A Guide to Dispense-Rite Products
For more than 35 years, Dispense-Rite has provided foodservice operators with a range of dispensing products to help keep businesses clean and organized. From cups and lids to ice cream cones and straws, Dispense-Rite products enable guests to operate self-service stations in an intuitive manner that minimizes waste. Guests appreciate the convenience, while owners save money on materials. Even though the end results of using Dispense-Rite products speak for themselves, the company's offerings are many and varied, so it's possible to become overwhelmed when trying to make a choice if you're just starting out. This guide is designed to help both new and previous buyers navigate the world of Dispense-Rite products and choose the ones that will best serve their operation.
A Brief Overview of Dispense-Rite's Cup Dispenser Series
Dispense-Rite offers several series of cup dispensers, allowing you to choose one that best suits the needs of your operation.
- All cup dispensers are made of stainless steel or ABS plastic; stainless steel is more durable, while ABS plastic is more economical.
- In addition to the material, you must decide whether you want your cup dispensing mechanism to be clips or baffles. Clip dispensers operate with a precise three clip adjustment mechanism that ensures your cups or containers fit perfectly. Baffles (also known as gaskets) are interchangeable and allow for a self-adjustable dispenser that can accommodate a wide range of cup sizes.
- You must also determine if an in-counter or countertop model fits best into your operation. In-counter dispensers are built-in and take up less space but are a permanent fixture; countertop dispensers take up more space but are mobile.
There are four series of Dispense-Rite cup dispensers available: the ADJ, STL, BFL, and SLR. Each of these feature both in-counter and countertop options.
- The ADJ series is made of stainless steel and features adjustable dispensers utilizing the clip mechanism. These clips enable quick adjustment for cups ranging from 4 to 64 ounces; the ADJ series is standard in all of the countertop dispensing cabinets (the CTC series).
- The STL series is made of ABS plastic and features the adjustment clip mechanism – this series accommodates cups ranging from 8 to 44 ounces. The STL design allows for simple in-counter adjustments without the use of tools, and this series is standard in Dispense-Rite cabinets as well (also known as the STL Series).
- The BFL series features stainless steel units utilizing interchangeable baffles. The self-adjusting flexibility of these gaskets enables these dispensers to accommodate cups from 8 to 64 ounces, and the product design minimizes accidental cup rips and tears and is easily cleanable. BFL series cup dispensers are standard in the countertop dispensing cabinets (also part of the BFL series).
- The SLR series is the ABS plastic version of Dispense-Rite's baffle dispensers. Like the STL series, the interchangeable gaskets accommodate cups from 8 to 44 ounces and minimize accidental damage to the cups during dispensing. Baffles can be changed while the dispenser remains in the counter or cabinet, ensuring easy maintenance. SLR series dispensers are standard in all SLR Series countertop cabinets.
Now that you have knowledge on the main cup-dispenser lines, you must decide on the specific products you wish to integrate into your business. The following is an overview of the Dispense-Rite in-counter cup dispensers, cup-dispensing units, and combination cup and lid dispensers offered by KaTom.
In-Counter Cup Dispensers
In-counter cup dispensers enable customers to retrieve their own cups from a sleeve, which is ideal for self-service drink stations. These are available in drop-in units and spring-loaded styles, ensuring cups are always ready for the next customer in line. In-counter cup dispensers come in a range of sizes and styles to support various cup sizes and can be mounted onto a variety of surfaces.
In-counter cup dispensers are made of plastic or stainless steel and vary in size depending on the capacity of the cups they are designed to hold. For example, some dispensers are designed to hold cups with capacities from 12 to 24 ounces, 32 to 44 ounces, and so on; some are also designed to exclusively hold 32-ounce cups. Cup diameters range from about 21⁄2 inches to more than 5 inches. All units are made to hold cups made of foam, paper, or plastic. Lengths of the dispensers range from 17 to 28 inches, widths range from 8 inches to nearly 2 feet, and styles can be either drop-in or surface mount.
Cup-Dispensing Units
Cup-dispensing units consist of any type of dispenser that doesn't fall into the in-counter dispenser category. Dispense-Rite's cup dispensing units include wire racks that hold cups horizontally or vertically, cup-dispenser cabinets, and even cup-dispenser carts. These cup-dispensing units come in a variety of styles, from freestanding to wall-mounted units, and can accommodate a range of cup sizes.
Much like with other Dispense-Rite equipment, cup-dispensing units come in a variety of designs and sizes. The cup capacities range from 2-6 ounces to 8-44 ounces, with cup diameters ranging from just over 2 inches to more than 4 inches. These dispensers can be used to hold cups made of foam, paper, or plastic. Depths of the dispenser range from approximately 5 inches to 33 inches and can be between 6 and 35 inches in height. Dispensing styles can be actuated (with a dispensing mechanism), gravity-based (where the next cup falls into place when one is removed), or have no dispensing style at all, and the dispensers themselves can be made of metal, plastic, or stainless steel. You must also decide on how many unit compartments and cup compartments you wish to have.
Combination Cup & Lid Dispensers
Combination cup and lid dispensers provide guests with a convenient self-service option to get the cups they need along with the corresponding lids. These units carry both cups and matching lids, sparing customers or operators unnecessary trips to other areas and enabling owners to keep easy tabs on their inventory. Some combination dispensers also include sections for sugar packets, straws, coffee stirrers, and more to create a self-service coffee station.
The dimensions of these dispensers vary depending on the type of products they're intended to hold. Cup capacities range from 2 to 44 ounces, with diameters from more than 2 inches to approximately 4 inches. Depths of the dispensers range from approximately 3 inches to over 24 inches, with heights from 8 inches to over 32 inches. These models can have an actuated dispenser or no dispenser at all. They come with anywhere between 1 and 10 compartments depending on need, measure between 5 inches and 26 inches wide, and come in cabinet, organizer, or rack-style builds.
Straw and Cone Dispensers
Dispense-Rite's straw dispensers and ice cream cone dispensers can add even more versatility to foodservice operations. Though listed as one category, straw dispensers and cone dispensers are two separate items – the former is designed to hold and dispense drinking straws while the latter is intended for dispensing edible ice cream cones. Straw dispensers are generally constructed as holders or bins that users simply reach into and pull their straws from. These can be in-counter bins or compartments, or standalone holders, and they're usually made of acrylic, polystyrene, or stainless steel.
Cone dispensers come in several varieties and can simply be holders or can be actuated dispensers. Dispenser models are designed as gravity-fed devices that produce a new cone when one is removed or are designed as simple display cases; they can be wall-mounted or countertop models. The design you choose depends on the volume of ice cream cones you go through and whether you wish for customers to serve their own cones; the holders hold fewer cones than the dispensers.
Lid Dispensers
Lid dispensers are essential for most beverage stations, allowing customers to choose the correct lid size to take their drink home with them. Dispense-Rite lid dispensers come in multiple styles, such as actuated dispensers that allow users to take one lid at a time before producing the next one, and simple organizers that essentially display lids for taking.
Some dispensers double as lid, straw, and/or condiment organizers, essentially functioning as small beverage stations; these can be especially useful for coffee service.When choosing a lid dispenser, you should determine the length of dispenser needed (as dispensers range from 4 inches to nearly 34 inches), height (ranging from approximately 8 inches to 24 inches), cup capacity (ranging from 2-6 ounces to 6-24 ounces), and style (built-in, drop-in, surface mount, and standalone units are available).
Self-Serve Dispensers
For operators with areas that let their customers serve themselves, self-serve dispensers, sometimes even multiple self-serve dispensers, are essential. Designed to keep food, beverage, condiment, and order pickup stations neat and organized, self-serve dispensers come in various styles designed to fit a variety of beverage station needs.
Condiment organizers can be used for items like sugar and sweetener packets, tea bags, snacks, or condiments. For coffee service, sleeve dispensers provide cardboard sleeves to protect hands from hot drinks, while bottle organizers assist baristas by holding flavored syrups. Drop-in trash chutes and trash door faceplates assist in maintaining clean facilities by clearly marking waste receptacles for both guests and staff, while flatware organizers enable customers to quickly retrieve forks, knives, and spoons.
Napkin Dispensers
Napkin dispensers are a valuable addition to many operations – especially if cup dispensers or self-serve dispensers are already in place – as spills and cleanup are inevitable parts of foodservice operations.
Napkin dispensers come in both countertop and built-in models and can be constructed of plastic or stainless steel. Some hold only napkins, while others are built with additional compartments for straws and condiments. Napkin dispensers can hold traditional paper napkins in either full-fold, low-fold, or mini-fold styles, as well as wax paper tissues.
