't like something.

Do you have to buy their bottles or can use bottles you already have? I am waiting for it to go on sale at Kohls...Hoping this wknd...I have 50.00 In Kohls cash to spend!

 

[Diznygrl]

I think you can buy actual Coca Cola syrup in bulk at Costco...so if you reeeally like Coke, that could be a way to go.

 

[Squirlz]

Here is a link to a tutorial my Wife made about DIY carbonation.

 

[Zandy595]

I saw these in Walmart (have seen the infomercials b4) and brought it up to my DBF because he drinks a lot of canned sodas, I buy them when they are on sale 3 12 packs for $9 or so, and I buy at least 3 12 packs a week! So I end up spending about $40 a month on sodas Anyway, I asked him what he thought about getting 1 and trying it, he said he is willing, but then if he hates it then we've just blown like $150 on it...so I would love to hear 1st hand experiences

He drinks 5 cans a day?

 

[Phatoomch]

We had one the first time round (in the 70's ) and back then it was novel especially as soda wasn't that cheap to buy as it is now and you didn't have the array of flavors that you do now. BUT the syrups weren't that great and it was a pain if the cannister thingy ran out right as you wanted to make one, you didn't have a spare and then found that the store didn't have any in stock at that time.

So, I'll avoid it second time round

 

[CandleontheWater]

Thanks for the info. I like the idea of waiting for a sale and using a Kohls coupon, that would significantly take the price down. I'm thinking we might pull the trigger, since mostly I'd use it for seltzer and DH would make the occasional bottle of soda (and he's not really picky about flavor).

 

[swanmom]

We LOVE ours! We use it constantly. Got it at Bed Bath & Beyond with a coupon and a rebate so the price was significantly less. I also use BB & B coupons for the canisters so they are cheaper. Our canister lasts us for 3-4 months. I agree with the previous posters about the syrup but we use it mostly for plain seltzer so that isn't an issue for us. Sometimes I squeeze in a hint of fresh fruit juice at the end.Lemon, lime and orange are easy to do and taste great!

 

[Jedana]

We've had one for about 3 years...still on the original 2 bottles of air it came with. You can only use their bottles on it (unless that's changed with newer models).

It's ok. I don't like the Sodastream soda mixes--they contain aspartame and have a horrible aftertaste (to me); I also get headaches due to the aspartame.

They have new mixes now, that have real sugar in them. Those are pretty good.

For awhile, we ordered our mixes from http://pittsburghsodapop.com/ I love their vanilla root beer and golden cream soda flavors! The butterbeer is awesome, and so is the black cherry and cream soda with honey. The cola is very deep--more like RC cola than Coke. But..it takes a lot to make the soda--I think maybe 1/3 to 1/2 bottle per bottle of water.


If you do use, make sure you use very very cold water. The cold water seems to take the "bubbles" better, and it tastes much better ice cold!