Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs

Changeduser123 · Apr 20, 2011

mhochman said:
Have to think about this. I'll probably do a taller collar and keep the original lid. That puts the thickness closer to two inches to be sure it's sturdy. Do I still need to insulate at that thickness? Of course, if I do insulate I could cut bigger holes in the insulation at the faucet locations and stick with a smaller shank. How much of the shank needs to stick out the front to accommodate the faucet?

The reasons why I kept 1x8 instead of 2x8 are:
* I used pine which is sturdy enough.
* the 2x8 selection at the local home depot was not really good looking. It was construction wood. It would have required a lot of sanding, and I do not have any power tools other than a drill.
* I wanted the collar to be light enough to be supported by the original hinges of the freezer. After trying, it hold fine, but I am not sure using 2x10 in your case will be light enough. It was important for me to be able to put a keg inside the freezer without having to carry it over the collar, so double hinges was a requirement.

I am pretty sure that if I had used 1x10 pine it would be sturdy enough. I used metal hardware (in a L shape) plus glue to attach the different pieces, and it feels strong. You noticed the front piece is a door, so it would be even stronger if it was part of the collar.

For the insulation, I am sure you could get away without it, but your freezer might not like it on the long run. It is cheap to add, and it keeps air AND moisture out.

For the shank size, I am not sure were the 5 1/8 is measured. But I am sure you can ask whatever homebrew store you will get your parts from to help you decide on the size that will fit your design.

barrooze · May 7, 2011

FiveKaiBrewing said:
I am looking for a freezer that will fit cornies in this configuration. are there other 7.2 freezers that will work for 6 cornies with a collar like this one. 4 five gallons on the floor, and 2 three gallons on the hump? I cant seem to find the magic cheff 7.2 for sale anywhere.

Magic Chef 7.2 cu. ft. at Home Depot for $219

FYI, I have pin lock kegs and tried to put them in my Magic Chef 7.2 and found that these pictures represent the taller ball lock kegs. The dimensions of my pin lock kegs are 9" diameter, 22" tall. I can only fit 3 on the floor below the hump and 1 on the hump that will require a collar to use.

I hope this info helps you guys!

rodd · May 7, 2011

FiveKaiBrewing said:
I am looking for a freezer that will fit cornies in this configuration. are there other 7.2 freezers that will work for 6 cornies with a collar like this one. 4 five gallons on the floor, and 2 three gallons on the hump? I cant seem to find the magic cheff 7.2 for sale anywhere.

Magic Chef 7.2 cu. ft. at Home Depot for $219

I got the Sunbeam 7.2 at Menards and it is identical. Sorry for the late reply.

njrockpd · May 16, 2011

I found a Magic Chef 5.5 Freezer online. I want something big enough to put a few kegs in, but I also want the option of fitting a keg and a fermenter. I see that I would be able to fit the 2 cornys, but would I be able to fit one corny and a 6.5 gallon fermenter? I know I can't get all three, but if I could switch them out it would be worth it.

mhochman · May 17, 2011

Just got a holiday 5 from Lowes. This is the new model, which has the hump on the right side, from back to front. I checked at Home Depot and I'm almost positive this is the identical model to the GE 5. I thought these pictures would be helpful. No collar yet, as you can see, but clearly four ball locks fit in there without the tank. Also just under 8 inches off the hump for the two on the right. Will need a bigger collar than a 1x8, I think.

BrewAlchemy · May 18, 2011

Trying to find something that would fit maybe 4 ball locks and 1 6.5 carboy, gonna keep my CO2 outisde. Any recommendations? Preferably, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, or Sears as the sources.

thebeers54 · May 18, 2011

BrewAlchemy said:
Trying to find something that would fit maybe 4 ball locks and 1 6.5 carboy, gonna keep my CO2 outisde. Any recommendations? Preferably, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, or Sears as the sources.

Try what others have done. Cut out cardboard templates for what you plan on putting in there and bring them down to the store and place them in the freezers. My guess is you will need at least a 7 cubic ft. or larger. Lowes seems to have the best deals in my area.

Cbaddad · May 18, 2011

Does anyone have the Dandby 8.7 cu ft chest freezer that is available at home depot? I am thinking of grabbing this. How many carboys can fit in this. I am primarily going to use this as a fermentation chamber. Would like to be able to get 2 to 3 carboys and maybe a corny keg in this. I have looked through most of this thread and no one seems to have this so far.

Thanks in advance

bloussant · May 20, 2011

Anyone own a Westinghouse. If so, what size? How many kegs fit? and have you had any problems with this freezer? Thanks, I'm looking at one on CL right now for $50

zodiak3000 · May 31, 2011

pictures are down. looking to pick one up this week. without scrolling through the entire thread, can the GE 7.0 fit cornys without a collar? the specs on the website say depth of 22", while it looks like some people are actually fitting the 23" corny with fittings. i want to fit 1 or 2 ball cornys , 1 fermenter, and 1 co2. can i fit this on the GE 7.0 without a collar?

scotched · May 31, 2011

Woods C07BBA 7.0 cu/ft. Freezer

I'm able to fit 3 pin-lock firestone kegs (9"diameter), and a small 2.5lbs co2 tank.

-

hocktim · Jun 2, 2011

does anyone have a whirlpool 7 cu ft or a 10 cu ft freezer, what wil they hold?

hocktim · Jun 4, 2011

I just picked up a 8. 9 cu ft whirlpool chest on CL. looking forward to converting it. I see some attach the collar to the lid, havn't decided which way to go on that.

D_Nyholm · Jun 8, 2011

Read all 35 pages and OMG, there are so many different thoughts and conflicting information. I would like to get 4 ball lock kegs on the floor of a freezer with no need for a collar. It seems the Holiday 7 will almost fit 4 if you really jam it, but not everyone is able to fit them. The Frigidaire 7.2 is said to be able to fit 4 but in someones Keezer build thread:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/converting-frigidaire-7-2-cu-ft-chest-freezer-162225/

they are only able to fit 3 and it seems to be the same problem as the Holiday 7.

What freezer will allow 4 ball lock kegs to slide in without jamming on the floor no questions asked that can be purchased at Lowes, Home Depot, or Sears? Would I have to go up to a 8.8 freezer? The sub $200 price of the Holiday really makes it stand out, but without knowing for sure if MY ball lock kegs will fit, i think i may have to drop it from my short list.

Thanks all!

barrooze · Jun 8, 2011

D_Nyholm said:
Read all 35 pages and OMG, there are so many different thoughts and conflicting information. I would like to get 4 ball lock kegs on the floor of a freezer with no need for a collar. It seems the Holiday 7 will almost fit 4 if you really jam it, but not everyone is able to fit them. The Frigidaire 7.2 is said to be able to fit 4 but in someones Keezer build thread:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/converting-frigidaire-7-2-cu-ft-chest-freezer-162225/

they are only able to fit 3 and it seems to be the same problem as the Holiday 7.

What freezer will allow 4 ball lock kegs to slide in without jamming on the floor no questions asked that can be purchased at Lowes, Home Depot, or Sears? Would I have to go up to a 8.8 freezer? The sub $200 price of the Holiday really makes it stand out, but without knowing for sure if MY ball lock kegs will fit, i think i may have to drop it from my short list.

Thanks all!

The Magic Chef 7.2 will fit 4 ball locks on the floor without the need of a collar.

rodd · Jun 8, 2011

The Magic Chef, and Sunbeam 7.2 will fit 4 Pepsi/7*up kegs on the floor. The Coke kegs are wider, so that limits it to 3.

edit: I got my Sunbeam at Menards.

D_Nyholm · Jun 8, 2011

barrooze said:
The Magic Chef 7.2 will fit 4 ball locks on the floor without the need of a collar.

D'oh!! Can't find anywhere to buy it!!!!!!!

barrooze · Jun 8, 2011

Too bad, it's a great freezer!! Here's mine in a dry run. 3 pin locks on the floor, 2 ball locks on the hump (collar will be needed to accommodate the BLs on the hump). A 10# CO2 tank fits on the floor.

I also found a pic someone posted with the four BLs on the floor.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/magic-chef-keezer-43440/index3.html#post700992

rodd · Jun 8, 2011

Here is my Sunbeam 7.2 with 4 ball lock kegs on the floor. It is identical to the Magic Chef and is available at Menards.

njrockpd · Jun 8, 2011

D_Nyholm said:
D'oh!! Can't find anywhere to buy it!!!!!!!

Haire 7.1 cu ft at Costco in Ocean. $175 and you can fit 3 maybe 4 cornys in there without a collar.

D_Nyholm · Jun 9, 2011

Yeah, the sunbeam and magic chefs are no longer available online or in store. I guess i'm going to have to step up to a 8.8 which i really didn't want to, but oh well

barrooze · Jun 9, 2011

FWIW, it appears that the "Vinotemp VT-ICECHEST 7.2 Cubic Foot Ice Chest" is identical to my Magic Chef with the exception of color. I know this price isn't what you're wanting, but maybe you can find it cheaper.

http://www.air-conditioner-home.com...&utm_campaign=Freezer&utm_content=VT-ICECHEST

NoCornOrRice · Jun 9, 2011

I'm looking for a freezer large enough to hold about 10 kegs, with the C02 on the outside. How heavy are these things usually?

I see some cheapo ones on kijiji, but I imagine they will need to be professionally moved, which undoes their cheapness. I'm reasonable fit, but these don't look very manuverable,

so for the big ones: buy new and get delivered (delaying keezer project) or move a used one?

At least I have a functioning 2-tap kegerator in the meantime.

Liquid_Center · Jun 11, 2011

I just picked up a 8.8 cu/ft kenmore, it was a floor model and had a few dings but I got over $100 off...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04616949000P?prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

On lowest setting its holding 40 degree, guess I wont need the external thermostat?

brewmcq · Jun 28, 2011

Liquid_Center said:
I just picked up a 8.8 cu/ft kenmore, it was a floor model and had a few dings but I got over $100 off...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04616949000P?prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

On lowest setting its holding 40 degree, guess I wont need the external thermostat?

Can you post some measurements on this freezer (inside and out, of course)... the Sears website is rather ...generalized... with dimensions.

:mug:

physast · Jul 4, 2011

How many ball locks can you fit in the 8.8 cf model? I think you could fit 4 on the floor with a 5lbs CO2, but not sure.

I am looking at getting a chest freezer soon. I would like to fit 4 - 6 on the floor. From what I have read for ball locks:

Kenmore 8.8cf will fit 4 on the floor
Kenmore 13cf will fit 7 on the floor

Does anyone know how many ball locks will fit on the floor for these chest freezers?

Danby 10.2CF

Frigidaire 9 CF

orenbum · Jul 6, 2011

Are there any 5 cf freezers available that will fit 3 kegs without a collar? They changed the 5cf Holiday available at Lowes so that the compressor shelf on the bottom goes all the way across and I'm not sure it could fit 2 now.

Changeduser123 · Jul 7, 2011

orenbum said:
Are there any 5 cf freezers available that will fit 3 kegs without a collar? They changed the 5cf Holiday available at Lowes so that the compressor shelf on the bottom goes all the way across and I'm not sure it could fit 2 now.

You are right, the new holiday 5 cu feet will fit 2 ball lock without a collar, not 3.

orenbum · Jul 7, 2011

Anyone know how many kegs will fit on the floor of the Kenmore 6.9 cu ft. I didn't see it listed in this thread, so maybe it's new:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04619702000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

AxesOfEvil · Jul 9, 2011

I'bve got a holiday 5cf which will hold 2 on the floor and one (3gal) on the hump, but I need a 2nd chest freezer to use as a....freezer. I was thinking of repurposing my 5cf for that and upgrading to something that'll hold 6 cornies.

Has anyone looked at the Danby 8.7 at Home Depot?
It has exterior dimensions

25.1"deep x 43.4" wide) which is better proportioned than the Frigidare/Sears models which are more like (23.25"deep x 41" wide).

If I assume 3" insulation on each side (which is what my Holiday has), that would give me 19.1"x37.4" That should be enough space to get 8 ball-locks in (6+2 on the hump) which would be perfect. But I'd hate to buy it and find out I can only get 4+2 in there instead.

Sizing your Chest Freezer for Corny Kegs

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