We do the math on how much savings we can get from a DrinkMate carbonator
I've never been a fan of sparkling water.
My plebeian tastebuds (and wallet) are perfectly happy with still or tap water, and I've never had any inclination towards any form of soda water.
Then I have friends and loved ones who stock up on sparkling water by the carton while I try not to have a seizure at the prices they are willing to pay for water and CO2. So, when DrinkMate wanted to drop a carbonating device for review, I was pretty ambivalent about it.
According to its website, "Drinkmate Sparkling Water and Soda Maker is the ONLY carbonation beverage maker in the world that allows you to carbonate ANY BEVERAGE easily within seconds." If any device touts itself as one of the only devices in the world that can do something, the right thing to do would be to check it out, so I did.
For full disclaimer, we got the DrinkMate Arctic Blue Soda Maker (S$125) from DrinkMate for review. Each 60L CO2 carbonator cylinder (S$42.95) can carbonate 50-60 1L bottles, and the CO2 can be refilled at S$19.95.
First look
To my pleasant surprise, it's a slick device without any need for wires. The 60 litres cylinder is long and slim, and after installing the cylinder into the carbonator, the entire contraption takes up less space on my countertop than a kettle. It's a slick and good looking device that got plenty of usage out of the first month since it has arrived.
The DrinkMate carbonator comes in four colours: Black, White, Royal Red and Arctic Blue.
Simply fill the accompanying carbonating bottles with any drink of your choice, attach it to the carbonator, and hit the large button located on top of the device ala hot water dispenser style. The device will pump pressurised carbon dioxide into the bottle with a loud hiss, and voila, your drink is now carbonated.
In fact, we made a relaxing video of the process.
How much savings can one expect
After a week of trying the device out, my husband purchased additional canisters and extra DrinkMate Carbonating Bottles with his own cash, and that's when I know the device is going to be a permanent fixture in the house.
I did a quick calculation of how much we can save from investing in the DrinkMate, for a household with at least one carbonated drink enthusiast. Calculations incoming!
Buying soda water off the shelves
Cost: Schweppes Soda Water 24 cans x 320ml @ S$19. Estimated consumption is at two cans per day per pax.
Total carbonated liquid in litres, in a year: ~230litres
Total cost in a year: S$570
Carbonating water with DrinkMate
Device cost = S$125. 1 cylinder = S$42.95. Gas top-up every two months = S$19.85
Total carbonated liquid in litres, in a year: ~300litres (taking the minimum of 50 litres per cylinder)
Total cost in a year: S$287
More carbonated beverages at half the price? For someone who lives on carbonated water, it's a dream come true.
Even if I'm not the carbonated drink-chugger at home, I can still think of a use case for someone like me: giving stale beer new life.
Cheers!
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