Models of three food processing machines for the production of soda ash
Kuizinart has produced 3 different models of soda machines: 2 machines (SMS-201, SMS-216) and a siphon (CSS-100). Sometimes there are letters at the end of these product codes that indicate the colour of the product. All these activities have been removed, but you can still view them on the Cuisinart website under Finished. However, some models are still available online at very low prices. I strongly recommend that other alternatives be considered, as there are problems with the cousin ecosystem for refuelling and these have been left behind.
Unfortunately, the sub-optimal reconstitution experiment destroys a potentially very practical producer of soda ash. In fact, the device itself is pretty good, and almost all users report that the product worked as expected and was easy to use. Poor feedback is in most cases caused by a poor charging system. In addition, the machine is relatively inexpensive, making it one of the cheapest machines for the production of sparkling water, and at the same price as the sparkling water separators. However, this is probably due to the fact that it will soon be stopped and Cuisinart wants to clean it.
Moreover, the Cuisinart soda machine looks great with metal accents and is easy to use thanks to the handy carbonation lever. It also comes with a 1 litre BPA-free bottle that you can leaf through and has a quick-release valve for quick connection of a CO2 cartridge. The machine even comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
As far as the soda festival was concerned, it also received good feedback and users reported that it worked as intended. It looks like a SodaSparkle.
CuisinartCO2 cartridge filling system
Just like SodaStream, Cuisinart has its own refill system. Their soda dispensers use CO2 cartridges, one of which comes with a machine that can fill up to 16 litres each. Although the refill capacity is greater than the smaller CO2 cartridges used for soda traps, it is significantly lower than the models offered by SodaStream, which can each refill 60 litres or 130 litres. Moreover, only volumes of up to 16 litres are mentioned, and many users indicated that they received less. From now on, the size of the cartridge is no longer a problem, except for one major problem: The cartridges are very expensive and hard to find, which explains all the bad reviews levelled at the manufacturer of Cuisinart soft drinks vending machines.
In fact, the only place I could find it was the Cuisinart website. Amazon said they are not available at the moment, and other online stores do not seem to offer them. How much did they cost on the Kitchen website? $40 for a set of 2 x 4 ounces of CO2 cartridges. That’s right, $20 for up to 10 gallons of soda water. This results in a price per liter of $1.25, which is much higher than the price of soda ash, which is $0.25 per liter for a 60 liter can and $0.23 per liter for a 130 liter can. This is even higher than using 8g CO2 cartridges for soda falls ($0.4/L), and depending on whether you buy soda water in cans or bottles, it’s probably higher than what you would pay for a similar amount of soda water in a store.
Not so bad, because I saw on the website of the soft drink producer Cuisinart the possibility to buy a 16 oz CO2 cartridge (also compatible). The price was $60 for 2 x 16 ounce CO2 cartridges. Because they are four times as heavy, we can assume that these cartridges can fill up to 64L (probably even less). The cost per litre is then $0.47/L, which is not bad, but much more expensive than soda.
As for the CSS-100, it uses chargers for soda. SodaSparkle sells a compatible version on Amazon, which is cheaper, but still on the cost side.
Another problem is that the lack of availability makes you dependent on Cuisinart product support. At the moment it is impossible to buy real soda on the website, and the only way to buy it – on the Amazon from a third party at a very reduced price. You can still buy CO2 cartridges, but since the machines themselves are no longer working, it is possible that the cartridges are no longer working either and that you have a machine that cannot be recharged. On the other hand, SodaStream’s CO2 cans can be exchanged for full versions at different outlets in the country and even if they no longer work for a particular carbonated water producer, the CO2 cans will still be compatible and production will continue.
My recommendations
If you are interested in soda machines, I generally advise you to choose a SodaStream soda machine at a similar price, namely the SodaStream Genesis. It is cheap, looks good, works well, is easy to use, is durable and you can use the SodaStream refill system to save money, time and planets. You can also take a look at other soda vending machines. If you are interested in soda traps, you can view the reviews of the different models, but I personally recommend SodaSparkle (very similar to CSS-100, but cheaper and no longer available).
Conclusion
Due to the expensive and clumsy refill system and the risk that the product is no longer available, I unfortunately cannot recommend the Cuisinart soft drinks machine. When you buy it, make sure you buy at least 16-ounce cartridges, as these are much cheaper than 4ounce models. SodaMod also sells an adapter and a CO2 tank that allows you to charge the Cuisinart soda machine by refilling the tank at paintball stores (about $5 for more than double that, or about $0.14/L). However, this will greatly increase your initial investment, and there is very little information on the Internet to verify this particular adapter.
User reactions
Issued by BILL JACKLIN
Can I use the Soda Stream CO2 cartridge in my Cuisinart soda machine?
Written by Kelly Ready
Are there alternatives to soda cans that can be used instead?
Published by James R. Black
Conair/Cuisinart recently stopped refilling 16-ounce cartridges, which was the only cost-effective solution for the beverage manufacturer Cuisinart. You refill two 16-ounce cartridges for $36, delivery included when you return two empty cartridges. It cost me about $8 to deliver the empties. If I run out of my current cartridge, maybe I should quit.
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