Igloo 7.1 cu ft FRF795 Black Keezer Build

[reim0027]

This is going to be a very basic keezer. My manual skills are pretty piss-poor. But, I'll document it here so you can see and maybe give advice. It'll take a while for this project, but it should look acceptable when I'm done.

Here are the stats:
Igloo 7.1 cu ft FRF795, Black
Energy Star, $24 yearly cost, 198 kWh est yearly electricity use

Outer dimensions (LxDxH): 36.75 x 20.25 x 33
Inner dimensions 31.5 x 15 x 27.27
Inner Base 23 x 15 x 33
Platform 8.5 x 15 x 18.5

The first problem I have are the short hinges. They are only about 2.5" apart and there is no room for vertical adjustment. Maybe I can buy another set of hinges?

I'm going to use 2x6 pine boards to raise the lid. They will fit nicely. I plan on having 4 taps in this thing (I can get 3 corneys on the base and a 4th on the platform, if I raise the lid 6 inches). And, cut out a spot for my thermostat.

CO2 tank will be outside.


I'll have to cut some insulation to fill in the horizontal gaps.

I'm also happy I found a black freezer, and it was on sale for $148. This will be a major project for me (not mechanically inclined).

 

[elpenoso]

I'm interested in this build as I just bought one also. First, are u positive you cannot squeeze a fourth ball lock on the floor? Second, these are supposed to have a thermostat that adjusts up to 50d, making a temp controller unnecessary.
Good luck on the build

 

[campbellmike]

I bought one too but mine will be used for fermentation. I built a controller with a $10 STC-1000 from wilconrad and an old computer power supply housing. Using bits and pieces I had laying around I have a total of $12.25 invested and it looks pretty good.

 

[reim0027]

I know for a fact that you can NOT fit a 4th keg on the floor. I just tried last night. Just a bit too small (by an irritating amount too).

I plan on making a 2x8 collar, so a 4th will fit on the ledge above the compressor.

What do you guys use to seal the collar to the freezer?

 

[elpenoso]

So this freezer will only fit a max of 4 corny ball locks?

 

[jbb3]

sub'ed...

I just bought the same one and will be doing a keezer build myself. I'm still trying to figure out and order all the kegging stuff so will take some time for me to get going as well. Maybe we can compare notes along the way...

 

[reim0027]

So this freezer will only fit a max of 4 corny ball locks?

Yes, and that is by using a 2x8 collar to allow you to place a keg on the ledge over the compressor.

 

[number40fan]

I bet if you made a platform that was level with the top of the hump, you could get 5 of them in there with the collar.

 

[elpenoso]

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Looks like 5 will fit and maybe a 5lb tank.

[/IMG]

 

[reim0027]

Looks about right. You'll need a 2x8 collar to fit those kegs on the ledge.

 

[hey4q2pal]

I bought the Black Friday deal also for the same reason. Will be following post to see your progress! Prost!!

 

[reim0027]

I've decided on a color for the collar. It will be a dark cherry red.

I got some silicone to attach the collar to the freezer. Any thoughts on that? I want something that is removable, in case I want to use the freezer in the future.

I also got some fluorescent dry erase markers that I can write directly on the lid, labeling what is on tap, and what is on the ready.

 

[jhaintz1980]

I just finished mine last night, minus the temp controller. I plugged it in to test it, and even on the warmest setting the thing got down to less than 25 degrees and started to ice up in about 20 minutes. For the seal I used the spongey weather stripping and placed an outer "apron" collar to the main collar. I used 2x8's for the inner and 1x10 for the outer. It also gave me a place to attach a drip tray. Take a look at the pics. Good luck

John

 

[reim0027]

Those look fantastic. I've got all my parts together and will start on the collar this weekend. I'm not "handy" in the slightest, so mine probably won't look anywhere near as nice as yours. But, I reckon it will do the job.

 

[reim0027]

I just saw online - anyone use Seal 'N' Peel weatherstrip caulk to fix their collar to their freezer? http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?BrandID=33&SubcatID=6

 

[jbb3]

I just finished mine last night, minus the temp controller. I plugged it in to test it, and even on the warmest setting the thing got down to less than 25 degrees and started to ice up in about 20 minutes. For the seal I used the spongey weather stripping and placed an outer "apron" collar to the main collar. I used 2x8's for the inner and 1x10 for the outer. It also gave me a place to attach a drip tray. Take a look at the pics. Good luck

John

Clean simple build. Nice job!!



I see you added some casters as well. Did you make the frame or re-purpose a frame from something else?

 

[reim0027]

Going to be cutting the collar today. This will be interesting . . . I'm not much of a handy man (at all). Updated pictures with all my items:

 

[jhaintz1980]

Thank you. I welded some old bed frames together to make a nice tight fit and then added some 3" caster wheels from harbor freight.

 

[kadding]

I just finished mine last night, minus the temp controller. I plugged it in to test it, and even on the warmest setting the thing got down to less than 25 degrees and started to ice up in about 20 minutes. For the seal I used the spongey weather stripping and placed an outer "apron" collar to the main collar. I used 2x8's for the inner and 1x10 for the outer. It also gave me a place to attach a drip tray. Take a look at the pics. Good luck

John

That looks really good. Did you cut the black diamond strips of metal for drip tray yourself? Or were you able to pick that up commercially? Also curious if you used 4" shanks or if you were able to use 3 1/8. Thanks.

 

[jhaintz1980]

Thank you. For the drip tray I bought 2- 6" L brackets from lowes and spray painted them black. I had to use the 4" shanks.

 

[Xtraspyders]

Any idea if a 20lb Co2 tank will fit on the floor with 3 ball lock cornies? I believe the 20lb tank is 7 inches in diameter.

 

[kadding]

Any idea if a 20lb Co2 tank will fit on the floor with 3 ball lock cornies? I believe the 20lb tank is 7 inches in diameter.

I think it would be tight but the interior dimensions on the floor are 23" by 15.5" and 26.5" for the height. Height might be a touch less deepening on the lip of lid. And the hump is 8.75"H x 8.75"D and 15.5"W

 

[kadding]

Couple quick pics on how mine came out. I did a 8 X 2 collar but finished the outside with cabinet toe kick and 3" filler. I did this because it matches the rest of my bar. I made the collar a bit too narrow and had to cut away at the corners of the collar so the lid could come all the way down and sit comfortably. I'm happy I can get a 1/6 Sankey keg on the hump using a low profile Sankey coupler, but slightly disappointed I can't fit 3 on the floor. But it looks like I will be about to do 2 1/6 Sanke and one 5 gallon ball lock.

 

[canvasback]

what is the overall height after the collar is installed thinking of building one with that same freezer . It needs to be able to fit under my existing bar. they both look good .what is the black diamond plate strip mounted to the back of the first one ?

 

[kadding]

what is the overall height after the collar is installed thinking of building one with that same freezer . It needs to be able to fit under my existing bar. they both look good .what is the black diamond plate strip mounted to the back of the first one ?

Without casters and an 8" collar mine stands at 40 1/4.

 

[jhaintz1980]

Kadding,

Looks great! You may want to look in to painting the inside too just to help with moisture to the wood. Also,mare you using a temp controller or did you just dial down the settings? I put a temp controller on mine, but that was mainly because I didn't take the time to test out the different settings with the collar installed. Also, I am going to be insulating my collar, I am getting a lot of condensation on my taps and bolts through the collar. Great job!

 

[jhaintz1980]

what is the overall height after the collar is installed thinking of building one with that same freezer . It needs to be able to fit under my existing bar. they both look good .what is the black diamond plate strip mounted to the back of the first one ?

It is just a piece of diamond plate that was bent in to shape and then spray painted.

 

[reim0027]

Well, got the collar sanded and stained. Now, it is time to put it together. Hopefully, I'll have it done this weekend.

 

[Rcbandl]

I am working on a collar for the same freezer. 2x8 pine, 1x10 red oak outer. I overlapped the top about 3/4 inch to hide the lid seal. One thing I did notice is with the disconnects attached to the kegs, it is going to be a tight squeeze when you close the lid since the inside of the lid is lower than the seal.

 

[reim0027]

I had to trim off the inside of the collar (at the top) to accommodate for this. It should work. We'll find out today when I put the collar together and attach the lid.