Kegerator Questions

[clw2112]

Im fairly new to home brewing, hoping to brew my second batch this weekend, but already really enjoy this and hope to get into this a lot more this summer and have started to look into kegging. I have been trying to read as much as i can on HBT but my head is spinning and was wondering if everyone could give me some direction on which way to go is the best. Im looking for an easy/quick build and have been leaning toward just converting a mini-fridge for 2 kegs with 1 or 2 tap tower.

What type of kegs should i get pin lock? ball lock? Whats the difference between the two?

I also have read a lot of posts about people's conversion, some mention temp controllers, some dont. If i convert a mini-fridge over am i going to need to buy a temp controller too?

Where is the best place to buy all my equipment? And what kit and/or pieces/parts should i make sure i buy?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[pavs]

I do most of my shopping at beveragefactory.com or kegconnection.com. Ball lock kegs are from pepsi and pin lock are from coke. I only use ball lock because thats what's available to me. They are just referring to the way you connect to your keg. Your set up would have to be for that type only, they are not interchangeable.
As far as a cooler, I have to say, if you are converting, don't do it to hold just one or two. When you very going you'll wish you had more room! You tube videos on converting a chest dresser that can hold at least four. Very easy to do, and you will be very happy later that you have ther extra room!

 

[DunklesWeissbier]

If you have the extra room maybe think about converting a full size fridge. No need for a temp controller. I found a nearly new one for $50 and converted it to hold kegs with the faucet coming out the side. I can fit four ball lock kegs easy with room left over for bottles. The extra space is nice around the holidays for food and the extra freezer space is a big plus as well.

I had a small mini fridge before upgrading to this and hated it.

 

[cincybrewer]

Im fairly new to home brewing, hoping to brew my second batch this weekend, but already really enjoy this and hope to get into this a lot more this summer and have started to look into kegging. I have been trying to read as much as i can on HBT but my head is spinning and was wondering if everyone could give me some direction on which way to go is the best. Im looking for an easy/quick build and have been leaning toward just converting a mini-fridge for 2 kegs with 1 or 2 tap tower.

What type of kegs should i get pin lock? ball lock? Whats the difference between the two?

I also have read a lot of posts about people's conversion, some mention temp controllers, some dont. If i convert a mini-fridge over am i going to need to buy a temp controller too?

Where is the best place to buy all my equipment? And what kit and/or pieces/parts should i make sure i buy?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

I converted a mini fridge and put two taps on the tower. I have two pin locks converted to ball locks and two regular ball locks. Pins are shorter and fatter, ball locks are thinner and taller. Ball locks fit my fridge better. That's the only functional difference.

I'd go with at least two taps. That's probably a good number for a mini fridge.

I don't have a temp controller and my temps seem to sit at 40 pretty consistently and that is on a "less" cool setting, so it doesn't appear to be running too often.

If you have a decent size mini fridge I'd just see if that will work. It really isn't that hard. You can make it fancier later if you want.

If you aren't in a hurry, I'd check out your local craigslist. Patience can get you good deals there. I bought my Perlick taps at AHS and got a good deal on a tower on ebay.

 

[sychosomat]

I converted a mini fridge and put two taps on the tower. I have two pin locks converted to ball locks and two regular ball locks. Pins are shorter and fatter, ball locks are thinner and taller. Ball locks fit my fridge better. That's the only functional difference.

What mini fridge did you convert that works for pin lock kegs? Everything I have looked at is too skinny for 2 pin locks (or are you using one ball lock one converted pin all the time?).

 

[cincybrewer]

Sorry, should have been more specific. It doesn't really work with 2 pin locks, it's a big too tight. Though I probably could have carved out a little more of the inside of the fridge to fit them. So I either have to use two ball locks or one pin and one ball. Shouldn't be a problem for me as long as I keep that in mind when filling the kegs.

Oh, and it's a GE model.