drilling through a fridge

[stevenc_hmfc]

hi, is it safe to drill through a fridge wall? i am looking to run my beer lines through the fridge wall to a tap but i dont know if it is safe to drill through the wall?
thanks

 

[Brewing Clamper]

Only if you're absolutely sure there are no lines going through it. Some fridges have cooling lines on the side walls.

 

[camiller]

Depends on the fridge. Give us a brand name and model number and perhaps someone here would have experience with it.

 

[Alemental]

You can try carefully drilling a small hole but barely penetrate the surface. The fridge's lines are more likely to be near the inner wall. If you have drill collars, one would help. Once you have the hole, probe around with a piece of wire. If you can't feel anything but insulation, go for it.

 

[stevenc_hmfc]

as far as i know its a hotpoint first edition fridge freezer

 

[david_42]

Is there a flat grid of tubes on the back of the fridge? If so, you should be safe drilling anywhere. If not, it probably uses the outside skin as a heat radiator and has tubing bonded in various locations. You'll need to use the cornstarch trick.

www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19762

 

[Rudeboy]

Not usually a Red Green fan but I remember I once saw him build one and he said.

"The important thing is to drill in the exact right place with surgical like precision using a composite diamond bit. But first you have to start a pilot hole." He then pulls out a 10 lb. pickaxe and two hands the fridge door with it.


I still chuckle about that.

Rudeboy

 

[bradsul]

Not usually a Red Green fan but I remember I once saw him build one and he said.

"The important thing is to drill in the exact right place with surgical like precision using a composite diamond bit. But first you have to start a pilot hole." He then pulls out a 10 lb. pickaxe and two hands the fridge door with it.


I still chuckle about that.

Rudeboy

I love that show.

 

[stevenc_hmfc]

yes it does have some kind of grill type thing that covers most of the back, heres some pics

 

[fretman124]

Looks like my fridge. I used a 1" hole saw on the side of mine. Still cold after 6 months

 

[MadWeezel]

You could always drill on the hinge side of the front of the door..

 

[kladue]

Stay back from the face that the door seals as the manufacturers have a sense of humor and run a 1/4" line from the condensor on the inside face where the door seals. This is known as the yoder loop which is meant to keep the door seal area from sweating during operation. Pop the inner liner loose and you can usually use a piece of coat hanger to probe the insulation to find the tubing before drilling. This was a lesson learned the hard way as i drilled a hole from the side and found the line after puncturing it, then had to spend a couple hours making the repairs.