Best products from r/SodaStream

I use my soda stream to make carbonated water, and then pump soda syrup into my glass to make a drink. I can have something different each time if I want. This is the cola syrup I use. I also have cherry and vanilla syrup so I can have a cherry cola or vanilla cola if I want it. Soda stream syrups are gross, especially if you don't care for artificial sweeteners. Monin syrups I order online, but Torani I can buy from Smart and Final for $5 a bottle. You can buy pumps to fit the Torani and Monin syrup bottles, which make dispensing the syrup super easy. I usually use 4-6 pumps of syrup per glass.

Thanks. That's what I'm thinking too. I mean, what could be really be inside a metal tank?

Which model do you have? I'd like to find the largest one that will fit within the casing of the Source with the door/cover if possible. Also is the Amazon pricing good, or could I get a better price from a sporting goods store?

https://www.amazon.com/Tippmann-3000-HPA-Tank-Black/dp/B00885XHIG

https://www.amazon.com/Top-Hat-Craft-Ginger-Syrup/dp/B01D9MBW3E/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=top+hat+ginger+beer&qid=1565143666&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be on Amazon Canada (high five from a Canadian/US dual citizen, grew up in Calgary to be specific). It's got a great tartness and spice to it. I've tried some of the other ginger beer mixes and they have either been to sweet or not had enough ginger flavor. This one can be pretty tart for some people, so often times I'll add a little bit of the soda stream ginger ale to even it out, but it's a really tasty mix. Their other mixes are really good as well. They aren't as syrupy as the soda stream mixes so you will need to mix in 1.5-2x what you would mix with the sodastream flavors.

One of the things I really miss about living in Europe is the ease of buying Club-Mate (and at a decent price), so I decided to try reproducing it with my SodaStream.

I cold brewed some Mate from David's Tea using the SteepStir I bought from Amazon. Added a teaspoon of Stevia (Truvia brand) and a squirt of lemon juice. Tastes delicious!

This recipe differs from other excellent ones like Matedor because I didn't have to boil anything and then pour a syrup. Instead, I carbonated the water and then dropped the SteepStir (fully loaded with Mate) into the 1 liter bottle. I let it steep overnight in the fridge, then added the lemon juice and Truvia. Please keep in mind that you have to cap it really quick to avoid a slow-motion diet coke + mentos effect!

Yeah. I’ve found lemon and lime in the shakers:

True Lemon & True Lime Shaker 10.6oz each (2pk) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J924P1A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3tjaBb29NMGZG

But I can’t find my favorite, orange.

Glen & Friends Cooking has explored a few soda recipes. Cola, orange soda, cream soda comes to mind. Quite a nice channel, found it through here. He's called /u/LeGourmetTV . :)

I've also bought the book "Homemade Soda", which contains a bunch of recipes. I haven't tried any of the recipes out yet, though.

we use the orange and grape koolaid water enhancer's a lot because the Crush ones are not sold in canada.

also the ikea syrups are good but you have to go very slowly as they will cause a lot of foamup. best to put some in a tall glass and slowly add your carbonated water and go mix on demand with that per cup.

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/40296014/

https://joelandameliamakeahome.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_20150702_132411-e1436208056669.jpg

I'm looking into this again too.

I first looked into doing this maybe about 6 years ago, and had somebody cut the Sodastream valve with a dremel tool so it could be refilled locally. Later I bought another tank and just started turning dry ice pellets into snow with a snow cone machine, filling the tanks, and screwing the valves back on.

At this point I'm probably going to buy the robust KitchenAid Sodastream machine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJ1E6ZK/ref=twister_B01CQDWW3G?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 and I'm thinking about hooking up a 5lb tank to it with this product from Trinity Paintball: http://www.trinitypaintball.com/SODA-STREAM-CO2-ADAPTER-p/tr1801.htm

Any thoughts on the quality of Trinity's device? In the video, their rep uses a washer on the tank valve to supposedly prevent leaks.

Here's a review on a different product that Trinity makes, where the reviewer claims it's much better than Co2 Doctor's product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RXZU7BZDUYJ93/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00M37RMAY Of course that's not much to go on, and maybe should be taken with a grain of salt.

I agree that the Co2 Doctor site is offputting, so unless he really does have the best product, I don't feel inclined to give him my money.

Edit: I found some bad reviews on the Trinity product: https://www.amazon.com/Sodastream-Machine-Cga-320-Adapter-Tanks/dp/B00MAWRQ80/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8#Ask so at this point I'm thinking about going with the product from Palmers.

The sodastream water flavorings have to be refrigerated if that's an issue.

I use the True Citrus products which are basically crushed up citrus fruits. One package per liter and they taste great. Make sure not to get the Kool aid type products as those may not be soda safe.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008GE87BG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503195785&sr=8-3&keywords=True+Citrus

https://www.amazon.com/Drinkmate-14-5oz-60L-Replacement-Cylinder/dp/B077CH5Z57/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=drinkmate+co2&qid=1566217788&s=gateway&sr=8-10

Its a little more expensive but you get money back for returning sodastream cylinders and drinkmate, plus free returns. Very simple

I use the metal vacuum insulated water bottles. Not sure of the brands because I've just gotten freebies but they look like this - amazon.com/Swell-10017-A18-06465-Stainless-Water-Bottle/dp/B07794N9K8

I use Bitterman's Orange Cream Citrate. A few drops in a liter bottle give a pleasant orangish flavor.

http://www.amazon.com/Fee-Brothers-Bittermens-Orange-Citrate/dp/B005UNXGB2

Also, making your own coconut extract to replicate la croix coconut does not work. :( It just doesn't give much coconut flavor...

We use [this] (https://www.amazon.com/SodaStream-MyWater-Variety-40mL-3-Pack/dp/B003NSVWD0) We used to buy the flavored talking rain sparkling water and this tastes about the same. I also use mio and crystal light flavors sometimes as well.

There's always buying the syrup directly...
Costco - Diet Coke Bag-In-Box Syrup 5 gal (that'd make about 30 gallons)
You'll need a tap the first time around: BIB Tap Valve for Coca-Cola Brand Bag-in-Box Syrups
They say it's a 5/1 ratio, but there's mixed reviews. Basically works out to a little less than a buck a liter. Shelf life is relatively short (2-3 months, which is not a lot of time to put down 113 liters of soda.) Not a fantastic savings, but you can make it fresh, when you want it (and no bottle fees or waste).
Ideally you could find some like-minded Sodastream folk to split the purchase of the syrup with, but you'd have to devise some sanitary way of transferring it, or the shelf life would be shortened more.

They've got a new version of this called the Crystal. It's much better.

https://www.amazon.com/SodaStream-Crystal-Sparkling-Starter-Silver/dp/B01HW6P4Q4

It's a lubricant used to help ensure seals on paintball guns fire properly. As far as I can tell, these are specially marked canisters - https://www.amazon.com/ASG-Ultrair-12-Gram-Lubrication-Cartridges/dp/B00CYGV9BW

Decades ago CO2 gas came in different grades - Food grade and industrial grade. Industrial was lower grade used for other processes where volume was more important than purity. Industrial-grade CO2 is a thing of the past, due to the manufacturing process it's all the same purity these days.

That said the OP asked

>Is it true that it's not safe to use paintball canister

And the answer to that from what I can tell is no. Because the interior of the tank has not been properly lined or sanitized prior to filling.

You can buy special flasks for carbonated beverages, e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Stainless-Carbonated-Beverage-17-Ounce/dp/B01D6KDK5M

not sure I'd use a regular one.

Essence pack!

SodaStream MyWater Variety, 40mL, 3-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003NSVWD0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vjoMzb3RZKJR9