SodaStream 1012811011 Soda Maker: Full Review

SodaStream has revolutionized the world of home soda makers since the company's founding in 1903. First invented over a century ago by Guy Gilbey, SodaStream provides a simple, convenient, and eco-friendly alternative to buying bottled and canned carbonated drinks.

Rather than dealing with lugging heavy drink containers from the store and having to recycle or throw out dozens of empty bottles and cans, the SodaStream system lets you make fresh soda and sparkling water in seconds from the comfort of home. The company uses proprietary technology to carbonate tap water with just the push of a button.

With a SodaStream maker, reusable bottles, and quick connect CO2 cylinders, you can easily make an endless supply of bubbly beverages without all the waste and hassle of packaged drinks. Over the decades, the company has continued to innovate with improved soda makers and a wide range of natural and low-calorie flavors so the entire family can enjoy the convenience of fresh fizz.

Overview

The SodaStream Terra Sparkling Water Maker Kit is a countertop soda maker that lets you create sparkling water or flavored soda at home. The kit includes the sparkling water maker, a 60L CO2 cylinder, and a 1L BPA-free reusable carbonating bottle.

The SodaStream Terra has a sleek, modern design with a black base and silver cylinder holder. It uses carbon dioxide cylinders to carbonate water by the push of a button. The Terra can make up to 60 liters of sparkling water per CO2 cylinder.

This particular SodaStream model comes bundled with a 1 liter BPA-free reusable bottle so you can carbonate and enjoy sparkling water on demand. The Terra sparkling water maker provides an easy and convenient way to make soda or carbonated water at home.

Another great product to consider is the DrinkMate 410-02-3z, which offers the unique ability to carbonate any beverage, not just water. This flexibility makes it a versatile addition to any kitchen. The DrinkMate 410-02-3z has a compact design and a user-friendly interface, making it simple to use. It also comes with a CO2 cylinder and a BPA-free bottle, providing everything you need to start carbonating drinks right away.

Design

The SodaStream Terra has a sleek, modern design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It measures 17.2 x 7.6 x 13.4 inches and weighs just under 7 pounds, so it has a relatively small footprint but still feels sturdy and durable.

The Terra comes in three color options - black, white, and rose gold. The black and white models have a glossy finish, while the rose gold version has more of a brushed metal look. All three color options feature sleek, clean lines and minimal ornamentation.

The main materials used in the Terra's construction are plastic for the carbonating bottle and metal for the base unit. The plastic bottle feels solid and able to withstand the pressure of carbonation. The metal base has a premium look and feel. Overall, the materials seem chosen for both form and function.

The SodaStream 1103044010 is a versatile and user-friendly soda maker designed for convenience and efficiency. It features an intuitive one-touch button interface, making it easy to transform ordinary water into sparkling water in seconds. This model is also compatible with larger CO2 cylinders, providing more carbonation with fewer replacements. You can find more details about this product SodaStream 1103044010.

So with its modern design, compact footprint, color options, and blend of plastic and metal, the SodaStream Terra will add style and sophistication to any kitchen. The aesthetics match the performance.

Carbonation

The SodaStream Terra uses a 60L CO2 canister to carbonate water. The canister easily screws into the back of the unit. When you press the carbonation button, CO2 is injected into the reusable plastic bottle filled with water.

The SodaStream offers three levels of carbonation - light, medium and heavy bubbles. This allows you to customize the fizziness to your liking. The carbonation method is quick and effective. Within seconds of pressing the button, the water transforms into sparkling soda.

The 60L canister produces up to 60 liters of soda, depending on the carbonation level used. This is equivalent to 2-3 canisters per month for most households. The canister gauge lets you know when you're running low on CO2. Replacement canisters are readily available both online and in stores.

Overall, the SodaStream Terra provides quick, customizable carbonation using an easy to install CO2 canister. The different bubble levels allow you to control the intensity of fizz.

Ease of Use

The SodaStream Terra is designed to be easy and convenient to use. Initial set up is quick and straightforward. The CO2 cylinder simply twists into place and you're ready to start making sparkling water in seconds.

The touch sensitive buttons make operation intuitive. There are just three buttons - one for carbonation, one to select between two levels of fizz, and an LED display shows the carbonation level.

Daily use couldn't be simpler. Just fill the BPA-free bottle with cold water, attach it, and press the button for your desired fizz level. The machine injects carbon dioxide with a satisfying hiss, and in seconds you have crisp, refreshing sparkling water.

The bottle is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. When the CO2 cylinder runs out, a replacement screws in easily. The Terra will alert you when you're running low.

Overall, SodaStream has focused this model on convenience and ease of use. With its simple operation and maintenance, anyone can enjoy an endless supply of homemade soda and sparkling water.

Flavor Options

The SodaStream Terra comes with one carbonating bottle and a sample pack of 4 flavors to get you started: Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Mojito, Pineapple Coconut, and Mandarin Orange. These flavors allow you to make fruity sparkling water beverages right out of the box.

The Terra is also compatible with SodaStream's wide variety of syrups and flavors which can be purchased separately. With over 60 syrup flavors ranging from colas to energy drinks to cocktail mixers, you'll be able to continue experimenting with new flavors long after the included 4 flavors run out. Popular syrups include classic cola, lemon-lime, grape, and ginger ale.

The machine is designed to work seamlessly with SodaStream's twist-lock reusable carbonating bottles as well as their snap-lock disposable carbonators. This gives you the flexibility to choose bottle types based on your needs. The twist-lock bottles can be refilled and reused, while the snap-lock bottles are meant to be discarded after use.

Overall, the SodaStream Terra gives you a solid starting selection of flavors, and endless options to customize your sparkling water with all of SodaStream's compatible syrups.

Quality of Carbonation

The SodaStream Terra consistently produces a high quality, fizzy carbonation that rivals store-bought soda. The carbonation consistency is very good, with bubbles that are small and uniform without being overly aggressive on the palate.

The SodaStream mixes tap water with food-grade CO2 to carbonate the water. With each press of the carbonation button you can control the level of fizziness, allowing customization to preference. The end result is sparkling water that has a clean, crisp bubbly texture that is smooth.

Compared to store-bought seltzer, the SodaStream offers a carbonation quality that is just as good, if not better in some cases. The carbonation consistency remains strong from first to last sip, with no flattening out like plastic bottled soda can experience. The smaller, tighter bubbles provide a pleasant mouthfeel that isn't too harsh or coarse.

Overall, the Terra SodaStream produces highly carbonated sparkling water and soda that matches or exceeds the fizz factor you'd expect from commercial brands. The ability to control carbonation levels lets you find that ideal sweet spot between mellow bubbles and sharp effervescence.

Durability

The SodaStream Terra has excellent durability thanks to its high-quality materials and construction.

The bottles are made from sturdy BPA-free plastic that can withstand repeated use and cleaning cycles. Unlike glass alternatives, the plastic bottles won't shatter if dropped and are fairly scratch-resistant.

The carbonation system itself is also well-built, with metal parts that don't seem flimsy or prone to breaking. The soda maker has gotten excellent reviews for lasting many years without issues.

SodaStream offers a generous 2-year limited warranty on the Terra, showing they stand behind the product quality. This protects against defects in materials or workmanship.

Overall, the SodaStream Terra seems to hold up very well over time. The plastic bottles are practically indestructible for home use and can be replaced inexpensively if needed. The soda maker itself is durable enough to last years when properly maintained and cleaned.

Value

The SodaStream Terra offers good value for your money when you consider what's included and the costs over time compared to buying soda at the store.

At around $100, the Terra starter kit comes with the sparkling water maker, a 1L BPA-free reusable carbonating bottle, and a 60L Co2 cylinder. The cylinder itself holds enough gas to make up to 60 liters of soda, which equals around 30 liters of carbonated water given you need 2 presses per liter.

Replacement Co2 cylinders cost around $30 for a 60L size. When you do the math, this works out to around $0.50 per liter of sparkling water. Comparatively, a 2 liter bottle of soda at the grocery store costs $2-3. So the SodaStream can pay for itself over time, especially if you drink a lot of seltzer or soda water.

The starter kit also includes everything you need to get going with making seltzer or soda at home. You don't have to purchase additional bottles or accessories unless you want more variety. Overall, the SodaStream Terra provides carbonated water and soda at an affordable price point both initially and long term.

Pros and Cons

The SodaStream Terra has several notable pros and cons to consider before purchasing:

Pros

• Produces sparkling water quickly and easily at home
• Allows you to control the amount of carbonation
• Offers a variety of natural flavor options
• More environmentally friendly than buying cans or bottles of soda
• Refillable CO2 cannister is economical
• Sleek, compact and attractive design

Cons

• Requires purchase of proprietary CO2 cannisters
• Initial investment more costly than buying canned soda
• Limitations on flavors compared to store-bought soda varieties
• Carbonation not as robust as some users prefer
• Produces more fizz with frequent daily use vs. occasional use
• Rack doesn't fit full 1 liter bottles, slight modification required

Overall, the SodaStream Terra provides a convenient way to make sparkling water at home with the ability to customize flavors and carbonation. While the initial cost is higher, it saves money and reduces waste in the long run. The carbonation quality and flavor options may not suit soda enthusiasts, but work well for casual drinkers looking to cut back on packaged beverages. Considering your specific needs and preferences helps determine if the pros outweigh the cons for your situation.