|
Recently there has been a lot of talk about the Soda Stream. There have been claims that it is environmentally friendly, cost-efficient, and offers more health benefits than regular soda. The goal of this article is to provide real information, both positive and negative, about the soda stream so that you the consumer can make an informed buying decision. Saves Energy and Helps The Environment There appear to be many great benefits to the soda stream at first glance. It does in fact use no electricity or batteries and also does not require big bulky boxes of cans or 2 Liters lying around. The machine itself is small and compact, which means it won't take up much counter space. The way the machine makes soda is by transforming regular tap water into carbonated water (flavors are added after this process). This is done by way of a CO2 canister that can make approximately 60 liters of sparkling water. All of this can have a great impact on the environment by saving on energy costs and the amount of cans and plastic bottles that must be disposed in landfills. Real Costs of Making Your Own Soda While it is clear that the soda stream does save money on things such as batteries, electricity, cans, and bottles, the real question is how much does it really save? Many consumers have complained about the "hidden" costs of the product like the initial investment, CO2 canisters, flavors, and additional bottles. When this product first came out, it was indeed expensive to buy canisters and flavors. The only company that you could exchange/buy from was Soda Stream. This however is not the case anymore. Many local companies now carry and exchange CO2 canisters and sell the Soda Stream flavors. Some of these companies are well known and include Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Sears, JC Penney, Staples, and Target just to name a few. Re-gain Initial Investment Back Quickly Another point to consider is how long it will actually take a person to recoup their initial investment. This of course depends on how much soda any one person consumes, but considering that one 12 pack of soda can cost as much as $4-5, it can add up rather quickly. If a family of four consumes two 12 packs a week (very easily done in this household!) you are looking at a cost of nearly $40 a month in just soda. Is soda from the soda stream healthier for you? If you consider that soda companies usually put preservatives and who knows what else in their products, then it seems logical that naturally made carbonated water would be much more beneficial for one's health. One great thing about this product is that you can add whatever flavoring you like to your beverage. Fresh oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, etc and of course the soda stream flavors can be used. A lot of people seem to think the soda stream flavors taste like generic soda, but then again some like it. This would be a personal preference, but the beauty is that there are numerous flavor choices available. If one does decide to use the soda stream flavors, they do have a diverse selection of regular soda, diet soda, and other flavored varieties. Plastic Bottles Vs. Glass or Crystal Bottles One health concern with this product was the plastic bottles that store the soda. Plastic bottles all have an expiration date and can actually release harmful chemicals into the liquid it holds. Some consumers don't care about this and will continue to use the plastic bottles. For those who are concerned Soda Stream does sell crystal bottles instead. The crystal bottles are a bit more expensive but much more durable and won't have the same effect as plastic bottles. Overall, the Soda Stream is a wise choice for those who want fresh, homemade soda in the convenience of their home. It can be a great economical, environmentally friendly, and healthy option; but ultimately the consumer must decide if this product is right for his or her household. Brandon is an internet entrepreneur who provides useful information on soda stream reviews so that people can learn the benefits of making their own soda from home. Download his free soda making report by visiting his website.
Related Articles -
soda stream reviews, soda stream review, soda stream, making soda at home, soda stream machine,
|
