Why a vented cap makes the tap work
Water
will not pour out of a sealed bottle for long. As water leaves through the tap, something has to take up the space it left. If the bottle is sealed, nothing can, so a partial vacuum forms inside and the flow slows to a trickle, glugs, or stops.
We put a vent through the centre of this cap for exactly that reason.
Air enters as water leaves through the tap, pressure stays balanced, and you get a steady stream into the glass instead of a stuttering one.
Balanced pressure also keeps the bottle in shape. A sealed bottle under vacuum can pull inwards at the sides, which is the dented, sucked in look people notice on water coolers. The vent prevents it.
It is the same reason a jerry can has a breather hole. Nothing exotic, just physics you notice immediately when it is missing.
When you need this cap
You need the Dispenser Cap
if you pour from the bench tap.
You do not need it if you only ever carry the bottle to the station and tip it into a jug. In that case the sealed
Travel Cap is enough.
We ship the
Starter Bundle with a sealed Travel Cap and nothing else, so if you bought the bundle intending to use the bottle as a benchtop dispenser, this cap is the missing piece.
Which bottle it fits
The Dispenser Cap fits the 15 litre bottle only, which is the one with the push tap near the base and a 55mm neck.
The 750ml and 11 litre bottles take a different neck. Worth checking before you order, because a cap that does not fit costs more to send back than it costs to buy.
What it does not do
This cap is
not sealed, so it is not for transport. The vent that makes the tap work is an open hole, which means water can escape if the bottle tips or lies down.
Swap to the Travel Cap or the
AlkaLock Cap before the bottle goes in a car. Keeping two caps and changing them over takes a couple of seconds.
Which of the three caps you need
Three caps, three jobs.
Seal it, pour from it, or lock it down.
| Cap |
What it does |
Best for |
| Travel Cap |
Solid silicone push on seal |
Transport and everyday storage |
| Dispenser Cap |
Vented centre admits air |
Pouring from the bench tap |
| AlkaLock Cap |
Hinged lever clamps it shut |
The most secure hold for longer trips |
Every one of them fits the 15L bottle. Not sure which way to go?
Tell us how you use your bottle and we will point you at the right one.
How do you set up the bottle at home
Stand the bottle
where the tap clears the edge of the bench, so a glass fits underneath. Then:
- Fit the Dispenser Cap.
- Push the tap lever.
- Pour.
The bottle holds 15 litres when full, so put it in position before you fill it rather than after. Store it in a cool dry place, out of direct sun.
If you have not filled it yet, the
refill station map shows your nearest location, and the
Our Water page covers how the water is purified.
| Item |
Detail |
| Material |
Food grade silicone |
| BPA free |
Yes |
| Colour |
Alkalined teal, no logo |
| Format |
Push on, open vent through the centre |
| Seal |
Vented, not sealed |
| Purpose |
Benchtop dispensing through the bottle tap |
| Fits |
15L Alkalined refill bottle, 55mm neck |
| Does not fit |
750ml or 11L bottles |
Compatibility
| Bottle |
Fits |
| 15L refill bottle, 55mm neck |
Yes |
| 11L bottle |
No |
| 750ml bottle |
No |
The 15L is the bottle with the push tap near the base, which is the tap this cap is designed to vent. Our caps are made for Alkalined bottles only. Ask us if you are unsure which one you have.
Care and cleaning
- Rinse the cap when you rinse the bottle, and pay attention to the vent opening.
- Dry it fully before storing.
- Keep the vent clear, since a blocked vent brings back the airlock the cap exists to prevent.
Do I need the Dispenser Cap to use the tap on my bottle?
Yes, if you want the tap to flow properly. Air must enter the bottle to replace the water leaving through the tap. The vent in this cap is what lets that happen. With a sealed cap fitted, the tap will glug, slow to a trickle or stop.
What is the hole in the middle for?
It is a vent, not a spout. You do not pour through it. It lets air into the bottle so water can leave through the tap at the base without forming a vacuum inside.
Why is my bottle glugging or not pouring?
Almost always a sealed cap. If a sealed Travel Cap or AlkaLock Cap is fitted, swap it for this vented cap. If the vented cap is already on, check the vent is not blocked.
Can I travel with the Dispenser Cap on?
No. The vent is an open hole, so water can escape if the bottle tips or lies flat. Fit the Travel Cap or the AlkaLock Cap before moving the bottle.
Does the Starter Bundle include this cap?
No, the bundle includes the sealed Travel Cap only. If you plan to use the bottle as a benchtop dispenser, add this cap to your order.
Will the Dispenser Cap fit my bottle?
It fits the 15 litre bottle only, at 55mm neck. The 750ml and 11 litre bottles take a different neck.
What is the Dispenser Cap made of?
Food grade silicone, and it is BPA free. So is the bottle it fits, which is BPA free PET.
