Building a new kegerator

While browsing through best buy, SWMBO asked if a certain mini fridge would work for a kegerator. She happened to be pointing to a Sanyo 4912 and I told her that is would be a perfect kegerator and it was an open box for $129.99. I also had a $5 reward zone certificate, so after a little debating, we walked out the door with a new fridge. I'll be using my old kegerator to ferment lagers (I thought I'd have to wait until Jan/Feb when the temp dropped, but now I can start right away). But I've been looking for the cheapest way to convert this to a kegerator. I'm debating between these two towers. They're about the same price, I think the only difference is that one has a stainless steel tower and the other is polished chrome. Which is better or is it just personal preference?

http://www.micromatic.com/draft-keg-beer/towers-pid-D4743DT.html
http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/towers/doublefaucet/D4743DT___6844.shtml

I'd also like to add a recessed drip tray, but those don't look to be cheap at all. Anyone have any suggestions on a cheap DIY drip tray? I'd searched the boards and only found "the fellas" and "the chief" which I don't think would please the wife too much.

do a google search for "stainless steel sponge tray" that's what i use and it's perfect, and it cost like 8 bux i think.


it's this right here.

That's the exact tray that I use...does the job for a 2 faucet tower.

Uncle Argyle said:

That's the exact tray that I use...does the job for a 2 faucet tower.

Click to expand...

yep. works for my three faucet fine as well. and it compliments the chrome nicely.

Do most people have a preference for either stainless steel or chrome for their tower? Does the chrome chip or peel over time?

Take a look at this site. I was gonna get mine here but decided to build mine instead.

http://www.qualityequipmentcompany.com/products.asp?pType=Towers

I put this drip tray on my converted Sanyo http://www.barsupplies.com/stainless-steel-drip-tray-p-349.html it fits perfect on top,, a little over kill at 21" but for $14.95 its a steal.

the_Roqk said:

Take a look at this site. I was gonna get mine here but decided to build mine instead.

http://www.qualityequipmentcompany.com/products.asp?pType=Towers

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! The one is $20 cheaper after shipping compared to the others I linked in the first post. I'm going to pull the trigger on this one.
Edit: And I found the same seller was listing the same tower on ebay for $5 cheaper, so I bought it through ebay.

Anyone used a shaker mat for a drip tray? They're really cheap and they seem like they'd look pretty nice on top of a kegerator (and you can get multiple colors).
http://www.barsupplies.com/shaker-mats-p-1406.html