Ender, thoughts from a longtime Sodastream user
Posted by
spamlet
May 27 '23, 09:04
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I have two (one at home, one at work). The one at work is an older model that can use the larger canisters. Those are way more economical, if you can find them (more on that below). I haven't done the math in a while but if you're looking for cost savings to make your favorite pop, in the past it hasn't really added up.
You can buy bag-in-a-box syrups from Sam's or online. Most come in 2.5 or 5 gallon and you mix them 5:1. There is an expiration date on the syrups once opened so be careful how much you buy. Also, you're unlikely to be able to get the carbonation right so it will taste the same as canned/bottled/fountain drinks. Using pre-refrigerated water will allow you to get more fizz but I haven't found the ability to get it as high as the bottlers.
As far as the canisters, make sure you have a way to get them locally. Bed, Bath, and Beyond was the easiest place to get them but well... Target and Wal-Mart carry them in some stores but there's only a 50/50 chance the person in customer service (where the exchanges are housed) knows that 1) they are there and 2) what to do with them. You'll likely have to ask for a manager in some situations. There's a map on the SodaStream website with supported locations or ways to subscribe online but the subscriptions are slower and more expensive.
There are ways to modify the machine to use cheaper alternatives. Whether it's filling canisters with purchased dry ice, filling them at paintball shops, or getting larger canisters from brewery supply stores, you'll be able to find instructions on the internet for each. I haven't done that because I don't drink enough to justify going to all that trouble.
All that said, if I was going to buy new today, I'd seriously look at the sparkel machines. The advantage to them is you don't need a canister. They come with packets of baking soda and citric acid and people have reverse engineered to figure out what the formula is. Both ingredients are super easy to find making it easily the most economical of the ways to get bubbles.
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