Kegging without dedicated kegerator/freezer

[FortSanders]

I've searched and I haven't been able to find out the answer. Do many people keg and use their main refrigerator to dispense draft beer? I don't really have room to have another fridge but I do have enough room in my main fridge for a keg. How many do this?
I know sometimes it may be an inconvenience but I live alone and don't use that much of my freezer. Honestly I hate bottling beer and it keeps me from brewing often.

 

[DoubleFisted]

hmmm I don't know of anyone doing this but what kind of kegs are you going to use? I mean you can definately do it but we usually choose to have our own, dedicated to our marvelous beers!

 

[Crinkle]

Hell I keg, and I don't have any fridge for it. During the winter, I keep them in our laudry room (was an add on, no basement underneath, and we only het it enough to keep pipes from freezing) the beer stays around 40 to 45 degrees. I find that a good temp to drink most homebrews anyway. During the summer I keep them in the basement, a little more of a pain, but you make do with what you got, and no matter what it's way better than bottling. Just be sure you adjust your CO2 pressure according to beer temp.

 

[birvine]

Before I made the kegerator, that is exactly what I did. I had a picnic tap and wrapped the tubing around the keg. So there was the keg amongst the milk, yoghourt, cheese and celery. At least it was in our second fridge downstairs. Go with what you've got!

B

 

[sco999]

I have a single tap on my Spare Fridge in the Garage. It holds 2 kegs and leftovers, milk, butter, kids lunches, etc. Works great for me. All though I am thinking of adding 2 more taps and removing 1 of the 3 remaining shelves so I can fit 6 kegs in it.

 

[FortSanders]

Before I made the kegerator, that is exactly what I did. I had a picnic tap and wrapped the tubing around the keg. So there was the keg amongst the milk, yoghourt, cheese and celery. At least it was in our second fridge downstairs. Go with what you've got!

B

Thanks, this is my exact idea. I wanna be able to keep it in the fridge right beside the milk etc. When I'm aging in the keg, it will be at room temperature. But I like a cold hoppy IPA.

 

[John_FL]

I use my primary fridge with corny kegs and a picnic tap. It isn't ideal, but I live in a rental house and cannot modify the fridge. If you do not keep a ton of groceries at home it works fine. I took out all but the top shelf and put the rest in a storage closet.

I have been thinking about making my own removable shelving out of angle iron so I can have something to tie my tank to and fit a bit more food. I ended up with a lot of wasted space between the keg tops and only shelf.

I can fit three corny kegs and co2.

 

[DeafSmith]

Take a look at the Tap-a-Draft system.

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/Prod...29&ParentType=1&Category_ID=120&StartRecord=1

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/tap-draft-first-impression-60237/

 

[FortSanders]

I will be using corney kegs. I have seen the tap-a-draft and I don't think it will suit my needs. I have a larger CO2 tank from my paint ball days that I'd like to use. Also I can't justify paying someone to make a product when there is a suitable alternative available. Plus I have a personal vendetta against plastic products.

 

[kmk1012]

John_FL sounds like a real man's man! He is my friggin hero for today. He made less room for food and more room for beer-that's awsome!!! I have a second garage fridge that I keep 3 corny's and a 5lb c02 tank. I'm waiting (don't know what for) to drill a hole in the side to hook up mhy 20lb tank.

 

[malkore]

I'll play the beer snob card and say: beer isn't meant to be drank 'ice cold' like your fridge is going to keep it. 40-46F is more common, but 'too warm' for fridge food.

that said, you can do whatever you like! it'll work, and if you don't mind cold beer or letting it warm up a little to hit peak flavor, do it!

you'll still be the coolest kid on your block for having your own beer in your own keg on tap.

 

[sweet_corn]

Exactly what I do. Well, i have a second fridge, but I just am using the picnic taps. SWMBO has less to complain about then...

 

[muse435]

I do. I removed the bottom shelf and made one out of wood with a hole cut out of it for the keg. My CO2 just lays on a shelf above.

 

[John_FL]

I don't know why I didn't think about just switching the bottom shelf with plywood and drilling for the tank and kegs. That is brilliant! Thanks for the idea. I am really good at over looking simple solutions and trying something way too complex (my angle iron idea).

I will try that once I get home as I always have plywood sitting around.

Thanks for making me your 'hero of the day'! I am rather proud of my setup. I live half a block from the grocery store so i usually just walk down there each day after work and buy something to cook for dinner. Although I have been shopping around craigslist for chest freezers waiting to snatch one up. But may skip the keezer for now and use the freezer to make a fermentation vessel. My temp control during fermentation now is less than adequate (water bath).

On an aside does anybody know of a way to use one chest freezer to maintain two temperatures (i.e. fermenting and serving)?

I am pretty handy with tools and would be comfortable with a lengthy process.

 

[TheSlash]

I do. I removed the bottom shelf and made one out of wood with a hole cut out of it for the keg. My CO2 just lays on a shelf above.

Did you modify that c02 tank to lay on it's side? If not, google "How to use your c02 tank lying down or standing up" and hit I'm feeling lucky..
I'm sure you probably did based on your activity here, but just lookin out in case.

 

[muse435]

Did you modify that c02 tank to lay on it's side? If not, google "How to use your c02 tank lying down or standing up" and hit I'm feeling lucky..
I'm sure you probably did based on your activity here, but just lookin out in case.

Really good call on that, i thought about it when i originally put it in the fridge but then forgot. If any one else lays their tank on the side i think they should do this ONLY IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WILL NOT COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF YOUR TANK. I know it is simply but there is a lot of pressure in a CO2 tank, if you get it wrong, KABOOM!

I would do something now but I think I'm just going to disconnect for now, my new keezer will be ready later this week. SWMBO just gave me the green light for a 5 cu ft freezer. I can live with bottles for the next few days.

 

[TheSlash]

I would be concerned about liquid c02 going into your beer also. Much like when you spray a computer air can upside down..

 

[muse435]

I am sure it is bad for some reason, but i had mine on its side for about a month and a half and had no issues (that i know of) and the beer tastes great. There is an excellent chance that i just got lucky.

 

[Pixalated]

The other option that I saw is keeping a mug in your freezer and use something like Whiskey Stones. Should chill your beer down to a drinkable temperature.