DailyDirt: DIY Soda (Pop Or Whatever You Call Carbonated Beverages)
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
Making your own carbonated soft drinks has a few benefits -- from knowing where all the ingredients came from (eg. no brominated vegetable oil) to getting the satisfaction of creating your own custom flavoring. It's not quite as simple as punching a button on a vending machine, but it's not exactly rocket science, either. Here are just a few links on being your own soda jerk.- Sodastream has been around since 1903, but it went public on the Nasdaq in 2010 and started expanding its DIY soda making system to take on the big soft drink makers. But marketing itself as an alternative isn't always easy, and it had to change its 2013 SuperBowl commercial to remove Coke and Pepsi logos. [url]
- The secret recipe for a can of Coca-Cola isn't just getting the mixture of caramel coloring and phosphoric acid right; there are also a zillion other details from packaging and distribution that have been optimized. The top of the aluminum can is actually a different aluminum-magnesium alloy from the rest of the can, engineered so it can have a pop-top and still withstand the pressurized contents. [url]
- When making your own soda, be sure to use 100% essential food oils that are rated food grade. Recipes to make Open Cola and the "original" Coke are available, but there's a bit of set up involved. [url]
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Filed Under: beverage, flavoring, food, open cola, pop, recipes, soda, soft drinks
Companies: coca-cola, pepsi, sodastream
Reader Comments
The First Word
“Newer system
I have had a SodaStream for about 5 years, and love it. No schlepping is the #1 advantage, and the costs are decent. A recharge canister is only $15... I like it, and use it regularly.I am backing a new Project on KickStarter for a device called SPRiZZi, which is more like a Keurig-type experience for soda... It is closing soon, so check it out!
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The original formula for Coke...
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Sodastream...
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Sodastream Ripoff
Also the Sodastream does a bad job when it comes to carbonating it only carbonates at 15psi. Many sodas need higher carbonation levels such as colas they are better served at 30psi.
Like Rekrul pointed out there are many cheaper ways to build a carbonator and you can buy the syrup from many sources. You can even buy your favorite Coke or Pepsi flavours if your willing to pay the premium price. My rig cost me $20 it consists of a CO2 bike pump and a tubeless tire valve.
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Re: Sodastream Ripoff
The syrup costs RRP of $6.95 and seeing as a 2L bottle of coke from the supermarket costs when not on special of average $4.00 (a 1.25Litre bottle costs approx $2.80) Sodastream is very cost effective here.. The UK is equivalent in costs of coke/pepsi and savings I am told too.
Though I agree with you about the pressure difference's and the 'fizz' it doesn't really give.
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Re: Re: Sodastream Ripoff
My biggest problem I have with Sodasteam is the ridiculous price they charge for the CO2. They have the same $30 exchange price here for the cylinders but your paying a ridiculous cost for the CO2. I had a 20lb CO2 tank it cost me $23 to fill it enough to carbonate about 720L of soda at 30psi or about 1440L at 15psi. So for the $23 I would spend it would cost me $720 at the cylinder exchange rate for the same amount of CO2. That breaks down to a $1.15 per pound of CO2 but Sodastrem is charging $26 a pound.
If you want to save money I would recommend this kind of setup for $130 it may not be as pretty but it would fit in cupboard out of sight.
http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=247
For the cost of a low end Sodastrem you would have the equivalent of an extra 5 cylinders CO2 that would cost another $150 on top of the cost of the Sodastream so half the cost. Then when your out of CO2 it would cost about $15 to refill the tank but at Sodasteams cost it would run you another $180 thats ridiculous.
If looks are important and you have $300 to $400 to spend you can build a nice kegerator and have soda and beer on tap.
Here are some great examples of home built kegerators they also have on this site lots of info for making your own sodas and beer.
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/show-us-your-kegerator-29053/
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Re: The original formula for Coke...
(Sinatra fans will get it.)
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Human rights violations in Isreal/Palestine
Hardware lock-in using patents to force their business model on customers.
I much prefer my generic soda charger with cartridges that ollow a common, open standard.
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Re:
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Newer system
I am backing a new Project on KickStarter for a device called SPRiZZi, which is more like a Keurig-type experience for soda... It is closing soon, so check it out!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
creative commons soda maker
Of if you prefer something simple, how about making your own corkscrew :-)
http://www.giftsandmerchandise.co.uk/product/diy-corkscrew
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great information
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