Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsThe SodaStream “Jet Sparkling Water maker” with screw-in CO2 cylinder is an excellent product.
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2023
Overall satisfaction. The SodaStream “Jet Sparkling Water Maker” with screw-in CO2 cylinder has been used daily during a trial test period over the past 3 months to make extra-fizzy carbonated water. It has performed better than expected and I am very satisfied. As a minor issue, the hard plastic base edge slips easily on kitchen counters and sounds like dragging fingernails across a blackboard, ouch! To prevent slipping and increase stability, a strip of soft Neoprene Rubber Trim was installed along the base edge for about $2 (available at McMaster-Carr.com, part No. 8507K16).
.
Fizz. Compared to today’s low-fizz store-bought sparkling water, the SodaStream system makes carbonated water to any degree of fizz desired. I prefer a high level of fizz like in sodas sold until 1980 in glass bottles that contained higher CO2 pressure compared to the low-pressure low-fizz plastic bottles today.
.
CO2 Cylinders. Note that there are 2 models of SodaStream CO2 cylinders that fit specific soda makers: 1) Screw-in valve fitting and 2) Quick Connect valve fitting. Now that the US Patent for the screw-in valve fitting has expired, the cylinders can be refilled at any local CO2 fire extinguisher or restaurant carbonic service company. However, the Quick Connect cylinder patent is still active and only exchangeable/refillable at a SodaStream dealer at a higher “royalty” price.
.
Alternative CO2 Cylinder & Costs. To get around the high retail priced SodaStream brand CO2 cylinders, I purchased a 20 lb generic restaurant grade refillable CO2 cylinder with high pressure hose that attaches directly to the SodaStream (see Amazon “20 lb Aluminum CO2 Cylinder with 6 ft soda maker adapter hose”). The cost generating sparkling water with the original 14.5 oz (0.91 lb) SodaStream CO2 cylinders is around 25 cents per liter compared to around 80 cents minimum at the grocery store, whereas, the cost using the restaurant grade refillable CO2 cylinder dropped to less than 2 cents per liter. Although, after including the extra upfront cost of the full 20 lb cylinder and hose, the amortized cost increased the overall cost to about 3 cents per liter. Using a generic CO2 cylinder and hose with the SodaStream adds-up to a huge sparkling water annual savings!
