Prime Members: Sodastream Fizzi Sparkling Water Maker Starter Kit EXPIRED

So, I see some reviews mentioning that these are finicky with CO2 being too full or too empty. I've seen these posted on SD before and figured that I would solicit feedback.

1. Do you get close to the 60 liters of water? Interested in using my own water vs. the unknown source of others.

2. Do you use essential oils for flavoring? ie Lemon or Lime

3. The replacement Co2 seems kind of expensive on Amazon. It seems like you can fill them up, but any risks to this? I don't know if there are clean vs. dirty sources of Co2.

4. This deal with two bottles + 2 Co2 + 2 flavors seems worth it if someone is jumping in? https://www.amazon.com/SodaStream...6P3J2?th=1

Thanks

Reviews say to spend more on brand products vs this. A bunch of people thought they could go a cheap route only to find an inadequate product.

Quote from duijver : So, I see some reviews mentioning that these are finicky with CO2 being too full or too empty. I've seen these posted on SD before and figured that I would solicit feedback. 1. Do you get close to the 60 liters of water? Interested in using my own water vs. the unknown source of others. 2. Do you use essential oils for flavoring? ie Lemon or Lime 3. The replacement Co2 seems kind of expensive on Amazon. It seems like you can fill them up, but any risks to this? I don't know if there are clean vs. dirty sources of Co2. 4. This deal with two bottles + 2 Co2 + 2 flavors seems worth it if someone is jumping in? https://www.amazon.com/SodaStream...6P3J2?th=1 Thanks

I bought one last year and love it although an older model - I bought it used. I think I get about 60 liters. You can get the refills locally for about $15 - they are completely sealed and not and issue. I do it at Walmart and Bed Bath and Beyond

I use drink mix to flavor like crystal light.

Quote from blueletterd : Reviews say to spend more on brand products vs this. A bunch of people thought they could go a cheap route only to find an inadequate product.

Isn't Sodastream the top name in this market? What other name brands are there?

Which do you recommend? Other variants are also on sale.

I still use my old soda steam 130l. I dont even think they make them any more. but its the same thing as the 60l. I do sometimes use the soda stream oil water enhancers. i think bubbly makes them too.
but i can almost fill them both up with one block of dry ice from the grocery store for about 10-15 bucks.
No rocket science there, its co2.... not sure if its unicorn safe, eco friendly and food safe. I just pop the top, and bust the dry ice into chunks, then throw it into the ninja, turns it into snow, then funnel it into the 130l bottle, get it about 70% full and put the cap back on. after the bottle gets back to normal temp, its ready to pump out more soda.

Crappy product and company.

Have been waiting for this deal since last Thanksgiving Kudos to Prime Day

Target got it for the same price,

https://www.target.com/p/sodastre...A-54642030

I think I'm addicted to carbonated/sparkling flavored water, as a replacement for diet cola.

Seems like the total cost of ownership to brew your own, isn't worth it? Namely the C02.

Has me thinking of just drinking less carbonated water per year.

I've been using Sodastrem for years now. Started with the manual push options and then upgraded to the powered one. I love it.

We make both soda and sparkling water.

Replacing the CO2 canisters is definitely the sore spot. There are several websites and probably youtube videos that show you ways to DIY refill them, but I never bothered.

I have 4 of the canisters and refill 3 at a time, as Walmart locally is hit or miss whether they have refills in stock (at the customer service counter only).

Quote from duijver : So, I see some reviews mentioning that these are finicky with CO2 being too full or too empty. I've seen these posted on SD before and figured that I would solicit feedback. 1. Do you get close to the 60 liters of water? Interested in using my own water vs. the unknown source of others. 2. Do you use essential oils for flavoring? ie Lemon or Lime 3. The replacement Co2 seems kind of expensive on Amazon. It seems like you can fill them up, but any risks to this? I don't know if there are clean vs. dirty sources of Co2. 4. This deal with two bottles + 2 Co2 + 2 flavors seems worth it if someone is jumping in? https://www.amazon.com/SodaStream...6P3J2?th=1 Thanks

I can only answer some of your questions.


I have a soda stream and I have a huge "food grade" stainless steel tank too. You can buy adapters for it online that let you hook up the soda stream to a CO2 tank - whether it's a paintball tank, or from a store that sells "food grade" CO2 tanks. I think the adapter name is something like cga320. Some people claim that regular CO2 tanks may have some kind of oil or contaminants (maybe on the seals?), and supposedly you're good if you specifically buy a CO2 tank that is marketed as food grade.


When you need to get the tank refilled, you should take it to a fire safety place that tests and refills CO2 tanks. I think you're supposed to have them certified every five years in my state. It cost me somewhere between $110 and $140 for a 20 or so lb tank to be refilled and retested. For some people, this may be too expensive for their uses. I've used mine a lot personally. It would probably be much cheaper to just refill it if it doesn't have to be tested - if it's still within X amount of years of the last test.


I do not use flavorings because it makes my throat phlegmy and I just don't think they taste good. I just like plain carbonated water anyway. I think you can buy offbrand flavoring online, but I can't suggest any particular thing for that. Someone in this thread suggested crystal light, and I think that's a good suggestion. Just don't carbonate anything other than water in the soda stream, or you may have mold grow inside of it.


I found a general blog post that seems to have a similar setup to mine. The adapter I bought was somewhere between $20 and $32. It can be found probably still on either ebay or AliExpress. There are other adapters, but the cable adapter rather than the bit adapter is probably better and cheaper.


https://sodamakerclub.com/the-bes...odastream/


Try not to wash the bottles in the dishwasher. The lids may get stuck in the heating element and melt. I always hand washed mine, but a family member took it upon themselves to put it through anyway. I think eventually the lids become less good for holding in water. I bought my bottles in 2 packs on Amazon, but again, I don't like the flavorings personally so I wouldn't pay extra for it.


If you're set on doing refills without doing adapters, Bed Bath and Beyond used to be just OK for it. You can sometimes get coupons like 20% off that may work with it. It should be cheaper to go with a DIY solution though - if you plan on using it seriously a lot


edit: if I'm not mistaken, this is the manual model - not the electric one. I personally do about 6 or 7 one second or less button pushes with it. It's up to you to decide how long to carbonate it, and what tastes good to you.

By all means, feel free to do your own research and decide what is best for you. This is just what I and some others have done.

Quote from Samwise Gamgee : I think I'm addicted to carbonated/sparkling flavored water, as a replacement for diet cola. Seems like the total cost of ownership to brew your own, isn't worth it? Namely the C02. Has me thinking of just drinking less carbonated water per year.

Had it for years and still runnngvarong but thinking of bew model

The refills for co2 is $15 if u turn in old tank at many supermarkets or staples and more. See sodastream web site. As for how many bottles I get and is it worth it... well I don't have to lug home soda any more and can make it when I want it aoniya not all about the money although I have to believe it is cheaper but if not my arms and shoulders and empty plastic bottles and cans say it's worth more.

Now one question I don't know and will check is the bottles screw into unit or snap in. I am told the snap in are not as good as my unit is about 10 years old and screw In.