Aarke AAC3-Steel Soda Maker: Full Review

The Aarke Carbonator III is a premium soda maker that allows you to easily make sparkling water at home. It has a sleek, modern stainless steel design and uses a patented technology to create fizzy water in seconds. The Aarke is convenient to use, environmentally friendly, and produces crisp, fresh tasting sparkling water. With the Aarke Carbonator III, you can enjoy bubbly water whenever you want, without all the added sugars, calories, and waste of store-bought sodas and seltzers. This review will cover the key features and benefits of the Aarke sparkling water maker to help you decide if it's the right soda machine for your needs.

Design

The Aarke Carbonator has a sleek, minimalist design made of premium materials. It features a durable stainless steel body paired with a thick glass carafe.

The steel exterior comes in a variety of muted, sophisticated colors like brushed gold, rose gold, silver, and space grey. The mix of metal and glass gives it an elegant look that stands out from typical plastic soda makers.

At 17 inches high and 7 inches wide, the Aarke carbonator has a slim profile that doesn't take up much counterspace. The carafe has a 1 liter capacity, providing 4-5 carbonated drinks per batch. The base is weighted to keep the carbonator stable while in use.

Overall, the Aarke carbonator combines form and function with its high-end materials and refined aesthetic. It's compact enough for apartment living yet sturdy and sleek enough to leave out on the counter.

Another great option for soda enthusiasts is the PHILIPS ADDSODA. It features an elegant, modern design with high-quality finishes that complement any kitchen decor. The innovative technology ensures consistent carbonation, and the user-friendly interface makes it easy to create your favorite sparkling beverages at home. With its compact size and great functionality, the PHILIPS ADDSODA is a close competitor to more established brands. You can find more details about this product PHILIPS ADDSODA.

Carbonation

The Aarke carbonates water using a CO2 charger that easily screws into the back of the unit. Simply insert a CO2 charger, close the lever to pierce the charger and release the gas, then shake the Aarke for 5-10 seconds to fully carbonate the water.

The carbonation process is quick and effective. Each CO2 charger carbonates up to 60 oz of water in just seconds. The Aarke provides fast, fizzy carbonation every time. The carbonation level is perfect for sparkling water and lasts for several hours after making a batch.

Explore another great option for home carbonation with the PHILIPS ADD4901BLO. This model offers an efficient and user-friendly experience. It also features a sleek, modern design that seamlessly fits into any kitchen decor. With the PHILIPS ADD4901BLO, you can enjoy customizable carbonation levels and a quick setup process that delivers fresh sparkling water at the touch of a button. Check out the PHILIPS ADD4901BLO for a reliable and stylish addition to your kitchen gadget collection.

Ease of Use

The Aarke Sparkling Water Maker is designed for convenience and ease of use. Just fill the BPA-free PET bottle with tap water, connect it to the soda maker, and press the lever to inject carbon dioxide and create sparkling water in seconds.

The carbonation process is very simple - no electricity required. Just pump the lever whenever you want more bubbles. The mechanism is easy to use and provides good carbonation with minimal effort.

Cleaning is also straightforward. All parts that come in contact with water are removable and dishwasher safe. The soda maker itself just needs a quick wipe down. The bottle is reusable so you don't have to deal with disposing of plastic waste.

Overall, the Aarke soda maker allows you to make fresh sparkling water with minimal effort. Both carbonating and cleaning are quick and easy processes, perfect for daily use.

Flavorings

The Aarke Carbonator is compatible with a wide variety of flavor syrups and fruit purees, allowing you to create customized soda flavors at home. The Aarke works well with both natural flavorings like fruit juices and syrups made from fresh fruit, as well as artificial syrups like those made by popular soda brands.

Simply add the desired syrup or juice to the carbonated water and enjoy your own flavored soda creations. The Aarke carbonation system carbonates the water perfectly without over-carbonating it, so the flavor comes through nicely without being overpowered by bubbles. You can experiment with combining different syrups or purees to invent your own unique flavors.

The Aarke is designed to work with all types of flavorings so you don't have to worry about clogs or corrosion from natural juices and syrups. Everything rinses clean easily after use. The flavor possibilities are endless with the Aarke system.

Cost

The Aarke Carbonator comes at a premium price point compared to some other soda makers on the market. The initial investment is around $200 USD. While not cheap, you are paying for a high-quality and durable appliance made with stainless steel.

The ongoing costs for CO2 cylinders can add up over time. Each 60L CO2 cylinder lasts around 60 liters of sparkling water. At roughly $1 per liter of soda water produced, the cylinder refills are reasonably priced but not dirt cheap.

Some alternatives like the SodaStream use proprietary CO2 cylinders which cost more per liter produced. The Aarke uses standard cylinders which offer more flexibility and potentially lower long-term costs.

While the Aarke requires a higher upfront investment, the build quality and chic design make it stand out. If you are an avid sparkling water drinker, the long-term costs are reasonable for a premium appliance. But it may be overkill for casual or occasional use.

Taste

The Aarke AAC3-Steel produces sparkling water with a crisp, refreshing taste that enhances the flavor of water. Unlike some soda makers that can leave a metallic or chemical aftertaste, the Aarke carbonates water gently, resulting in a clean bubbly flavor.

The carbonation level is customized to preference, with options ranging from delicate light bubbles to intense fizz. At maximum carbonation, the bubbles are still smooth rather than overly sharp. The Aarke brings out the pure, subtle flavors in water, rather than overwhelming it with harsh fizziness.

Many users find they can enjoy the Aarke's sparkling water on its own, with just a squeeze of citrus or splash of juice. The carbonation doesn't overpower or distort the flavors added. The Aarke highlights and complements flavors, rather than dominating them.

Overall, the Aarke AAC3-Steel produces sparkling water with a bright, balanced taste. The bubble sensation is lively without being aggressive. The carbonation level enhances rather than obscures the water's flavor.

Durability

The Aarke Carbonator 3 is built to last with its steel body construction. The carbonating bottles are made of heavy duty PET plastic which is BPA-free and designed for repeated use with sparkling water.

Reviewers note that the bottle's plastic feels thick and sturdy. It does not seem prone to cracks or leaks even with regular use over time. The metal body and lever handle have a nice weight and solid construction that gives an impression of quality.

Users mention that the carbonator maintains consistent carbonation and performance even after months or years of use. All the materials stand up well to washing without any issues of wear and tear.

The company itself markets the Aarke as a product designed for longevity vs other soda makers. So you can expect this unit to provide great bubbly water for many years if properly maintained and cleaned.

Overall the Aarke Carbonator 3 appears to live up to its durable build quality and provide lasting value as a sparkling water system.

Alternatives

When considering the Aarke Carbonator, it's helpful to compare it to other popular soda makers on the market. Here are some of the main alternatives worth considering:

• SodaStream - This is probably the most well-known soda maker brand. SodaStream offers a range of models at various price points. Their soda makers use proprietary CO2 cylinders, while the Aarke utilizes standard cylinders. SodaStream models tend to be more affordable, but some users complain about frequent need to replace proprietary cylinders.

• DrinkMate - DrinkMate is another well-reviewed soda maker brand. Their models are compatible with standard CO2 cylinders. The DrinkMate allows you to carbonate anything, including fresh juices, wine, cocktails etc. It's a bit more versatile than Aarke and SodaStream models which are designed just for water.

• KitchenAid - KitchenAid offers a higher-end soda maker that has an appealing retro design. It uses standard CO2 cylinders. The KitchenAid soda maker is praised for its solid metal construction and carbonation capabilities. However it only has manual controls, while the Aarke offers push-button automated carbonation.

• iSi Soda Siphon - iSi makes sleek stainless steel soda siphons. They are designed to work with iSi proprietary CO2 charges. The benefit is excellent carbonation results. Drawbacks are the proprietary cylinder design and need to replace cylinders frequently.

So while the Aarke is a premium soda maker, there are comparable models from other reputable brands worth considering as alternatives. It offers an automated design and standard CO2 compatibility in a beautiful package. But models from SodaStream, DrinkMate and KitchenAid have similar core functionality at different price points.

Conclusion

Overall, the Aarke AAC3-Steel is a sleek and stylish soda maker that produces high quality sparkling water at home. It uses a chrome steel bottle and features an elegant design that looks great on any kitchen counter. The Aarke carbonates water very quickly and the carbonation lasts for hours. It's simple to use with just the push of a lever, and easy to clean.

Flavorings can be added to make fun flavored sodas, though the flavor options are more limited compared to some competitors. The initial investment is higher than some basic soda makers, but the Aarke offers a premium experience that could justify the higher price for some users. Users report the gas cylinders lasting for up to 60 liters of soda.

For those seeking an attractive and effective soda maker that adds style to their kitchen, the Aarke AAC3-Steel is an excellent choice. The ease of use, quick carbonation, and premium design make it a pleasure to use for homemade sparkling water and soda. Overall, it's a great investment for soda lovers who appreciate good design and want a high-end appliance.