Keezer build question?

[roscoeray13]

I am about to start building a Keezer. I have watched numerous videos and have done tons of reading. I don't see that much on commercial kegs. I am not a home-brewer so corny keg measurements will not really apply. I am struggling on what size chest freezer to buy. I am going to have 4 taps but I am probably only going to run 2 maybe 3 at a time. I don't want to be limited as to what size I run, for the most part would only be quarter slims. Should I go larger than a 7 cu ft?

 

[jimmyb33]

Give this site a look.
http://www.micromatic.com/beer-questions/sizes-keg-draft-beer-available-aid-11.html
Cut out some circles the size of the kegs you think you'll be using and see if they fit in the freezer before you buy it. My guess is the 7cu/ft is too small for a 1/2 barrel. Mine measures 16.25 and I was just able to fit a 50L New Castle keg, which is smaller than a 1/2 barrel.

 

[hillhousesawdustco]

A 1/6th keg is quite similar to a homebrew corny and many many breweries use them, so the commercial keezer isn't much different from a homebrew keezer.....until you get short 1/4ths or full 1/2s involved.

It is REALLY hard to get a full 1/2bbl keg into a chest freezer, especially with a collar! Seriously really hard. I have an extra gas line and picnic d-tap I use for 1/2 bbls....for outside the keezer in a trashcan full of ice!

 

[roscoeray13]

Thank you for the replies! I did not think about the actual weight of the keg lifting it over a collar. I am going to cut some circles. I really appreciate the help.

 

[hillhousesawdustco]

There is definitely a thread on this site somewhere that has photos of 95% of generally used freezer models that include the cutouts for cornys. Take a searchabout (or just go through google) and you'll probably find your fridge and some corny vs 1/6th info. I have a 7 1/4" collar on a 7cf freezer and there is no way in heaven or hell I could get a keg of PBR in there by myself ....but 5 kegs of homebrew works just fine.

 

[orion7144]

A 1/6th keg is quite similar to a homebrew corny and many many breweries use them, so the commercial keezer isn't much different from a homebrew keezer.....until you get short 1/4ths or full 1/2s involved.

It is REALLY hard to get a full 1/2bbl keg into a chest freezer, especially with a collar! Seriously really hard. I have an extra gas line and picnic d-tap I use for 1/2 bbls....for outside the keezer in a trashcan full of ice!

I can attest to this. Myself an my son had a hard time getting a 1/2 over the collar. I had to get a "commercial" keg of beer when I was first starting and ran out of homebrew since I had not got my system quite right yet. Now If I have to get a back up keg I will go with the 1/4 slim.

 

[tssgery]

it'd be best to cut circles, but...

I just built a 7.0 cubic foot keezer. I've got two cornies and one commercial sixtel in there right now. I might be able to run three sixtels without using the hump but it would be tight.

If you really want 4 taps and the ability to run slim quarters, I don't think a 7 cubic foot keezer would work.

My build thread, with final pictures is at: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/yakbaq-yet-another-keezer-build-questions-391130/

 

[jimmyb33]

Check out my other post on the keezer lid answer. I have some pics on how I hinged the lid and collar. I have a 7" collar and open it up for loading. If you have beer, then you have friends! I got a buddy to help me lift the 1/2 barrel of Newcastle in there last week. Not too bad. It would be a beast if the collar was in the way.

 

[roscoeray13]

So I was in the process of cutting circles and I decided to check Craigslist one more time. I was the first to reply to a 8.8 cu ft Kenmoore chest for free. I just finished cleaning it out. It has some rust but it works great. I am going to build a coffin style. So now the project really starts. It is probably going to take me a few months. I am trying to get most of the stuff in trade. I just don't have the funds to buy it all at one time. I really appreciate all the links and info. Can anyone tell if I should make the collar out of treated or non treated lumber.

 

[jimmyb33]

So I was in the process of cutting circles and I decided to check Craigslist one more time. I was the first to reply to a 8.8 cu ft Kenmoore chest for free. I just finished cleaning it out. It has some rust but it works great. I am going to build a coffin style. So now the project really starts. It is probably going to take me a few months. I am trying to get most of the stuff in trade. I just don't have the funds to buy it all at one time. I really appreciate all the links and info. Can anyone tell if I should make the collar out of treated or non treated lumber.

I didn't use treated on mine. Just put plenty of poly on the inside and out.

 

[SpottedDogBrewing]

No treated! I'm gona spray the rubber on the inside of mine! Something similar to FlexSeal but from Homedepot!