Costs of Owning a SodaStream Fountain Jet

Do you want the convenience of making your own soda at home? You can do it with a SodaStream Fountain Jet soda making system. Owning one is not without its costs. Here's what you can expect if you purchase a SodaStream Fountain Jet or receive one as a gift this holiday season.

Cost of a SodaStream Fountain Jet system

A SodaStream Fountain Jet is the least expensive of SodaStream's at-home soda making machines. A Fountain Jet will cost about $100, give or take, and can either be purchased online at the SodaStream site or at a retail location that carries SodaStream products.

Money Saving Tips: JC Penney sells the SodaStream Fountain Jet online only for $79.99. SodaStream also offers rebates periodically in Sunday paper inserts.

Syrups: Other than the $80-$100 investment, there are other costs associated with owning a SodaStream Fountain Jet. First, the syrups are approximately $5-7 at stores or online. Each bottle makes about 12 liters of soda. SodaStream USA's site, by far, has the best selection and even has a buy 10, get the 10th soda syrup free promotion. If you have a favorite syrup, I suggest stocking up, but not too many since these syrups have an approximate shelf life of four months before they taste less than optimal. Buy only what you think you will use within a four month span.

Money Saving Tips: Shop local if you can. Use the store locator and find a store local to you that carries SodaStream supplies. Chances are, the syrups cost the same as online, so you save shipping; however, they likely also won't carry every single flavor that SodaStream has to offer.

Look for SodaStream packages of 5 at JCPenney.com since a 5-pack of one, single flavor diet syrup (your choice) is now just $19.99, or $4 per syrup bottle.

Finally, Le Gourmet Chef sells SodaStream syrups and CO2 canisters. They also have Bounce Back coupons for $10 off $50, which you can use to stock up on syrups or use to trade in your CO2 canisters.

Carbon dioxide canisters (CO2): Since the SodaStream Fountain Jet carbonates soda using a CO2 canister, you will need to buy replacements at some point since one canister can only go so far. SodaStream has an exchange program; however, you will save the most money if you can exchange locally. It is far less cumbersome than having to pack up spent CO2 containers and shipping them back to the company.

Your unit will come with one CO2 container; however, you may want to purchase an additional CO2 canister (or two) to ensure that you don't run out of carbonation. A new canister costs about $25 at a local store for the 60L canister, and trading in your used canisters should yield you a $10 discount, making exchanging your CO2 cost per tank about $15.

Liter Bottles: Your SodaStream will come with two one-liter bottles that you will use to make your soda. These have an expiration date of about three years in the future and will need to be replaced when expired. A package of two will cost about $15. However, if your family likes to drink more than one flavor of soda at a time, you may wish to purchase additional bottles to use with your unit.

Money Saving Tip: Take advantage of store coupons. If a Bed Bath and Beyond store carries soda mixes, replacement carbonators and replacement bottles, try to use a Sunday Paper 20% off coupon and sign up to receive money saving coupons at home. As mentioned above, Le Gourmet Chef offers bounce back coupons which you can use to stock up on mixes or exchange your tanks.

Using these money saving strategies on refills and syrups will help keep your SodaStream soda maker a cost effective way to enjoy soda at home.

Sources:

SodaStream USA site
Personal Experience