Is DIY kegerator/keezer more cost effective or just fun?
 

I've been reading about how to build a kegerator or keezer and after bargain searching for the supplies I still find that I'll need around $500 to make the thing.

Alternatively I have found functional kegerator's selling for $500.

The question is: If DIY kegerator/keezer costs about the same as buying one ready to go, then what is the advantage to making your own? Customization? Better craftsmanship? For the fun of it?

Well the fun factor and the fact you can say "I made this" are cool. But, to buy a commercial kegger that would hold five 1/6 kegs (cornie size) would cost way more than 500 bucks. I have a kenmore keggerator and love it. But, it only holds two cornie kegs. I built the keezer because, well....I wanted MORE!! LOL

I was able to get a functional one-tap commercial kegerator, including the CO2 tank and regulator, for $250 on craigslist a while ago, for which I only had to buy the corny ball lock disconnects. I bought it with the idea that I would eventually expand to two taps...

I am now seeking unadorned fridges or chest freezers so that I can expand to four taps via some shanks/extra hardware. It was just where my brewing was going, and I realized that after selling my existing kegerator it would be about the same cost as expanding my current kegerator to two taps.

Basically, the DIY allows for more customization, and it can actually be less expensive, particularly if you can get a good used fridge, of which there are MANY on craigslist. Good luck with your kegging endeavors! It is a wonderful world from which you will not likely return. :mug:

Pretty much. It can be cheaper, but I built my own and spent a ton of cash in the process. But I built it because A) it's different; B) I built it (with ooodles of help from this place), and C) it has nice additional touches that you either can't get in a retail kegerator or you have pay out the nose for anyway (e.g., digital temperature controller, perlicks, etc.). I spent a few days researching things out and to get a bullet-proof kegerator with quality components, I'd be spending close to a $1,000 ... so I spent $600 on building a keezer.

Well worth it.

I learned a lot about kegging by building my keezer. I also learned a lot about creative financing.

The real secret is to stop keeping track of what you spend. Never, ever go back add it all up. Burn the receipts so your wife never sees them. It helps if you can sneak some of your purchases in under the guise of a 'real' home project. That way the cost gets sucked into a new floor or something and it doesn't seem so bad.

Delusion is a good thing!

Here's a picture of mine. According to my calculations it only cost $24 to build:

fun. mine holds 6 kegs, around 400 bucks total.

To keep costs down, buy the most expensive parts used. Look on craigslist: Vintage fridge-free, 20# co2 tank-$20, box of co2 regulators off eBay -$20 The shanks, faucets, beer line and disconnects I bought new. It was about $200 for 3 taps. and the ranco was $40 on amazon. So for under $300 it was up and running and way cooler looking than you could buy in a store.

I built mine because I was able to get what I wanted.

That and it has 6 taps and holds 18 corny's :)

It's all about what you want. A commercial unit maybe just what you need.

to give you an idea for me. i found a chest freezer in my basement so the freezer was free. i found a 4 tap picnic setup for a few hundred. i got 4 faucets and shanks for fairly cheap. ill soon be expanding to 8 taps. for me to get an 8 tap kegerator prebuilt i was looking at over 1500. ill be below 600 by the time im done.

My 2 keg mini fridge cost me about 150 not including Kegs and gauges and tank. Brand new frigidare mini for 125 and 20 for a used brass tower and faucet. Tower is a 3" one tap but I'm going to drill it for a 2nd soon.