SodaStream home soda makers are gaining popularity all the time. Here I address some of the most common questions and issues that come up when using a SodaStream for the first time.

Cold water retains gas better than warm water, which is why SodaStream recommends always using cold, chilled water when carbonating. The problem is that different refrigerators have different temperatures. So one person may be using 36 degree water while another is using 45 degree water. You will have trouble carbonating water that is below 40 degrees. The water and CO2 will freeze at the tip causing a blockage that will prevent the water from becoming carbonated. Those who keep their coolers very cold will want to use some room temperature water mixed in with the cold water. The ideal is to look for a place between 41 and 45 degrees. Not sure if this is a problem for you? Look at the tip of the SodaStream (the part that goes into the bottle) immediately after use. You will see very small pieces of white ice in this area if the water temperature was too low.

The biggest complaint I hear is about the carbonation of the juices. Many people don’t realize that only plain water can be carbonated with any home soda maker. Flavorings are added after carbonation. This means you can’t take straight fruit juices and carbonate them. Instead, you should mix the carbonated water with the juice. This makes it a watery juice that isn’t as fizzy. It’s hardly the tasty, healthy alternative to soda you want. Fortunately, there is a very simple solution. Buy frozen juice concentrates at your local grocery store. Mix them with the carbonated water. This way, you’re not diluting the flavor of the juice or the carbonation.

There is another option to achieve fruity flavors other than what SodaStream offers. Flavored syrups, intended for pancakes or waffles, are a great flavor addition.

Many people prefer tonic or sparkling water over sparkling water, especially when making alcoholic beverages. You can make club soda by simply adding a pinch of salt to your carbonated water. Tonic water is a bit more complicated. It traditionally has quinine as well as a sweetener. Quinine is a bitter compound used to treat malaria. Most people don’t stock their pantry with this item. You can add a splash of bitters to carbonated water to replace the quinine. Three tablespoons of agave syrup per liter mixes well and will give you the slight sweetness found in tonic water.

My next tip is for the small percentage of people who only drink one or two sodas per week. Soda flavors can be easily mixed in a glass instead of the bottle. This way, if the leftover water in the bottle runs out, you can top it up before making your next glass.

I hope these tips and tricks help you get the most out of your SodaStream!