Heres a basic write up:
Parts:
Kegerator Keg Tap Home Bar Beer Cooler Taps Kit STCK-5T - eBay (item 360102889902 end time Nov-06-08 07:32:06 PST)
2" Hole Saw WITH pilot bit
Drill
Corn Starch
Rubbing Alcohol
3" machine screws (get screws that will fit through the holes in your tower)
Nuts (Haha)
Washers
Fridge
Keg
Some kind of cutter or grinder
Beer to consume while building the kit
Procedure
1. Acquire fridge and kit. I used an Oster 4.5 CU fridge. The kit I used was . This kit comes with everything you'll need, including a CO2 tank.
2. Like some of you, your mini fridge will have a freezer in the top. Mine did, and there was not enough room for the keg and tap with the freezer where it was located. This was a very easy mod. First, clear out the fridge, and unscrew the thermostat to alleviate any tension in the temperature sensor. Once this was done, I made small bends in the cooling line leaving the freezer until it was flat against the back wall. Once done, reposition the thermostat.
3. Now that the freezer is out of the way, test for cooling lines. To do this, you must make a mixture of corn starch and rubbing alcohol. From what I have researched, you take an even mixture of rubbing alcohol to corn starch (IE .5 cups alcohol, .5 cups starch), and lather it on the top of the fridge. I'm guessing the idea behind this concept is that the heat of the lines will cause the alcohol to evaporate quicker in some areas than others. The dried corn starch will show you where the lines are before you drill.
4. Once it is determined that no lines are in the way of the drilling location, drill a pilot hole. I was pretty scared while doing this, as I did not want to ruin the fridge. Just go slowly, I'm sure that if anything is in the way, you will feel it. After the pilot hole is drilled, grab your hole saw bit, and drill away. (Make sure your hole saw fits in your drill if you have a 3/8ths! Woops
)
5. Before screwing down the tower, we must install the circulation box. This is a really easy mod, it just takes a 12V DC adapter and a 12V computer fan. They can be picked up at radio shack. I took a Tupperware container and bolted the fan to the lid. Then put a hole in the side for the cooling tube. I used a clear tube that you can get at any home depot. I didn't bother sealing the tube, as it the tower is freezing cold as it is. Tape (or zip tie in my case) the box and tube to the fridge, and run it up into the tower. This will keep your faucet cold so the first beer is not wasted.
6. Install the tower. Most people on this board have shown plywood underneath the top of the fridge. I found this is unnecessary. Simply slide very large fender washers on the machine screws before the nuts, and tighten. The insulation does not crush much, and the tower is very sturdy.
7. Ruin the door. On my fridge, and I'm sure many others, there are shelving/can holders on the door. Mine, unlike others, did not have screws to remove this plastic lining. I simply took an angle grinder with cutoff wheel, and dug in. Came out nicely. The keg will now fit.
8. Connect all the plumbing. Pretty self explanatory, parts only go where they belong. Don't forget gaskets where needed!! Also, make sure your faucet is OFF before you tap the keg!! We forgot
9. Fortunately, I did not have to drill an additional hole for the CO2 line. I don't know what I would have done in that case. I haven't seen many detailed builds of that, and frankly I didn't research it.
10. Turn on CO2, and enjoy ice cold beer on tap.
to that!
