Just finished a long running keezer build, over a year with long idle periods. Here's my summary advice about doing this - don't! It's like building a submarine with wheels: every single component (except faucets) was designed for a purpose other than the one for which you're using it. Skills and tools required include framing, finish carpentry, HVAC, wood finishing (CV), electrical, tile work, and plumbing.
But, if like me, you're continuing construction from the basement bar and can't live with something that looks like an appliance, by all means go for it!
Stuff that went right: The temp controller works as designed, airflow seems adequate (comp fans in framing switched with freezer), cooling in tower with air pulled from the freezer and returned through fans in duct boxes, flanges with setscrews on beer shanks are rock solid, Perlicks look good, beer is cold.
Lessons learned: Glass tile is expensive and NOT light - would use something different were there a next time. Would prefer CO2 and Nitro outside the freezer, but found no clean way to route lines without a collar (too tall). Tower would be better more forward. Color match EVERY piece against a sample when staining and finishing.
So, first pint pours in an hour, and the good part starts
Thanks to all who posted their build tips, saved me a bunch of trouble I'm sure.
But, if like me, you're continuing construction from the basement bar and can't live with something that looks like an appliance, by all means go for it!
Stuff that went right: The temp controller works as designed, airflow seems adequate (comp fans in framing switched with freezer), cooling in tower with air pulled from the freezer and returned through fans in duct boxes, flanges with setscrews on beer shanks are rock solid, Perlicks look good, beer is cold.
Lessons learned: Glass tile is expensive and NOT light - would use something different were there a next time. Would prefer CO2 and Nitro outside the freezer, but found no clean way to route lines without a collar (too tall). Tower would be better more forward. Color match EVERY piece against a sample when staining and finishing.
So, first pint pours in an hour, and the good part starts
Thanks to all who posted their build tips, saved me a bunch of trouble I'm sure.
