Home Brew Forums > Home Brewing Beer > Bottling/Kegging > Keggerator Questions




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-16-2010, 06:20 PM   #1
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2
Default Keggerator Questions

I was thinking of making a keggerator our of an 18 cu ft kenmore fridge but someone told me to be careful when drilling holes because some old fridges have dangerous stuff in the wall/doors. i don't know if this guys knows what he talking about or not. is this true????


QuadFreak400ex is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 02-16-2010, 06:27 PM   #2
Four Beasts Brewery
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
Brooklyn-Brewtality's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Brooklyn
Posts: 2,263
Liked 15 Times on 14 Posts
Likes Given: 1

Default

yes, it is true. you do not want to just drill into the walls of a fridge or freezer as the lines run through them. It is common to go through the door of a stand up fridge, or the top of a chest freezer, as lines do not run in them.


__________________
Kegged: Citra IPA
Bottled:*empty*
Fermenting: Dusseldorf Alt
Planned: Black IPA, Munich Helles, Belgian Golden Strong, IIPA, Serrano/Habanero Cream Ale...
Brooklyn-Brewtality is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 02-16-2010, 07:05 PM   #3
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,511
Liked 24 Times on 24 Posts
Likes Given: 3

Default

If your fridge has coolant coils out back, it probably doesn't also have them in the walls.

He may be talking about nasty insulating material, (asbestos?).

If your fridge doesn't have coolant coils out back, (mine doesn't), paint the side of the fridge with cornstarch/vodka mix and turn the fridge on. Watch for where it evaporates first; that's where the coils are. Don't drill there.

I couldn't find the coils with the cornstarch trick, so I just prayed and drilled a very small pilot hole. Then, from the inside, I cut away the plastic and insulation slowly, and felt all around for any coolant lines. Finding none, I drilled a larger hole through from the outside.
__________________
Itchy Dog Brewery.

(As of 10-24-2011)
Primary - Steppe 112 PA, 2x Monday RyePA
Aging - None :-(
On tap - Big Dog, Apfelwein, Steppe 112 PA

My invisible AG sculpture, with no actual sculpture and a tiny footprint.
My Kegerator goes offroading!
My Coors Home Draft dispenser for boating/beering on the go.
shortyjacobs is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 02-16-2010, 07:15 PM   #4
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 47
Default

In short, yes your buddy is correct. Drill though door and you eliminate the problem with cooling lines.
Bricetrine is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 02-16-2010, 10:14 PM   #5
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Kansas
Posts: 2
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shortyjacobs View Post
If your fridge has coolant coils out back, it probably doesn't also have them in the walls.

He may be talking about nasty insulating material, (asbestos?).

If your fridge doesn't have coolant coils out back, (mine doesn't), paint the side of the fridge with cornstarch/vodka mix and turn the fridge on. Watch for where it evaporates first; that's where the coils are. Don't drill there.

I couldn't find the coils with the cornstarch trick, so I just prayed and drilled a very small pilot hole. Then, from the inside, I cut away the plastic and insulation slowly, and felt all around for any coolant lines. Finding none, I drilled a larger hole through from the outside.
when did they stop putting asbestos in the doors and if i have a fridge with asbestos in it should i still use it, what precautions should i take when drilling etc.
QuadFreak400ex is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 02-17-2010, 12:26 AM   #6
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 2,511
Liked 24 Times on 24 Posts
Likes Given: 3

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by QuadFreak400ex View Post
when did they stop putting asbestos in the doors and if i have a fridge with asbestos in it should i still use it, what precautions should i take when drilling etc.
Honestly I have no freaking clue if it ever was used, or what was or is used.

I was just guessing that maybe that's what your buddy was talking about....something toxic or noxious used as insulation. I don't know if this was ever the case.

Hell, if you have it, put on a dust mask, drill in. If it's just foam or something, don't stress. If it looks like it will turn you into some kind of mutant, then dab some epoxy over your hole and drill elsewhere...


__________________
Itchy Dog Brewery.

(As of 10-24-2011)
Primary - Steppe 112 PA, 2x Monday RyePA
Aging - None :-(
On tap - Big Dog, Apfelwein, Steppe 112 PA

My invisible AG sculpture, with no actual sculpture and a tiny footprint.
My Kegerator goes offroading!
My Coors Home Draft dispenser for boating/beering on the go.
shortyjacobs is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Reply

Quick Reply
Message:
Options
Thread Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
keggerator JohnnyKim DIY Projects 1 07-28-2009 03:38 PM
Keggerator cwilliams108 DIY Projects 8 06-25-2009 01:35 PM
More Keggerator questions Sherpa FE Bottling/Kegging 10 01-22-2008 02:14 PM
Kegging and Keggerator Questions - First time sleepystevenson Bottling/Kegging 5 10-18-2007 04:46 PM
Possible Keggerator? UNOmar Equipment/Sanitation 0 10-18-2006 12:28 AM



FOLLOW US ON