Drill through chest freezer wall?

[TwoGunz]

I've got a GE chest freezer and was thinking about saving the hassle of making a collar for my tap lines to run through and wanted to drill a 3 in hole in the side to connect a conduit tube to... Is it safe to drill through any of the sides or are there coils on all of the walls?

Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dutchoven]

I wouldn't drill through any wall on a chest freezer, I believe all have coolant lines in the walls ... the top MAY be ok, though.

 

[TwoGunz]

I was afraid that'd be the answer

 

[Hermit]

I was afraid that'd be the answer

I worked as a GE appliance repairman for over 20 years. You want another answer?

Seriously, don't risk it.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I've got a GE chest freezer and was thinking about saving the hassle of making a collar....

No, see, as homebrewers we make the collars to save the hassle of buying a new freezer after you destroy the first one!

 

[TwoGunz]

Alright alright, you guys win.

Seriously though, thanks for the help.

 

[krazydave]

Yeah, from what I've seen, the coolant lines generally run through the upper portion. I'd collar it. The chance of actually missing all of the lines is much less than hitting them.

 

[bmunos]

Wait wait... If you want to drill you can SLOWLY SLOWLY drill on the side of the fridge with the smallest bit you can find.... After that take some kind of paper clip and feel around in the hole for the lines.... Best option if you want to drill... hope that helps

 

[Reno_eNVy]

Wait wait... If you want to drill you can SLOWLY SLOWLY drill on the side of the fridge with the smallest bit you can find.... After that take some kind of paper clip and feel around in the hole for the lines.... Best option if you want to drill... hope that helps

It's the game of Operation®!!!
Take out his funny bone!
Don't touch the sides! BZZZZZZT!


Sorry... that was the first thing that came to mind.

 

[Agentaaron]

While I have seen many nice keezers in these forums, I personally do not care for the look of collars...so I plan on doing something like the picture I attached. I will probably go with a 4 to 6 inch collar and then finish the entire outside and build my tap box on top.

That should give me room for 4 on tap (pin locks) +1 chilling and room for my co2 tank without having to buy a monster freezer

 

[TwoGunz]

My ultimate plan is to make a coffin keezer in a similar manner as the one you posted. My question about drilling is for my fathers one at another location.

 

[BetterSense]

I just ruined my chest freezer because I drilled one of the refrigerant lines. I didn't know there were coils inside the walls of the freezer I thought it was just foam and sheet metal. I soldered the line nicely but I don't know if I will be able to find anyone to re-charge my freezer. What a waste.

What's this about "collars"? I don't understand.

 

[John Beere]

I drilled through mine.. first I let it get good and cold and felt all around to see where the lines were. My hole is under the ledge inside the freezer.. here are two photos:

inside:

outside:

 

[Agentaaron]

What's this about "collars"? I don't understand.

Many people build a wooden collar around the top of the freezer and attach the lid to the top of the collar. This allows you extra headroom for more equipment and also gives you a safe place to drill through to put faucets/hoses

I have seen a few that look nice, but just not a fan of the whole wood on metal look. I plan on using a collar...but just want it to look more like a piece of furniture than a freezer with a wooden ring

 

[Agentaaron]

I drilled through mine.. first I let it get good and cold and felt all around to see where the lines were. My hole is under the ledge inside the freezer.. here are two photos:

inside:

outside:

I wonder if the cornstarch paste trick would work with freezers

Make a paste with cornstarch and water, crank the freezer to maximum and let it get nice and cold, brush the paste on the outside of the freezer and the cornstarch should dry a lot faster where the lines are.

* I have seen it done on refrigerators for making kegerators, but don't know if there are more lines or more insulation on a freezer...try at your own risk, I still would NOT drill though the freezer wall.

 

[Reno_eNVy]

I wonder if the cornstarch paste trick would work with freezers

Make a paste with cornstarch and water, crank the freezer to maximum and let it get nice and cold, brush the paste on the outside of the freezer and the cornstarch should dry a lot faster where the lines are.

* I have seen it done on refrigerators for making kegerators, but don't know if there are more lines or more insulation on a freezer...try at your own risk, I still would NOT drill though the freezer wall.

This.

Yeah, definitely a YMMV situation.

 

[John Beere]

in mine, you could actually see the condensation freeze to the coils within just a few minutes of it being turned on.. in my 25 cuft Frigidaire, there are definitely two rows of coils (one high, one low) that run around the entire freezer except for on the ledge. What I did was carefully drill out a small pilot hole, then stuck a coat hanger all around through it to see if it hit anything just to make sure..

 

[TwoGunz]

Many people build a wooden collar around the top of the freezer and attach the lid to the top of the collar. This allows you extra headroom for more equipment and also gives you a safe place to drill through to put faucets/hoses

I have seen a few that look nice, but just not a fan of the whole wood on metal look. I plan on using a collar...but just want it to look more like a piece of furniture than a freezer with a wooden ring

If you haven't seen it, be sure to checkout the "coffin keezer list" thread. Some good food for thought.

 

[Monster Mash]

The coils use the skin of the freezer as a heat sink, even if you miss a line with a pilot hole you will hit it with a bigger bit.

If you cover the entire freezer with wood you will shorten the life of the freezer because the heat needs to dissipate. If you really want to do it you should leave a gap between the freezer and the wood and add fans to move the air around it.

 

[Hermit]

I drilled through mine.. first I let it get good and cold and felt all around to see where the lines were. My hole is under the ledge inside the freezer.. here are two photos:

inside:

outside:

That is actually part of the floor and I'm not sure it would be a good place to put a tap.

 

[Agentaaron]

If you haven't seen it, be sure to checkout the "coffin keezer list" thread. Some good food for thought.

Yeah...that's where my swmbo saw jesters keezer, I'm going to attempt something similar to that, just a bit smaller...but I have been pulling some inspirational ideas from others on the list. They are all great and only make me wish I had a shop full of tools.

/threadjacking

 

[MBasile]

While I have seen many nice keezers in these forums, I personally do not care for the look of collars...so I plan on doing something like the picture I attached. I will probably go with a 4 to 6 inch collar and then finish the entire outside and build my tap box on top.

That should give me room for 4 on tap (pin locks) +1 chilling and room for my co2 tank without having to buy a monster freezer

Yeah, I'm not a "fan" of the simple collar look. But I can more about the functioning chest freezer and beer flowing out of it

I have 0 woodworking skills and I was able to assemble a decent collar in very little time.

 

[jbock220]

I drilled through mine.. first I let it get good and cold and felt all around to see where the lines were. My hole is under the ledge inside the freezer.. here are two photos:

inside:

outside:

Hey John, did you feel ANY lines in the vertical wall of the shelf/seat portion? It appears the manufacturer of mine has all their holes drilled in that area and the coils may be run around the outermost walls.

Thanks!