kegerator - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

radioguy · 08-01-2008, 12:08 PM

does anybody have one and if so what kind? did you have to do any modifications to it or is it straight from the box? i'm getting one soon, as a wedding gift, and i want to know what kind to get! thanks!

JStrider · 08-01-2008, 01:50 PM

in college a buddy of mine bought a regular refrigerator Built a custom wooden rack and did all the CO2 equipment, Drilled the door and put the spigots in it.

Turned out really nice

I think he was able to fit in 2 regular kegs and a pony keg.

but I dont know anything about the purchased ones... just have seen an awesome DIY one...

snowy · 08-01-2008, 02:07 PM

All the kegerators I've seen (and I owned one for a while) were DIY jobs like JStrider mentioned. They work really well! The main problem with the commercially available kegerators is that oftentimes they won't fit a full-size keg; they'll only fit a pony keg. So be sure that the one you're getting will fit the keg size you want.

radioguy · 08-01-2008, 08:30 PM

thanks ya'll...i'm kinda wanting to avoid having to "build' one. i'm not handy at all and i really don't want to mess with it! call me lazy!!!!! but thanks anyways!

Psycho Dad · 08-02-2008, 05:14 AM

I have a Danby and I modified mine to make it more suitable for my needs. Here is a link that should help with modifications should you go this way: Danby Kegerator Improvements - Keg Beer Dispensing Discussion Forum - Kegerator

Lower priced kegerators do not have cooled towers. Tower cooling is nice, but IMHO not neccesary. A warm tower will usually only cause a bit of foam on the first draw of the day. Higher end units like Bev Air and True have cooled towers, but I got my Danby to pour good beer for a fraction of what one of those cost.

The Danby does fit a full size keg (half barrel) just fine and has a stand to set a pony (quarter barrel) on if needed. The co2 bottle also mounts outside the kegerator which I like as it gives more room inside.

Were I looking for a kegerator today, I would buy an upright freezer and a conversion kit and do it my damn self.

ratbastid · 08-02-2008, 05:37 AM

My buddy the home brewer built a kegerator with two taps out of a chest cooler. He bought a new regulator for the temperature, and he can hit any temp between room and zero kelvin with that thing, which is good because some beers (lagers, specifically) require specific temperatures to ferment at.

Today he's throwing his annual Tiki Party, which is the big social event my circle of friends' calendar year. He's got about 20 gallons of beer ready to go on tap, plus a couple other homebrewers are bringing stuff. There'll be a live band this year--a bunch of college kids who he met who just want to come play.

snowy · 08-02-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

My buddy the home brewer built a kegerator with two taps out of a chest cooler. He bought a new regulator for the temperature, and he can hit any temp between room and zero kelvin with that thing, which is good because some beers (lagers, specifically) require specific temperatures to ferment at.

Today he's throwing his annual Tiki Party, which is the big social event my circle of friends' calendar year. He's got about 20 gallons of beer ready to go on tap, plus a couple other homebrewers are bringing stuff. There'll be a live band this year--a bunch of college kids who he met who just want to come play.

That sounds like a good time!

radioguy · 08-02-2008, 11:52 AM

yes, it does sound like a great time! another question, if i build one, or purchase one already built in a fridge, will it be able to stay in the garage? i don't have room in the house, but i do for a smaller dorm type one. thanks

Psycho Dad · 08-02-2008, 01:27 PM

If your garage is suitable for a deep freeze or fridge, a kegerator will live there just as well. And if you build one from a freezer, I'd think it even more likely that the Texas heat won't bother it any. The cheaper kegerators however would likely struggle on warmer days.

08-01-2008, 12:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	kegerator does anybody have one and if so what kind? did you have to do any modifications to it or is it straight from the box? i'm getting one soon, as a wedding gift, and i want to know what kind to get! thanks!

08-01-2008, 01:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	in college a buddy of mine bought a regular refrigerator Built a custom wooden rack and did all the CO2 equipment, Drilled the door and put the spigots in it. Turned out really nice I think he was able to fit in 2 regular kegs and a pony keg. but I dont know anything about the purchased ones... just have seen an awesome DIY one... __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

08-01-2008, 02:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	All the kegerators I've seen (and I owned one for a while) were DIY jobs like JStrider mentioned. They work really well! The main problem with the commercially available kegerators is that oftentimes they won't fit a full-size keg; they'll only fit a pony keg. So be sure that the one you're getting will fit the keg size you want. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

08-02-2008, 05:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	I have a Danby and I modified mine to make it more suitable for my needs. Here is a link that should help with modifications should you go this way: Danby Kegerator Improvements - Keg Beer Dispensing Discussion Forum - Kegerator Lower priced kegerators do not have cooled towers. Tower cooling is nice, but IMHO not neccesary. A warm tower will usually only cause a bit of foam on the first draw of the day. Higher end units like Bev Air and True have cooled towers, but I got my Danby to pour good beer for a fraction of what one of those cost. The Danby does fit a full size keg (half barrel) just fine and has a stand to set a pony (quarter barrel) on if needed. The co2 bottle also mounts outside the kegerator which I like as it gives more room inside. Were I looking for a kegerator today, I would buy an upright freezer and a conversion kit and do it my damn self. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

08-02-2008, 01:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
Psycho Dad Mulletproof Location: Some nucking fut house.	If your garage is suitable for a deep freeze or fridge, a kegerator will live there just as well. And if you build one from a freezer, I'd think it even more likely that the Texas heat won't bother it any. The cheaper kegerators however would likely struggle on warmer days. __________________ Don't always trust the opinions of experts.

08-01-2008, 08:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	thanks ya'll...i'm kinda wanting to avoid having to "build' one. i'm not handy at all and i really don't want to mess with it! call me lazy!!!!! but thanks anyways!

08-02-2008, 05:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	My buddy the home brewer built a kegerator with two taps out of a chest cooler. He bought a new regulator for the temperature, and he can hit any temp between room and zero kelvin with that thing, which is good because some beers (lagers, specifically) require specific temperatures to ferment at. Today he's throwing his annual Tiki Party, which is the big social event my circle of friends' calendar year. He's got about 20 gallons of beer ready to go on tap, plus a couple other homebrewers are bringing stuff. There'll be a live band this year--a bunch of college kids who he met who just want to come play.

08-02-2008, 11:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
radioguy Registered User Location: Texas	yes, it does sound like a great time! another question, if i build one, or purchase one already built in a fridge, will it be able to stay in the garage? i don't have room in the house, but i do for a smaller dorm type one. thanks