SodaStream 1019511115 Soda Maker: Full Review

SodaStream is a popular brand of home carbonation systems that allows users to convert plain water into sparkling water and flavored sodas. Founded in 1903, SodaStream has grown into a leader in the home soda maker industry, with their products available worldwide.

The SodaStream Source is one of the brand's more compact and affordable soda maker models. SodaStream soda makers work by injecting carbon dioxide into water to produce bubbly carbonated drinks. The Source model comes with a CO2 cylinder, carbonating bottle, and basic components to get started making sparkling water and soda at home.

SodaStream offers a wide range of concentrated syrups and natural flavorings that can be added to carbonated water to produce sodas, sparkling juices, and flavored fizzy drinks. The Source soda maker bundle allows users to enjoy the convenience of fresh, homemade soda and save money compared to buying pre-packaged carbonated beverages.

Overview of the SodaStream Source

The SodaStream Source is a simple and compact soda maker designed for easy use at home. It comes with the carbonation machine, one 60L CO2 cylinder, and a 1L dishwasher-safe reusable carbonating bottle.

The SodaStream Source has a sleek and modern design with a black base and silver cylinder holder. It measures 13.2 x 4.7 x 13.2 inches, making it easy to fit on most kitchen counters. The all-metal construction gives it a sturdy, durable feel.

This basic model focuses just on carbonating water. It does not include options for custom flavors or fruit infusions like some higher-end SodaStream models. The simplicity of the single bottle and focus on carbonation makes the Source easy to operate.

Set Up and Use

The SodaStream Source is incredibly easy to set up and use on a daily basis. Simply attach the carbonating cylinder to the back of the unit and lock it in place. Then insert a carbonating bottle into the front, push the lever down to secure it, and press the carbonation button. Within seconds, your water will be transformed into fresh sparkling water.

To add flavor, you can use the included 60ml BPA-free plastic flavor bottles. Just fill the bottle with your preferred juice or syrup, attach to the unit, press the button and enjoy delicious flavored sodas and sparkling water. With each bottle holding up to 60ml of flavor, you get about 9-12 liters of tasty drinks.

Changing between unflavored and flavored drinks is a breeze. The Source allows you to switch between plain or flavored drinks instantly without any hassle or mess. Just exchange the flavor bottle for a regular bottle to go back to simple sparkling water.

Overall, the Source couldn't be easier to operate on a daily basis. The intuitive design makes sparkling your water quick and effortless. Even first-time users will have their bubbly water ready in under a minute. With no electric cords or complex controls, the Source is straightforward and convenient for all your sparkling water needs.

Carbonation

The SodaStream Source allows you to control the level of carbonation in your homemade soda. It comes with a carbonating cylinder that screws easily into the back of the unit. The cylinder contains co2 that gets injected into regular tap or bottled water to carbonate it.

The Source has three levels of carbonation that you can choose from to suit your taste preferences - light, medium and heavy fizz. The light setting adds just a subtle amount of bubbles, good for people who find overly carbonated drinks too gassy. Medium gives you a carbonation level similar to regular store-bought soda. And the heavy fizz option really makes the bubbles pop for fizzy drink lovers.

The great thing is you can experiment with the different carbonation levels and find the right balance for each individual drink flavor you create. Adjusting the carbonation is as simple as pressing the relevant button on the top of the Source machine. This flexibility really sets it apart from normal store-bought soda where you have no control over the carbonation intensity.

Flavor Options

The SodaStream Source offers a wide variety of flavor options to customize your sparkling water. It is compatible with SodaStream's large line of concentrated syrups that allow you to make sodas, carbonated juices, and flavored sparkling waters.

Popular options include cola, diet cola, lemon-lime, root beer, ginger ale, grape, cherry, orange, and more. The syrups are concentrated so a little goes a long way - one 60ml bottle can make up to 12 liters of soda. The syrups are easy to use - simply add 1-2 capfuls to your carbonated water.

In addition to syrups, you can add fruit slices or fruit purees to your sparkling water to infuse it with natural flavors. Many users rave about adding slices of lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, berries, or other fruits. The carbonation helps extract the flavors and provides a refreshing, fizzy fruit water.

The SodaStream Source is also compatible with SodaStream's line of concentrated drink mixes. These are powdered mixes in flavors like lemonade, iced tea, energy drink, and more. Simply add a scoop to carbonated water and stir to make homemade versions of popular bottled beverages.

With all the flavor possibilities, the SodaStream Source allows you to get creative and make a wide variety of sparkling waters and sodas customized to your tastes. It provides an affordable way to enjoy the flavors you love without all the added sugars and preservatives found in store-bought varieties.

Ease of Cleaning

The SodaStream Source scores very high when it comes to ease of cleaning. The soda maker has just a few parts - the carbonating bottle, the carbonating cap, and the carbonator - which makes cleaning simple and quick.

The bottle is dishwasher safe, so you can easily clean it by placing it in the top rack of your dishwasher. If hand washing, it only takes a minute or two to wash out. The carbonating cap twists off easily and can also be hand washed or placed in the dishwasher.

The carbonator requires a bit more care but is still simple to clean. It should be wiped down after each use to prevent buildup. Every few months, the manufacturer recommends soaking the carbonator in warm water and a cleansing solution like vinegar or citric acid to remove any mineral deposits. This is an easy task that takes just a few minutes.

Overall, the minimal parts of the SodaStream Source combined with the dishwasher safe bottle and simple carbonator cleaning make this soda maker one of the easiest to maintain. The quick daily cleanup and occasional soaking of the carbonator is a small price to pay for an appliance that allows you to create fresh sparkling water and soda at home with the push of a button.

Design and Durability

The SodaStream Source has a sleek, modern design that looks great in any kitchen. It's made of high-quality durable plastic that doesn't easily scratch or dent.

The carbonating cylinder locks securely into place and there's no concerns over leaks or malfunctions even after extended regular use. All parts cleanly snap together with a reassuring click.

The machine feels sturdy and stable thanks to its weighted base, so there's no need to worry about it tipping over. The buttons have a crisp, responsive click when pressed during operation.

Overall, the SodaStream Source is built to last. With proper care and cleaning, it should provide many years of reliable sparkling water on demand before needing to be replaced. The quality of construction and components is evident the first time you use it.

While the plastic may show minor cosmetic wear over time, especially on frequently used areas like the buttons, the Source seems unlikely to suffer any major damage with regular household use. Everything is replaceable too, so broken parts shouldn't render the whole soda maker unusable.

Value For Money

The SodaStream Source provides excellent value for money compared to other soda makers or purchasing canned and bottled soda. While the initial investment for the machine may seem high, the savings quickly add up over time.

The Source soda maker itself costs around $100, which includes the machine, a 60L CO2 cylinder, and a 1L reusable bottle. Additional 60L cylinders cost around $30 for exchange or refill. With each cylinder producing up to 60L of soda, that equates to just 50 cents per liter.

Compare that to purchasing cases of canned soda, where name brands can cost $5-6 for a 12 pack, working out to 40-50 cents per can. The SodaStream produces sparkling water for a fraction of the store-bought cost. It also eliminates the need to lug heavy cases from the store and figure out recycling or disposal of the cans.

The Source allows you to create an endless supply of sparkling water at just pennies per liter, with the option to add natural flavors for a customized soda experience. Far cheaper than canned alternatives, the SodaStream pays for itself over time, making it a great value purchase.

Environmental Impact

The SodaStream Source offers a much better environmental footprint compared to buying disposable cans or bottles of soda. Each 1 liter bottle of SodaStream soda produced eliminates thousands of disposable cans and bottles over the life of the machine.

This prevents huge amounts of aluminum, glass, and plastic from entering landfills, which is a major benefit for the environment. The company estimates that using a SodaStream for 3 years saves the equivalent of 2,000 cans or bottles from being tossed.

The CO2 cylinders used with the SodaStream are also far less wasteful than the packaging and materials needed to produce bottled sodas on an ongoing basis. The cylinders are built to last and can carbonate up to 60 liters before needing to be exchanged.

Overall, the SodaStream Source is an environmentally-conscious alternative for home carbonated drinks. By making soda at home, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint compared to buying cases of disposable cans and bottles from the store.

Summary

Overall, the SodaStream Source is a highly recommended soda maker for people looking for an easy way to make their own carbonated water and sodas at home.

The key pros of the SodaStream Source are:

• It's very easy and quick to use - you just add water and press a button for sparkling water. Adding flavorings is also simple with the included syrups.
• The carbonator is sleekly designed and the plastic bottles are BPA-free and dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
• It's economical in the long run compared to buying cases of sparkling water, and more environmentally friendly since you reuse bottles.
• The carbonation is adjustable so you can make your water as fizzy as you like. The CO2 cylinders last for up to 60L of water.

Some potential drawbacks to consider:

• The upfront cost is higher than cheaper models, though it typically pays for itself over time.
• The CO2 cylinders need to be exchanged frequently if making sparkling water often. This adds to the cost.
• It doesn't work with glass bottles, only the included BPA-free plastic.

Overall though, the SodaStream Source delivers on convenience and customization for homemade sodas and sparkling water. For the features, quality, and simplicity it provides, it's an excellent choice as an everyday home soda maker.