Lots of cruisers are using or are contemplating the SodaStream! A while back, a couple of readers asked questions about their suitability on TBG’s Facebook page. Several other readers gave their opinions there and several more sent me e-mails, plus I’ve done a bunch of research on questions they asked — as well as some others that I had.
I’ll start by saying that I don’t own one (although I have used them on other boats), so this is a compilation of information from others. And I’ll apologize for what’s going to be a fairly long article, with two videos. But there’s a lot of information to cover when it comes to suitability for cruisers — and no definitive yes/no answer. But it seems that those who have decided it’s for them love the SodaStream.
There are four sections to the information below:
- What’s a SodaStream? — including a video
- Pros and Cons of using the system on a boat
- Recommendations
- Refilling the CO2 cartridges yourself — including a video
What’s a SodaStream?
A SodaStream is a method to make your own soft drinks, tonic water and “fizzy water.” There are seven different units, all about 5″ wide by 17″ high by 8-1/2″ deep.
The unit does not use electricity. There is a CO2 cartridge, a 1-liter bottle, and flavor mixes that you can add. This SodaStream video explains it very well (it’s about 2 minutes long):
Pros and Cons
The SodaStream takes a lot less space and weight than carrying a bunch of soda cans, not to mention getting them aboard — but there is the unit itself and the flavor bottles and carbonators. And it produces a lot less trash and you no longer have to deal with sometimes getting paper-thins cans that develop leaks or split. The jury seems to be out on whether it saves money — that probably depends on the cost of soda where you are.
- Water. The unit requires water. If you don’t have a watermaker or large tanks, that means that you’re going to be lugging bottles of water to use with the SodaStream, eliminating some of its benefits.
- Filtered Water. Several cruisers have mentioned that tank water needs to be filtered so that it doesn’t have any funky taste. See my article on water filtering systems if you don’t have a filter and want some ideas on how to do it.
- Cold Water. To carbonate properly, you need to start with cold water. Now, it doesn’t have to be icy, but if you’re cruising in a hot locale and your tank water is warm, it won’t fizz as well. You’ll need to chill a spare bottle of water in the refrigerator before using it.
- Flavors. SodaStream makes a wide variety of flavors, copying many sodas (regular, diet and caffeine-free), energy drinks and even having tonic water. Most people think they taste great, although a few don’t (I’m guessing that using filtered versus unfiltered water plays a big role in this). The little bottles of flavor say to use them within 3 months, but cruisers say they’ve lasted a year or more with no problems. Flavors can be hard to get in some locations outside the US but they are available in 40 countries (some with wider distribution than others), but many people simply add a squeeze of lemon or lime, a dash of orange juice or even a powdered drink mix. One 16-ounce flavor bottle makes about 13 liters.
- Carbonation Cartridges. This is the biggie. The cartridges are reasonably easy to get and exchange for a refill (at some stores, but generally online) in the US, UK, much of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In other places, you’re likely to have to refill them yourself (see video at the bottom of this article on how to do it — this is what many cruisers in the Caribbean and Mexico do). You can getb systems that use “small” cartridges good for making 60 liters of soda or “large” cartridges good for 130 liters — and the interesting thing is that the SodaStream units are the same size, and some can use either size cartridge. You cannot take carbonators on an airplane (either in the cabin or in checked baggage) and they cannot be shipped by air.
- Soda Bottles. The bottles that the soda is made in are special, heavy duty because of the pressure of the carbonation. The company puts an expiration date of three years on them “for safety reasons” and says you can’t use an empty soda bottle from the store. While the unit comes with one bottle, you’ll probably want to buy a couple of extras so that you can have more than one bottle made up at a time.
Recommendations
I can’t say whether a SodaStream is right for you and where you’re cruising. So much is individual preference, but I’ve tried to lay out the things that you need to think about as one would be used on a boat. The cruisers who have them (and who gave me an opinion) all seem to love them, but others decided against getting one as they decided it wouldn’t fit well with their cruising (generally because of problems getting carbonators or they thought there would not be any cost or space advantage).
For those boating in the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australian or New Zealand, where supplies are easily available, the decision is much easier. But several cruisers in the Caribbean absolutely love theirs, as do many in the Sea of Cortez — they’ve figured out ways to either get supplies or developed do-it-yourself alternatives.
There are 7 SodaStream models available. Update: As of September 2018, the company appears to have streamlined their product line to three styles. Visit SodaStream to learn more. For use aboard a boat, however, I’d opt for the lowest priced unit, called the “Fountain Jet” model (sometimes just called the Jet) — it is the simplest mechanism, uses plastic bottles (some of the high end ones use glass) and is all-plastic construction. Further, the product comparison page says that it can use either the smaller OR larger carbonators (I’d think that the large ones would be more convenient on a boat). Wherever you buy it, note that it comes with a SMALL carbonator, not a large.
You can buy them on Amazon or directly from SodaStream:
- Fountain Jet (starter package) on Amazon (note that it does not contain flavors)
- Carbonating cylinders on Amazon and check for other models and flavors
- Products on SodaStream site (includes starter pack of flavors)
Do-It-Yourself CO2 Cartridge Refill
(Update: SodaCo2 appears to be out of business. A similar company, named SodaMod offers many of the same products.)
Yes, it’s completely possible to refill the carbonators yourself, as long as you’re in a place where you can get a tank of CO2 — depending on where you are, check with restaurants or bars to see where they get tanks for their soda and “on draft” beer. If there are paintball enthusiasts around, find out where they refill their cartridges. (If you already have a paintball refill setup, you may only need an adapter, available from SodaCo2. The adapter won’t work as a standalone, though — you need the refill kit detailed below.)
Because SodaStream (formerly called Soda Club) makes a proprietary cap and thread, designed to thwart DIY refills, you’ll have to get an adapter. And of course, several entrepreneurs sell them. A company called SodaCo2 seems to be the leader, with how-to videos and promising plenty of customer support — and they’ve found all the right parts to make it all work.
I have not used this product so I can’t vouch for it — but I’ve spent hours online researching what is available and this is the setup that other cruisers were talking about on CruisersForum (Thanks to Laurie on Facebook for telling me about it!). After looking at some others as well, I’d say that this looks to be the best solution if you want to refill the tanks yourself. And no, it’s not endorsed by SodaStream. In fact, they discourage it. That happens a lot with adapting things for cruising — it’s up to you whether you are comfortable going against manufacturers’ recommendations. It’s your decision, not mine (in other words, I’m not responsible, I’m just providing information if you decide you want to do this).
The adapters aren’t cheap — about $125 as I’m writing this. A tank of gas is about $20 (and could fill 10 to 20 carbonators — it won’t all transfer, but one tank is likely to be more than just one boat would use). But just one “large” carbonator refill from SodaStream costs $30 plus shipping, so it can definitely save you money in the long run. And if you’re not in a country where you can get them refilled, it may be what makes SodaStream a workable idea for your boat.
- SodaCo2 Refill Station — hoses and valves (note that the “pro” version is only about $10 more than the basic, and makes the fill easier).
The video on how to do it is below. One thing that’s not mentioned in the video is that you need what’s called a “feeder tank” as the large tank (that’s a tank with a tube running down to the bottom of the tank from the valve at the top, so you get the liquid CO flowing) or you have to hang the large tank upside down so that the liquid will run through the hose. It also works better if there is a temperature differential — when he’s venting the small tank initially, it’s chilling the small tank (same principle as a refrigerator and the expansion tube).
This video is a little less than 2 minutes long and is better than any other “refill” video I could find but (as noted above) misses a few points.
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Sami on Facebook says
We have had ours now for 5 years. First on our sailboat and now on our trawler…….and love it. An amazing space saver that has paid for itself over and over. The flavors are good, the diet ones do not use aspartane and there is a huge choice including no caffeine cola. Be sure to get the size that can use the small and large canister interchangeably. That will make it easier to get either size ‘fizzer’. Bed Bath and Beyond carry them as well as Kohls and of course you can order supplies over the internet as well. I recommend them highly and hope my spelling is OK this early in the morning!
Karen Taylor says
We have a SodaStream on board. It has been especially great on reducing our use of plastic bottles. Not everywhere we have been recycle. So we don’t contribute to the trash dump which sometimes is actually the ocean. Also, my husband’s favorite, Root Beer, is often hard to find So we can just make our own.
Amanda Bunny Fosdick on Facebook says
Got one 6 mnths ago n absolutely love it! Space saving is a big plus, especially with my club soda addiction we save lots of money, and no negatives so far.
Yvonne Gumaer on Facebook says
Also got one about six months ago. Love it!
Sandra Parsons Hall on Facebook says
Got one for X-mas. Can’t live without it now!!
Jacqueline Rauch on Facebook says
My husband and I have this crazy dream…so everyone tells me…. to sell our home, buy a big sloop and sail the world. So…I’ve been buying things we’ll need….the Soda Stream is one of them. But I just can’t get myself to open it or use Anything that we’ve bought (believe me there is a good sized pile now) before we buy the boat. Call me crazy but I want everything to be new! And I guess I’m just afraid if i use anything, that something will happen and ruin all of our plans. Superstition maybe…..I guess?
Diane Dashevsky says
Just recently got a Soda Stream “Fizz” – actually won it on a penny auction for under $3 including the sampler of flavors ($149.91 at Amazon). Takes both size cartridges. So far we like it. Saw the flavor bottles tonight in WalMart (smaller size) for under $5. The large bottles weren’t much more. The 60L carbonators were about $20. Once I came home and checked Amazon prices, I’m going back tomorrow to buy all they had!!! Hope they weren’t mismarked!! Each time I’ve made up a new bottle of “soda”, I used cold tap water – did not chill in ‘fridge. Still carbonated fine and held the carbonation as long as a traditional 1 -2L bottle of soda does. Now if I can just figure out where to store it on the boat….
Susan Parker says
We love our SodaStream also. I have one at home and one on the boat. There’s a simpler and cheap way to refil the CO2 cartridges. You unscrew the valve from the cartridge and fill the bottlw.it with crushed dry ice. Then replace the valve.
Debra Perfitt on Facebook says
We love ours too.
Sue Waudby on Facebook says
We have had one on our boat since 2005. Love it but you can’t get CO2 canisters or the syrup outside of the US. We had friends drive down to the Baja so not a issue but had to stock up as we won’t be back in RI for several years. We fly home with our empty ones.
Sue Waudby on Facebook says
We have had one on our boat since 2005. Love it but you can’t get CO2 canisters or the syrup outside of the US. We had friends drive down to the Baja so not a issue but had to stock up as we won’t be back in RI for several years. We fly home with our empty ones.
Patti Gay Hartzell on Facebook says
I use mine daily. It’s one of the best things I have on the boat! Saves space and is such a treat on a hot day in the islands!
Katherine Whitby on Facebook says
Love my sodastream!!!!
Kim Veitch Davidson on Facebook says
We love ours. It also works great with mio flavoring drops and crystal light.
Steven K. Roberts on Facebook says
There are some excellent how-to articles on the web for DIY alternatives that don’t lock you in or cost nearly as much.
Alan Heaberlin on Facebook says
It’s a simple matter to buy bulk CO2 and refill canisters. It’s also simple to buy syrups, etc and skip the markup of sodastream.
Steven K. Roberts on Facebook says
You can also buy a widget that frees you from the tyranny of their proprietary adapter, if you want their tabletop unit. But here is one of many DIY articles…
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Soda-Water-%26-Home-Carbonation—Pays-For-Itsel/
Alan Heaberlin on Facebook says
While making your own soda is practical and with some effort you can get the stuff to taste acceptable, it’s pretty nice just to pop the top on a can of soda. I confess I don’t make my own as often as I could. My life is about minimizing hassle.
Kathe Spidell says
We love our Soda Stream, it was a sad day when we couldn’t refill the CO2 cartridges in Guatemala or Panama. Now that we have the boat back in the states, we are going to see about getting an adapter and a bigger cartridge before we head down to the tropics again.
Jennifer Bradley says
We purchased ours in S Africa however we are now sailing in S America and wishing that we would have stocked up before leaving. So now we are going to find what we need to fill them on board. This was a really useful article. Thanks for taking the time to research.
Gloria Dawn says
We deal directly with Soda Stream since 2006. We keep three large CO2 tanks in the loop of exchange. When we leave the states every year we have three fulls with 6 each ginger ale & Tonic Water with 2 prep bottles. The machine housing is tough. Long runs store snugly but day runs pop in galley sink. They deliver tanks by courier or ups in states. Just tell them you live on a boat and can’t go to bog box stores. Coffee pot & Soda Stream must haves.
Tony Hill says
Doesn’t save money, but it definitely saves space and weight . We use the flavored water additives like Mio and therefore it is automatically a diet drink. Lol
Leigh Ann Bishop Long says
I don’t like the chemicals and corn syrup, so I use fresh fruit juice.
Bonnie Gibson-Cunningham says
I use it to dilute my juice. DH drinks it straight. Also nice to have on hand for mixed drinks.
Tony Hill says
That’s a great idea Leigh Ann Bishop Long
Dave Skolnick (S/V Auspicious) says
Been using our SodaStream for five years. Good stuff and definitely saving us money. Also saves hauling cases of heavy soda onto the boat. Definitely a win.
Lynn Kaak says
It really depends on where you cruise. People in the Eastern Caribbean frequently ask where or how they can refill the CO2 canisters, not to mention getting the syrups. We had one, but got rid of it.
Gloria Dawn Turek says
We love our Soda Stream especially while cruising in the Bahamas. We make tonic or ginger ale.
Renee M Klapper says
We have it and love it
Ann Snider says
We have never gotten any of the syrups. We like to get juices or fresh fruit to use in the seltzer water. Tonight we had blueberry pomegranate.
Cruisingrunner says
I have the Cuisinart version, which takes up less space. We bought it in Pago Pago, and it definitely saved money compared to buying bottles or cans of sparkling water.
Susan Parker says
We’ve started using SodaStream years ago when all of our soda cans on board started exploding. What a mess! We take our empty tanks to our local oxygen company for refills. They have the adapter to fill our tanks at a fraction of the cost. Also, we use real Coke products instead of the SodaStream brand cola. You just mix it at a 5:1 ratio.
I love SodaStream so much that I have keep backup machines on hand in case one breaks.
Lamarr Harding says
Years ago we had the CO2 bottle with the regulator, hose and carbonator cap. Bought gallons of syrup from restraint supply stores. Worked well until CO2 supplier went out of business.
Soda stream came along, the syrups didn’t taste as good, we went through three cartridges. After a year of not bothering to use it, it went to a thrift store.
I am thinking of getting a bottle and hose again. Wal Mart 2 lite bottles are only 64 cents and I don’t drink that much. Although on my last cruise my tab for Mountain Dew was more than my friends bar tab for alcoholic drinks. $3.00 each on Royal Carabean.
Evan says
Sodas and diet sodas are full of chemicals and have been a major contributor to obesity in the USA. Boaters live a more sedentary lifestyle, contributing the the problem. So, the healthiest thing you can make from Sodastream is seltzer water. Just add REAL fruit juice (pomegranate, grapefruit, etc etc) and you are good to go. Or simply save the US$150 and stock up on bottled seltzer, In a pinch, club soda works as well. Or even better, stop drinking soda. Sodastream is an evil to the health and waistline of human beings.
Lupari Sue says
Love our soda stream when we get back to Australia it will be great again.
David Lake says
love it
Maryann Watkins says
Works great! Less trash and less cases of pop to store.
Nola Ck says
u can make ur own syrups too . its healthier and cheapier
Randy Sysol says
We have three spare co2 bottles on board, lasts most of the season. Beats lugging sodas to the boat when cruising!
Judith Adams says
I have learned to make kombucha, jun, and ginger beer (no alcohol).
These are great fizzy drinks and ingredients are available everywhere.
Dave W Alexander says
Refill the bottle yourself with dry ice. The label of the CO2 bottle tells you the weight of the contents…the 60L bottle takes I believe 14 some oz . Take the valve off after releasing all pressure with the valve on the side of the main valve, and use a funnel to fill with pelletized dry ice or from a block of dry ice you wacked sufficiently with a hammer. Takes a few hours for the whole unit to reach room temperature, but when you get good you can probably refill a 60L bottle this way for about $1.50 in the states.
The threads are proprietary on the CO2 bottles, and the same with the threads on the plastic bottles SodaStream sells to make your soda in. They’ve learned all the lessons of the bubble jet printer industry…make your money on the catastrophically overpriced consumables.
Dj says
We have a Sparkel, which IMHO is 1000x better than the Soda Stream. First – there are no canisters! You create fizz with tiny packets of powder, which create the fizz. Being on a boat, they are easy to store and generate minimal waste. You can order the carbonation online from their website delivered right to your door or wherever you’d like. Second – you can “Sparkel” ANYTHING! Water, juice, tea, wine if it goes flat, you can add fruit, mint leaves and make your own syrups and add that too! You can adjust your own level of fizz from 1-5. When you buy a kit, you get your Sparkel, carbonator and a reusable bottle that fits in your fridge easily. We love it and before purchasing it, a Soda Stream was our next to buy, but I am very happy that we found the Sparkel instead.
Check it out for yourself. ca.sparkel.com
Molly on S/V Sabai says
My captain/husband just put an air fill fitting on the hose that attaches to the regulator on a 5 LB CO2 bottle. Then we retrofitted the caps of our Soda Stream bottles with valve stems. Run your CO2 tank at 35 PSI. Just pressurize your bottle with CO2 – a couple of seconds, shake the bottle vigorously (required) and do that whole procedure two more times. It works fine and you don’t have to have any of the Soda Stream equipment but the bottles. As always – the water MUST be cold.
Dinah says
We’ve had a SS for years. In NZ you can pick them up for peanuts at an op shop.
We stuck a plastic tray to the bottom so the machine doesn’t topple over in rough seas.