DIY Keg Refridgerator

[abjones116]

I am looking to add about three draft lines to my bar that will be in my new home. I have looked at a few built in kegerators but they are extremely expensive. What I want to do is get a refridgerator that can handle about three/four kegs and run the lines out of the refridgerator up into the bar counter/tower. I don't want the tower on top of the refridgerator.

Could anyone recommend a fridge or has seen a DIY project on the forums similar?

I appreciate your help.

 

[mrduna01]

Only issue I see here is how are you going to cool the beer line on its way to the tap? Just something to think about. Maybe someone can chime in with actual installation tips.

 

[abjones116]

Only issue I see here is how are you going to cool the beer line on its way to the tap? Just something to think about. Maybe someone can chime in with actual installation tips.

I'm new to the whole kegging thing so please excuse my ignorance.

My question is why would the lines need to be cooled on the way up? I thought the beer would remain in the keg underneath the counter (in the fridge) until the actual tap is used to dispense the beer...?

Sorry again for my ignorance - trying to learn as much as possible on this.

 

[mrduna01]

I'm new to the whole kegging thing so please excuse my ignorance.

My question is why would the lines need to be cooled on the way up? I thought the beer would remain in the keg underneath the counter (in the fridge) until the actual tap is used to dispense the beer...?

Sorry again for my ignorance - trying to learn as much as possible on this.

If you have a section of beer line out side of the fridge, the beer in this section of line will be warm and will foam up a lot. If your portion of warm line is relatively short you can pull the tap for a few seconds to empty the warm beer and then fill your glass. If the line is really long you may be drinking several warm brews before you get to the cold stuff. This may or may not be a big deal to you. Even in a kegerator, the couple feet of line that goes up to the top of the tap can get warm and many people insulate it with copper, install fans pointing upward and what not.

 

[mrduna01]

If you have a section of beer line out side of the fridge, the beer in this section of line will be warm and will foam up a lot. If your portion of warm line is relatively short you can pull the tap for a few seconds to empty the warm beer and then fill your glass. If the line is really long you may be drinking several warm brews before you get to the cold stuff. This may or may not be a big deal to you. Even in a kegerator, the couple feet of line that goes up to the top of the tap can get warm and many people insulate it with copper, install fans pointing upward and what not.

I just realized your fridge is under the counter right below the tap? Your beer line should be relatively short in that case so probably won't be too much of an issue.

 

[abjones116]

Alright. That makes a lot of sense now. I might just insulate the line then. But at the same token I plan on having the glasses already cold but that is good to know for planning purposes.

I'm looking at some of the premade kegerators. I assume that the towers are removable? And my next question would be are the rails removable? Because if that's the case I could get one or two of those to place underneath remove the rail and tower to have it just run the line to the counter. If that makes at all sense or would there be a better way of doing this?

 

[mrduna01]

Alright. That makes a lot of sense now. I might just insulate the line then. But at the same token I plan on having the glasses already cold but that is good to know for planning purposes.

I'm looking at some of the premade kegerators. I assume that the towers are removable? And my next question would be are the rails removable? Because if that's the case I could get one or two of those to place underneath remove the rail and tower to have it just run the line to the counter. If that makes at all sense or would there be a better way of doing this?

Those parts should be removable but that's going the expensive route. If it were me I would get a chest freezer if your space is big enough. Drill a hole in the top and run your beer line that way. The tap installation on your counter should require a drill and not much else... pretty simple. Using the freezer or Keezer as we call them will plenty of space for several kegs depending on the cubic feet. Only thing is you would have to pull it out to put your kegs in and what not. Research keezer builds on the forumn. Other route is to convert a couple simple many fridges. I just wouldn't spend money on a pre built kegerator when your going to hide it under a counter.