SodaStream 1519511010 Soda Maker: Full Review

The SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker Starter Kit is a popular soda maker that allows you to create sparkling water and sodas at home. SodaStream is an Israeli company that was founded in 1903 and originally sold carbonation systems for home use. The SodaStream Source is one of their newer soda maker models and makes it easy to make sparkling water and soda at the push of a button.

With the SodaStream Source, you carbonate water by attaching a carbonating bottle filled with water to the machine. Then with the push of a button, CO2 is injected into the bottle to create fresh sparkling water or soda. The Source comes with everything you need to get started making sparkling drinks including the soda maker machine, 60L Co2 cylinder, and 1 BPA-free carbonating bottle.

The SodaStream Source provides an convenient way to enjoy sparkling water and soda while saving money and reducing waste from buying pre-packaged beverages. This review will take a closer look at the key features and benefits of the SodaStream Source to help you determine if it's the right soda maker for your needs.

Design

The SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker has a sleek, modern design that looks great on any kitchen counter. It has a cylindrical shape and stands about 16 inches tall, giving it a relatively small footprint that doesn't take up much space.

The materials used in the construction are high-quality and durable. The carbonating cylinder is made out of steel while the carbonator and bottle are made from BPA-free plastic. This ensures the appliance will hold up well with regular use without any leaching of harmful chemicals into your sparkling water.

In terms of dimensions, the carbonating cylinder measures 4.2 x 8.3 inches while the 1 liter BPA-free plastic bottle has a 3 inch diameter and is 11.3 inches tall. The entire appliance with full bottle inserted is compact enough to easily fit under overhead cabinets or in tight spaces.

Overall the stylish design and high-quality materials make the SodaStream Source a visually appealing yet functional appliance suitable for any modern kitchen.

Ease of Use

The SodaStream Source makes the process of making sparkling water incredibly easy and convenient. Simply attach the co2 cylinder, lock it in place, and press the button to add carbonation. There's no need to deal with complex controls or settings - just push and go.

The setup takes mere seconds. Just screw the cylinder into the back of the unit and you're ready to start making soda or seltzer. When it's time for a refill, the cylinder is easy to exchange.

Making carbonated water is a breeze. Place a glass under the nozzle, press the button, and sparkling water flows out. Continue holding down the button until it reaches your desired level of fizziness. The carbonation is fully adjustable based on personal taste and how long you press the button.

With its simplistic and intuitive design, the SodaStream Source allows anyone to make fresh sparkling water with just the push of a button. The lack of complicated controls or settings makes the process quick, easy and foolproof.

Flavor Options

Getting bored of drinking plain sparkling water day after day? The SodaStream model comes with a 60L CO2 carbonator but also includes one BPA-free 60ml bottle each of cola, lemon-lime, orange, and raspberry flavor so you can start making your favorite flavored sodas right away.

The flavors use natural sweeteners and have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They are formulated to mix with carbonated water and have well-balanced levels of sweetness. The cola, in particular, uses real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup for a more natural, old-fashioned taste.

In addition to the included flavors, SodaStream sells a wide variety of their own extra syrups in 25+ flavors like peach, grape, and cherry. The flavors are competitively priced at around $5 per 60ml bottle.

You can also opt to use syrups and concentrates from third-party companies to expand your options even further. Some popular brands that are compatible with the SodaStream include Stur Drink Enhancers, True Lemon, and MiO. Stur makes sugar-free flavor concentrates in fun options like strawberry dragonfruit and mango chili lime. True Lemon packets infuse lemon, lime, or orange flavor without sweeteners or calories. And MiO allows you to customize sweetness and try flavors like strawberry banana and berry pomegranate. The possibilities are endless!

With the included flavors plus all the expandability using SodaStream or third-party add-ins, any soda lover should be able to find plenty of delicious flavors to enjoy.

Carbonation

One of the key features of the SodaStream Source home soda maker is its ability to carbonate water. The carbonation process involves injecting CO2 into plain water to make it fizzy. The SodaStream uses a CO2 canister that screws directly into the machine. When you press the carbonation button, CO2 is released from the canister into the reusable BPA-free plastic bottle filled with water.

The SodaStream allows you to easily customize the carbonation level of your sparkling water. Some people like super bubbly soda water that tingles your tongue, while others prefer a milder carbonation level. The machine comes with 3 levels of fizziness – low, medium and high. No matter your preference, you can make it just the way you like with a simple push of the carbonation button. More presses equals more bubbles.

The carbonation system is quite effective. Reviewers praise the SodaStream for making water just as bubbly as store-bought soda. The CO2 canister contains enough carbon dioxide to make up to 60 liters of sparkling water, which is about 4-5 bottles worth per day for 2 weeks. Overall, the SodaStream’s carbonation function delivers perfectly fizzy soda water on demand.

Environmental Impact

One of the best aspects of the SodaStream Soda Maker is its positive environmental impact. With the SodaStream system, you use reusable bottles that you refill again and again rather than continuously buying disposable plastic bottles. This greatly reduces plastic waste and is much better for the environment.

The SodaStream bottles are made of durable BPA-free plastic and each bottle can make up to 60 liters of soda. Just think how many plastic bottles you'd go through to get 60 liters of soda! And when the SodaStream bottles eventually wear out, they can be recycled.

Refilling reusable bottles also significantly reduces your carbon footprint from transporting heavy, bottled sodas long distances. With the SodaStream, you simply add tap water to the bottle and create fresh sparkling water or soda at home.

Overall, the reusable system and reduced waste makes the SodaStream an excellent choice for environmentally conscious consumers who want to reduce their plastic footprint and carbon emissions. The SodaStream system lets you enjoy fresh, homemade soda and sparkling water while also caring for the planet.

Cost Savings

When considering the lifetime cost of a soda maker, it is substantially cheaper than purchasing canned or bottled soda. With the SodaStream, the cost is in the initial purchase of the machine and cylinder, and then only the ongoing cost of the CO2 cylinder exchanges and flavor syrups.

The syrups cost around $5 for a small bottle, which carbonates around 9 liters of soda. The 60L CO2 cylinders cost around $30 to exchange. This translates to approximately $0.27 per liter of homemade soda.

In comparison, purchasing the equivalent amount of soda in bottles or cans from a grocery store would cost $1-2 per liter. Over several years of average use, a SodaStream machine typically saves hundreds of dollars compared to purchasing traditional bottled sodas.

The savings are amplified when making soda at home for a family rather than an individual. With the SodaStream, you can carbonate enough soda for the whole family with one machine. Overall, it's a frugal way to enjoy soda while also reducing plastic waste.

Maintenance

The SodaStream requires some regular maintenance to keep it working properly. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Cleaning - It's important to regularly clean all parts that come in contact with liquid to avoid buildup of residue. The cylinder, carbonating bottle, and flavor bottles should be handwashed with warm soapy water. Avoid putting any parts in the dishwasher.

• Replacing Parts - Some parts will need replacement after regular use over time. The carbonating cylinder will need exchanged approximately every 2 years or 60 uses. The carbonating bottle may need replaced every 2-3 years. And flavor bottles should be replaced if they become stained or retain flavors. Replacement cylinders and bottles are readily available online and in stores where SodaStream products are sold.

• Gas Refills - When the cylinder runs out of carbon dioxide, you'll need to exchange it for a full cylinder. This can be done at various retail locations that refill SodaStream cylinders or you can order refills directly from SodaStream.

• Water Filter - SodaStream sells reusable water filters that attach to the faucet to filter tap water before adding it to the machine. This removes chlorine and odors for better tasting soda water. The filters should be replaced about every 4-6 months.

Safety

The SodaStream soda maker involves compressed carbon dioxide and pressurized bottles, so proper handling and maintenance is crucial for safe operation. Risk of injury is present if the soda maker is not used correctly. Read all instructions thoroughly before use and supervise children.

Pressurizing the bottles generates force that could cause bottles to burst or leak gas if damaged, so inspect bottles carefully before each use. Never pressurize any container not designed for the SodaStream. Only use the included carbonating cap to avoid threads stripping. Tighten bottles fully into the socket to prevent risky leakage.

Wear eye protection when inserting and removing CO2 cylinders. Improper insertion can damage the piercing pin, causing gas to leak out around the cylinder. Avoid touching the cylinder chilling unit during carbonation as it becomes extremely cold. Rinse the product only with cold water to prevent damage from hot liquids.

Discard any soda maker parts that show cracks or deep scratches. Use only original SodaStream cylinders and replacement parts. Altering the hardware in any way or using incompatible components raises safety risks. Report any malfunctions or concerning issues to SodaStream promptly. Follow all maintenance guidelines to prevent unsafe wear over time.

With training and attentive use, the soda maker presents minimal risks. Maintain strict supervision of children and read the safety manual to enjoy sparkling water safely.

Conclusion

The SodaStream Source Sparkling Water Maker is a convenient and eco-friendly option for creating your own sparkling water at home. The starter kit offers everything you need to get going with making seltzer, including the sleek soda maker, quick connect CO2 cylinder, and reusable BPA-free bottle.

The soda maker machine itself is very easy to use - just push and hold down the carbonation button to inject bubbles. The device has an elegant, space-saving design that looks great on any kitchen counter. The Source also offers good control over the level of carbonation and allows you to create anything from lightly fizzy to super bubbly water.

In terms of flavors, this particular starter kit only comes with a sample of Bubly Raspberry. SodaStream sells over 60 syrup flavors, but they must be purchased separately. Many users appreciate the ability to customize flavors and sweetness to their own tastes. However, buying multiple flavor options does increase the overall cost.

The main benefits of the SodaStream are convenience, environmental friendliness, and cost savings compared to buying canned or bottled carbonated drinks. Making sparkling water at home eliminates can and bottle waste. The CO2 cylinder is also exchangeable and reusable, further reducing environmental impact. Over time, home carbonation with the SodaStream can save money compared to purchasing cases of seltzer or soda at the grocery store.

The main downsides are the initial upfront investment and having to exchange CO2 cylinders periodically. Proper cleaning and maintenance are also required to keep the Source functioning well. Safety-wise, it's important to handle the pressurized cylinder with care and make sure it is securely attached.

Overall, the SodaStream Source is an excellent sparkling water maker for the home. It offers the ability to carbonate plain water on demand while reducing plastic waste and saving money in the long run. For anyone who loves seltzer, it's a smart, sustainable, and stylish option. The starter kit provides an affordable entry point to try out home carbonation. From fizzy water for cocktails to fun flavored sodas, the possibilities are bubbly and almost endless.