(Part 2) Best iced beverage dispensers according to redditors

Same thing happened to me - well pump broke, no water, bam all the skin issues that had been plaguing me clear up. At that time I knew shit all about skincare, so the thought never even crossed my mind that my water might have been messed up (but it really, really was.)

When you get water back, definitely test it and see if it's something that can be handled with a simple water filter fix. Until then, you can use once of those lemonade/drink dispensers and fill it with store-bought water. It works incredibly well!

For the beer-lover in your life, [Fizzics Revolutionary Beer System] (https://www.amazon.com/Fizzics-Revolutionary-System-Black-Silver/dp/B016IRRPG0/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480972708&sr=1-2&keywords=fizzics) -- it aerates beer as it dispenses it to provide a tap-like taste straight from a bottle. They're coming out with a smaller one soon, the [Fizzics Waytap] (https://www.amazon.com/Fizzics-Waytap-Beer-Dispenser-Black/dp/B01KQKG7FU/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480972708&sr=1-1&keywords=fizzics), but it's not scheduled to ship until January 2017.

Wanted to contribute to the thread, so I did a quick pass on amazon for "glass beverage dispensers", with the following parameters:

• 1 Gallon minimum
  
• Cheap(ish) like the price of the original; ~$25
  
• Clear Glass (not hammered or ribbed or whatever)
  
• Simple Shape (Circle, Square, Hex, or Octa shape; dont want to be too distracting)
  
• Minimal beveling/ornamentation (don't want to distract, or weaken glass (?) )
  
  
  Basic Jars
  
  Anchor Hocking #1
  Anchor Hocking #2
  
  These two are the same brand, I used the non-spigoted version of this brand for my low-tech shrimp tank. This is a known and respected homewares brand so I kinda trust it. Also, for the second one:
  
  > The extra metal spigot is a must. The one it comes with is useless plastic.
  
  Everyone replaces the spigot it seems. That's a recurring theme in the comments for most of these that come with plastic spigots. Keep that in mind for whatever you purchase.
  
  
  [Circleware] (https://www.amazon.com/Circleware-Dispenser-Glassware-Serveware-Drinkware/dp/B01HOUE874/)
  
  Has wording on the front, maybe that doesn't bother you though. Drillable lid, goes up to 2 gallons, and has a 4 star rating despite 647 reviews. I saw this brand a lot so I assume it's good quality.
  
  
  
  
  Good but more expensive jars
  
  [Artland 1 Gal] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C40TXYI)
  [Artland 2 Gal] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DSC998Q)
  [Artland 3 Gal] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QNI2XIK/)
  
  Come in 1-3 Gallons. The 1 Gal has a (likely) drillable top, although the lid is loosely threaded according to some users. Apparently someone had the same idea to make a tank out of a jar... with a Betta shudders
  
  > I purchased this as a betta fish tank for my kitchen(easy clean with spigot). It not only is adorable, but it works wonderfully and does not leak one bit. I would definately recommend this product.
  
  To be clear, I was shuddering at her spelling AND the cramped tank. Many people recommend changing the spigot, and I would use the space under the stand to hold / hide extra fish stuff.
  
  2 and 3 both have an infuser, and stand. The infuser could be useful
  as a place for fry to hide maybe? I'm new, but maybe there are other uses for it that would justify the price.
  
  
  
  [Emenest Glass] (https://www.amazon.com/Emenest-Glass-Beverage-Dispenser-Spigot/dp/B01JK1VSHS)
  
  The major note for this one is that it has especially thick glass, which is supposed to help maintain temperature. Comes with a nifty chalkboard, useful for reminding your snails to clean up. The lid might make wiring a hassle but I'm including it nonetheless.
  
  
  Farmstand
  
  Costly, but comes with a handle to pick up the tank for water changes to your desired water source. I would use the inverted bucket to hide fish stuff. TONS of reviews and it maintains a 4.5 rating.
  
  
  The above is just a starting point, you can use the same search string to find your own, if you haven't made an irl purchase already.
  
  If it isn't clear by now, I really like this idea. I did something similar with a plain glass jar after reading Diana Walstad's Ecology of the Planted Aquarium and tried my hand at a low tech dirt tank. It smelled awful but the red cherries loved it -- so I might do it again someday.
  
  edit: sigh formatting

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BI02YEQ/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_track_package_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's what I have up. There are some pretty negative reviews and I can confirm that they are plastic but mine don't leak and I've been through 2-3 bottles so far without any issues

of course! but i think /u/drumsetgod beat me to it :D

you can google for them as alcohol stoppers, there are different types and even different sizes for the liquid!

https://www.amazon.com/Wyndham-House-4-Bottle-Liquor-Dispenser/dp/B00BI02YEQ/ref=pd_sbs_79_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00BI02YEQ&pd_rd_r=XX4GFTNZYWT8DCEWHNS8&pd_rd_w=s9bbg&pd_rd_wg=XCEC0&psc=1&refRID=XX4GFTNZYWT8DCEWHNS8

You can even buy these and take out the parts you need :)

You shouldn't use your grandma's old metal spoons, that's for sure. But modern stainless steel is totally fine. You're going to want to change out the cheap plastic spigot on a Walmart crock with something better. I got this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075FKGPJF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_yQQJBbQ31PYZ4

To replace mine, but it also depends on the diameter of the spigot hole.

I came to this sub seeing what everyone thought of flash brew, and I stumbled upon your thread.

I'm currently doing french press at normal strength, mixing brown sugar in while hot, then pouring it into a beverage chiller to cool it down within 30 sec. I've tried just about everything, and this is the perfect combo.

This is the chiller I'm using: https://www.amazon.com/ICECOLDNOW-Coldwave-Beverage-Chiller/dp/B01N4ORV6L/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=coffee+chiller&qid=1570237144&sr=8-4

Go early in the morning for water supplies, and don't overlook the homewares section - i picked up a few empty water containers like this there were several still on the shelves.

It's a timer. Replace every 40-50 gallons generally.

I use mine to fill 1 gallon fridge jugs like this (only 1 gallon not 2.5)

http://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Plastic-00744-Container-2-5-Gallon/dp/B008VET4Q8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1411279469&sr=8-1&keywords=slim+water+jug

You can easily keep track of the number of fills with a dry erase or sticky note on the fridge and swap out your filter after about 40-50 fills.

Island Genius Plastic Glam... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SFYSHLQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This appears to be a good one.

I brew 2-3 gallons at a time and store it in the fridge in a beverage dispenser (similar to this one). The S.O. and I go through that in 2 and a half to 3 weeks.

Towards the end, I can tell its starting to get a little stale, maybe for the last cup or so. Besides that, it is completely fine and enjoyable. Switching to cold brew has really improved our coffee drinking experience!

Something like this, the important part is that the kid doesn't have to lift and tip the large container.

These are probably the ones I would look into further.

https://www.amazon.com/Comfee-EM720CPL-PMB-Countertop-Microwave-One-Touch/dp/B07GV36BLD/ref=sr_1_3?

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https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-EM720CB7-Microwave-Push-Button/dp/B07HGH1KG6/ref=sr_1_5?

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https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CWM-70-Stainless-Microwave-Silver/dp/B07D8543KM/ref=sr_1_8?

My glass jug is 2 gallons and came with just a fruit holder so I use a mess bag

KooK Glass Drink Dispenser with Fruit & Ice Infuser and Stainless Steel Spigot, 2 Gallon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0764M8PZZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SARuDbZNTCYC3

Get a filter for at home. I like the ones that mount on your sink, that way it's easily available for cooking, and not in the way of the faucet like the faucet mounted ones. Plus, the sink mounted ones generally have more filtering. You can then get a dispenser to keep in the fridge and fill it from the filter.
Yes, you should only use filtered water for cooking, if you can taste it when you drink it, it's affecting your food's taste as well. Especially for a water heavy, mildly flavored food like paste, rice, or bread. With bread and cakes, it may even affect your results, depending on what is in it.

For when you're out, try to stop at places that have filtered water. Most fast food places should, I know McDonald's in particular has reverse osmosis water filtering at all their restaurants.

As long as it's food-grade metal it's okay. I've been brewing in a metal container for over a year and mine is always delicious. :-)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075G2B5RZ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_GiNTBbJ2TP3TR

I have a 2 gallon glass container, with a metal spigot on the bottom. I fill it most of the way with tea, and let it ferment. When it's done I fill up bottles for 2F from the spigot, and leave about 1L remaining. Then I simply pour more sweet tea on the top. I haven't quite got there yet, but I expect that I'll be cleaning out the whole thing every 3-4 months just to remove the yeast from the bottom.

This one on Amazon looks like it has a metal spigot. I had to replace my plastic one when I was cleaning some pellicle from it, so I think that a metal spigot is a good choice.

Thank you so much.

1. I agree, it does look gross. Totally perfect analogy, and the other pic looks like goopy egg whites. Since it can be discarded, do you think that I can install a spigot like this (https://www.amazon.com/Beverage-Dispenser-Replacement-Stainless-Anti-Clogging/dp/B075FG89KX/ref=sr_1_5_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1518049987&sr=8-5-spons&keywords=anti+clog+spigot&psc=1)? It has an anti-clog screen on it.
   
2. Oh are you talking about the process to re-carbonate it due to the rapid loss of carbonation?
   
3. Hmm, guess I'll have to experiment with that one.
   
4. Target! It wasn't the cheapest though. Maybe like 7-10 bucks. The only problem is that it is not single serving. It's probably ~24-30 ounces so won't it lose a lot of it's carbonation if I do not drink it all at once?

Get one of these Zero water filters. Comes with TDS meter.

Any thought about containers? I was thinking about this:

5 Litre Drinks Dispenser with Steel Spigot, wire mesh (to stop blockages) and gift tag, it's the Ultimate Drinks cooler - By Smith's Mason Jars https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071V78TCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_O5GFzbTVCS6S4

I was more worried about it leaking than the cost/replacement.

I got a stainless steel dispenser ordered and I think I'm going to use a decorative 2 gallon liquid dispenser.

I have a crapload of pex laying around, so I'll probably just use that for the concealed areas.

Or this: http://www.amazon.com/CreativeWare-2-5-Gallon-Bark-Beverage-Dispenser/dp/B004W05JQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381450586&sr=8-2&keywords=drink+dispenser
Has an area in the bottom you could put the dry ice, or put it right in the drink and not have to worry about people drinking it.

I've made homemade iced coffee a few times, but I hadn't heard of the mason jar strainer! That should help a lot, but does it really keep all the coffee grounds out of the final product?

I like to put mine in a beverage dispenser in the fridge when I'm done.