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I have started a keezer project after reviewing dozens of them on HBT. I initially got the better half's approval to do a coffin top but quickly decided my woodworking skills and equipment were insufficient. I then reset my goal to build a collared keezer and came up with some specs.
Black Kenmore 8.8 cf chest freezer purchased new and picked up a few days ago - check
If you squint you can see I've added wheels to the bottom of the keezer already. I bought some $6 ones at Lowes all of which swivel and lock. The bottom of the freezer is too flimsey to attach them directly but I found some rounded square pieces of metal in the electrical section and cut holes in them (time suck right there) and then cut three matching holes in the base part of the freezer. I used SS bolts, screws, and lock washers to attach the freezer base to the metal plates and to the wheels. The wheels seem pretty solid so far and are very handy to have when you need to move the keezer.
Dual hinged collar - I bought an extra set of OEM hinges for the freezer from searspartsdirect and will make the collar dual hinged. I'm going to match the collar color to the paint on a kitchen island (see below) which my wife recently redid. The keezer will be in the next room and I think it will provide some nice color continuity plus the island looks great on its own.
Four Perlick Perl 575SS creamer faucets - check. These got such good reviews I decided to fork over the extra bucks to get them instead of the 525SS ones I'd planned on. The 575's are gorgeous I have to say. I also bought some chrome tap handles as they looked cool in the ad I saw on amazon and I couldn't remember seeing anyone else using them. They are also awesome and quite heavy so I think they'll look great and stand out well against the dark keezer collar background.
Johnson controls analog temperature controller - check. I've purchased a new digital A19 model but since it hasn't arrived yet I'm starting off old school with what I already owned.
I bunch of other stuff I didn't have already (e.g., 4 valve CO2 manifold, tubing, connectors, shanks, etc.) I bought from Northern Brewer as they sagely put together a keezer build video which shows exactly which of their part numbers are required. It may not have been the cheapest route but it was hella easy to complete the order and it got here in only 3 days.
I already had a 5 lb CO2 tank and regulator and six pin lock kegs. Other stuff I've bought but haven't received include a 120 MM green LED computer fan to recirculate air in the keezer and provide a bit of light inside. Today I bought the collar wood. I'm using 1 x 8 nice quality pine from HD and adding two layers of 3/4" R-4 Dow insulation sheeting then covering that with aluminum flashing and aluminum tape to make it look nice. I also bought some weather stripping to attach to the bottom of the collar where it rests on the keezer. There may be a few odds and ends left to buy but that's the vast majority of what I need. Now I just need to get it all put together.
Black Kenmore 8.8 cf chest freezer purchased new and picked up a few days ago - check
If you squint you can see I've added wheels to the bottom of the keezer already. I bought some $6 ones at Lowes all of which swivel and lock. The bottom of the freezer is too flimsey to attach them directly but I found some rounded square pieces of metal in the electrical section and cut holes in them (time suck right there) and then cut three matching holes in the base part of the freezer. I used SS bolts, screws, and lock washers to attach the freezer base to the metal plates and to the wheels. The wheels seem pretty solid so far and are very handy to have when you need to move the keezer.
Dual hinged collar - I bought an extra set of OEM hinges for the freezer from searspartsdirect and will make the collar dual hinged. I'm going to match the collar color to the paint on a kitchen island (see below) which my wife recently redid. The keezer will be in the next room and I think it will provide some nice color continuity plus the island looks great on its own.
Four Perlick Perl 575SS creamer faucets - check. These got such good reviews I decided to fork over the extra bucks to get them instead of the 525SS ones I'd planned on. The 575's are gorgeous I have to say. I also bought some chrome tap handles as they looked cool in the ad I saw on amazon and I couldn't remember seeing anyone else using them. They are also awesome and quite heavy so I think they'll look great and stand out well against the dark keezer collar background.
Johnson controls analog temperature controller - check. I've purchased a new digital A19 model but since it hasn't arrived yet I'm starting off old school with what I already owned.
I bunch of other stuff I didn't have already (e.g., 4 valve CO2 manifold, tubing, connectors, shanks, etc.) I bought from Northern Brewer as they sagely put together a keezer build video which shows exactly which of their part numbers are required. It may not have been the cheapest route but it was hella easy to complete the order and it got here in only 3 days.
I already had a 5 lb CO2 tank and regulator and six pin lock kegs. Other stuff I've bought but haven't received include a 120 MM green LED computer fan to recirculate air in the keezer and provide a bit of light inside. Today I bought the collar wood. I'm using 1 x 8 nice quality pine from HD and adding two layers of 3/4" R-4 Dow insulation sheeting then covering that with aluminum flashing and aluminum tape to make it look nice. I also bought some weather stripping to attach to the bottom of the collar where it rests on the keezer. There may be a few odds and ends left to buy but that's the vast majority of what I need. Now I just need to get it all put together.
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