Commercial drink dispensers

Commercial drink dispensers can help hospitality venues increase their sales and profitability.

Customers are likely to notice an eye-catching dispenser and consider purchasing a drink, even if they hadn't planned to.

By giving customers a quick and easy way to serve themselves, drink dispensers can also boost impulse purchases.

If the dispenser uses flavouring syrup, the profit margin can be 80% or more, because the cost of the syrup is relatively low compared to the price charged for the drink. (Pre-made drinks have lower, but still healthy, profit margins.)

You can also upsell customers by enabling them to upgrade to larger drink sizes or add flavours or toppings.

Some of the most common types of commercial drink dispensers are:

Refrigerated drink dispensers: These dispensers have a refrigeration system that keeps drinks chilled, making them ideal for holding and dispensing cold, pre-made beverages like juice and iced tea (e.g. commercial juice dispensers).

Carbonated drink dispensers: While refrigerated drink dispensers disgorge non-carbonated drinks, carbonated drink dispensers mix water with flavouring syrup and infuse it with carbon dioxide gas to make fizzy soft drinks. These dispensers have multiple valves or nozzles, each with a different flavour.

Insulated drink dispensers: These dispensers keep drinks at a consistent temperature for extended periods without electricity. They’re typically made of high-density polyethylene and feature thick insulation, which keeps the beverage hot or cold (e.g. commercial hot chocolate machines). They’re ideal for serving drinks at outdoor events or in locations without power.

Uninsulated drink dispensers: These dispensers have no refrigeration system or insulation but their bodies, bases and lids are more attractive than those of their insulated counterparts. This makes uninsulated drink dispensers a good choice for breakfast buffets, luncheons, fundraisers and catered events. Some feature an ice core, which helps keep cold drinks chilled for longer.

Ice-cooled drink dispensers: In these units the beverage container sits inside a larger container filled with ice, which keeps the drink cold. Some units have their own ice maker, so the ice can be regularly replenished. Ice-cooled drink dispensers are ideal for serving cold beverages like lemonade or punch.

A drink’s consistency can have a significant impact on a commercial drink dispenser's output.

Specifically, the thickness, viscosity, and sugar content of the beverage can affect the dispensing speed and accuracy of the portion size.

If the drink is too thick or viscous, it may not flow easily through the dispenser, slowing down dispensing times or potentially clogging the dispensing mechanism.

Conversely, if the drink is too thin or watery, it may flow too quickly through the dispenser, resulting in inconsistent portion sizes or overflow.

In addition, sugar in a beverage can build up in and clog the dispensing mechanism, which can affect the accuracy of the portion size or slow down dispensing times.

It’s therefore important to carefully monitor the consistency of the beverage being dispensed and to make any necessary adjustments to the dispensing mechanism, such as changing the flow rate or nozzle size.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of the dispenser can also help prevent clogs and ensure optimal performance.

When choosing a commercial cold drink dispenser or commercial soft drink dispenser, some of the key things to consider are:

Capacity: You'll want to make sure the dispenser is large enough to handle the number of drinks you need to serve, but not so large that it takes up too much space.

Cooling system: Compressor-based cooling systems, similar to those used in fridges, are the most effective. The refrigerated drink dispenser’s temperature
can be adjusted to the desired level and they can keep drinks consistently cold
even with heavy use. Cold-plate and ice-bath cooling systems are less expensive
and require less maintenance. However, they’re only suitable for lower-volume
environments.

Material: Commercial drink dispensers are often subjected to heavy use. A dispenser made of durable materials, such as stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic, will be less likely to break or leak.

Dispensing system: Lever-style and push-button dispensing systems are generally easy to use. Portion-control dispensing systems can be harder to use,
as the user needs to set the portion size correctly; however they can help control costs and reduce waste. In dispensers with gravity dispensing systems, the drink is stored in a container above the dispensing valve. They’re easy to use but are not suitable for drinks that don’t flow well under gravity.

Most refrigerated drink dispensers operate on 220–240 volts AC and require a dedicated electrical circuit.

Their power consumption depends on their size and features (e.g. number of dispensing nozzles), refrigeration capacity, and whether they have a built-in ice maker.

An incorrect voltage can cause the dispenser’s compressor and dispenser pump or motor to run inefficiently, so it’s important to check the manufacturer's specifications or consult a qualified electrician when installing the dispenser.

The standard widths of commercial beverage dispensers are 22”, 32”, 44” and 60”; and they generally range in capacity from 5–50 litres.

The size you choose will depend on your available space and/or the quantity of beverage that’s needed.