A plastic ice bucket is a moulded cooler that keeps bottles and ice cold for hours at the bar, on the table or at an event. Buyers sourcing ice buckets for hospitality and retail channels need a manufacturer who understands insulation geometry, lid sealing and the abuse a bucket takes in commercial service. This guide covers the specifications that separate a working cooler from a tub that melts out in an hour.
What a Plastic Ice Bucket Manufacturer Should Confirm
Ice bucket performance is decided by the wall gap, the lid and how meltwater is handled. Confirm the insulation trial data, the lid fit and the drainage design before approving samples.
- Insulation: a hollow double wall with an air gap, optionally with a foil reflective layer, slows heat transfer and extends usable ice time well beyond a single-wall tub.
- Material: food-grade PP, BPA-free, tolerant of -20 to +100 °C, impact resistant and easy to clean; it will not rust or sweat like metal.
- Capacity: 1.7-20 L range with retail sizes concentrated at 3.5 L, 5 L, 6 L and 10 L.
- Drainage: a removable inner liner or drainage tray keeps melting ice separated from remaining cubes.
Capacities and Dimensions
An insulated ice bucket is sized by how many standard bottles it holds: 3.5 L takes two 750 ml bottles, 5 L takes three, and a 10 L body serves a banquet station. Reference dimensions for the double wall ice bucket include 3 L at 17.5 x 27.5 cm and 0.62 kg, 6 L at 27.5 x 21.8 x 21.4 cm and 0.91 kg, and 10 L at about 29 cm diameter by 22 cm high. An ice bucket with lid improves retention and keeps dust and hands out; lidded models need a positive snap or thread fit that survives repeated opening.
Options, Taps and Handles
Bar and outdoor models add a tap for draining meltwater without tilting, moulded side handles for carrying at full weight, and wheeled bases on the largest bodies. For retail channels, colour boxes, blister cards and printed sleeves matter as much as the mould: confirm decoration limits, barcode placement and carton quantities, typically 4-8 pieces per export carton.
Tooling, MOQ and Lead Times
Tools are P20 or 718H steel, typically 2-4 cavities, with 15-25 days for tooling, 5-10 days for samples and 25-40 days for production. MOQ runs 500-3,000 pieces per SKU. Unit prices start near US$1.20 for plain double-wall bodies and rise for lidded, tapped or decorated models. Request a filled ice-retention trial on first samples rather than relying on wall thickness alone.
Browse the household plastic products hub, read the food grade PP guide and the export packing guide, or compare suppliers in the verified manufacturer directory.
Related product categories
The materials and part types discussed above are grouped in our sourcing directory:
