How to build a cheap kegerator - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

qweds · 10-31-2004, 10:22 AM

Hi,

I've looked around the internet adn found one's that have you put the whole keg in a full size fridge. I was just wondering if anyone knows how use a compact style fridge to cool the beer. I had first thought maybe by running some tubbing through the fridge or something but figured that would steal too much pressure.

Any ideas would be great

Thanks

Tim

kebo · 11-07-2004, 06:56 AM

Running hose through the fridge would work, and you probably woundn't loose too much presure, but you also wouldn't get that many cold beers in a row. I've given this some thought in the past, and came to the conculsion that to do it right, the system would need to pass enough "cold" into the beer at a rate such that when it the tap is open, a single drop of warm beer entering the system would be cold when it leaves the system. It become a mass/heat transport prblem for the mech. engineer. In the end, I determined it was easier to use an old refer., and mount the tap on the side. You can easily fit 3-4 corni keys in there and party for a long time!
kevin

kazoo · 11-08-2004, 10:57 PM

For the love of all that's holy, LOOSE is the opposite of tight. LOSE is the opposite of find. Reading this every day just makes me crazy!

BoltedDown · 11-09-2004, 06:25 AM

I built a Kegerator that holds two pony kegs. It was made out of a large plastic barrel with a screw-on lid. On the front you find two spouts. A CO2 tank sits behind the unit. I'll go take some pics and post them.

kebo · 11-09-2004, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazoo

For the love of all that's holy, LOOSE is the opposite of tight. LOSE is the opposite of find. Reading this every day just makes me crazy!

As Dr. McCoy would say

Quote:

Damit Kazoo, I'm an engineer not an english teacher!

ergdork · 11-11-2004, 11:41 AM

A bunch of my buddies and I built a full bar, but part of it was getting a good (full keg) kegerator. We couldn't find an actual fridge that would fit below the bar, so we bought a top-open freezer and put on our own thermostat. Was much cheaper, thought we did buy a new freezer and a $150 kegerator kit. It also tends to be too cold (thermostat problems). But damn its nice to have beer on tap!

kebo · 11-12-2004, 08:27 AM

Quote:

But damn its nice to have beer on tap!

kevin

McG · 11-12-2004, 08:17 PM

Just going through this process now. Bought my mini fridge and my Cornelius Keg is on its way. After that comes the C02 and the tower... oooh i'm excited.

gar1976 · 11-14-2004, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ergdork

A bunch of my buddies and I built a full bar, but part of it was getting a good (full keg) kegerator. We couldn't find an actual fridge that would fit below the bar, so we bought a top-open freezer and put on our own thermostat. Was much cheaper, thought we did buy a new freezer and a $150 kegerator kit. It also tends to be too cold (thermostat problems). But damn its nice to have beer on tap!

What you need is to have an independent thermostat that controls the power to the entire unit, not just the internal temperature. Sounds like that is how you have it hooked up, but doesn't seem to be working right. Maybe some pics?

ergdork · 11-14-2004, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gar1976

What you need is to have an independent thermostat that controls the power to the entire unit, not just the internal temperature. Sounds like that is how you have it hooked up, but doesn't seem to be working right. Maybe some pics?

Thats pretty much what we are doing, though I didn't actually set it up. I did more of the construction and a roommate is handling the thermostat.

monkeysugar · 11-14-2004, 03:17 PM

http://www.doesyourroomsuck.com/ has free plans to do lots of stuff, including kegerators.

BigTruck1956 · 11-29-2004, 11:46 PM

just put it in a full size fridge. Some of my buddies built one and the keep the glasses in the freezer. Cold beer out of an ice cold mug is a beautiful thing

edmos1 · 12-06-2004, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigTruck1956

just put it in a full size fridge. Some of my buddies built one and the keep the glasses in the freezer. Cold beer out of an ice cold mug is a beautiful thing

That is what I have, old refridgerator from goodwill (someone dontated for a tax write off)

MR_WALLACE · 12-11-2004, 11:58 AM

OK all your problems are solved. At least if you live in ..........Belgium !!!

http://www.perfectdraft.com/

I don't have one yet but I bet santa knows that I've been a good boy this year.

Scholl !!!!

rowka · 12-12-2004, 10:29 AM

Years ago in college I built a 2-keg kegerator from an old chest freezer (super cheap Goodwill find).

Modified the thermostat to give me cold beer instead of frozen beer.
"Borrowed" a CO2 tank and regulator from the campus cafeteria.
Took a used hand-pump tap (free) and machined a mounting block to accept the CO2 line in and the tap line out.
Used one of those cheap yellow coiled air-hose for the wet-line and an air nozzle for a faucet.

The whole thing cost about $50 and two weekends of assembly.

10-31-2004, 10:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
qweds has been Location: Chicago	How to build a cheap kegerator Hi, I've looked around the internet adn found one's that have you put the whole keg in a full size fridge. I was just wondering if anyone knows how use a compact style fridge to cool the beer. I had first thought maybe by running some tubbing through the fridge or something but figured that would steal too much pressure. Any ideas would be great Thanks Tim

11-08-2004, 10:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
kazoo Psycho Location: Where the night things are	For the love of all that's holy, LOOSE is the opposite of tight. LOSE is the opposite of find. Reading this every day just makes me crazy! __________________ There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy

11-11-2004, 11:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
ergdork Tilted	My own kegerator story A bunch of my buddies and I built a full bar, but part of it was getting a good (full keg) kegerator. We couldn't find an actual fridge that would fit below the bar, so we bought a top-open freezer and put on our own thermostat. Was much cheaper, thought we did buy a new freezer and a $150 kegerator kit. It also tends to be too cold (thermostat problems). But damn its nice to have beer on tap!

11-14-2004, 03:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
monkeysugar I'll be on the veranda, since you're on the cross. Location: Rand McNally's friendliest small town in America. They must have strayed from the dodgy parts...	http://www.doesyourroomsuck.com/ has free plans to do lots of stuff, including kegerators. __________________ I've got the love of my life and a job that I enjoy most of the time. Life is good.

11-29-2004, 11:46 PM	#12 (permalink)
BigTruck1956 Psycho Location: norcal	just put it in a full size fridge. Some of my buddies built one and the keep the glasses in the freezer. Cold beer out of an ice cold mug is a beautiful thing __________________ so much to do, so little time.....at least i aint bored.

11-07-2004, 06:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
kebo Tilted Location: reno,nv	Running hose through the fridge would work, and you probably woundn't loose too much presure, but you also wouldn't get that many cold beers in a row. I've given this some thought in the past, and came to the conculsion that to do it right, the system would need to pass enough "cold" into the beer at a rate such that when it the tap is open, a single drop of warm beer entering the system would be cold when it leaves the system. It become a mass/heat transport prblem for the mech. engineer. In the end, I determined it was easier to use an old refer., and mount the tap on the side. You can easily fit 3-4 corni keys in there and party for a long time! kevin

11-09-2004, 06:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
BoltedDown Crazy	I built a Kegerator that holds two pony kegs. It was made out of a large plastic barrel with a screw-on lid. On the front you find two spouts. A CO2 tank sits behind the unit. I'll go take some pics and post them.

11-12-2004, 08:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
McG Crazy	Just going through this process now. Bought my mini fridge and my Cornelius Keg is on its way. After that comes the C02 and the tower... oooh i'm excited.

12-11-2004, 11:58 AM	#14 (permalink)
MR_WALLACE Tilted	OK all your problems are solved. At least if you live in ..........Belgium !!! http://www.perfectdraft.com/ I don't have one yet but I bet santa knows that I've been a good boy this year. Scholl !!!!

12-12-2004, 10:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
rowka Upright	Years ago in college I built a 2-keg kegerator from an old chest freezer (super cheap Goodwill find). Modified the thermostat to give me cold beer instead of frozen beer. "Borrowed" a CO2 tank and regulator from the campus cafeteria. Took a used hand-pump tap (free) and machined a mounting block to accept the CO2 line in and the tap line out. Used one of those cheap yellow coiled air-hose for the wet-line and an air nozzle for a faucet. The whole thing cost about $50 and two weekends of assembly.