My Ceramic Water Dispenser Picks: The 2 Best Models And Accessories

It’s been a little while since I last posted my water crock buyer’s guide.  Since then, the post has received a lot of positive feedback from people who prefer the rustic appeal of the typical water crock over a modern water dispenser.

Given that positive reception, I thought I would provide a quick update on the currently available models on the market.  Specifically, 2 models have consistently sold well and received great reviews on Amazon.com:

First on the list is the Primo IIC Ceramic Water Crock Water Dispenser.  This unit has garnered great reviews across the board in a market that is traditionally filled with dubious consumer feedback.  Unlike many competing models, the IIC has gained very high marks in terms of both long-lasting durability as well as functionality.  The real trick with water dispensers is not to go overboard with features that you couldn’t reasonably justify given a meager manufacturing budget.

Too many companies are going way beyond what is needed, and thus the basic features are suffering while these companies attempt to cater to every possible market (a huge mistake).  The IIC thankfully does not fall victim to this temptation, providing a no-frills (but not unattractive) wooden stand.  The unit itself can accommodate both 3 and 5 gallon bottles, a pretty typical range for products of this type.

Many people recommend purchasing the Bluewave 3 Gallon Water Bottle as a compliment to the IIC.  Lastly, like most water crocks, you aren’t going to need a nearby outlet to use the IIC, so you can be pretty flexible on where you place the unit in your home.  Additionally, Primo have gone above and beyond the standard water crock design, providing small accommodations like a small plastic ring on the spout at the top to prevent chipping of the ceramic finish among other things.

Number two on my list is distributed by the “For Your Water” company through Amazon (and probably elsewhere).  There’s no specialized unit name for their products as they are pretty generic.  Don’t let the lack of branding fool, you, though.  For Your Water has received high marks from a great many people who have been happy to purchase a no-nonsense, reliable ceramic water crock which performs as expected and comes with no unnecessary features.

The Wateride System Provides An Interesting Alternative To Traditional Bottle Refills:

The unassuming look of these products is perfect for anyone that desires a low profile water cooler that can sit off to the side during a home gathering or even next to the dinner table.  Since these units are so affordable, many people enjoy using them as an alternative to buying loads of bottled water – a responsible move for both your wallet and the environment.

Useful Accessories

While I could leave you with the short list above and you’d probably be all set, I thought it might also be useful to mention a couple accessories that don’t cost much but can add lots of value to ceramic water dispensers:

• First of all, think about getting a water bottle handle to save your back and hands any undue strain when you’re refilling the water crock.  Check out the Wateride video above for one proposed alternative to using bottle replacements (I’m not entirely convinced by the video, alone, but the idea is interesting).
• While you’re at it, you can also get a replacement stand for your water crock in case the original one is damaged.  While these stands tend to last for quite a while, there’s no escaping the fact that they’re made out of thin wood that is at risk in environments with rambunctious children or pets.