The soda stream?

Category: Grub Garage

Post 1 by DRUM GODDESS (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Tuesday, 18-Dec-2012 13:06:40

Anyone have one. If so what do you think? I just got one I really like the sodas I have tried so far, and I'm vary picky about my soda. I find it really easy to use.

Post 2 by DHS Darcy (Zone BBS Addict) on Wednesday, 19-Dec-2012 0:05:51

I've been considering getting a Soda Stream for a while now. The only thing I'm not sure about is the whole thing with the carbonation tanks. I'm curious how long they last. Also, I'm not sure how difficult it is to get them exchanged. It definitely is something I'm interested in though.

Post 3 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 19-Dec-2012 8:38:18

I've considered one as well. I've heard though that you can only make 2 leter drinks at a time. I was hoping it'd be more like a Kurig, where you can make just one drink at a time. Which is the case?

Post 4 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 20-Dec-2012 22:33:32

i've considered one myself, sadly it'll be a while before i can consider something like that

Post 5 by DRUM GODDESS (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Friday, 21-Dec-2012 14:16:51

They have half leter and 1 leter bottles. I'm not sure how long the C O 2bottles last and I'm not finding that out anywhere. I have only had mine for a few days. I guess it would depend on how much soda you make and how much fizz you put in each drink. I know you can exchange them on the website and I think wallmart and bed bath and beyond exchange the bottles as well.

Post 6 by DRUM GODDESS (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Friday, 21-Dec-2012 14:35:47

Okay I just read on their site the bigger carbonator bottles will last on average 3 to 4 months for a family of 4 soda drinkers and the smaller one's about 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on how much you use it and how much carbonation you add to the drinks.

Post 7 by Smiling Sunshine (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 21-Dec-2012 15:39:44

Good to know. Thanks. So, how does everything taste? I think it would be fun to make carbonated juice drinks and such.

Post 8 by UniqueOne (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Sunday, 30-Dec-2012 17:44:38

Neat! I think I've seen ads for these but didn't know anything about them.

Post 9 by The Roman Battle Mask (Making great use of my Employer's time.) on Thursday, 03-Jan-2013 11:09:03

If your totally blind how do you pore the syrup for the soda? I'm assuming it requires an ounce or less. To me that means it would be like poring shot glasses which I always have a very hard time with.

Post 10 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 03-Jan-2013 12:53:08

RBM I don't know how this machine works, but in the commercial soda fountains, the syrup comes inside a bag which is protected in a cardboard box. There's a tube with a valve which you connect to the dispensor, and a regulator so you can determine your soda to CO2-water ratio.
Which brings me to another point: Most people don't know that a dirty soda machine can result in food poisoning. I cleaned the one in the units I ran, using hot water and bleach on the parts. That sugar crystalizes and believe it or not if you aren't careful the water droplets can collect mold. Plus you want to run the lines clear every once in awhile to make sure they're free of sugar and other debris.
Beer taps have the same issues, at least for the lines neeeding to be run clear regularly in order to keep things moving.
I don't know about a home unit: don't really drink soda that much at all personally.
And yeah I get it with the shots being difficult to measure if you'r trying to be accurate. But since I don't really do mixed drinks, I just pour what I want of a Scotch or other whiskey into a small glass or tumbler and yeah some turn out fuller than others.

Post 11 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 03-Jan-2013 13:56:39

you have the wrong idea with the soda stream as being somethign that mixes soda in the machine itself. all it does is carbonates the water. you add the mix of your choice in after you carbonate. the lid of the bottle for the flavor is the measure you need, and i'd suggest a funnel for adding the mix in to the water. Love mine even though i've only had it a week i can already see it being quite helpful.

Post 12 by DRUM GODDESS (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Sunday, 06-Jan-2013 20:13:59

Yeah a funnal for pouring in to the bottle would be a good idea. Its not hard measuring the soda in to the cap but the soda bottles themselves have a small top on them.

Post 13 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Sunday, 06-Jan-2013 22:59:23

Funnels are great and I wish I'd started using them earlier in life. Maybe it's because I saw them mainly used in shops and associated them with grease or something, but anyway funnels are very good for pouring into small spaces.

Post 14 by DRUM GODDESS (I can't call it a day til I enter the zone BBS) on Thursday, 10-Jan-2013 22:51:41

Oh for sure. I have several funnels in my kitchen.