Another Keezer Build Thread

[Lgaddy44]

A few friends are coming by tomorrow to help build a keezer for one of them. Just placed an order for the hardware yesterday (Thanks KegConnection!), and we're a trip to Home Depot away from getting this thing started.

My friend has a small chest freezer and we're only installing 2 taps (for now), but we're installing a 3-way manifold for future expansion. I believe the plan is to also build in somewhat of a wine rack on the side of the keezer, as well. We talked about hiding the CO2 bottle and temp controller in a compartment on the side, and I think we should have room to house a handful of wine bottles just above it. Maybe pretty it up with some tile accents also.

I'm also planning a brew session while we tinker away on the keezer. I'll try to document it as we go, with some photos.

 

[Lgaddy44]

Got started later than we wanted but the ball is rolling

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[Lgaddy44]

Some more progress.

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[Lgaddy44]

More...

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[Lgaddy44]

Back at it again today

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[Lgaddy44]

Some more progress

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[Lgaddy44]

Coming together nicely

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[day_trippr]

And looking great already.

Question: it appears that the plywood on three sides is in contact with the freezer cabinet.
Which begs the question: where is the condenser on this unit?
Is it under the metal skin?

Cheers!

 

[Lgaddy44]

The condenser is on the backside of the unit. We left that area open in case it ever goes on us. Ideally, our first thought was to build so we could swap the entire freezer, if it took a dive on us. Unfortunately once we got going, it looks like this freezer is going to have to be permanent.

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[day_trippr]

I'm guessing you're thinking "compressor", when I was asking about the element that sheds heat. On most modern chest freezers, that element consists of metal tubing that is bonded to the inside of the cabinet skin and running around the entire cabinet multiple times.

The issue, then, is the design uses the cabinet to shed heat. If you increase the thermal resistance to free air by virtue of a plywood skin, the effects can range from operational efficiency loss to compressor murder...

Cheers!

 

[Lgaddy44]

Now I see what you were getting at. We discussed it a bit because I have read from other builds and discussions, about keeping air between the freezer and outer shell, even installing fans to circulate the air.

I'm sure we could've, should've, would've, but we opted to throw caution to the wind and are crossing our fingers on that subject. If/when we build another, I'll be sure to stick to my guns and insist that be accounted for.

 

[Lgaddy44]

A couple photos of the final product

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[k1ngl1ves]

Now I see what you were getting at. We discussed it a bit because I have read from other builds and discussions, about keeping air between the freezer and outer shell, even installing fans to circulate the air.

I'm sure we could've, should've, would've, but we opted to throw caution to the wind and are crossing our fingers on that subject. If/when we build another, I'll be sure to stick to my guns and insist that be accounted for.

If you look around, you can still find freezers with the coils on the back. I know for a fact Magic Chef sill makes one like that. Then, you can glue hardwood plywood right to it and just trim it up!