I never attached my collar to my keezer. It sits flat and doesn't budge when I open and close the door. Hasn't been a problem, but I am thinking of doing some light sealing to keep tiny bugs out.
First Time Keezer Build - What do you wish you knew/What lessons did you learn?
- Thread starter Fleischmeister
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I just used this and have no issues with bugs. The weight of my 2x12 collar holds securely in place. I've checked temperatures around the lid and collar and there doesn't appear to be any cool air leaking.
That looks pretty good. And if I use it, I won't have to pry the collar off if the keezer dies, like the Chinese disposable all new keezers are.
I'm on my second keezer (over 15+ years) and didn't attach the collar on either one. Just a little weather stripping. The 2x8's provide plenty of weight. It's not going anywhere. I do insulate the wood with that silver stuff on a roll. I used 2x8's so the ledge will fit two more kegs, not for the weight.
Indian_villager
Well-Known Member
Liquid nails and ratchet straps. My collar had a bit of warp to it and I held the collar down while the liquid nails was curing with ratchet straps. Once cured the collar stayed flat.
Could you share which cooler you purchased?
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
From Iron Mountain, Peak Cold back bar cooler 48".
They offer the same style as a kegerator with tap towers. I opt to get this one as I was routing the beer lines from the back. Both are identical.
I love it.
If you are making a keezer - go big ! You won't regret it. I have six on tap and room for 2 more corny kegs to condition/lager and get carbed up before the previous keg dies. It took a while to get all 6 taps going at first but now I am dialed in, with the next up keg ready to go and pour on the day it is tapped.
Make external ports for CO2 for easy transfers and flushing O2. And other ports for power, fans, temp probes etc. You will use them up in no time.
Make external ports for CO2 for easy transfers and flushing O2. And other ports for power, fans, temp probes etc. You will use them up in no time.
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That looks awesome! Are you planning to put commercial kegs in that too - like half barrels? It will definitely hold a couple. How many cornies do you think you can get in that? How many taps do you plan to add? You could leave some space for lagering kegs even.
I’m not a real handyman. I never had a keezer, I had one of those old harvest green refrigerators from the 70s for awhile with holes drilled through the side for faucets. I didn’t take that with me when I moved and then I bought a real 2 tap kegerator. Nothing like that. Thats made for installation in a working bar!
It'll hold eight corny kegs. I normally keep six in it, three on tap and three waiting their turn. On one end I have some small shelves for hops, yeast and single cans.
I don't plan on commercial kegs but it will definitely hold them. It came with shelves but I removed them.
This unit replaced my repurposed kitchen fridge feeding my beer taps. It worked fine but was thirty years old. Not knowing when it would die, I figured I get this so I'm prepared.
I have repurposed three fridges, built a keezer from a chest freezer and built an insulated box with an upright freezer attached. All worked fine after tweaking, adding and adjusting things.
In the end, doling out the money for my new cooler was the best option. It's built for beverages, heavy duty, casters, stainless steel interior, insulated glass doors an adjustable controller and lighted inside. If you can do it, spend the money.
In the end, doling out the money for my new cooler was the best option. It's built for beverages, heavy duty, casters, stainless steel interior, insulated glass doors an adjustable controller and lighted inside. If you can do it, spend the money.
@OakIslandBrewery can you send pictures of how you have the lines going for that? I wrestled with first foamy point for awhile and finally got clear of that with long shanks inside my keezer with a recirc fan blowing cold air right on them. So I'd be nervous about lines to the taps sitting out at room temperature. But I love the idea of those front open doors!
Yes I will post some pictures. The beer lines are routed out the back of the cooler but do run exposed to the taps. The beer lines are just over five foot so the exposed section isn't that much. I don't have any issues with the pour but they could be insulated real easy, even covering the tap shank.
Edit: sorry for the late post, lots going on with family in Florida.
Here's a picture of my three beer lines going to the shanks. Like I mentioned, not insulated but no warm beer pours either. The lines are short enough and with a good pour you'd never notice a warm couple of tablespoons from the exposed lines. I hope this helps you!
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