Can't pull the trigger

[knotquiteawake]

Ok, I am having trouble pulling the trigger here.
I'm pretty sure I want to get this fridge:
http://www.buy.com/prod/5-0-cf-refrigerator-black/q/loc/66357/216745862.html?adid=17662
Its the right size I'm sure, and I don't even need to drill holes right away. Also, the biggest plus is that the wife likes the way it looks so it won't have to stay in the garage.
But I think the costs of the kegging equipment that needs to be purchased on top of the cost of the fridge is holding me back. Both my wife and I are uncomfortable spending LOTS of money right up front.
I am trying to figure out the minimum cost of basic kegging equipment. What exactly do I need?
Keg? Ball or pin? some kind of adapter? A c02 bottle and regulators? some picnic taps?
The basic kit at keg connection is like $140? and thats out of my price range when coupled with the purchase of the fridge.

 

[Walker]

you will need a tank, a regulator, at least one keg (*see warning below), liquid quick connector for the keg, gas quick connector for the keg, a picnic tap, and some tubing to connect the tank to the keg.

If you shop around, you can probably find a used tank and regulator for a decent price.

* warning: I suggest BALL lock kegs. pin lock kegs are a little shorter and a little wider than ball locks, and the little fridges sometimes can't hold two pin locks at the same time because of the width.

 

[RegionalChaos]

I've been kegging for a while without having a fridge or freezer to put the kegs in. I just naturally carb and then drop the keg into a bucket of ice to chill when I want to pull pints off of it. Works fine. Sometime soon I'm sure I'll get a temp controlled space for it, but not right away.

I put a want ad for soda kegs on craigslist. Some guy gave me 12. I bought a picnic tap with quick connect for 15$ or so and a small portable co2 charger for 20-25$. It costs about 2$ for a co2 cartridge, I go through maybe 3 to push a whole keg. For xmas last year the wife got me a co2 tank and the folks got me a co2 regulator.

I'll tell ya one thing though, I don't miss bottling. I might bottle a half dozen 22s and keg the rest once in a while, but I sure don't sit around filling 50+ 12ozers anymore...

 

[weathejx]

I'll tell ya one thing though, I don't miss bottling. I might bottle a half dozen 22s and keg the rest once in a while, but I sure don't sit around filling 50+ 12ozers anymore...

+1 on that. having a keg sure beats having a bunch of empty bottles sitting around and cleaning each bottle and filling each bottle.

anyway, you need the stuff in this kit:

http://www.rebelbrewer.com/shoppingcart/products/Complete-Homebrew-Kegging-Kit.html

thats basically the minimum. after you feel comfortable with the initial purchase you can move from the picnic tap to the shank/tap assembly.

i had a picnic tap set up and shoved it in the bottom of my food fridge, after a bit of that the SWMBO agreed to the kegerator.

really, cost all depends on how much time you're willing to put into finding the parts. is it worth spending 3 hours scouring the net, craigslist, ebay to save 5 bucks? probably not. but it does all add up.

john

 

[ImperialLover]

i think you should hold back and save your money. getting into kegging on this scale will only leave you wanting more. I would scan CL, ebay and the classifieds to find a larger fridge/chest freezer and break into a 3 or 4 tap system over the course of the next 6 months or a year. I say this b/c i started off the way you are and I'm now going to spend more money to build a keezer. You can get a $50 fridge/freezer, spend the money for one kegging equip set-up. This way, you are kegging soon but you don't limit yourself for the future. You can purchase splitters, kegs, taps (etc) and drill tap holes as you buy more. just my .02 Good luck and enjoy!

 

[knotquiteawake]

i think you should hold back and save your money. getting into kegging on this scale will only leave you wanting more. I would scan CL, ebay and the classifieds to find a larger fridge/chest freezer and break into a 3 or 4 tap system over the course of the next 6 months or a year. I say this b/c i started off the way you are and I'm now going to spend more money to build a keezer. You can get a $50 fridge/freezer, spend the money for one kegging equip set-up. This way, you are kegging soon but you don't limit yourself for the future. You can purchase splitters, kegs, taps (etc) and drill tap holes as you buy more. just my .02 Good luck and enjoy!

This was my initial thought as well. I would rather have the ability to have 3-4 taps and the major inspiration for it was visiting a house some friends were watching over in Grapevine (the rich part of town), the guy had a fridge with 4 taps (and some amazing homebrewed serrano pale ale).
But I'm going to be apartment bound for at least another 2-5 years. the only place I'm going to have for kegging will be with something smaller like one of these fridges.
Maybe if I sell my bicycle... anybody want a fixed wheel trek bike? $100! anyone?

 

[Sawdustguy]

The best and most economical way to do something like this is to think about what you are going to want 3 to 5 years down the road, save for it and then buy. Getting things in steps or starting small and growing can get even more expensive. Suppose you start with a single tap, then in a year decide to grow to two or three taps, you have thrown the money you spent on the single tap away. I am not suggesting that you go hog wild right off the bat but with a little thought and careful planning you will be able to decide on a system that will last you more than a few years and spare the expense of upgrading step by step with little to show for you previous expenditures.

 

[Chris1272]

before buying a fridge to modify to a kegerator do some research on where the manufacturer places refrigerant lines and electrical lines. this is the one I used. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Danby-Designer-Compact-Refrigerator/5893621
There are no lines that run through the top of the unit. ordering it through wallmart.com you can get free shipping to your local store. here is my thread on converting it to a kegerator. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-kegerator-build-176635/
total cost
Fridge $168
Tap tower $120
2 kegs with co2 tank, regulators and manifold $200

Note this fridge accommodates 2 ball lock kegs perfectly. pin lock kegs are wider and will not fit 2 in this unit.

 

[knotquiteawake]

before buying a fridge to modify to a kegerator do some research on where the manufacturer places refrigerant lines and electrical lines. this is the one I used. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Danby-Designer-Compact-Refrigerator/5893621
There are no lines that run through the top of the unit. ordering it through wallmart.com you can get free shipping to your local store. here is my thread on converting it to a kegerator. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-kegerator-build-176635/
total cost
Fridge $168
Tap tower $120
2 kegs with co2 tank, regulators and manifold $200

Note this fridge accommodates 2 ball lock kegs perfectly. pin lock kegs are wider and will not fit 2 in this unit.

Funny you should mention that exact model. I may be getting a hold of that same model tonight for a very reasonable price. Your build photos are very helpful.

 

[akthor]

You find full size old fridges and freezers for free or for as little as $25 if you check your local classifieds. Why spend near $200 for something that will only hold 2 kegs? It may sit in your garage or basement but it will allow you to carb/serve more kegs.

But you can find the little fridges for the same price as well if that is your deal.

 

[knotquiteawake]

I pulled the trigger on a $65 Danby DAR452 Black fridge. Finally something worked out in craig's list. And only 45min drive to go get it too!

 

[knotquiteawake]

Powered it on and its getting cold. Now I've just got to gather the other stuff I need and modify the door. Since the door is a little banged up I'm thinking of using this Chalkboard Paint
Think that paint will stick/dry to the shiny black plastic?

 

[knotquiteawake]

I did it finally!
Went from this:

To this:

To This:

Also this:

To Finally this!

SWMBO says I must wait until Christmas to get a tower tap. But this is fine for now.