Has anyone done the math on soda stream? Does it really save money?

[Anonymous]

We have one but I haven't done the math.
I can say that not having to lug those soda cans have been the best perk.
Was contemplating buying those little bottles for DH to take to work rather than buying soda cans again. The little bottles are $20 so it's quite pricey.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I haven't done the math, but you can't look only at actual costs. You need to look at environmental costs, labor cost (for you carrying the cans and bottles, the recycle process ranging from garbage man hauling to the sorter who gets cut sorting and has no benefits etc to the factory workers making bottles and cans and filling them and trucking them etc.) there's a ton of costs involved only one of which is the price h you pay at the store. So yes, I'd say it pays for itself in landfill and fuel savings alone.

[Anonymous]

It wasn't saving me money until I realized Staples refunds you half the price of a new thing of CO2 and I didn't notice until 3 weeks later that they had done an even exchange.

[Anonymous]

PP, please explain. What did you end up paying?

[Anonymous]

I've done the math and using a soda stream won't save you any money. It's not the cost of the 'machine' itself but refilling the tank. The head on the tank is proprietary - meaning you can only use a tank engineered by Soda Stream. Refills are @$15 (discounted if you have something like a BBB coupon). But, if you're a serious soda drinker like I am, you can get an adapter and food grade CO2 canisters from eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Made-NO-CHINESE-LEAD-Sodastream-CO2-Paintball-Tank-Adapter-/131312166077?pt=Bar_Tools_Accessories&hash=item1e92d0a4bd . The guy reversed engineered the head. It screws onto any of the CO2 canisters used for paint ball guns (make sure you get a food grade canister). I get mine refilled at Dicks for less than $5. Because of this, it's cheaper for me to use Soda Stream than buying soda.

[Anonymous]

soda stream is zionist. don't support it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done the math and using a soda stream won't save you any money. It's not the cost of the 'machine' itself but refilling the tank. The head on the tank is proprietary - meaning you can only use a tank engineered by Soda Stream. Refills are @$15 (discounted if you have something like a BBB coupon). But, if you're a serious soda drinker like I am, you can get an adapter and food grade CO2 canisters from eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/US-Made-NO-CHINESE-LEAD-Sodastream-CO2-Paintball-Tank-Adapter-/131312166077?pt=Bar_Tools_Accessories&hash=item1e92d0a4bd . The guy reversed engineered the head. It screws onto any of the CO2 canisters used for paint ball guns (make sure you get a food grade canister). I get mine refilled at Dicks for less than $5. Because of this, it's cheaper for me to use Soda Stream than buying soda.

Wow, thanks for the tip!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, please explain. What did you end up paying?

Nothing. I was supposed to pay half.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:soda stream is zionist. don't support it.

They are an israeli company, and are the largest private employer in the West Bank. You, however, are racist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:soda stream is zionist. don't support it.

They are an israeli company, and are the largest private employer in the West Bank. You, however, are racist.

Typical. Anyone who criticizes Israel becomes an anti-Semite. Sometimes it is what it is. Own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:soda stream is zionist. don't support it.

They are an israeli company, and are the largest private employer in the West Bank. You, however, are racist.

Their factory is in a settlement in occupied Palestine. Are you suggesting that it is racist to point out that is an actual instance of zionism? (If that's *not* zionism, what is?)

FWIW, I buy soda stream but am not thrilled about their politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done the math, but you can't look only at actual costs. You need to look at environmental costs, labor cost (for you carrying the cans and bottles, the recycle process ranging from garbage man hauling to the sorter who gets cut sorting and has no benefits etc to the factory workers making bottles and cans and filling them and trucking them etc.) there's a ton of costs involved only one of which is the price h you pay at the store. So yes, I'd say it pays for itself in landfill and fuel savings alone.

I totally agree - I don't think you can look at it from purely the bottom line. The soda from the Sodastream actually taste terrible - kind of like generic soda from a grocery store. However, I love my endless stream of selzer water without having to buy and dispose of bottles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't done the math, but you can't look only at actual costs. You need to look at environmental costs, labor cost (for you carrying the cans and bottles, the recycle process ranging from garbage man hauling to the sorter who gets cut sorting and has no benefits etc to the factory workers making bottles and cans and filling them and trucking them etc.) there's a ton of costs involved only one of which is the price h you pay at the store. So yes, I'd say it pays for itself in landfill and fuel savings alone.

I totally agree - I don't think you can look at it from purely the bottom line. The soda from the Sodastream actually taste terrible - kind of like generic soda from a grocery store. However, I love my endless stream of selzer water without having to buy and dispose of bottles.

I've heard the same thing about using it for soda. We've only used ours for seltzer but even not counting other costs/savings, we had more than broken even in terms of $ in less than a year.

[Anonymous]

Comparing it to diet soda, I think it tastes decent enough. I like the diet orange and the Ocean Spray sparkling cranberry.