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Regardless of the season it’s never a good idea to serve drinks that should be cold, warm. If you have a beverage dispenser sitting out for a few hours, though, that’s exactly what can happen. That’s why using the best beverage dispenser with ice core is a good idea!
If you’re throwing a party, cold drinks are a must. Even if you’re just filling your beverage dispenser with water, you still want to make sure it’s cold. Drinks don’t need to be in the hot sun to warm up, either (although that will make it happen a lot faster), even beverage dispensers that you keep on the counter or table will warm up.
If you’re throwing a party then you definitely want a low-maintenance solution to cold drinks. Preferably one that doesn’t have everyone going to the fridge every time they want something cold.
Reasons to Use an Ice Core Beverage Dispenser VS Regular Ice
Now you’re thinking, “why would I bother with an ice core when I can just put ice in my drink to keep it cold?”. OK sure, you can do that, but it’s not exactly the easiest way to serve your guests.
Less Hassle
It’s pretty common for people to serve warm drinks and then offer ice separately. The downside to that, though, is you’ll need a separate ice bucket (or have people run to the freezer) and guests will have to fumble around with the ice themselves.
Ice Waters Down Your Drink
If you fill your beverage dispenser with juice or the perfect mixed drink adding more water could mess up the flavour. As your loose ice melts, it’s going to do just that.
The more times you refill the ice, the more watered down the drink in the dispenser will get.
Cools Throughout
Even if you account for your drink getting watered down (or you’re just serving water), ice cubes float to the surface. That’s fine when you’re pouring from a pitcher of water – but your drink dispenser pours liquid from the bottom.
An ice core helps the ice reach all the way down to the bottom of the drink dispenser.
Easy to Add More Ice
Since most ice cores inside a drink dispenser attach to the lid it’s easy to pull the ice core out and replace it with fresh ice. As the day goes on your ice is going to melt, even inside the core.
All you have to do to replace the ice is pull the core out, empty the water, refill, and put it back inside the drink dispenser.
What is the Best Beverage Dispenser With Ice Core?
2 Gallon Glass Beverage Dispenser with Ice and Fruit Infusers
Classic mason jar beverage dispensers are always in style. You can pair them with almost any party theme and they always look great as a centerpiece.
Buy on AmazonSince this one doesn’t come with a stand you’ll need to raise it up on your own or place it at the end of the table or counter to fill up everyone’s glasses.
There are two different cores included, one for ice and one for fruit infusion. They both attach to the lid and reach to the bottom of the beverage dispenser, which means even cooling or flavour throughout your beverage.
Pros:
- Comes with a fruit infuser and an ice core
- Made of glass, not plastic
- Stainless steel spigot
Cons:
- Metal lid could rust over time
- Not for hot beverages (if you’re brewing something hot that will be served cold, prepare it in a separate container)
- Pours slowly when the ice dispenser is inserted due to lack of airflow
Buddeez Party Top New Beverage Dispenser
This fun beverage dispenser is perfect for parties. What I really love about it is that you can stack two dispensers on top of each other – perfect for when you want to have variety but are limited for space.
Buy on AmazonThe base is tall enough that you can easily pour drinks regardless of where you place it on your table. The flat top is space saving too – you can put cups or snacks on top.
As for the ice core – there’s actually two. One on the top that gets inserted into the drink, and one on the bottom. That means that things stay cooler than most drink dispensers. A huge plus for events like parties or baby showers.
Pros:
- Stackable
- Double ice cores mean drinks stay cold
- High stand is tall enough for glasses to fit under
Cons:
- Spigot is a bit high, which means you have to tip the dispenser to get the liquid out when it nears the bottom
- Plastic spigot isn’t as durable as metal
- Not a huge capacity
CreativeWare Beverage Dispenser With Ice Cylinder And Fruit Infuser
Where a lot of beverage dispensers with ice core and infuser require you to use them separately this one allows both to be inserted at once. The ice core is at the top and spans most of the way through the drink dispenser, while the infuser is at the bottom close to the spigot so you get the most flavour.
Buy on AmazonThis dispenser is good size and the stand makes it easy to pour drinks. It also has a wide base which means there’s less chance of it sliding around or being unstable.
Pros:
- Ice core and diffuser can be used at the same time
- Good capacity
- Comes with a base so you can place it anywhere on the table
Cons:
- High alcoholic beverages can damage the drink dispenser
- Spigot is low quality
- Large so it’s hard to clean
2.2 Gallon Single Beverage Dispenser On Stand
This beverage dispenser has a really unique design to it. I love that it has stainless steel features, they usually hold up better than their plastic counterparts.
Buy on AmazonSince it has a drip tray you don’t need to worry about the table getting covered in liquid. Plus the built in base makes it easy to fill up glasses no matter where you set this guy up.
The ice core is stainless steel, which means your ice is going to melt slower than with a plastic ice core.
Pros:
- Very sturdy
- Stainless steel is more durable than plastic
- Drip tray helps keep the area clean
Cons:
- Not super stylish (great for office settings, catering, etc)
- Would be better if had higher capacity
- Can’t be used for hot drinks
Circleware Breeze Glass Beverage Dispenser with Base Metal Stand
This is such a unique and trendy beverage dispenser! The metal stand looks like it’s made from galvanized steel for a country or farmhouse look. The glass jar sitting on top also compliments this look. Perfect for entertaining or keeping on the counter!
Buy on AmazonIt comes with two inserts – one for fruit, the other for ice. They can’t be used at the same time, but the ice one does go all the way through to cool evenly.
Pros:
- Great sized beverage dispenser
- Unique design
- Stand is tall enough that you can fill regular sized glasses and solo cups
Cons:
- Plastic spigot isn’t as nice as stainless steel
- Can’t use the diffuser and the ice core at the same time
- Heavy and awkward to carry when full
What is the Best Beverage Dispenser with Ice Core?
You have a lot of options when it comes to a beverage dispenser with ice core, and each one has advantages and disadvantages. Although I normally prefer glass, I can’t get over the ingenious design of the Buddeez Party Top New Beverage Dispenser.
They’re stackable, which means you have more room on the table for food. Or just have one and put the cups and straws on top so people can find them easily.
Besides those features, it totally stands out when it comes to the ice core. Having the extra storage in the base for ice is brilliant – it keeps everything much cooler than if you only had the ice core inserted.
If you had them stacked it would also help keep the drink under it cool too. Even alone, the included stand means filling drinks is super easy no matter where you want to set up the drink dispenser.
The biggest downside is that the spigot is made of plastic. You could replace it with a metal one, though.
The runner up, or if you prefer glass, is definitely the 2 Gallon Glass Beverage Dispenser with Ice and Fruit Infusers. It has what the Buddeez dispenser doesn’t: Made of glass and a stainless steel spigot.
It doesn’t have a stand, but it makes up for it with its solid and simple design. If you want a stylish beverage dispenser with ice core it has you covered. Plus the mason jar style goes with almost any party theme.
Final Thoughts on the Best Beverage Dispenser with Ice Core
Going with a beverage dispenser that has an ice core is a good choice. The core will help keep your beverages from getting watered down and everything stays cool for a long time.
If you’re throwing a party that means more time with guests and less time worrying about filling drinks.
All of these drink dispensers have ice cores and will work great at your next event. You could also use them in your home everyday, too.
Regardless of what you’re doing with it, a beverage dispenser with ice core is going to make serving drinks that much better!