I love sparkling water and have thought a lot about buying a water sparkler (like Soda Stream, but I'd want a different brand or to buy it used). But thinking about the cost of the CO2 cylinders, is it really any cheaper to have a machine at home? Is it significant enough to make up for the loss of counter space? Has anyone done rough calculations on the cost difference?
I buy the cheapest cans of flavored sparkling water from the store and drink one or two every day. The cylinders for the home machines seem to be a little expensive and I've read that they don't actually last as long as they claim. I know people have tricks to refill the cylinders and to get the gas in bulk, but from the videos it looks like something I wouldn't realistically put in the effort to do.
Also if I could find a used one (to be a little less wasteful), I'd buy a Sparkel machine because it doesn't require CO2 cylinders. Instead it can use baking soda and citric acid (which can be bought cheaply in bulk) to create the carbonation. It does need to be plugged in, but I doubt the electricity cost would really tip the scale one way or the other.
Is sparkling water cheaper if I buy it or if I make it at home?
byu/Original_Age7380 inFrugal
Posted by Original_Age7380
5 Comments
The CO2 tanks for sodastream are so overpriced, you may save a little bit of money over buying bottled sparkling water, but the annoyance of having to get more of those little bottles and exchanging them will quickly wear on you.
Instead, search “Soda Stream CO2 External Hose Stainless steel Adapter Kit” on amazon and get one of them. Then you can hook up a 20 lb CO2 tank you can get from a gas supply store to the soda stream which will last for probably a year. You can go there and exchange the tanks for probably about $40 (the first time you’ll have to pay more for a deposit for the tank). A soda stream machine itself is pretty cheap, the way they get you is with those stupid little CO2 tanks.
If you know you want sparkling water, this is the best way I’ve found to do it. And I love my sparkling water.
I have a soda stream. I used to use it a lot. For about 10 years I used it regularly. The container of CO2 was about $15 and you make many, many litres with that. You buy the first one and it is a bit more expensive (maybe $40), and you swap them afterward (about $15). I actually bought two so I always have one.
I’ve never really made the math of the actual cost of the carbonation. It’s a rounding error at that point and you can chose the level of carbonation as well. But I would guess at most a quarter per bottle (about a litre).
I never found any of the artificial flavoring particularly good. My wife enjoyed mixing lime juice with it. Though you should carbonate before adding the flavoring (or you’ll repaint your ceiling.)
If you can find a place that does refills (here the fire extinguisher place does them) it’ll be cheaper then the official refills.
If you like sparkling beverages, look into ginger bug sodas. You wont be able to make plain sparkling water, but anything with natural sugar in it should carbonate once you get the method dialed in.
I had a soda stream for awhile, but the Bed Bath and Beyond went out of business, and I went back to regular seltzer which I tend to buy from Stop and Shop and Shop Rite, for under $1.00 per 1 liter ounce, and $1.00 to $1.05 per two liter bottle. From the Frugalwoods, I have heard there are ways of getting it cheaper than a soda stream v, but I’ve never had the patience to do that.