Kegerator: Build or Buy?

[imaguitargod]

You can convert a small fridge into a kegerator for "about" the same price as a retail unit, but then you only get the two kegs.

If you went with a small freezer, and made a keezer, then you have spent about the same, and you can usually fit a few more kegs in there. If that matters to you.

Personally, I'd build one myself. I like building things. I'd also shop around for a good used unit and save some $$. Try craigslist.

I think the only reason for buying a retail kegerator is to not have to build one. The conversion has to be very simple if you get one with sanke tap.

Depending on the space available to me in the basement, i might go with the keezer. This way I could fit a carboy in there and I'll be able to do lagers!!!!

 

[imaguitargod]

Hey, there was a article in BYO Magazine in November on building a kegerator, did anyone read it? Is it worth my time to purchase that back issue?

I'm bumping this b/c of the above question.

 

[mmb]

Not if you want it for the article on building the kegerator. You'll get more in-depth information here than in that article. I was fairly under whelmed with that article or the next with the "Stout faucet conversion" article. *yawn*

That being said, BYO is worth subscribing to just to keep a beer magazine. It's great throne reading and they have some interesting interviews with commercial brewers.

 

[Dionysos911]

I am looking into my kegerator options right now and reading through here Keezers sound interesting. I want something about the size of a mini fridge since it's in an apt that looks nice. More taps the better. Question on the keezer, wouldn't that be too cold or can you dial them back a lot?

 

[Homercidal]

I love my fridge, because even though I can only put 2 kegs in there, I can fit the whole front shelves with bottles, plus the drawer in the bottom, and it has a freezer for ice or ice cream. It's basically a standard dorm fridge but taller.

If I was going to just do kegs, then a small keezer would be the way to go for me. Figure out how to mount the taps (on a collar, or in a tower) and you could fit a few kegs in there, and use it as a lagering device.

 

[Homercidal]

I am looking into my kegerator options right now and reading through here Keezers sound interesting. I want something about the size of a mini fridge since it's in an apt that looks nice. More taps the better. Question on the keezer, wouldn't that be too cold or can you dial them back a lot?

Oops, forgot to answer this question!

You'd have to buy a temp controller. I think I've seen people posting around $25 for one online. Simple to install.

Check out the show us your kegerator thread for examples of what different kegerators look like. The small keezer can look pretty good, but some might not want to put a tower on it due to it being in the way when the lid is lifted (to mess with the kegs), and others dont' want to mess around with building a collar and mounting the taps on the front. Either or.

 

[hungrymonkey]

Depending on the space available to me in the basement, i might go with the keezer. This way I could fit a carboy in there and I'll be able to do lagers!!!!

would lager temps make for warm serving temp from the tap?

 

[EngineJoe]

would lager temps make for warm serving temp from the tap?

Not if you like to serve at cellar temps, like at an English pub. You'd be fermenting in the upper 40s or MAYBE the low 50s, which is just right for UK pub serving range.

Of course, the actual "lagering" part would be colder, so you're back to lower temps then.

I ferment and lager (v.) lagers (n.) in my "keezer" and the hardest part, I guess, is keeping it balanced in the first day or two when I switch from fermentation to lagering (or vice versa), since the temp differences affect the amount of psi required to keep things carbonated and properly balanced for serving. But that's a little tweaking and adjusting every few weeks, at most... well worth it, IMO.

 

[BarleyWater]

I voted build your own, but I do REALLY like lemon meringue pie.

 

[EngineJoe]

I'm bumping this b/c of the above question.

Why not first download the relevant episode of Basic Brewing Radio where they talk with the editor of BYO about the article for about an hour? They cover most of it there... and you'll definitely have a good idea if you want to fork over $$ for the specific issue after listening to the (free) podcast episode dedicated to the article.

 

[FireBrewer]

Who doesn't like pie?

I voted build your own, of course. IMHO, the vast majority of the commercially available kegerators are simply overpriced and one-size-fits-all. Building your own allows you to tailor it to what you want it to do and where you want it to go. It's certainly not difficult.

This thread is great motivation and eye candy if nothing else.

 

[imaguitargod]

Why not first download the relevant episode of Basic Brewing Radio where they talk with the editor of BYO about the article for about an hour? They cover most of it there... and you'll definitely have a good idea if you want to fork over $$ for the specific issue after listening to the (free) podcast episode dedicated to the article.

I like the way you think, sir!

 

[Jester369]

I vote build, but as anyone who has seen my Keezer can tell you, I saved NO money by doing it myself. Of course, I doubt you can buy one like it anywhere

 

[Dwain]

When we sold the "big" house and moved into a condo, SWMBO said we couldn't take the home made kegerator. So I gave away my old 4 tap corny refridgerator with plenty of space for my bottles/cans/soda water/ mugs in freezer/etc. The only space available for it was in the living room so she wanted to buy a new, shiny, built kegeraror (sometimes she doesn't understand how DIY works). So, as a compromise, we bought a Haire kegerator from a scratch and dent for $350.00. It had one small dent in the door. It was a single Sanke 1/2 barrel setup with all of the bells and whistles, 1/4 bbl accessories you name it. It was very simple to convert to corny kegs. I sometimes put a regular keg of BMC for the inlaws (both of my boys homebrew with me) so the ability to switch is nice. Having done both, I say build it. You can take your time, salivate over the cool ideas here as well as clown your buddies about doing it yourself. It's win-win. Luck - Dwain

P.S. Now we live in the "country" so I'm sure I'll build another one and have both in my shop!