Soda machine (home appliance)

A soda machine or soda maker is a home appliance for carbonating tap water by using carbon dioxide from a pressurized cartridge. The machine is often delivered with flavorings which can be added afterwards to the carbonated water to make soda, like, for instance orange, lemon or cola flavours. Some brands are able to directly carbonate any cold beverage.

Soda machine.

Examples of well known soda machine manufacturers are SodaStream of Israel; DrinkMate of USA and Aqvia by AGA of Sweden.[1]

Soda machines can either be connected to a separate water tap in the house, or be a freestanding unit. Some refrigerators are delivered with a built-in soda machine.

Construction

Soda machines normally use refillable TR 214 thread gas cartridges, which are normally filled with around 300–500 grams of carbon dioxide. The water to be carbonated is filled in special pressure resistant bottles which are attached to the machine in a pressure proof way. The gas is then added to the water via a pipe and valve system which is activated by pushing a button. The resulting amount of carbon dioxide is determined by the pressure in the CO2 cartridge and how long the button is held down. If the pressure is too large, residual pressure is relieved through a blowoff valve.

Advantages

Depending on the size of the gas cartridge, a soda machine can produce up to 100 liters of carbonated water before the cartridge needs to be replaced. Compared to buying carbonated water in the store, this eliminates packaging and transportation costs, and also results in less waste and possible less use of storage space. Consumer Reports estimated that a SodaStream Fizzi would save a consumer $233 and 1,248 cans at the end of two years.[2]

Gas cartridges and compatible water bottles can be purchased in many super markets. The pressure resistant bottles can also be used to store the carbonated water. Some newer machines can also be used with glass bottles. Some newer PEN-bottles can also be machine washed.

Flavoring

Makers of soda machines also offer a selection of flavors which can be added after the water has been carbonated. Some of these are sugar free. Alternatively, normal squash can be used. DrinkMate maker allows users to carbonate flavored beverages directly (such Gatorade, juice, wine, flat soda etc.) which has great benefits

Health risks

Teeth

Carbonated water has a low pH-value, and overuse of carbonated water can therefore lead to acid erosion of the teeth, similarly to consuming other sour beverages and food (like soda or fruits). A 2017 study by the American Dental Association showed that, although seltzer water is more erosive than tap water, it would take over 100 years of daily drinking to cause damage to human teeth.[3] Drinking straws can be used to prevent acid erosion by minimizing direct contact between the sour drink and the teeth.[4]

Bacteria

In a study by the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine at the University of Mainz, (Germany), blue coliform bacteria were found in 39% of the tests when water was carbonated in soda machines, compared to 12% in the tests of water straight from the tap. In addition to the pollution contaminants from the gas cartridge or the machine itself, the water's microbiological quality was also poorer due to a biofilm on the inside of the bottles.[5]

In addition to insufficient cleaning (by not following the manufacturer instructions), a possible cause for the increased amount of bacteria could also be the poor design of the soda machines.[6]

It is recommended to regularly perform simple cleaning routines according to the manufacturer instructions. This includes cleaning the bottles with hot water (above 50 °C), using soap and a clean cleaning brush.[7]

  • A Sodastream machine from 1999, opened from the rear showing the CO2 cartridge
    A Sodastream machine from 1999, opened from the rear showing the CO2 cartridge

See also

References
  1. Test: Aqvia vs SodaStream – DinSide
  2. "A Smart Buy For Seltzer Lovers." Consumer Reports, May 2021, p. 13.
  3. Parry, J.; Shaw, L.; Arnaud, M. J.; Smith, A. J. (August 2001). "Investigation of mineral waters and soft drinks in relation to dental erosion". Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 28 (8): 766–772. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2842.2001.00795.x. ISSN 0305-182X. PMID 11556958.
  4. Bruk sugerør hvis du vil spare tennene | ABC Nyheter
  5. Wolfgang Kohnen et al.: Microbiological quality of carbonated drinking water produced with in-home carbonation systems, In: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Band 208, 2005: S. 415–423, doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2005.04.008.
  6. Lebensbedrohliche Infektionen durch Keime, die häufig in Haushaltsgeräten zur Herstellung von Sodawasser (z. B. Soda-Club, Wasser-Maxx, Soda-Maxx) gefunden wurden. Pressemitteilung. In: uni-freiburg.de. Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg K. d. Ö. R., 17. Mai 2006, aufgerufen und empfangen am 14. Juni 2016 (deutsch; Mitteilung über eine Untersuchung von Geräten).
  7. Soda-Club GmbH: Kohlensäure hält Trinkwasser frisch und rein (PDF; 21 kB), Pressemitteilung, 4. September 2006
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