A barrel cooler is a cooler that is made (or made to look like it is) from wine barrels. Some might even just be round metal or even plastic coolers. Just like a typical cooler, barrel coolers are used to keep drinks cold for any outdoor activities, such as backyard parties or barbecues. They are very stylish, often made from recycled wood, and available in a pine or butternut finish. Some even bear the name of the vineyard that used the barrel during wine production.
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Barrel Cooler Comparison Chart
| Brand | Max Cans | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Suncast | 72 Cans | Wicker | |
Keter | 40 Cans | Wicker | |
Best Choice | 12-14 Cans | Wicker | |
Achla Designs | Several Cans | Steel | |
Copper Banded | 36+ Cans | Steel | |
SURREAL | 100+ Cans | Plastic | |
Artland | 24+ Cans | Steel | |
BirdRock Home | 35 bottles | Stainless Steel | |
Vintage Tub | 36+ Cans | Steel |
There are also a group of coolers that are referred to as “barrel coolers.” They are similar to barrel coolers, however, the main difference is they are not made from wine barrels. Instead, these are made from other materials like wicker or rattan. They are very stylish as well, and just like typical barrel coolers, come in a number of shapes and sizes and make for excellent patio coolers.
Wine Barrel Coolers -What Are They Used For?
Bistra Barrel Cooler
Barrel coolers are used to entertain guests at your home when you are hosting a party or gathering. They make excellent centerpieces in the backyard, as they are very classy home accessories. If you are having a more sophisticated get together, such as a wine party or a welcome party for out-of-town clients or friends, then a barrel cooler would work very well.
Wine Barrel Ice ChestTech Specs
Barrel coolers are huge and measure between 38” to 42”inches in height. Moreover, their weight is anywhere from 13 to 57 lbs. The range is so vast because it depends on which type of barrel cooler you decide to purchase. The heaviest barrel coolers tend to be the ones that can hold a large amount of drinks.
Aside from the more common plastic coolers that are portable and used for camping or other outdoor activities, barrel coolers can be expensive. The prices range from $80 – $800. This is why barrel coolers might not be the best choice if the cooler will be used around children. Not only are barrel coolers heavy, but they sit high up on a stand, which will be a problem for small children trying to reach inside to get a cold drink.
Also, it is important to note that barrel coolers are not portable. If you buy a barrel cooler for a backyard party and then realize you need one for an upcoming road trip, you will like want to buy a smaller cooler like a Yeti or Pelican Cooler.
Who Would Benefit from an Ice Barrel Cooler?
Individuals who would benefit from barrel coolers are those that do a lot of entertaining at their homes, especially for parties where the majority of the guests are adults. Barrel coolers would also work for store owners looking to have a prop in their store that would draw customers in. Keeping cold beverages in it during the summer can save energy and money from stopping customers from continuously opening the refrigerator doors.
10 Popular Barrel Coolers
Best Choice Products Wicker Ice Bucket
This unique ice chest is round and made of wicker, which is wrapped around an aluminum frame. It does have a galvanized steel ice bucket to hold ice and your favorite beverages. It is easy to clean and UV resistant. There are also non-slip rubber feet on it to keep it steady no matter what type of surface you are setting it up on. Other features of this ice bucket stand include a lid to cover ice and cans, and it also has a storage shelf under it for glasses and other goodies. It is tall at 32.75 high and it is 21W x 21D giving you plenty of space for several of your favorite drinks. This cooler is also easy to move around at only 15 pounds when empty.
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Achla Designs Oval Copper Plated Galvanized Tub
This tub works as an ice bucket and can hold several bottles or cans of your favorite beverages along with ice. It is made of galvanized steel and then plated with an antique copper finish. There are handles on two sides that are made of wrought iron. It is ideal for patios, back yards barbeques, and more. Some people even use it for firewood in the winter. It measures in at 21 x 15 x 9 inches and weighs only 4 pounds when empty.
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Copper Banded Beverage Tub
Imagine a party on your patio where you have a truly unique cooler to serve from. That is what you will find when you look at this beverage tub, serving tray, with stand/rolling cart. It even has a built-in bottle opener so that everything you need is right there. The handle on the push cart can also double as a place to hang your dish towel. The tub is galvanized steel and the cart is made up of a collapsible wrought iron frame, all of which are rust resistant. Under the main ice bucket, there is a smaller tub for extra beverages or anything else you may need to store. Since the bucket is deep, you will be able to put 36+ cans of beer or soda in it at one time. In total, it weighs 16 pounds and measures 34.25 x 14.38 x 27.75 inches.
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SURREAL Stump Cooler
This stump cooler is all about blending in. It can hold more than 100+ cans of your favorite beverages thanks to its large size of 23.5 x 21 x 22 inches. The pictures do not do the cooler size justice. This is much larger than it looks in pictures. It is 100% American made. It is made of plastic, but it has been individually hand-crafted and painted with UV and weather resistant paint to resemble an oak stump. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty and can be used both indoors and out. If you do not want to use it as a cooler, it can be a great hiding spot for other goodies. It weighs in at right around 16 pounds.
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Artland Oasis Party Tub
This tub comes with a stand of its own. It is designed to be used as a cooler for parties. The Artland Oasis will keep ice frozen long enough to get through the average BBQ or evening gathering. It has a rustic look that many people love and it is built to last with galvanized steel. The tub can be used with or without the stand, but with the stand, it measures 22.5 x 14 x 29.5 inches.
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BirdRock Home Beverage Tub
This oval shaped stainless-steel tub is as beautiful as it is simple and durable. It comes with a metal stand, which provides a great place for you to store your favorite beverage bottles and party selection. The tub can be removed from the stand using the metal and wooden handles. This enables you to drain water out easily. It can hold over 35 bottles of soda or 19 champagne bottles. The number of cans it can hold exceed those amounts by a good bit, depending on the amount of ice you are using. The tub dimensions are 28.5 x 14.6 x 19.5 inches. Alone it weighs 5 pounds. The stand and tub dimensions are 28.5 x 14.6 x 31.8 inches and it weighs a total of 16 pounds.
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Vintage Copper Band Beverage Tub
If you want a tub that stands out above the rest, this copper band tub by Giftburg/Liberty Glass is perfect. It has a 9.5-gallon capacity and a bottle opener included on it. A convenient storage area under the tub makes partying easier, but you also have a wooden handle that can be used as a towel holder. The wrought iron cart is collapsible so that you can store it away easily.
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Full Barrel Cooler
This barrel cooler is beautifully crafted. Made from recycled wine barrel, it has a butternut finish. Ideal for a huge gathering, it can keep a large number of different size drinks cold for a long period of time. Furthermore, it has a very sophisticated look, so it will work well for you if you are throwing a wine party or adult gathering at your home.
On the other hand, if you are having a children’s birthday party, this might not be the cooler to showcase. This barrel cooler weighs 40 pounds and is situated on a stand, which means if little ones accidentally bump into it, it could fall on them and cause serious injury. It should also be noted that this cooler is very expensive, thus best used for people who are going for an upscale outdoor setting. This cooler is available in limited quantities.
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Bistro Barrel Cooler
This barrel cooler serves as the perfect home decoration item. It is made from recycled wine barrels and comes with a pine finish. Half of the Full Barrel Cooler, it is small and compact, so it is better suited for small, intimate gathering. In addition, unlike the Full Barrel Cooler above, this cooler comes with a lid that can be used as a small table to sit snacks on like fruits, cheeses, and nuts.
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Suncast DCCW3000 Resin Wicker Cooler
Chic and stylish, the Suncast DCCW3000 Resin Wicker Cooler is perfect for keeping drinks cold on your patio. Made from resin, you can purchase this cooler to match your patio/deck resin furniture. With plenty of room, you can keep up to 72 beverage cans or six 2-liter bottles cold while your get together is under way. Additionally, this style comes with a basket on the side for any accessories, as well as a towel bar.
Just like the Full Barrel Cooler, this version can be used for a large gathering of people. Furthermore, if it becomes dirty, you just simply hose it off with water. This is much easier than the Full Barrel Cooler which has to be clean using wood polish cleaner to keep the finished wood looking new. This cooler also requires assembling. However, there are no tools needed, as the parts just snap together. This cooler will work for you as it is “easy to assemble.”
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Keter Rattan Cool Bar
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his is the smallest cooler among the popular barrel coolers. It is part cooler, which keeps drinks cold for 12 hours, and part cocktail table, where guests can sit their drinks while socializing. This cooler is very trendy and modern. To get from cooler mode to table mode, just lift the lid and lock it into place, and you have a table and a cooler all in one.
Because it is compact, this cooler (or cool bar as it is referred to) can be used in such places as your office or dorm room. It will save you money in the long run from having to purchase cold water or beverages while you are working late or studying for your classes. This cooler is more of a personal size item, it is not for you if you plan to party with more than a few friends. It is the most inexpensive of the popular models, costing approximately $80.
