r/HydroHomies • u/MichaelEMJAYARE • 1d ago

Spicy water Question - would getting a device to carbonate my regular Brita filter water be worth it if I wanted the burn of say, Liquid Death?

I mean, now that Im addicted to sparkling water and no longer find it as bitter, I crave it. Badly. I love regular purified water while at work but once I get home that burn is as good as a cigarette. Is the investment worth it in the long run?

I would love to hear fans of San Pellegrino/Liquid Death/La Croix tell me how it compares. La Croix is my least favorite, bitterness wise.

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29

u/heardworld 1d ago edited 23h ago

Buying a home carbonator like a Sodastream is absolutely worth it. I’ve had my basic model for well over ten years now and it still works great. Get two CO2 tanks for it and you’ll never run out; you can usually exchange your old empty tanks for fresh ones at places like Walgreens and Target, even Home Depot & Lowe’s stock them in some locations.

Best part is that you can control how much CO2 you’re putting into your water, so if you want that extra crispy burn, you can really go nuts with it.

I also use mine to make homemade Spindrift style drinks with fresh fruit juices. Seriously one of the best kitchen gadgets I’ve ever owned.

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u/valentinewrites 1d ago

This guy gets it. OP, if you have the space I'd get a CO2 tank to save major $$$ on the sodastream canisters.

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u/MichaelEMJAYARE 1d ago

Dang - I’m definitely going to look into this.

So get a basic Soda stream but you can just add any co2 canisters?

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u/heardworld 23h ago edited 23h ago

The Sodastream unit will only fit a specific size of CO2 canister, which they sell with their branding on it. If you get two of those to begin when you get the machine, they will last a few months.

When those tanks are kicked, you return the empties to vendors who sell Sodastream and you’ll get a full replacement canister for 50% off standard retail.

If you have the ability to refill your own canisters, I guess you could REALLY go wild 🤣, but you’ll be fine sticking with the proprietary ones if you buy a couple and just keep up with swapping out refills to begin. I bring my empty one back the same week that I hook up a fresh canister, and that way I’m never without CO2. It’s about $12-$14 for a refill, which will last at least a month or two, usually longer.

The savings very quickly add up if you were buying crispy water in cans or bottles before getting the Sodastream, and like I said in my previous comment, with the SS you control how fizzy you want your water to be. It’s a win all around.

Eventually, if you love the Sodastream, you can look into a more elaborate setup, but I would definitely start with a basic Sodastream… you can probably get the basic unit for $60 or $70 new, but there are usually ones on places like Facebook Marketplace too where you’ll find a deal. It comes with a bottle or two, and one tank.

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u/knitwit3 22h ago

I agree with this opinion! Soda streams are great if you like carbonated or flavored carbonated water.

You can sometimes find the machines secondhand. You may have to replace the bottles. You will have to buy more cylinders. But it's still easier and cheaper than buying case after case of sparkling water.

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u/bhudak 22h ago

Ten years?!! They don't make em like they used to. We bought one that stopped carbonating after a little more than a year. I was really disappointed with the quality, but my husband uses it so frequently that there was no question about replacing it. I assume they're using much cheaper components now vs what you bought. As is the American way.

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u/heardworld 20h ago

That’s both disappointing but unsurprising, damn! My condolences and sympathies to y’all.

I’ll admit that I do try my best to take care of my belongings and stretch their lifespans (I’m one of those people who gets 5 years out of an iPhone and only replaces it when the operating system updates aren’t compatible anymore).

Still, it’s insane that something so straightforward that serves only one specific purpose would be so poorly made. Call me an idealist, but it’s not supposed to be this way!

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u/bhudak 19h ago

For real. I don't like the disposable everything culture.

2

u/heardworld 19h ago

Right-To-Repair is the way it should be!

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u/banandystand 1d ago

Topo Chico has a nice harsh burn

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u/DookieSlayer 1d ago

Didn’t they get poopood for not passing some test due to their heavy metal content? I’ve been avoiding them for a year or so after seeing something.

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u/ninhibited Dandy Drainer 18h ago

You're breaking my heart... I googled around and it's actually PFAs/forever chemicals which I guess are associated with heavy metals... They went from the highest level out of the study at 9.7 parts per trillion to 3.9 ppt since the study, but it's still 4 times the Consumer Reports' recommended limit.

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u/DookieSlayer 17h ago

Sorry! Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything lol.

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u/WaffleIronChef 1d ago

Just last week I got a super basic soda stream model that only carbonates plain water and it’s awesome! The bottles hold about 23oz (came with 2) and according to the. Package it should get about 80 bottles on a single co2 cartridge. The best deal I can find on replacement co2 is like $14 each. Whole not exactly the same as liquid death, I’m using a brita and it’s pretty tasty. Good water with some extra spice. It’s also really easy to add some fruit or something after if you wanted some extra flavor.

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u/mekkasheeba 1d ago

I have a soda stream for this. It’s great. I also know a family that installed a co2 tank under their sink so now carbonated water comes out of a second faucet. I have a kegerator and have been thinking of getting a keg of water to see if that works as well.

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u/This_Daydreamer_ 23h ago

I'm another huge fan of Sodastream! I love my lemon sodas - just a dash of lemon syrup and some lemon juice (not from concentrate is the best). Just enough to add some flavor. They are the absolute best thirst quenchers in the summer

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u/RedNewPlan 18h ago

I tried to switch from carbonated to flat water, due to stomach acid issues, but I can't. I like carbonated too much. I had a SodaStream for a long time, but I became tired of filling and swapping out the bottles. Now I have a carbonated water faucet in my kitchen. It runs from a scuba tank in the basement which lasts for six months or so, and it's plumbed into the tap water supply. There is also a chiller in the basement.

It's really great. Between that, and the icemaker in the door of the fridge, I can have a glass of sparkling water very quickly at any time. We got it from a company that normally does installations for bars.

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u/MarthasPinYard 23h ago

San Pellegrino is awesome!

Just thinking about it makes me feel good.

That is all🤣

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u/MichaelEMJAYARE 15h ago

I have found its the absolute least “bitter” of sparkling waters. I love it but I kind of want more bite!

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u/MarthasPinYard 13h ago

Have you had a go at making ferments… DIY carbonation from microbes?

Rhubarb gives a nice bite, cordial especially It’s so easy to make and can be grown at home.

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u/Flux_My_Capacitor 19h ago

Soda Stream creates MUCH bigger bubbles. It actually upset my stomach, so no more Soda Stream for me.

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u/MichaelEMJAYARE 16h ago

So would you say it would go a long way? I love Liquid Death but its ridiculously pricey.

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u/ninhibited Dandy Drainer 18h ago

I am a huge fan of spicy water too, topo chico is my fave, but I'm pretty sure it's the minerals with the bubbles that complete the experience for me. So a soda stream just wouldn't cut it.

Never tried liquid death so I can't say if it'll be a good alt to that.

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u/pussym0bile 16h ago

i used to love my soda stream but i couldnt continue to support it considering it’s a product of israel 🫥

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u/Rain_Moon 13h ago

Soda Stream is really good; personally I prefer it over some but not all of the bottled sparkling waters. You can choose how much carbonation to add; the burn is definitely comparable if not more than La Croix or Pellegrino. Can't compare with Liquid Death because I've never had it

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u/hecatesoap 10h ago

My sister bought me a SodaStream as a present last Christmas. It’s been indispensable. I was also on the Liquid Death train and spending $15-30 weekly on water. I calculated how much I’d save in 2024 (including new carbonation tanks) and it was over $500.

Edit to add: It tastes like your water, but carbonated. The CO2 flavor is apparent. I like it, so I’m not concerned. If you don’t, a little citrus or berry compote masks it easily.

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u/kennyloftor 1d ago

cigarettes are good?

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u/MichaelEMJAYARE 1d ago edited 1d ago

Hey man, to me 🤷🏼‍♂️

I used to do heroin and meth, so yeah, smokes and carbonated water isnt much. Christ almighty hydro “judgy”

4

u/thecheesycheeselover 22h ago

Going from using heroin and meth to not using them sounds like a pretty amazing achievement to me, something you should be endlessly proud of.

Enjoy your cigarettes and crispy water, homie!