Igloo Kegerator at Walmart - $369

[anp206]

have been looking at purchasing this kegerator as well, does it come with shelves? I am going to have to use it as a actual fridge for a couple months (I think that will turn into a few days though because a kegerator without beer is sad )

 

[OmahaVike]

3gal on hump? Dunno, but I think the dimensions I gave in the first post should cover it, non? I know it'll fit a 5 lb co2 tank.

Shelves -- yes, there are two wire shelves. 16.25 x 17.75 & 12 x 17.75

 

[OmahaVike]

I hope nobody minds if I document this fridge's exploits without their prompt...

The model is FRB200

So, I was a little disappointed that I could only get the unit down to 40 degrees. So, in doing my normal research, I decided to take apart the temp control unit.

I unscrewed the control box from the top of the fridge, and discovered that (indeed!) there are wires going through the top of the unit (see image below)

http://imgur.com/CsJSd

I thought I could see some kind of screw under one of the wires, but couldn't get to it because of the plastic housing. The only way to get the plastic housing off was to pry the knob off (see image below)

http://imgur.com/U5Zi4

Now I see one lone screw, with some red wax over it. I'm guessing this is it. Must be. (see below)

http://imgur.com/XRPdJ

So, I turned the screw 180 degrees (1/2 full turn) every couple of hours and logged what temperature it dropped to. Well, it took 4.5 full turns to drop it to 37 degrees. That seemed like a lot compared to what other people were reporting on other fridges and I truly hope I don't burn out a motor or compressor.

 

[twobrain]

price drop? $339.00
free shipping to store

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1190081/?fwcs=ta492444

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-6.0...ner=*7WaaTN6umc&sourceid=02870578893952321160

 

[passedpawn]

Ball Locks are 8 1/2" diameter, right? So I wonder if it's possible to get 3 ball lock kegs in there. I don't think this model is in stock in my local walmarts (I just checked) or I'd go there with some cardboard footprints and see for myself.

 

[JohnnyChimpo]

I am taking a swing at this. I will post back when it arrives.

 

[OmahaVike]

ya, at that price, it's really hard to beat.

since I last posted, here's where my exploits have taken me....

1) I installed a three tap tower. I drilled a 3" hole about the same depth FROM THE FRONT as it was originally from the rear. No cold lines (read prior posts of mine).

2) Swapped door swing from left to right.

3) My tower is liquid cooled, so added a water jug in the back (add salt to avoid freezing!) and have a cheapo aquarium pump to circulate up into the tower.

4) Added a PC fan. Actually, this is my third in there. I tried one of those (approx 9" diam) big case fans and it really didn't move a lot of air. I installed a 40mm that I had lying around, and velcro'd it to the ceiling and pointed it to the cooling plate. The smaller ones actually do a better job than than huge ones, i'm guessing because they push more punch in a smaller area.

5) I ended up dialing the screw back a few full turns, simply out of paranoia.

6) here's the biggie: shortly after posting my last update, I added a 9.75" vertical collar. that adds a lot of space to this unit, and increases the cooling demand, but i haven't had a problem with the fridge keeping up with the cooling yet. in fact, it's been sitting at 34 - 36 for weeks (using a professional remote meat thermometer i normally use for my smoker).

Sorry, but for the ball-n-lock poster, i currently have three kegs in this baby (a european half barrel (technically 50l), and two sixths), so I can't measure for you until we drink it dry. My gut feeling is that it will handle it. Refer back to my original post for measurements.

Gotta say, I've probably dumped a total of a $800 or so into it, and I blow everyone's mind having a three tap system. now... only if yuengling would expand their distribution area, we'd be in some serious trouble!!!

 

[geonjay]

Thanks OmahaVike for keeping us posted. Can you post some pics of the collar? Was it fairly straight forward considering the how easily you were able to remove the plastic top? I think I'm going to grab one of these asap. I only have a need for 2 cornies at the moment.

 

[OmahaVike]

not a problem, geonjay.

Here's a side shot, with my fabric cover pulled back. You'll see that I prefer bungie to ensure that the door remains closed. Those black strips are remnants of velcro that didn't work out so well. I used weatherstripping tape for the seal of the door.

http://imgur.com/30oBo

Here's a front shot (crappy, sorry!) of the collar with the door open and two sixtels in it.

http://imgur.com/0OGDZ

And finally, a shot that will display to everyone what kind of hack I am. You'll see that I'm using housing-siding insulation. I forget what F value, but I think it's only a 4. You'll also see that I have caulking to seal the gaps.

http://imgur.com/CMcw9

Everything you CANT see: Behind the sixtels, I have that european half barrel (wife insists that we have Stella on tap at all times - I married very well). Lying on top of that, I have the triple gauge regulator. Way on the back shelf, I have a 5 lb CO2 tank and a jug of water (to cool the tower).

The one thing I wish I would have done differently: I would have given a few more inches to the collar, so that I could have the regulator in the front of the unit.

Please keep in mind that this is my very first kegerator, and everything I've learned about modding them I have learned on these very boards, which I guess is why I'm contributing my own experiences back to the community.

As always, if you have further questions, PM me or drop a line out here on the thread. It may take me a few days to get back, but I will. Of course, if you end up getting this unit, post your experiences to this thread to help others.

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks Omaha for keeping us up to date.

If you were to do it over again, would you move the tap tower forward into the collar?

 

[FlyDoctor]

Very cool modifications - but I guess I am interested to hear films who use it as is for kegging - will it suffice as an intro to basic kegging for someone who usually bottles?

 

[geonjay]

@FlyDoctor - That's what I'm interested in too. I just want to be assured that it'll hold 2 cornies with ball locks and a 5# cylinder.

 

[JohnnyChimpo]

I got mine this afternoon and went ahead and put it together.
Here's a link to the unboxing photos on imgur:

https://imgur.com/a/32zVi

This will easily hold 2 cornies. I do not have a 5 Lb. CO2 tank, but I do have a similar size helium tank and I put it in there. I don't see it being a problem to fit 2 cornies + 5 lb. CO2 tank. That's what I am shooting for with this purchase.
I would give the build quality on my unit about a 5 out of 10. It is cooling and I am hopeful to get a few years out of it.

 

[Soulfinger]

I have one on order--should be here in a few days. I will report back.

 

[JohnnyChimpo]

I got mine today. It will definitely fit 2 cornies and a 5 lb. tank. Build quality seems cheap but I think it is going to get the job done. I tried to post a link to my imgur gallery with the unboxing but the mods didn't approve my post yet.

 

[Areba]

There is also a sale on the single tap Great Northern Stainless Steel Kegerator ($380 shipped):
http://www.buy.com/prod/great-north...-dispenser/226633136.html?sellerId=22540558&&

 

[geonjay]

@Areba - that's a good looking one. Would you expect the Great Northern product to be of higher quality?

 

[Areba]

Geonjay, I don't know enough about either model. I only saw that deal on a different site.

 

[Soulfinger]

I got mine a few days ago. I think it was roughed up a bit in shipping because the door was off, and there's a small crack in the plastic inside. I could live with all that, but thing is ungodly loud. When the compressor comes on, it's at a volume that you really, really don't want in a room that you're sitting in. Pretty disappointed about that. I'm going to see if Walmart will take it back. I don't know if they are all that loud, or just the one I got.

 

[gamba]

Hi all,

I have had this kegerator for about two months now, and it's worked out great. My question is how often does the compressor come on? I've got it set just past MED and it holds between 41-45F (I like my beer cold). It comes on about every 30 min for 3-4 min at a time.

Has anyone else monitored this? Am I setting myself up for compressor burnout?

TIA!

 

[Rooster286]

For anyone visiting this thread in the future, this keg absolutely WILL fit 3 ball lock kegs. I just picked up a third after owning this for a while now.

Set to max with 3 kegs it hovers around 41-43 degrees. I'd like to get it a bit colder so I will be dialing the temp back with compressor screw trick soon.

 

[OmahaVike]

Hey, as you do that, check for frost on the cooling plate every couple of days. Mine gets loads of ice but I can get it down to 35 degrees, and regularly keep it at 37/38. It's most likely due to my shoddy job with the vertical collar.

 

[OmahaVike]

My question is how often does the compressor come on? I've got it set just past MED and it holds between 41-45F (I like my beer cold). It comes on about every 30 min for 3-4 min at a time.

Heya gamba. Mine is holding at 34, and comes on every 10 minutes for 10 min at a time (10 on, 10 off). Have been running that way for pretty much as long as this thread has been active. It's also sitting only 3"-4" from a brick wall in a corner, so air flow isn't that great.

Just my experience. Hope it helps!

 

[billf2112]

If I am reading this correctly, you pay $370 for a fridge with a pre drilled hole. Is that cost effective?

 

[nickmv]

If I am reading this correctly, you pay $370 for a fridge with a pre drilled hole. Is that cost effective?

Ummm, no? Did you click the link? It's a full commercial kegerator. Tap and tower included. Sure, it's got crap hardware, but that's what 370 bucks gets you for a commercial product.

Where did you get that it's a fridge with just a hole in it? Do you not see the tap tower and other hardware in the pic?

 

[billf2112]

Yes, but ya gotta replace the tower with a 2 or 3 tap tower, the co2 tank and regulator needs to be upgraded. I did forget to add the drip pan. Aftet looking around more the fridge may be worth the cost.

 

[OmahaVike]

I replaced everything except the fridge itself. The way that I rationalized it... I couldn't find a fridge-only unit that was this large (cu ft) and didn't have a big-ass compressor hump blocking the floor space needed for a half barrel, that could also fit under my bar top.

 

[PrimalBrewer]

So I have to ask, any luck with installing a tap in the stock hole location? Would that be even possible? I would like to do a two tap tower. I have the keggerator already, but am hoping to order a tower this weekend.

 

[PrimalBrewer]

I'm looking at trying to put this in the stock hole location: http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/beer-towers/single-double/ebd4743dt-525ss.shtml

 

[Rooster286]

I'm looking at trying to put this in the stock hole location: http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/beer-towers/single-double/ebd4743dt-525ss.shtml

It'll "fit" but you'll likely need to drill out the hole. The igloo has a proprietary self locking tap with some molded plastic in the hole that would need to be removed in all likelihood. Shouldn't be a big deal to do it though.