AGA’s stand-alone model. There is actually only one model that is available as 3 separate models by dressing them up in different colors and various finishes. The red and white version is cheaper as compared to their costliest version that is made of stainless steel.

The carbonic acid bottles made by AGA are of 425 grams and come labeled with the standard warning “to be refilled only by AGA” in a bid to frighten you from getting your container filled elsewhere.

Although this machine is quite good, it has an annoying problem in the form of capsule seals that become loose. AGA maintains that the seal is designed for machine-washes and so carbonated water will spray all around in case the seal is not in its intended place.

This machine may be really good but the Sodastream Design by Sodastream is one machine that can accept increased levels of carbon dioxide if one desires. Although AGA claims that 60 liters of sparkling water can be produced by just one bottle of acid, tests conducted by The Swedish Consumer Agency along with my own test results, have proved that only 55 liters can be produced, which translates to 7.7 grams per liter. This is caused by the discharge of superfluous pressure. In-line systems average between 5 to 7 grams per liter.

Retailers do not weigh any of the gas cylinders that they receive to sell as the weight is printed on each bottle and hence customers might simply end up getting different amounts of gas when they pay their money. I have resolved to solve this problem by buying bottles and then weighing them before posting the results on the website.

I have a certain level of pride in AGA, being a European myself, but I do not think that they should have followed Sodastream’s policies of monopoly. Even though soda machine manufacturers may want to sell carbonic acid, there is no reason to keep the price so high. AGA does not cow down easily and they should challenge Sodastream by re-filling their CO2 bottles. But instead, it seems that they too have decided to focus only on profit instead of thinking about the environment. AGA can set an example of environmental awareness by starting re-filling stations in local areas or at least moving re-filling stations in with their retailers.

AGA is unfortunately focusing only on profits and has only ended up with an optical illusion that shows competition. Instead, AGA could well decrease the price of carbonic acid to gain larger market share even as the market size itself could grow on the whole.

AGA earns more not by selling soda machines but while selling carbonic acid and could easily earn profits even if they gave soda machines away for free. They could have easily charged for a punch card that allows ten to fifteen refills while giving away a Wassermaxx worth 100 Euros. AGA’s cost of producing carbonic acid is actually next to nothing as it is just a by-product achieved while manufacturing Absolut Vodka. AGA only incurs costs while filling and transporting carbonic acid and as carbon dioxide bottles are made from aluminum, these costs too are extremely low.
 
To flavor your carbonated water, simply visit  http://allfreightfree.com/en/sparkling-water-flavor-34/