Beverage Dispensers

Common Types and Configurations

• Single bowl beverage dispenser: One transparent refrigerated bowl serving one drink at a time. Standard for breakfast operations, smaller cafeterias, and buffets serving a single juice or iced tea.
• Double bowl beverage dispenser: Two side-by-side bowls for two drinks served from one machine. The most common format for restaurants and self-service lines offering juice plus iced tea or lemonade plus water.
• Triple bowl beverage dispenser: Three bowls in a single cabinet for buffets, hotels, and catering operations serving three or more cold beverages at peak service.
• Stirring system bowl: A rotating paddle inside the bowl keeps pulp, juice solids, and additives evenly mixed. Required for fresh-squeezed juices and any beverage that separates over time.
• Pump spray bowl: The beverage cascades continuously over the bowl for visual movement that draws customer attention. Standard for buffet lines and front-of-house display.
• Gravity tap cold tank dispenser: A stainless-steel refrigerated tank with a front-mounted faucet. Higher capacity than bowl formats and suited to high-volume cold-drink service. Catalog tanks run 5 to 10 gallons per unit.
• Countertop beverage dispenser: Compact format that fits on a buffet line or self-service counter. The standard footprint across this collection.

What to Look at Before You Buy

• Number of bowls or tanks: Single for one drink, double for two, triple for three. Match to the variety you serve at peak.
• Capacity per bowl or tank: Catalog Coldline bowls hold 3 gallons each. AMPTO gravity tap tanks run 5, 6.4, 9.6, and 10 gallons. Bigger capacity reduces refill frequency during peak service.
• Agitation system: Stirring system for juices with pulp and any beverage that needs constant mixing. Pump spray for visual display and high-traffic buffet lines. Gravity tap for premixed cold tea, lemonade, and water with no settling.
• Construction: Stainless steel housing for sanitation and durability. Polycarbonate bowls for visibility on bowl-format units.
• Front-facing transparent bowl vs closed tank: Bowls show the beverage to customers and prompt impulse pours. Closed stainless tanks suit operations where speed and capacity matter more than visual display.
• Footprint: Single-bowl and single-tank units fit in compact spaces. Double and triple bowl units need wider counter space, typically 17 to 25 inches across.
• Voltage: Most commercial beverage dispensers run on 115V single-phase for direct plug-in to standard outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a stirring system and a pump spray beverage dispenser?

A stirring system uses a rotating paddle inside the bowl to keep pulp, juice solids, and additives evenly mixed throughout service. The format suits fresh juices, smoothies, and any beverage that separates if it sits still. A pump spray system uses a small pump that cascades the beverage continuously over a fountain inside the bowl. The motion is visual and draws customers in self-service settings, and it also keeps the drink mixed. Pump spray is the standard for buffet lines and high-traffic front-of-house display. Stirring is more common for back-of-house juice service.

How do I choose between a bowl dispenser and a gravity tap dispenser?

Bowl dispensers display the beverage to customers in transparent polycarbonate bowls and are sized at 3 gallons per bowl. They suit visible self-service lines, buffets, and breakfast operations where the look of the drink matters. Gravity tap tank dispensers hold 5 to 10 gallons in a closed stainless-steel tank and serve through a front faucet. They suit high-volume cold-drink service where speed and capacity matter more than visual display, such as cafeterias, banquet service, and concession stands.

How much beverage does a commercial dispenser hold?

Bowl-format dispensers in this catalog hold 3 gallons per bowl. A double-bowl unit holds 6 gallons total across two drinks; a triple-bowl unit holds 9 gallons across three. Gravity tap tank dispensers in this catalog run from 5 gallons up to 10 gallons per tank, with a triple-tank format that holds 15 gallons total across three drinks. Match capacity to your peak service hour with refill staffing factored in.

Related Categories

• Juicers
• Bar Blenders
• Granita and Slush Machines
• Drink Mixers

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• AMPTO
• Coldline