Looking for advice on building my kegerator

Hey all. I just picked up a wine fridge from craigslist this weekend, and I am going to be converting it to a kegerator. My latest batch will be ready to keg this coming weekend, so I'm hoping to get it done soon. Here's my setup: I've got the fridge in a closet which is right next to my bar. My thought is that I'll run the beer line from the fridge, through the wall and out under the bar top. Right now I've got the picnic tap, but at some point in the future I want to invest in a tower. It looks like I'll be able to fit two kegs in this thing, so I also need to think about running a second line. Obviously since I've never done this before, I have a couple questions.

- The picnic tap that came with my kit has a connector that goes right onto the keg, but as I said I won't be using this forever. What sort of line/connectors should I run out of the fridge so that I don't have to worry about pulling things out later?

- Should I keep my CO2 tank in the fridge with the kegs? Or should I run another line into the fridge and keep the tank next to it?

- Can I run two kegs from one tank? And if so, is there a way to set up the lines to run the one keg I have now, with the option of adding a second one at a later point?

- Drilling... I figure I'll run the lines out of the top of the fridge. Is there anything I need to watch out for? And what's the best way to seal up the hole after I've run the line out?

That's all I can think of right now. I appreciate any advice you guys have to offer.

- The picnic tap that came with my kit has a connector that goes right onto the keg, but as I said I won't be using this forever. What sort of line/connectors should I run out of the fridge so that I don't have to worry about pulling things out later?

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Im not sure what this looks like but I am assuming there has to be a way to hook it up to some tubing. Howerver if there isn't you could ways buy another picnic tap since they are cheap and a quick disconnect with some tubing.

- Should I keep my CO2 tank in the fridge with the kegs? Or should I run another line into the fridge and keep the tank next to it?

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From what I have read it seems like it doesn't really matter. If you do keep it in the fridge you gauge that shows you how much gas is in there my not be accurate since the gas will be cold and the pressure will lessen a bit.

- Can I run two kegs from one tank? And if so, is there a way to set up the lines to run the one keg I have now, with the option of adding a second one at a later point?

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You can run as many kegs are you want as long as there is enough gas. However if you want these kegs to be a different pressures then you will need more than one regulator. In my mind the ideal setup would be two regulators; 1 would force carb beers at a high perssure, the second would go to a gas distributor to as many kegs as I wanted.

- Drilling... I figure I'll run the lines out of the top of the fridge. Is there anything I need to watch out for? And what's the best way to seal up the hole after I've run the line out?

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Depending on the fridge you may hit some coolent lines. I would look around the forum or other places to see if anyone else has done what you are thinking of doing with that model. That way you can learn from their mistakes.

My two cents:

* Local hardware store or HD/Lowes will have beverage tubing. You may have to look in the appliance repair section. It's the same hose they use for ice makers, etc. Get either the braided reinforced or the standard clear tubing. This is great stuff to use. Get barb connectors (and hose clamps) for whatever size tubing and threading you need to interface with your keg. Cornys usually have either 1/4" barb fittings (use 1/4" tubing) or 1/4" flare fittings, which you'll need a female end that attaches to the hose.

* CO2 tank in the fridge works fine. You will not really lose any gas doing it this way since you were going to cool the gas anyhow by placing it in the kegs, weren't you? To use one bottle for multiple kegs, just get yourself a tee or wye fitting and split the lines. It is recommended, however, that you use check and/or cutoff valves to prevent backflow.

* When you punch through the sides of your fridge, try to make sure you don't hit a coolant line. Ideally, drill in an area that won't contain lines like the door. Seal the hole with a rubber electrical stuffing box, a drilled rubber bung or any other method. Doesn't really matter.


You'll want to insulate the line from the fridge to the tap and, ideally, cool it as well.

Double check to make sure you do not hit a refrigerant line when you drill into the fridge. The fridge is toast if you do.

Well, I kinda fell off the face of the earth there.

But you'll all be happy to know that the kegerator is up and running wonderfully. It's got just enough room for two kegs and and my CO2 tank, and I've got the beer line running right through the wall into the bar. I'll post some pics soon.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll be looking to add another regulator and a 2nd tap as soon as that tax rebate gets here.

NEED BEER PORN!

Glad to hear you have it up and running- Can't wait to see pics!

All right. The technology Gods have decreed that my camera and computer can work today, so I finally have pics!


Here's my basement closet, with my little wine fridge:



Transparent door (complete with fingerprints), to show the bounty within:



My two babies, with a CO2 tank back there somewhere:



Another view, where you can see my beer line in the left rear. Only one beer line right now, but I'll be adding a second one at some point:



Continued...

And the rest...



Beer line coming out of the top. You'll be happy to know I did not have any trouble with the drilling:



Line going into the wall, all of 2 feet away:



And the final destination! It's not much to look at yet, but I've got some big plans for when I add that second tap. I've got an old piece of wood from an award plaque that would look great with two taps sticking out of it.



So there you have it, my amazing kegerator!

...Not sure how I'd feel about that electrical outlet being so close....:/

Don't worry, it's a GFI. And my electrical skills are second to none.

Are you doing anything to insulate the beer line that's exposed from the fridge to the tap? All that line exposed, plus any heat coming from the back of that fridge will make for a lot of foam unless you're working the tap non-stop.

Not trying to be critical, just trying to help.

golfnmotorcycles said:

Are you doing anything to insulate the beer line that's exposed from the fridge to the tap? All that line exposed, plus any heat coming from the back of that fridge will make for a lot of foam unless you're working the tap non-stop.

Not trying to be critical, just trying to help.

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That's a good point. I was thinking of wrapping it with some insulation. It's a pretty quick trip from the fridge to the tap, so for now, I'm just pouring out a little at the beginning of the night.

Thanks for the pics! Good work! Maybe some PVC and some pipe insulation to help keep it cool? Could also do copper running with it into the fridge to help keep it chilled more; but like you said, a little bad beer isn't bad, just adds up.

!

How cold does that wine fridge get? I have an extra one sitting around but I did not think it would keep the kegs cold enough.

I'd think some of the "Flexible" Copper piping would work just nice arround that beer line and then some Insulation over the top and wrap with Aluminum tape to reflect any heat away.

I had looked into the Wine fridge idea, but didn't find any that were large enough for 2 kegs. Looks like I didn't look hard enough. I like the idea of the glass front, but assume it uses more power to keep cold than an insulated door would.
How cold do you have it set at?

I think with a glass door - you need to polish those cornies to a high lustre and add some LED mood lighting...... Otherwise, it looks good.

samc said:

How cold does that wine fridge get? I have an extra one sitting around but I did not think it would keep the kegs cold enough.

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When I crank it up to the max, it gets down to about 30. So I keep it a little warmer than that.

What's the model number on your Sunbeam wine cooler?


I want to make a keggerator with a glass door that can fit two cornies and I'm having a hard time finding the right size.