LifePlus ST02-P0-B0 Soda Maker: Full Review

The LifePlus ST02-P0-B0 is an electric soda maker that allows you to create sparkling water and carbonated drinks at home. This model is designed for commercial use in untraditional venues like breakrooms, restaurants, bars, and cafes. However, it can also be used at home by people who want to make a lot of fizzy drinks for their family and friends.

The LifePlus soda maker uses a 60L CO2 carbonator tank to carbonate water and has easy push button controls. It can carbonate still water in 3 minutes or less. The carbonation is adjustable so you can customize the level of fizziness. This soda maker is fast, efficient, and designed for high volume use, making it a good choice for businesses, events, or big households.

Overall, the LifePlus ST02 is an affordably priced soda maker with commercial grade power and performance. This review will take a closer look at the features, setup, operation, cleaning, and pros and cons of this model.

Design

The LifePlus ST02-P0-B0 soda maker has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any countertop. It has a cylindrical shape that is about 12 inches tall and 7 inches in diameter, making it compact enough to fit in most kitchens without taking up too much space.

Despite its small footprint, the soda maker is surprisingly hefty at around 5 pounds when empty. The exterior casing is made of thick durable plastic that comes in either black or white. There is a large see-through window on the front side that allows you to view the carbonation process.

Overall the soda maker has a nice look and feel that doesn't seem cheap or flimsy. The materials used seem high-quality and built to last through frequent use and cleaning. While the design is relatively plain, the machine aims for function over flair.

Setup

The LifePlus soda maker comes with everything you need to get started making sparkling water and sodas at home. In the box is the soda maker unit, a 60L CO2 cylinder, and a user manual.

Assembly is very straightforward. You simply insert the CO2 cylinder into the back of the unit and twist it into place - it easily clicks and locks into position. The cylinder needs to be replaced periodically when it runs out of carbon dioxide.

Before first use, it's recommended to do an initial cleaning and rinse of the parts that come into contact with water. This includes detaching and hand washing the carbonation chamber, fizz infuser, and spout. The manual provides clear instructions for disassembly and reassembly. This helps remove any residue from manufacturing and transport.

No other setup or installation is required. The LifePlus soda maker is designed for simple, hassle-free operation right out of the box. Just add water and CO2 and it's ready to start making sparkling beverages. The straightforward setup makes it easy for anyone to use, even first-time soda maker owners.

Carbonation

The LifePlus uses a standard CO2 canister to carbonate water. Simply screw the canister into the back of the unit. When you select a carbonation level on the controls, it will release the corresponding amount of CO2 into the water tank to achieve your desired level of carbonation.

The CO2 canister contains 60L of carbon dioxide, which is enough to make approximately 60L of soda. One thing to note is that you may need to swap out empty canisters frequently if carbonating a lot of water. The canisters themselves are relatively affordable to replace.

The carbonation system connects directly to the included water tank, allowing you to carbonate up to 1.2 liters of water at a time. The LifePlus can produce soda with light, medium or heavy carbonation based on your preferences. It's easy to control the exact carbonation level you want.

Overall, the integrated CO2 system makes it simple and convenient to make sparkling water any time you want it. Just make sure to have spare canisters on hand so you don't run out in the middle of making soda.

Controls

The LifePlus ST02 soda maker has a simple and intuitive control panel. There are just a few buttons that allow you to control all the functions.

• The large button in the center is the power button. Press it to turn the machine on and off.
• There are two arrow buttons on the right to control the level of carbonation. The more bubbles you want, the higher number you select.
• The display screen shows the carbonation level setting. It's bright and easy to read.
• To the left of the screen are two buttons to choose between sparkling or still water.
• That's all there is for controls. The simple interface makes the soda maker easy for anyone to operate. Everything is laid out logically.

The display provides feedback on the process. When making sparkling water, it shows the carbonation level. While in cleaning mode, icons indicate which part of the self-cleaning cycle is active.

Overall, the control panel is thoughtfully designed for convenience. With just a few buttons, you can carbonate water to your preferred fizziness and dispense still or sparkling water. The intuitive controls and display screen add to the user-friendly experience.

Operation

Making soda with the LifePlus ST02 is very easy. Simply add water and syrup or flavoring to the bottle, attach the bottle to the unit, press the carbonation button, and in under a minute you'll have freshly carbonated soda ready to drink.

The carbonation timing is one of the standout features of this model. Most soda makers take 2-3 minutes to fully carbonate, but the LifePlus ST02 can fully carbonate a liter of water in under 60 seconds. The rapid carbonation is thanks to the powerful CO2 injection system that quickly infuses carbon dioxide into the water.

To make soda:

1. Remove the empty 1 liter BPA-free plastic bottle from the soda maker.

2. Fill the bottle with cold water, leaving at least 2 inches of headspace at the top.

3. Add your preferred soda syrup or flavoring. The bottle is large enough to accommodate up to 2 ounces of syrup.

4. Tightly screw the bottle back onto the soda maker. Make sure it is securely attached.

5. Press the carbonation button on the top of the unit. The button will light up.

6. In 30-60 seconds the button's light will turn off, indicating the carbonation cycle is complete.

7. Unscrew the carbonated bottle and enjoy your freshly made soda!

The process is quick, easy, and mess-free. In just over a minute you can create an entire liter of any flavor soda you want, from colas to lemon-lime to root beer and more.

Performance

The LifePlus soda maker performs quite well at making sparkling water and other carbonated beverages. The carbonation level is fully adjustable via the simple controls, allowing you to make lightly bubbly or highly carbonated drinks.

The carbonation quality is excellent - the bubbles are small and long lasting, providing that crisp, refreshing sensation you want from a sparkling drink. The soda water comes out smooth, without an overly acidic or harsh bite.

Flavoring syrups and juices mix nicely into the carbonated water. The carbonation doesn’t completely disappear when adding flavors, providing a nice balance of fizz and taste. The end result is a restaurant-quality sparkling beverage you would be happy to serve to guests.

Overall, the performance in terms of carbonation and drink quality puts the LifePlus soda maker well above cheaper models. It's on par with higher-end soda makers despite the reasonable price point. For home carbonation of water and cocktails, the LifePlus delivers satisfying results.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Keeping the LifePlus soda maker clean is important for longevity and performance. Fortunately, cleaning the unit is straightforward.

The main parts that need regular cleaning are the carbonation chamber, fizz infuser, and bottle. It's recommended to wash these after each use. Simply detach the parts and wash by hand with warm soapy water. Avoid abrasive cleaners. The carbonation chamber can also be cleaned in the dishwasher on the top rack.

After washing, be sure to fully dry the parts before reassembling. Allowing moisture in the system can cause mold buildup over time.

Occasionally, you may want to deep clean the unit to remove any mineral deposits from the carbonation process. Fill the carbonation chamber with equal parts warm water and white vinegar. Let it soak for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.

The exterior can be wiped down as needed with a soft damp cloth. Avoid submerging the base in water or using harsh chemicals on the housing.

With proper care and regular cleaning, the LifePlus soda maker should provide many years of reliable use. Proper maintenance will keep your sparkling water tasting fresh and the unit functioning at optimal levels.

Pros & Cons

The LifePlus ST02-P0-B0 soda maker has several pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Quick and easy carbonation - Just add water and CO2 to make sparkling water in seconds. Much faster than bottled soda.

• Lower cost - Making your own soda at home is cheaper than buying pre-made carbonated drinks. The soda maker pays for itself over time.

• Customizable flavors - You can create any flavor combination desired by adding syrups, juice or fruit. Tailor drinks to your taste.

• Adjustable carbonation - The unit allows you to control the fizziness level, from lightly bubbly to very effervescent.

• Durable construction - Made from stainless steel and BPA-free plastic for longevity. Designed for heavy usage in a commercial setting.

Cons

• Upfront cost - The initial investment is high compared to basic consumer models. But it should provide years of use.

• CO2 cylinder - You'll need to periodically swap out the CO2 tank, an added expense.

• Learning curve - It takes some trial and error to master the carbonation process and find your preferred flavors.

• Cleaning - While easy to maintain, keeping things hygienic does require regular effort.

• Bulky - Larger and heavier than home versions due to rugged commercial design. Takes up substantial counter space.

Verdict

The LifePlus ST02-P0-B0 soda maker is a solid mid-range option for home carbonation. It produces good carbonation consistently, though the results aren't quite as fizzy as higher-end models. The unit is easy to setup and operate with intuitive controls. It carbonates quickly, taking only 2-3 minutes to carbonate a liter of water.

The design is sleek and modern with durable stainless steel and BPA-free plastic components. It features a slim profile that doesn't take up much counter space. The carbonation chamber detaches for easy cleaning.

Performance is reliable, though lower carbonation levels than premium soda makers. It lacks advanced features like custom carbonation levels and different sized bottles. But it gets the job done for basic soda water and sparkling drinks.

Overall, the LifePlus ST02-P0-B0 is a good value soda maker given its affordable price point. It's easy to use and dependable for home carbonation. Just don't expect vigorous bubble levels. I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended for anyone looking for an inexpensive countertop soda maker that simply works.