with the SodaStream machine.
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| FountainJet Model |
Make sodas, sparkling waters, tonic, seltzers, energy drinks, teas, lemonade, crystal light and more. Reduce trash and recycling, reduce required storage space and reduce heavy shopping loads. A convenient way to be environmentally conscious as each SodaStream bottle replaces over 2500 bottles and cans from store-bought drinks.
Info taken from Soda Stream Website:
http://www.sodastreamusa.com/default.aspx
MY REVIEW:
The reason I purchased the SodaStream Fountain Jet (pictured above) is the convenience factor of having diet drinks for myself, caffeine free & all natural drinks for my child, tonic for cocktail hour and red bull for exercise days...all readily available and freshly made at home without taking up space in the pantry or refrigerator. Plus its a healthier choice because there are fewer calories, no high fructose syrup and no aspartame that store bought soda's contain.
It's great for parties too because I don't have to try and guess how many drinks I will need, have excess left over, worry about running out or have to buy numerous varieties to suit individual tastes.
Even though I have not had the machine very long, I've already fallen in love with it! I will post updates if my opinion changes in time.
Taste Opinion: The diet drinks seem to have more of the "diet" taste compared to store bought soda's. I've always hated diet drinks anyway and am new to diet versions so I may be more taste sensitive. I'm making a more healthy life style change so it's still acceptable. Plus I can also just flavor sparkling waters with MIO and fruit juice. The regular soda's seem good with no weird after taste, although may taste a little less sweet. Not a bad thing. I read that you can just add more or less flavoring to suit your taste.
Fizz Opinion: I was shocked at first to see all those tiny bubbles in the water...it actually worked! It seems to be equivalent to a store bought bottle, whereas its fresh and fizzy in the beginning and dwindles out the longer the lid is left off and may even go flat faster than the store bought bottles? It's best to keep the lid on, and just pour a drink over ice as needed vs continuously drinking from the bottle itself. Seems to stay fresh and fizzy in the fridge with the specialty cap provided.
HOW IT WORKS:
Insert a small CO2 tank in the back of the machine. Fill a high pressure 1 liter bottle (or a 16 oz bottle) with cold water. Screw into front of machine. Press the carbonator button about 3 times until a clicking noise is heard. Remove the bottle and add desired flavor. Gently turn bottle upside down to mix. Enjoy!
EQUIVALENT RATIOS:
1 16.9 oz Bottle Flavor = 33 Cans, 12 liters, or (50) 8 oz servings
Note: Sparkling Naturals Flavor makes half the amount of the regular flavors
1 Reg 14.5 oz CO2 Cylinder = carbonates 60 liters of water
1 Lg 33 oz CO2 Cylinder = carbonates 130 liters of water
THE MACHINE:
There are 7 models to choose from. Some have glass containers vs the high pressure plastic bottles. Several colors and styles to choose from. Some can use the large cylinders. Some machines are plastic and some are stainless steel or nickel plated. One model monitors gas levels in the cylinder. Average machine size is 5"w-17"h-8.5"d. No electric or batteries required for any model.
MODEL PRICING & UNIQUE FEATURES:
1 Fountain Jet $80 (Standard)
2 Genesis $100 (Slim Design, Solid Colors)
3 Dynamo Deluxe $125 (Nickel Plate)
4 Pure $130 (Stainless Steel)
5 Fizz $150 (Gas Level Monitor)
6 Crystal $180 (Glass Carafe)
7 Penguin $200 (Glass Carafe, Stainless Steel)
CARBONATING BOTTLES:
The carbonating bottles are specially designed, high pressure-resistant bottles for use with SodaStream soda makers. SodaStream PET carbonating bottles are BPA-free and may be reused for up to 2 years. The glass carafes included with the Penguin soda maker may be used indefinitely, with proper care. Every SodaStream bottle and carafe comes with a fizz-preserving cap that helps to keep drinks fresh and fizzy longer than store-bought bottles.
Available Colors: gray, black, white, pink, orange, pear, stainless, glass.
Hand wash all regular Plastic Pet Bottles, except the blue ones specifically designed to be dishwasher safe. Glass carafes can of course are also dishwasher safe.
Glass carafes can only be carbonated in specific machine bottles, but can transfer pre-carbonated water from other machines to the glass bottles for serving and storage purposes.
1 Liter (33 oz) Pet Bottle: $20 set of 2
1 Liter w/Stainless Steel cap & bottom: $15 each
1 Liter Blue Dishwasher Safe: $15 each
1/2 Liter (16 oz) Pet Bottle: $16 set of 2
Glass Carafe: $15 each
FLAVORS:
Lemon Lime: Sprite & Diet
Dr Pete: Dr Pepper & Diet
Fountain Mist: Mountain Dew & Diet
Ginger Ale & Diet
Tonic Water & Diet
Club Soda & Diet
Energy: Red Bull & Sugar Free
Green Tea & Diet
Root Beer & Diet
Orange Soda & Diet
Cream Soda & Diet
Flavored Teas & Diet
Green Tea & Diet
Lemonade & Diet
Crystal Light Fruit Flavors
Sparkling Naturals Line has no artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives. Avg Price: $10
Diet Line has no aspartame, but uses splenda instead. Avg Price: $5
Regular Flavors have about 35 calories per 8 oz serving VS 100 calories for store bought brands and contains no high fructose corn syrup. Avg Price: $5
Flavoring also available specifically for Sparkling Water. Avg Price: $10 per 3pk small bottles
Crystal Light Flavors have 5 calories. Avg Price: $7
Country Time Lemonade has calories, except the naturally sweetened ones which have 110 calories. Avg Price: $10
Specialty Flavors & Energy Drinks Avg Price: $7
SODAMIX FLAVOR SHELF LIFE:
When ordering sodamix, we recommend ordering an amount that you will comfortably consume within 3-4 months.
Sodamix bottles feature a "best before" date which relates to optimal taste. Rest assured that sodamix can safely be consumed well beyond this “best before” date, however peak taste is ensured by consuming prior to this date. Sodamix will typically arrive at your home with about 3-4 months remaining prior to the “best before” date, therefore please order no more than a 3-4 month supply of sodamix.
For longest shelf life, please keep tightly closed and store in a cool, dry place.
The Carbonator Cylinders are owned by Soda Stream. You get a user license with each one. Cylinders are returned to the store or via UPS mailing package provided by Soda Stream if purchased online. Credit applied for return. They are then recycled by soda stream.
Standard carbonators (60L/14.5oz) fits all machines.
Large carbonators (130L/33oz) fits only in:
FountainJet, Edition 1, Dynamo and Fizz models.
How long does a standard tank last?
Do the math...
1 bottle flavor makes 12 liters (equivilent to 33 cans).
1 CO2 tank carbinates 60 liters (equivilent to 165 cans).
60/12=5 bottles of flavor
5 bottles flavor=60 carbonated liters or 120 16-oz bottles
CYLINDER EXCHANGE & MACHINE LOCATIONS:
60L Exchange & Spare Cabonators (14.5 oz)
(Use website to order large 130L (33 oz) cylinders)
Branson, MO Area:
Bed Bath & Beyond "Genesis & Pure"
Wal Mart "Jet"
Staples "Jet"
Kitchen Collection "Jet & Genesis"
Le Gourmet Chef "Genesis & Pure"
Kohl's (no exchange) "Jet"
Best Buy (no exchange) "Genesis"
Target (no exchange) "Jet"
Also see Sears, JC Penny's & Macy's
*Look up your specific area by zip on SodaStream website
