This set includes the soda stream machine, bottle and the CO2 bottle. It is easy to assemble and use. Simply follow the directions included to install the CO2 tank and start the machine. This simply carbonates water and you can add your own flavors to create "soda". This is a great alternative to soda in that you do not get all thos added sugars and preservatives and no harmful metals. The water bottle is plastic, but it is BPA free. You conserve on the amount of waste you produce, since you are making it at home, not needing bottles or aluminum cans as you see in the stores. The carbonating bottles have an expiration date on the bottom, so make sure you take note of this and replace the bottle when it comes time (the plastic bottle). Also only hand wash this bottle. You have to use the bottles made for the machine, so while it cuts down on your plastic waste, it is only to a certain point. Now the way you use this depends on how much healthier it will be for you. Obviously, if you drink a lot of soda, using this machine will be beneficial, but if you're just putting in flavors that's are artificial anyway, you are not doing much in the way of improvement. Always add the flavor after carbonation, but I recommend using natural flavors as much as possible. There are flavorings made by soda stream itself, but I like the versatility to be able to control the flavorings added to my drinks. You can carbonate nearly any drink, even kool-aid, but as I said, it is more beneficial to use natural as possible. For me personally, as someone who did not drink soda much to begin with, this did not add much benefit, but I do drink alot of sparkling water from cans, so it helped in this way. I enjoy adding a but of lemon to the water. I would say to anyone considering it, at least try it. I found some benefit from this, although it may not be what it is necessarily hyped up about. It is hyped to replace soda, but you can also just make sparkling water to increase water consumption in your day to day, if you're like me and get bored of flat water.
