I'm building a home seltzer system with a motorized carbonator in my garage, "remote" from the dispensing location. The room-temp carbed water will run through about 60 feet of crawlspace into a refrigerated 3-gallon corny keg. The dispensing location in my kitchen has very limited cabinet space for refrigeration -- and most of it more fitting for putting the keg horizontally, rather than vertically. So, I'm thinking of deconstructing a mini-fridge or freezer and building the guts into a custom box for the corny. At just 17" long and 9" in diameter, I feel like I can build something pretty small -- with external dimensions of maybe 21" x 11" x 11". It would basically be a "coffin" for the keg, with very little extra space. Because this is a "sealed system," I don't need an easy door. One of the sides can just attach/detach with screws for the few times I'll need internal access.
I've seen threads where people have repurposed fridge guts:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/barmoire-build-my-lil-piece-heaven-215685/
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/fermentation-chamber-w-refrigeration-35125/
It looks like a lot of work, but probably the best solution.
Does anyone have another idea for creating the smallest possible refrigeration footprint to accomplish what I want? Could I build the fridge parts into a cooler? Or is that a bad idea for a permanent solution?
Are there any pre-made boxes I might be able to use to limit the amount of work? Creative suggestions definitely welcomed!
I've seen threads where people have repurposed fridge guts:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/barmoire-build-my-lil-piece-heaven-215685/
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/fermentation-chamber-w-refrigeration-35125/
It looks like a lot of work, but probably the best solution.
Does anyone have another idea for creating the smallest possible refrigeration footprint to accomplish what I want? Could I build the fridge parts into a cooler? Or is that a bad idea for a permanent solution?
Are there any pre-made boxes I might be able to use to limit the amount of work? Creative suggestions definitely welcomed!
