We got ours "free" with Airpoints and use it summer only.

Echo what others have said - we don't use the official syrup and go for various supermarket cordials that we like instead.

Top tip: After using it, we fill up the water bottle from the tap immediately and put it in the fridge for next time, so that we make icy cold sparkles each use.

Something I've been wondering about, and since the OP's question has been answered, I'll hijack this thread a little, especially if I can get a SS cheap from Briscoes atm...

Is it possible to re-gas flat Coke using a SodaStream?

We buy Coke in 2.25L when it's cheaper than the 1.5L size. Often we throw out a fair amount, because it goes flat. (Does the 2.25L Coke go flat faster than the 1.5L?)

Yep they pretty good. Have had one for a few years. Works a treat, easy to get bottles for etc, you can do quite a bit of stuff with it too.

Don't drink the syrup quite possibly one of the worst things you can put into your body. But for soda water it's great. 

Remember carbonated water is not as good on your teeth as still water. 

frankv:

 

Something I've been wondering about, and since the OP's question has been answered, I'll hijack this thread a little, especially if I can get a SS cheap from Briscoes atm...

 

Is it possible to re-gas flat Coke using a SodaStream?

 

We buy Coke in 2.25L when it's cheaper than the 1.5L size. Often we throw out a fair amount, because it goes flat. (Does the 2.25L Coke go flat faster than the 1.5L?)

 

I've not tried re-gassing Coke in particular, but it's not advisable to try to re-gas any carbonated drink in a Sodastream, or even put in flavouring before gassing the bottle - the reaction is somewhat amusing but when my kids have accidentally done this! Basically the bottle over-flows massively, losing a decent chunk of the liquid. I'm pretty sure this happens whether or not the drink is sugar-based or not.

tdgeek:

 

Sodastream is a Pepsi company, so that makes a lot of products to avoid

 

I wasn't aware that Pepsi had plans to buy SodaStream - announced last August, looks like the deal is supposed to be finalised this month. It'll be interesting to see whether they shift manufacturing away from Israel.

As others have mentioned, a spare bottle saves disappointment.

There are 2 capacities of gas bottle - 30 litre which is the most common/default one and fits both old and new machines and 60 litre which only fits modern machines. It doesn't cost much more to purchase the 60L, so when you get a spare, make sure its a 60L. 

When exchanging bottles be careful to check that it is sealed. We find that the kids in the supermarkets will on occasion hand you a used bottle. 

I've been through a few Sodastreams and have eventually settled on the latest power model. Super simple. Attach the bottle and away you go. Noel Leeming had them on special a few weeks ago. 

We use it to make soda water. The syrups - at certain supermarkets and Briscoes has the completely sugar free ones but I just put in water drops into the bottles. These are flavoured and 100% sugar free that you buy at the supermarket.

Mitre 10 Mega stores tend to also have the syrups and extra\replacement bottles too

Wow, lots of useful info provided, thanks guys!

jonathan18: You'll have missed out on the Briscoes 50% off sale as I'm pretty sure it finished yesterday.

mdf: Our best idea was buying two cylinders. You then have some breathing room to wait until Briscoes is having a X% off everything sale to swap your cylinder for less.

Dratsab:

jonathan18: You'll have missed out on the Briscoes 50% off sale as I'm pretty sure it finished yesterday.

Could be a long, long wait until the next one!!

I get your jest but, while it's common to have big discounts off many if not a majority of categories of items sold by Briscoes (given it's their business model!), it is actually unusual for them to have 50% off everything in store - this was the first time I can recall them doing this.

But, yeah, I imagine it'll be common to get 30 or 40% off stuff like SodaStream.

frankv:

 

Something I've been wondering about, and since the OP's question has been answered, I'll hijack this thread a little, especially if I can get a SS cheap from Briscoes atm...

 

Is it possible to re-gas flat Coke using a SodaStream?

 

We buy Coke in 2.25L when it's cheaper than the 1.5L size. Often we throw out a fair amount, because it goes flat. (Does the 2.25L Coke go flat faster than the 1.5L?)

 

 

 

I wouldn't be keen on trying it.

It is recommended NOT to do that in the manual.

I am pretty sure it would just froth-up and spray all over your kitchen.

Yeah, if you carbonise anything other than water, it tends to erupt. It also gums up the machine with sticky stuff. 

If re-carbonising flat coke is anything like artificially carbonising beer after primary fermentation, you have to do it really slowly (like hours and days) and soda stream is just to vigorous. 

Coke zero was not too bad, beer made a mess, coke made a bigger mess when I tried regassing things. Also wine is very messy in it.

Barry is at it again