Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser Review 2024
Brio water cooler dispensers are ranked among the top brands, with glowing reviews for affordability and premium quality. In particular, the Brio Bottom Loading Self Cleaning Water Cooler Dispenser is a great choice for busy households, the office, or your gym.
But is Brio right for you?
If you’ve been searching for the best Brio water cooler dispenser, you’ve come to the right page! Check out our detailed Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser review for the answers to all your questions. Product specifications, features, pros and cons are all right here, as well as helpful troubleshooting tips and more.
That’s how we do it at iWaterpurification; unbiased, helpful insights to help you choose the best water treatment solutions and appliances. Now let’s get started.
Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Dispenser Overview
Amazon Rating: | 4.2 Stars |
Type: | Bottom Loading, Vertical Freestanding |
Suitable For: | Home, office, gym |
Gallon Capacity: | 3 – 5 gallon |
Warranty: | 1 yr (PDF) |
Price: |
Product Specs:
- Dimensions: 44 x 15.5 x 14.5 inches
- Weight: 38 pounds
- Type: Bottom Loading
- Color: Silver, Black
- Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic (BPA-free)
- Bottle Capacity: 3 – 5 gallon
- Warranty: 2yr
- User Manual Included [PDF]
Features:
- Self-Cleaning Ozone
Nightlight - Empty Bottle Indicator
- 3 Water Temperature Settings: Hot (185°F), Cold (49°F), Room (Ambient)
- Removable Drip Tray
Currently rated 4.2 by consumers on Amazon, the Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser is a handsome looking machine and reasonably priced by comparison with other floor models from Avalon and Primo.
With 3 temperature settings and a self cleaning feature, the Brio Self Cleaning water cooler is designed for serving filtered water on demand throughout the year. Hot or cold, the triple dispenser system only needs a few minutes at the start of the day to reach the perfect serving temperature.
You can also find out about the Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Dispenser in our
reviews of the best water cooler dispensers, where it ranked #6 of 15.
Here’s a look at all the key features, pros and cons.
Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser Review
The Brio Self Cleaning Water Cooler comes pre-assembled, but there is some set up required. The removable drip tray is made of BPA-free plastic and machine washable. There’s an 8 page user manual, which includes the details of the 1 year limited warranty, so it’s definitely worth a look.
To set up the Brio Self Cleaning water cooler is fairly standard. First, you’ll need to position the water cooler near a grounded outlet, with a minimum 8” inches of clearance from the wall. This is necessary to prevent the coils on the back of the unit from touching the wall,and reduces the risk of damage.
There are 2 stainless steel tanks for dispensing hot and cold water separately. Each of them can be activated separately using the dedicated switches on the back of the unit. The cold tank has a 3.6 liter capacity, and the hot tank has a smaller 1 liter capacity, as is typical for most water cooler dispensers.
Before you can turn on your Brio water cooler, you’ll need to load a water bottle into the bottom loading water cabinet, which we’ll cover in the next section.
Looking for a solution for treating hard water in your home? You might find these reviews of the best water softeners helpful.
How To Load The Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
Thanks to its bottom loading design, there’s no heavy lifting involved in loading or reloading your Brio water cooler dispenser. The cabinet has a 3 – 5 gallon bottle capacity, loads from the front and is concealed by a stainless steel door.
A probe is inserted into the water bottle and a pump attaches to the mouth. Two separate tubes connect the water to the hot and cold reservoirs housed at the top of the dispenser.
To install any 3 – 5 gallon water bottle, follow these directions:
- Open the cabinet door to install the water bottle.
- Place fresh bottle upright outside of the cabinet.
- Attach the probe to the hanger on the door and remove the plastic cap from the water bottle.
- Place the probe into the bottle.
- Slide the collar down until it clicks in place.
- Push the head down until tubes hit the bottom of the bottle.
- Slide the bottle into the cabinet and close the dispenser door.
Now you’re ready to plug the power cord into a grounded wall outlet. Turn on the dispenser, and the pump will begin to move water to the hot and cold tanks. It should take approximately 15 minutes to fill the tanks initially.. During this period, the pump will run continuously.
Temperature Settings
The Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser has 3 convenient temperature options for water. Hot water dispenses at 185°– 210°Fahrenheit, which is piping hot enough for a cup of tea, hot chocolate, coffee or other hot beverage. Cold water dispenses at a refreshing 37°-50°Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to your refrigerator. The third setting is for room temperature, and comes directly from the water bottle stored inside the front cabinet.
Once you plug in the water dispenser, the machine will need time to fill each of the tanks before it’s ready to use. The hot water requires about 15 minutes to reach peak temperature, and the cold needs approximately 1 hour of refrigeration time.
Push button controls on the top of the water cooler dispenser operate the water spouts, one for each of the 3 temperatures. Overall, the Brio Self Cleaning water cooler manages to maintain a fairly consistent flow rate of 35 ml per second for both hot and cold.
We should note that the water spouts can only dispense water when the cabinet door is closed.
Energy Efficiency
UL/Energy Star approved for high efficiency, there are 2 switches on the back of the Brio Self Cleaning water cooler dispenser to control the compressor and the heating element for cold and hot water. These can be switched on individually as needed to reduce energy consumption. If you’re using the water cooler exclusively for cold beverages,you can switch off the heating element. This way, the water cooler will only dispense cold or room temperature water.
Cleaning And Maintenance
One of the best features of the Brio Self Cleaning Water Cooler Dispenser is, of course, the self cleaning ozone switch. The Brio user manual recommends you activate the self cleaning ozone cycle once a week, to prevent bacterial build up from accumulating in the hoses and water reservoirs where water is stored in between uses.
The self cleaning ozone feature safely disinfects the internal components and removes such bacteria as E.coli, Swine Flu, Legionella, Mold and Algae.
To use the self cleaning ozone feature, follow these instructions:
- Drain the cold and hot water tanks of any remaining water.
- Press in the self-cleaning switch, hold for 5 seconds, then release.
- The green function light on the left will begin blinking, indicating the cleaning process is underway. Ozone is injected into the water system to kill bacteria and biofilms typically found in water dispensers.
- At the end of the cycle, the ozone is converted into harmless oxygen and emitted into the air through the ventilation.
A Bottle Refill Indicator lights up to let you know when the water bottle needs replacing. The hot and cold tanks can be drained of excess water and should be rinsed with a cleaning solution as often as needed to remove any build up.
To keep your Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser in optimum condition, clean the inside cabinet, controls, spouts and bottle probe after each bottle replacement. Use a damp, lint free cloth to wipe down the exterior as well.
Drawbacks But Not Dealbreakers
There’s very little to complain about when it comes to the Brio Self Cleaning water cooler dispenser. Some users have had issues with defective units but Brio customer support is generally very responsive and dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction.
You may also need to plan your cleaning cycle in advance to avoid any inconvenience. The dispenser can’t serve water during the 90 minute self cleaning ozone cycle. With proper use and maintenance, it should last you several years and several hundred liters of refreshing, clean drinking water, hot or cold, all through the year.
Pros
- Bottom loading reservoir eliminates need for heavy lifting
3 Temperature - Settings: useful for hot, cold, or room temperature,
- Self Cleaning Ozone feature disinfects and sanitizes components to ensure clean drinking water at all times
- Energy efficient hot/cold switches conserve energy when not in use
- Ultra low noise compressor is useful for an office, gym or living room
Cons
- Not designed for outdoor use
- Must be cleaned regularly to maintain optimal performance
- Cannot dispense water during the 90 mn self cleaning ozone cycle
Why Should You Choose Brio?
With so many water cooler dispensers and brands to choose from, it can be hard to separate the chaff from the wheat. Is Brio a brand you can trust?
They proudly call themselves “America’s Most Trusted Cooler”, and it seems that Brio works hard to live up to their motto.
Looking at their broad range of sleek, stainless steel designs, you get the sense that they’re competing directly with Avalon water cooler dispensers, matching them in both appearance and performance. Brio water coolers are frequently cited in reviews of the best water cooler dispensers, and users have given their overwhelming endorsement.
Troubleshooting Tips For Your Brio Water Cooler Dispenser
Your Brio Self Cleaning Water Dispenser includes a user manual with troubleshooting tips for a number of problems.
Leaking Water Spout
If one of the water spouts is leaking, it could be clogged with dirt or debris. Press on the button to let water out. Use a toothpick or paperclip and insert gently up the spout to loosen any dirt or debris.
Buttons Sticking, Water Not Dispensing
Should you experience difficulty using the push button controls for dispensing water, there may be something obstructing the button from inside the unit.
- Unplug the cooler and locate screws on backside to remove water cooler cover.
- Remove the cover carefully while wires are still attached.
- Next, inspect the hoses connecting to the tank and check for obstructions in the buttons.
- Remove any obstruction, then reverse the process to re attach the water cooler lid.
Water Leaking Inside The Cabinet
Follow these simple directions to fix a leak from inside the Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Dispenser:
- Unplug the cooler and locate the screws on the back of the unit.
- Remove the screws with a screwdriver to remove the lid.
- Make sure the hoses are intact that connect to the cold tank.
- Lift off the cold tank cover to see if the seal or anything else is out of place.
- Reverse the process to seal the tank and reattach the water cooler lid.
Replacing A Cold Tank Cover
If the wiring on the float valve of the cold tank cover is damaged you can order a replacement. Here’s how to replace the cold tank cover, once you’ve received your replacement float valve:
- Locate and remove the four screws on the back plastic plate concealing the cold tank.
- Next, locate the two screws connecting to a metal box on the right side of the cooler and unscrew them.
- Find the end of the damaged wire, unclip it from the electrical panel inside the box and gently pull it out to remove it.
- Disconnect the two tubes connecting to the cold tank cover and discard them.
- Attach the tubes to the replacement cover for your cold tank.
- Reverse procedure to connect your new cover.
Draining The Hot And Cold Water Tank
Follow these directions for draining out the water tank:
- Place a bucket directly under the drain hole, located on the back of the Brio Self Cleaning machine
- Unscrew the small white drain cap by turning counterclockwise.
- Remove the blue plug to allow the water to drain into the bucket.
Noisy Dispenser
Make sure the dispenser is positioned on a leveled surface. The water cooler should never be tipped over or propped on a 45 degree angle.
Nightlight Not Functioning
Check to see that the power cord is properly connected to a working outlet.
Make sure the nightlight power switch on the back of the dispenser is ON.
How To Clean Your Brio Bottom Loading Water Cooler Dispenser
The manufacturer recommends that you sanitize your water dispenser every week. Avoid using hard water in your water cooler, which will leave behind scale deposits and minerals that can clog the pump and contaminate your water.
If you use filtered water exclusively, your water cooler should work for years to come. To keep your Brio water cooler dispenser in peak working condition, follow these maintenance tips from the instruction manual:
- Always keep the dispenser in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunshine.
- Ensure the back of the dispenser is at least 20 cm (8 in.) away from the wall.
- Never put the dispenser on paper or foam, which may store water and then cause creepage.
- Never put anything flammable beside this machine.
- Do not use the dispenser outdoors or in a place that can be splashed by water.
- If the dispenser is not in use for longer than a 24-hour period, turn off the heating switch or the
refrigerating switch to save power and drain any remaining water. - Empty and clean the drip tray, grid and float as needed.
Final Thoughts…
The Brio Self Cleaning Bottom Loading Water Dispenser has all the standard features you’d want in a quality water cooler, plus an amazing self cleaning ozone feature that further sanitizes and disinfects your dispenser.
Although the Brio Self Cleaning water cooler requires weekly cleaning for optimal performance, the self cleaning ozone button really makes it effortless. We could wish the 90 minute cleaning cycle was shorter, but it’s much better than having to do it yourself. If you run the cycle overnight, your water cooler will be ready to serve for another week with no inconvenience to you.
If you found this Brio Self Cleaning water dispenser review useful, please visit us at iWaterpurification for even more reviews, tips, and buying guides. We’re constantly on the lookout for the best water purification treatment solutions and appliances.
Good luck in your search for the best water cooler dispenser!
