Background: I'm planning on a pub room build, which gives me no reason not to move to kegging. I plan on a 4 tap system to store underneath the bar/counter, running the lines up through the bar and into a homemade Irish Coffin Box. Originally I was just going to go with a keezer build since it could easily hold all kegs, CO2 tanks, and still have room for an extra keg for lagering/carbonating. After posting the idea and reading some more, the inconvenience of the top loading freezer under a bar seemed to outweigh the perks of having everything in one place. So I'm now leaning towards using two mini fridges, which would allow me access to the kegs without having to pull them out from underneath the bar.
Question: What mini-fridge recommendations do y'all have based on personal experience? From what I can tell the Sanyo 4912M is one of the most popular, and I also noticed some posts on the Frigidaire FRC445GB. Online reviews have been "average", usually with a few awful reviews and a few good reviews. So I'm seeking out advice from anyone that's used there's for a kegerator, to see what problems y'all might have run into. If you could add to your posts how long you've had it, purchased new or used, and whatever else might be helpful in making a decision. If you have another fridge that you think is just as good, by all means throw it out there.
And while I'm always checking CL for used ones, here is what I've found for each new:
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"I've had a pint of bitter and now I'm feeling better, and I'm out on the tiles. We're going down the rubbers and we're going to pull some scrubbers because we're out on the tiles."
I got a scratch and dent Haier Kegerator for not a whole lot more than those new prices for the mini fridges on Ebay. Just search Haier kegerator. The seller is in North Western WA and I am not affiliated. He basically has a deal with Haier that he gets the units that have taken shipping damage to sell wholesale. The unit I got has one dent the size of maybe a quarter in the side, but is otherwise fine.
The advantage of the Haier kegerator is it fits 3 cornies plus a 5lb co2 bottle.
__________________ Primary: German Hef, Belgian IPA, Scottish 80, Belgian Dubbel On Tap: Oatmeal Stout, Vanilla Oatmeal Stout, Belgian Dark Strong, Munich Dunkel, Dunkel Weizen, Oktoberfest, Bock, IPA, Black IPA, English IPA, Pale Ale
Using the mind to look for reality is delusion. Using your senses to look for reality is awareness.
"One time I was so desperate for a beer I snuck into the football stadium and ate the dirt under the bleachers." Homer Simpson
The 4912 supposedly has been discontinued, but Fry's still shows as carrying it and I know how popular it is/was for kegerator conversions so I thought I'd post it. I've actually found 2 on CL that I might be able to pick up, I'm just always worried I'll buy it used and it will crap out after a few months or something. But I guess I'm just a frugal worrier like that.
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"I've had a pint of bitter and now I'm feeling better, and I'm out on the tiles. We're going down the rubbers and we're going to pull some scrubbers because we're out on the tiles."
I just picked up a Sanyo 4912 from my local Fry's last week. It was the last one they had in stock though. In the store it was priced at about $250, but if you order online for store pick up it was $189.99.
what model number is the haier? if my sanyo sh4ts the bed, i will pick one of those up!
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~"A fine beer may be judged with only one sip, but it's better to be thoroughly sure.”
On Deck: Spruce APA, Chambord Fortified Chocolate Porter, Imperial IPA
Primary:
Primary:
Secondary: Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Conical:
Lagering: None
Kegged/Drinking: Cascade, Cent., Amarillo Pale Ale
Kegged/Drinking: Belgian Pale Ale (HG yeast for yeast cropping see above)
Bottled: ESB
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"I've had a pint of bitter and now I'm feeling better, and I'm out on the tiles. We're going down the rubbers and we're going to pull some scrubbers because we're out on the tiles."
Mini-Fridge Kegerator: Sanyo, Frigidaire...?
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