Choosing a stainless steel ice bucket

It could be said that ice buckets owe their birth to a man named Tudor. Frederick Tudor, of Boston, Massachusetts, who wished to make a fortune in selling ice. That dream began to be realised in 1821, and he died an "Ice Baron" in 1864. The ice bucket, a miniature version of the ice houses in which blocks of ice were stored, made it possible to small quantities of ice on hand, became a staple until appliances like the freezer made it less of a necessity. Still, stainless steel ice buckets are still available today, in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Stainless inside and/or out?

Some stainless steel ice buckets are only stainless steel on the inside and out while others have an outer layer of another material such as enamel. These ice buckets often come with a lid and may often be accompanied by stainless steel ice tongs. The buckets often have a double wall of steel which helps to insulate the interior, thus keeping your ice cubes from melting longer. Some have found that the stainless steel ice buckets are better insulated than plastic ice buckets. While more expensive initially, they hold up well and last a long time.

Capacity

The capacity of ice buckets vary. Some ice buckets made have a capacity of 1.35 liters, while others are larger. Since there are a variety of sizes, you can choose an ice bucket that more closely matches your needs. If you wish to use an ice bucket for home use, you may get by with one that smaller. If you enjoy entertaining, a larger ice bucket could more easily supply the ice for you and your guests

Style

Ice buckets, and tongs for that matter, vary in style. Some resemble the ice buckets of old with "leather" wrapped exteriors hiding the stainless steel within. Others might look as though they're from the future, while others look as though they're from the 1920s. Even antique ice buckets are available. If you have a restaurant, then ice buckets with stands would be of interest. These ice buckets also come in a variety of styles which can do the double duty of matching or complimenting the decor of the restaurant while keeping wine and champagne chilled.