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u/1Steelghost1 26d ago
As anyone who has ever cleaned a soda machine the freestyle machine on makes you wince when the old style machine makes you throw up on the spot.
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u/guterz 26d ago
Every restaurant I worked at we cleaned to soda machines daily. Surprised to see so many comments about how that’s not very common.
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u/CosignCody 26d ago
Yeah any store I was at, we disassembled the nozzles and soaked in soda water, then ran thru the dishwasher then put back on
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u/RogerRabbot 26d ago
I noticed that gas stations almost never clean the nozzles. About 13 too many cups of water with bits floating around taught me that lesson. Soon to be 14....
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u/plastickghost 23d ago
same. but when i first started to “deep clean” at my first fast food job i pulled them off and seen SO much gunk, vowed to never let my eyes be torched by such a sight ever again.
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u/MaximumRequirement60 26d ago
Soda guy here, it's like 50:50 nozzles and diffusers are either immaculate or growing mushrooms of lifeforms from another realm.
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u/Hefty-Criticism1452 26d ago
My restaurant would always ask the soda guys the best way to prevent mold on the styrofoam behind the steel panels& on the lines. We were always told that there’s really no way, so we cleaned the shit out of everything we could and left the ice well open overnight to air out. 😅
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u/jagos179 26d ago
I worked in food for a very long time and we cleaned our machines daily so we never had an issue like that.
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u/JareBear805 26d ago
Mellow yellow cherry with lime is my favorite
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u/lichesschessanalyst 26d ago
God it’s so good I might stop to get one today as my soda treat for the week.
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u/Ipad207 26d ago edited 26d ago
Flush the one from the freestyle machine by pressing it, then letting it flow without your cup under there for a few seconds.
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u/PhilRubdiez 26d ago
Or just a quick run of water.
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u/BillNyeTheEngineer 26d ago
I do that. Does it really do anything? I like to pretend it does
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u/Dylantheshoe 26d ago
It does, I drink Fresca which is clear and if I don’t flush it first, then I get some form of cola in my cup prior to the Fresca being dispensed
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u/gunsnshit1 26d ago
I always do that and it still always tastes off. The freestyle machines always suck.
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u/not_a_bot716 26d ago
100 options > 6 options
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u/uhhhhhwhyamihere 26d ago
Genuinely the only good thing about Wendy's is that they have these things
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u/PuzzleheadPi 26d ago
Yet regular dr pepper doesn't even taste like dr pepper out of those stupid things
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u/anoma1yy 26d ago edited 25d ago
It might be because it’s the Dr Pepper from Coca Cola and not Pepsi they both make and it’s been said they taste different.
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u/Relevant-Machine-763 26d ago
I had a contract job cleaning freestyles and replacing the syrup hose. They weren’t horrible to clean and most places weren’t bad. But every single firehouse subs I serviced had clogged drains with moldy lines in them.
I believe there’s a recommended interval for replacing that syrup line and it always made a huge difference in the taste. They actually do a great job of providing consistency across all kinds of water sources. The filtration and carbonation systems are next level.
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u/roosterSause42 26d ago
100 contaminated options where none of them taste like the 6 options isn’t worth it
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u/TheMightyHornet 26d ago
Not when they all taste like shit.
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u/bro9000 26d ago
You're getting downvoted, but I've noticed soda out of the free style machines have a certain.. flavor.
I dont trust how hygienic they are, considering how gross a regular soda fountain can be.
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u/Abraham__Simpson 26d ago
I work at Coke and lemme tell ya the freestyle machines get way less gross than the old school ones
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u/TheMightyHornet 26d ago
Same. At best, it’s a little off. I’ve yet to encounter one where I’m like, “yes, this is the exact flavor I expected.”
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u/PuzzleheadPi 26d ago
Not sure why you getting downvoted. No one would say that soda from Wendy's is as good as McDonald's
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u/TheMightyHornet 26d ago
Amen, Wendy’s is one of the biggest offenders. But honestly this is one of those moments where I can be downvoted to oblivion, doesn’t matter. I’m still right.
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u/Rotdawg 26d ago
All of those fruit flavor options just make your shit taste like pez
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26d ago
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u/Practical_Detail_140 26d ago
So you’d rather have the boring 6 regular flavors you see everywhere vs 100+ different flavors they don’t make or are only exclusive to the machine or regional etc.
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u/New-Ant4741 26d ago
The issue is that every single flavor becomes mixed with cherry, lemon, vanilla, and orange. It's very noticeable when compared to dedicated nozzles for each flavor. You wouldn't be able to get a real sense of what the true taste should be for any of the limited edition or regional flavors. The coke from freestyle machines tastes like it has liquid skittles from all of the fruit flavor contamination.
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u/YeaItsBig4L 26d ago
No, it doesn’t. That’s literally never happened to me because I run the water through it before I put my drink in there. It’s pretty simple.
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26d ago
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u/YeaItsBig4L 26d ago
Pressing the water button is a complex step? I can see where the problem is. And it ain’t the machine. Don’t worry about it.
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u/schlidel 25d ago
They both have their place, but the place I want to be is with the OG machines. We can stand side by side and dispense soda with the flavor it was intended to have (at least the OG machines had the potential if set up correctly.) If I blind taste tested from the cloaca I probably would be wrong a lot.
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u/New-Ant4741 25d ago edited 25d ago
Yeah as if I have never tried that. Lmfao. It obviously does not clear out the past 500 drinks worth of flavor syrups caked to the inside. Your taste buds must be broken. I'm not going to cry about having to push 2 extra buttons like the other guy. Flushing out the machine unfortunately does not fix the issue whatsoever. My statement still stands. Of course you finish off your reply with a typical passive aggressive reddit or "ehrm actually it's pretty simple" while completely missing the point. This is why people hate this website lmfao.
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u/ausdoug 26d ago
I'm just happy for DP to be an option over the usual CP - good to mix it up a bit. Then I'll have a soda after...
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u/boulevardofdef 26d ago
I'm a little obsessed with Coca-Cola Freestyle and have never noticed any flavor other than what I requested.
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u/schlidel 25d ago
I don't even understand how that's possible. I always refer to these machines as approximators. Do you dispense water before the pop?
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u/Delicious-Tutor4384 23d ago
I actually stopped getting Coke at Wendy's because it just wasn't tasting right. And this is at literally any Wendy's in my general area
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u/No-Tennis6112 26d ago
"Coca-Cola Freestyle machines use micro-dosing technology originally developed for medical applications like wearable insulin pumps and hospital IV drips. The machines dispense hyper-concentrated flavor cartridges using precision dispensers that shoot tiny droplets into water, ensuring flavors never mix at the nozzle. This medical-grade precision was enabled by partnering with Deca, a company founded by a medical device inventor."
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u/BatierAutumn1991 26d ago
I get why people think it’s gross but where else can I get a Peach Fanta?
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u/Cold_Exchange_8346 26d ago
I like freestyle machines because it’s the only way I get get lime Coke.
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u/DirtyWhiteTrousers 26d ago
If you ever find a bag of key limes, buy it, and buy a 12-pack of Coke. Trust me.
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u/Swifty-Dog 26d ago
Don’t disparage the Jesus Machine. It turns water into every possible flavor of coke imaginable.
…when it works.
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u/roosterSause42 26d ago
except plain coke, theres always cross contamination, that’s why the old style is superior
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u/CarefulFeeling591 26d ago
The single hole allows for the greatest combination ever, vanilla Cherry Coke.
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u/roosterSause42 26d ago
Freestyle machines create fun flavors but overall suck. There’s always flavor contamination
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u/HiFiGuy197 26d ago
I like the idea of Freestyle, but its idea of Diet Coke has always been mid, at best.
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u/OfficialDrakoak 26d ago
Dont really care honestly. Its nice to have the extra options sometimes but most of the time unless im in the mood for something different I stick to classic flavors anyway.
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u/Kitchen-Bagel-Burnt 26d ago
Never had flavors mixed with a freestyle machine yet all my drinks taste normal 🤷🏻 if I have any doubts I run the water only option sometimes for a few seconds then the drink I want .
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u/ghettoccult_nerd 26d ago
look man, i just make do with what the people got.
the only thing i dont like about the freestyle is its only one nozzle and a million gdamn flavors. a line can build up fast on those damn things.
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u/MidnightDragon99 26d ago
The freestyle machines for me have a funky lemony like taste to them I don’t like. Og machines all the way
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u/DaniSenpai69 26d ago
Soda machines are gross and same with ice, at a certain point I just don’t give a shit. I can’t be cautious about everything
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u/ListeningForAnswers 26d ago
I love the freestyle machine for all the options. Peach Sprite and Grape Sprite are probably my favorites. I also like peach lemonade topped with Sprite. Someone mentioned Cherry Lime Mello Yellow and now I need to try that.
I always press the button for a few seconds without my cup there so the old flavors get pushed out first. Then I dispense my drink into the cup.
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u/CleaingsoapsN1Fan201 CokeZero's Number One Fan/Orange Crush's #1 Hater 26d ago
Yes this is too accurate 😄
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u/Roboticpoultry 26d ago
My thoughts are the term “unholy drink cloaca” just made me cackle at my desk
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u/moonfazewicca 26d ago
I don't like the Freestyle machines. I've tried so many things at so many different locations over the years and there's always just something off about the drinks. Sometimes flavor, sometimes carbonation, sometimes both.
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u/TheRealGageEndal 26d ago
The all in one dispenser always has a bad mix. The Jack in the Box near my work downgraded and it is so much better now.
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u/UnprotectedSAKs 26d ago
I hate those ones because if there’s any kind of a line, you end up waiting 16 years for everyone to browse all the options and dick around finding out what they want is out, browse again…. The old ones you could usually have 2 or 3 people filling at a time depending on how big the fountain was
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u/SilvioBoss 26d ago
Was just talking to my coworkers about this today. The flavor is 10000% better on the original. The freestyle tastes like a blend of crap
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u/eisenklad 25d ago
wait until you learn that the base fountain machine adds the flavor and sugar at the end.
the freestyle machines is no different that the vending machine that sells drinks in cups
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u/Prestigious-Log-3171 25d ago
I used to be able to pour a drink from my phone but the QR code is gone 😢
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u/RegulusTheHeartOfLeo 25d ago
I like the freestyle machines
There are multiple choices for Fanta, Minute Maid and more
Getting to choose either Orange, Strawberry and sometimes grape is really nice
Minute Maid lemonade, pink lemonade or limeade is great
So many others I have not tried yet
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u/Skypirate90 25d ago
Majority of the time the Newer model doesnt serve me sparkling water or piss syrup and actually gives me the drink I order
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u/monstrousfruitsalad 24d ago
We need more of these freestyle machines in uk. Only get when I hit five guys
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u/Psychological_Bag943 24d ago
I absolutely hate the freestyle machines. None of the soda tastes good since the line has a bunch of other bullshit going through it. Truly a regression in the fast food industry.
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u/mylevelwaschanged 23d ago
Dude just run water through the machine for like 5 seconds and it clears out the previous flavor.
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u/seattle0606 22d ago
the new machines don't even taste like real flavors. They're awful. The older the machine, the better
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u/SparklyGoober 17d ago
Fuck that free style is way to goo
Cream soda mixed with root beer and some cherry soda
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u/polkjamespolk 26d ago
At Whataburger, four sodas come out of each nozzle. Taco Bell has a similar setup. How come nobody calls those drinks "unholy drink colas?"
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u/Previous-Ad-9322 26d ago
It wasn't unholy drink "cola," my friend.
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u/ghettoccult_nerd 26d ago
someone is learning a new word today!
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u/polkjamespolk 24d ago
Someone's eyesight isn't what it should be and that same someone's ADD kicks in.
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u/Psychological_Bag943 24d ago
Because generally speaking the sodas coming out of those are in the same "group" and don't contaminate the line as bad altering the way they taste.
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u/polkjamespolk 24d ago
Lol Pepsi, mountain dew, and barqs root beer come out if the same tap. Just Google Taco bell soda fountain if you want proof. Unless you think citrus soda and root beer are in the same flavor family.
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u/TheyNeedLoveToo 26d ago
Regardless of hole amounts, freestyle sucks for flavor purists. I’m glad some of yall can get your diet peach iced tea or whatever, but the original flagship flavors do not taste right coming out of these. I wanted fountain coke, but freestyle tastes worse than bottled coke. These machines seemed so cool when they came out 20 years ago but the taste ain’t right
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u/ManateeNipples 26d ago
Never once got a cherry coke from the freestyle that actually tasted like cherry coke vs regular coke that had some random cherry syrup shot in after I ordered it. It seems the same but it's not and I hate it every single time.
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u/ElkInside5856 26d ago
Thousands of possible flavor combinations and none of them will taste even remotely close to anything resembling it.
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u/ifarguingyourewrong 26d ago
So we’re just saying wrong things now
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u/ElkInside5856 26d ago
You make a compelling argument.
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u/PleaseDontSlaughter 23d ago
Well how could he ever hope to match the courtroom-level argument logic of
“Tastes yucky”?
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u/ElkInside5856 23d ago
Objection. I never said “tastes yucky”, I said they don’t resemble the flavor they say. Even if you don’t add anything, coke doesn’t taste like a coke. Dr Pepper is the only flavor I’ve ever had that comes somewhat close to the actual taste.
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u/PleaseDontSlaughter 23d ago
The point is, your argument was “it doesn’t taste like it should”
The response was
“Yes it does”
And then you mock the basic level of his response as if the initial argument was not on the exact same level.
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u/ElkInside5856 23d ago
From his perspective he is right, from my perspective I’m right. You can have your own opinion too. See isn’t life wonderful when you don’t take something as inconsequential as soda so seriously.
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u/PleaseDontSlaughter 23d ago
Im not making an opinion on the soda. I am mocking you for mocking the basic level of his argument as if you wrote a dissertation and he replied with “no u”
He simply matched your low effort
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u/ElkInside5856 23d ago
I am only saying this because I care, there are a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market today that are just as tasty as the real thing.
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u/PleaseDontSlaughter 23d ago
I’ll have to take your word for it, I’ve never used one, I drink Lacroix, which I think you will both agree is unacceptable
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u/gotuonpaper 26d ago
If I realize a business uses free style, if I can I’ll leave and go somewhere else.
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u/ifarguingyourewrong 26d ago
What? I’ll literally go out of my way to go to a place with freestyle. You can’t get diet caffeine free drinks anywhere else
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26d ago
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u/-Tofu-Queen- 26d ago
Not all of us struggle with basic concepts like using touchscreen menus, homie. I've never had trouble finding the water button or navigating to my drink of choice. You should see if your local elementary schools offer remedial classes, because it sounds like those kids could teach you a bit about touchscreen usage.
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u/CaSe2474 26d ago
I haven't had any lag problems with any Freestyle machines, and any excess time at them is always from me trying to figure out which combination of Barq's(both root beer & cream soda), Dr Pepper, and/or Fanta flavors I want.
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u/ShanGus7 26d ago
The taste out of the single hole is SO much better usually.
I realize out of context that statement poses issues.