Image: MomJunction Design Team
If you are hosting a party, it is important to serve drinks cold, and an ice bucket can come in handy. So, we have created a list of the best ice buckets to help you keep your drinks and food cool and fresh for a longer time. A good ice bucket extends the melting time of the ice cubes, keeping the beverages chilled and ready to serve. Most ice buckets for drinks are made of stainless steel, which has good insulating properties. The steel is mostly food-grade to prevent chemicals from getting into the drinks or food stored. These buckets also come with a filter to remove the melted ice water for your convenience.
However, searching for such an ice bucket could be a time-consuming activity. With various sizes and designs available, it may be challenging to choose the right bucket that suits your needs. So, read on as we review some expert-recommended and tried-and-tested ice buckets.
Top Picks
11 Best Ice Buckets
1. Best With Airtight Lid: JoyJolt Metal Double Wall Ice Bucket With Lid
The double-walled ice buckets by JoyJolt are made from high-quality stainless steel making them durable and efficient. Each bucket comes with an airtight lid, ice tongs, and a strainer for convenience. Its compact size makes it easy to store in the kitchen, bar, or patio. This barware is safe to use in the freezer, fridge, and dishwasher. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet evening, this affordable ice bucket will surely impress.
2. Best Toxin-Free:FineDine Double-Wall Insulated Ice Bucket
The FineDine Double-Wall Insulated Ice Bucket comes with an airtight lid, a strainer, and a tong, to keep your ice cold for longer. Featuring double-walled stainless steel, this ice bucket keeps the temperature sealed in. Free from harmful toxins, the sleek and modern design makes this bucket ideal for any event. Using the strainer, you can keep melted water away from the bucket, and the tongs will help you quickly grip and serve the ice cubes. The easy-to-clean ice bucket is portable as it is equipped with a comfortable carry handle.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product boasts 7,448 reviews on Amazon, and many buyers have said they would purchase the product again.
3. Best Sweat-Proof: Snowfox Elegance Collection Stainless Steel Ice Bucket
The Snowfox Elegance Collection ice bucket is a stylish and practical solution for keeping your drinks cool and fresh. With a double-wall insulation design, this ice bucket will keep your ice from melting for hours, ensuring that your drinks stay at the desired temperature. Made from premium stainless steel, this ice bucket is durable, rust-resistant, sweat-proof, and easy to clean. Moreover, there is a hook below the lid for easy hanging on the side of the bucket. The elegant design of this ice bucket makes it a great addition to any bar, home, or outdoor setting.
JoyJolt Metal Double Wall Ice Bucket With Lid Best With Airtight Lid | FineDine Double-Wall Insulated Ice Bucket Best Toxin-Free | Snowfox Elegance Collection Stainless Steel Ice Bucket Best Sweat-Proof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | - | 2.74 pounds | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | - | 7,448 | - |
| Price | $28.95 | $26.99 | $49.99 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Quick tip4. Best Stylish: Bellemain Stainless Steel Ice Bucket With Lid
This high-quality ice bucket is made from premium-grade stainless steel, making it durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean. Its double-wall insulation design ensures that your ice will not melt quickly, so your drinks stay cold for as long as you need. The included lid adds an extra layer of protection and helps keep your ice clean and hygienic, making it the ideal ice bucket for events. Moreover, the expert-recommended functional ice bucket comes with tongs for convenience, and its quick-grab handles make it portable and easy to use.
5. Best Portable: S’well Stainless Steel Ice Bucket With Tongs
Made from 18/8 food-grade high-quality stainless steel, this ice bucket is durable, rust-resistant, and condensation-free. This luxury ice bucket is triple-layered and vacuum-insulated to keep your drinks cool for long. The included tongs make it easy to handle ice, and its elegant and modern design gives it a sophisticated touch. It is BPA-free and meets safety standards as it is California Prop 65 certified. The quality-tested bucket is also portable and available in other designs.
Quick tip6. Best Waterproof Cover: Fortune Candy Insulated Ice Bucket
The Fortune Candy ice bucket has a double-wall insulation design to keep the ice from melting for hours. Made from high-quality stainless steel, this ice bucket has a sleek design and is lightweight and resistant to cracks and chips. The lid helps keep the ice clean and hygienic. Moreover, this bucket comes with a fabric cover that prevents condensation and scratches and protects your hands from the cold. Its silicone knob makes the bucket easy to carry and comes with tongs for easy use.
7. Best Lightweight:Godinger Dublin Ice Bucket
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 887 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
The Godinger Dublin Ice Bucket is a clear, crystal, decor-style accessory that is an ideal choice for storing cubes of ice and keeping your beverages cool. Also the perfect gifting option, this elegant and affordable ice bucket is lightweight and easy to clean with just water and soap. You can use this glass ice bucket to store your ice cubes for longer or just pop in a bottle of wine or champagne to ensure that it remains cool and bubbly.
8. Best Compact: Juvale Insulated Stainless Steel Ice Bucket
The Juvale ice bucket comes with a scoop and a convenient handle, making it one of the most convenient-to-use stainless steel ice buckets. It is compact and portable, and its large capacity makes it suitable for various occasions. The bucket’s double-wall insulation keeps the ice from melting for long. Moreover, its design lets you store it in kitchen cabinetswhen not in use.
9. Best Non-Slip: Corkcicle Triple-Walled Insulated Stainless Steel Ice Bucket
If you are looking for an ice bucket with modern design for wine bottles, then opt for the Corkcicle stainless steel ice bucket. It comes with a lid and is a high-quality and stylish product for keeping your drinks cold. With its triple-walled insulation design, this ice bucket will keep your ice cold for up to 48 hours. It has a non-slip bottom for easy use. Moreover, this bucket has a larger capacity than most standard ice buckets, allowing you to store more ice and larger bottles. It is lightweight and available in two other colors.
Do remember10. Best Dishwasher-Friendly:OXO Stainless Steel Ice Bucket And Tongs Set
The OXO Stainless Steel Ice Bucket set comes with a brushed stainless steel bucket and a pair of tongs. The double-walled construction works to insulate the inside and also prevents condensation on the outside. You can also use the tongs, which have sharp teeth that allow you to easily grasp the ice cubes. This ice bucket for home use is dishwasher-friendly and has a flip-top lid that you can use to monitor the ice levels, easily access the ice cubes, and also secure the bucket shut when you finish using it. The bottom channels store the meltwater and help you avoid spillage or condensation circles.
11. Best Rustic:Royalty Art Vintage Ice Bucket
The Royalty Art Vintage Ice Bucket is a rustic farmhouse ice bucket design that you can use to keep cold drinks and other beverages closer to you. The convenient ice bucket is stylish and portable and comes with a lid closure that lets you seal the top as you move it around. The galvanized steel construction is stronger and durable, making it a fine choice for outdoor events. It comes with a convenient wooden handle for easy carrying, which only adds to the overall aesthetic of this product. Additionally, this ice bucket comes with a high-quality scoop that can be used to easily serve ice cubes.
How To Choose The Right Ice Bucket?
When you’re searching for the best ice bucket for your home bar or party, there are a few features to bear in mind. The key features that need your attention are the overall design of the ice bucket, the materials used to craft it, how comfortable it is for your specific environment, and the availability of useful accessories that come with the ice bucket.
- Construction and insulation capabilities: Hot and humid climatic conditions are a big factor to consider when preparing for an outdoor event during the summer. All of the drinks should be held in high-quality ice buckets with sufficient insulation to keep the ice cubes from melting and the drinks from becoming warm, flat, and stale. A vacuum-sealed, double-wall of steel surrounding the contents is an inexpensive, efficient, and space-saving way to keep ice cubes cold when metal is the primary material used for construction. Another necessity is a durable lid to keep the contents insulated and avoid pollutants from entering the bucket. When the bucket is not in use, a flip-top style lid makes it easier to close it.
- Total capacity: The next thing to remember is the ice bucket’s total capacity, which allows you to store an ample amount of ice between 3 L and 8 L depending on your needs. If you’re just throwing a small gathering, a small ice bucket would suffice. Go through the manufacturer’s ice bucket size guide to make the right pick.
- Exterior body: Whether the ice bucket is made of stainless steel or copper is extremely important. This is due to the fact that stainless steel is more durable than any other material. For a number of purposes, stainless steel is the most common material for ice buckets. For starters, it’s tough and less likely to break if you drop it. Second, it’s easy to clean and naturally antibacterial and rust-resistant. Stainless steel is also a food-grade metal, which means it won’t leach chemicals into foods that come into contact with it. Most importantly, if the ice bucket is well-made, it will keep the ice cubes frozen for many hours. Plastic is also a good choice for ice buckets because it is robust, lightweight, and suitable for use in outdoor and rugged party environments. With proper maintenance and care, the best ice bucket can last for several years, regardless of the content.
- Accessories: Tongs are the most popular ice bucket decoration, as they add a touch of sophistication and cleanliness to the party by eliminating the need for guests to use their hands to collect ice. If you want to add a large amount of ice to a container at once, a scoop will help. Some ice buckets have a grill or grate that fits inside the bucket’s center cylinder to keep the melted water from seeping to the bottom. Carrying the ice bucket back and forth from the kitchen or another place to refill with fresh cubes necessitates a sturdy handle. When it comes to ice chests, sturdy handles are particularly important when having parties outside or in remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I keep my ice bucket from sweating?
Line the inside of the container with aluminum foil and fill the bucket with ice cubes. It will prevent the ice bucket from sweating.
2. What is the need to put salt in ice buckets?
Salt lowers the freezing point of the ice and helps the ice cubes melt faster. It helps chill the bottles faster by maximizing the surface area in contact with the ice.
3. What is the best insulation material for keeping ice from melting?
Styrofoam is the best insulation material to keep ice from melting.
4. How long does ice last in an ice bucket?
An ice bucket can hold cubes fresh for several hours depending on the temperature, moisture, and whether the lid is sealed correctly.
5. What can I use an ice bucket for besides ice?
You can use an ice bucket as a wastepaper bin, a compost bucket for kitchens and restaurants, a flower vase, or a tub for holding clean washcloths in the bathroom. You can also get creative and serve salads and fruits with it if you have a large crowd to cater to.
6. What is the best way to clean an ice bucket?
To clean your ice bucket, you can handwash it in warm water using a gentle soap. To prevent dust from covering the inside, dry thoroughly and keep the lid closed when not in use. For the best guidance on cleaning and maintenance of ice buckets, refer to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our in-house writers and reviewers have compiled this list of the best ice buckets to help keep your food and drinks fresh for long. The products have been chosen after comparing various items and considering user reviews to find the right ones for you. With detailed features and a helpful buying guide, you can choose a suitable product for your home.
The Bottom Line
One foolproof way of ensuring your party is a hit involves serving drinks nice and cold, which is only possible when you have the best ice buckets on hand. These compact tools help you preserve the temperature of your food and beverages without taking up any power or being difficult to operate. The options listed here come in various sizes and designs. It includes best-selling ones like the double-walled OXO Stainless Steel Ice Bucket and Tongs Set, the Bellemain Stainless Steel Ice Bucket with Lid, which comes with a filter disk, and the elegant-looking Godinger Dublin Ice Bucket. So browse through the list of best ice buckets and choose one that’s right for your insulation needs.
Infographic: How To Use An Ice Bucket Effectively?
Are you wondering how to maximize the efficiency of your ice bucket and keep the ice from melting for an extended period? Then, check out the infographic below. It outlines the tips and tricks you can utilize to prepare your ice bucket to make the ice cubes last longer, ensuring your beverages remain chilled.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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