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Looking for portable kegerator solutions... 2024 Edition

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Look for Pancho's keg cooler deluxe? Might be big enough to fit 3 galloners?
Pretty sure it is big enough, but Pancho's went out of business awhile ago.
It holds a five gallon corny, but at those prices...sheesh! You could build your own. Interior dimensions of my 10 gallon igloo water cooler ($55 at Lowe's) are 19" high and 13" diameter. So a 3 gallon keg should fit easily. No wheels though.
 
I’ve ended up with two water coolers that were formerly mash tuns; one I built and the other from a package deal on Craigslist. I do use one for my temp twister occasionally, but I use neither now for mashing.
I have an event to attend in July and I am thinking about just setting a 5 gallon corny keg in each and filling with ice. The top of the keg will clear the cooler enough to add a Tapit. I’m also considering building some lightweight hand trucks out electrical conduit and old lawnmower wheels to move them around. 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
There's the thread to build your own....doesn't have wheels, but knowing this community, that could be, "it doesn't have wheels yet"!
OP already has three gallon kegs that are about 17" tall, so his build would be much simpler. Just the holes for a gas line and a tap.
 
OP already has three gallon kegs that are about 17" tall, so his build would be much simpler. Just the holes for a gas line and a tap.
Understood and agreed.

Just pointing out to the OP that if Pancho's version intrigued him, someone here has already made a knockoff with instructions, if he didn't already know.
 
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/portable-5-gallon-keg-cooler.637650/

There's the thread to build your own....doesn't have wheels, but knowing this community, that could be, "it doesn't have wheels yet"!

OP already has three gallon kegs that are about 17" tall, so his build would be much simpler. Just the holes for a gas line and a tap.
It is in the back of my mind. I would probably want to buy or build a cart to hold both of them.
Honestly I am trying to figure out how he could fit his 3 gallon kegs in this. I know the lid is modified slightly, but I don't see how he gained almost 3.25"
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/portable-3-gallon-kegerator-3d-printed-parts.697016/

It is listed to be 13.63" inside height.
https://www.igloocoolers.com/produc...24677&pr_ref_pid=4493396574291&pr_seq=uniform
 
I am trying to figure out how he could fit his 3 gallon kegs in this. It is listed to be 13.63" inside height.
Yeah I don't get that either. The lid mods are to accommodate the posts, QDs and the tap. Either they changed the cooler design since then or that's a smaller keg. But even a 2.5 gallon strap handled keg is going to be at least 14" tall.
I would probably want to buy or build a cart to hold both of them.
1718116860521.jpegUnless you need off-road capabilities. :)
 
Yeah I don't get that either. The lid mods are to accommodate the posts, QDs and the tap. Either they changed the cooler design since then or that's a smaller keg. But even a 2.5 gallon strap handled keg is going to be at least 14" tall.

View attachment 850569Unless you need off-road capabilities. :)
YES!!! Radio-Flyer and either acquire and butcher, or build a faux vintage cooler to put in it..something like this:
beercoolerold.jpeg

Would the "Cool" factor be enough to get spousal support? ...I know that mine would love it (as long as one of the kegs held cider :p )
 
Yeah I don't get that either. The lid mods are to accommodate the posts, QDs and the tap. Either they changed the cooler design since then or that's a smaller keg. But even a 2.5 gallon strap handled keg is going to be at least 14" tall.

View attachment 850569Unless you need off-road capabilities. :)
That has to be a 2.5 gallon keg.

Hmmm. Off-road you say :)
YES!!! Radio-Flyer and either acquire and butcher, or build a faux vintage cooler to put in it..something like this:
View attachment 850570
Would the "Cool" factor be enough to get spousal support? ...I know that mine would love it (as long as one of the kegs held cider :p )
That's pretty sweet! If I found something cool enough I'm sure I could. Shoot I think the Coleman belted coolers are pretty neat. Modify that to look more patina and add some old stickers and it's a nice rig.
 
I was inspired by this thread. I just completed my portable using the model linked to an old thread above. I was hoping to use my old igloo/mash tun, but alas, igloo has changed the style so I had to buy two. I still had to wing it a bit to accommodate the new style, but nothing was extremely difficult. I actually liked the fact that the handles are removable on the new style because I was concerned that someone, (like me) might grab the top handles to move it while loaded and rip the whole thing apart. This won’t happen now.
If you do decide to go this route, double-check inside for a true cylindrical shape. I didn’t and found (after I cut it) that one had a bulge where the foam insulation was not uniform between the inner and outer walls. It caused a few issues with alignment and sealing the interior sleeve, but nothing that silicone would not cover, and it had no effect on the outside whatsoever.

IMG_8643.jpeg
 
1719940342628.png

I was able to find the Igloo Maxcold 70qt cooler that someone had used as a mashtun. Trimmed the protruding rubber off the bottom of the kegs (about 1/16" off on radius), still a tight fit, but the lid closes!

I am still interested in other solutions moving forward. Even considering the possibility of making my own cooler to possibly fit (3) 3 gallon kegs with a dry storage spot for the gas canister.
 
Had my first field test of the igloo kegerator build this weekend. It was also the maiden voyage of a last minute cold plate-jockey box.

My brews were situated on a concrete pad just inside the shelter barn workshop. A couple issues:
1) I was assuming I would be on soil, so I had made no accommodation for faucet drip. The field solution was Solo cups on the floor beneath each faucet.

2) The rig sat out overnight and with the humid weather here in the South, the faucets sweated profusely. I didn’t have them available, but came up with the idea that next time I would have winter spigot covers for my taps. I’m probably not the first to do this, but wish I had thought of it ahead of time.

IMG_8699.jpeg
IMG_8703.jpeg
 
Had my first field test of the igloo kegerator build this weekend. It was also the maiden voyage of a last minute cold plate-jockey box.

My brews were situated on a concrete pad just inside the shelter barn workshop. A couple issues:
1) I was assuming I would be on soil, so I had made no accommodation for faucet drip. The field solution was Solo cups on the floor beneath each faucet.

2) The rig sat out overnight and with the humid weather here in the South, the faucets sweated profusely. I didn’t have them available, but came up with the idea that next time I would have winter spigot covers for my taps. I’m probably not the first to do this, but wish I had thought of it ahead of time.
Good idea!
 
I was inspired by this thread. I just completed my portable using the model linked to an old thread above. I was hoping to use my old igloo/mash tun, but alas, igloo has changed the style so I had to buy two. I still had to wing it a bit to accommodate the new style, but nothing was extremely difficult. I actually liked the fact that the handles are removable on the new style because I was concerned that someone, (like me) might grab the top handles to move it while loaded and rip the whole thing apart. This won’t happen now.
If you do decide to go this route, double-check inside for a true cylindrical shape. I didn’t and found (after I cut it) that one had a bulge where the foam insulation was not uniform between the inner and outer walls. It caused a few issues with alignment and sealing the interior sleeve, but nothing that silicone would not cover, and it had no effect on the outside whatsoever.

View attachment 851918


That's bad ass. Nice job!
 
Successful trial! Used EVAbarrier tubing with a sodastream bottle and regulator. Served up 3 gallons of saison, 3 gallons of munich helles, and then I had brought (2) 1 gallon kegs of cider separately.

Would be nice if the cooler was more insulated, but it kept ice for 2 days at a time. Used ice packs to put on the beer lines when not in use to reduce foaming. 4 feet of EVAbarrier lines was more than enough to serve.
1721916811010.png
 
I found this thread a little late, but this is what I built several years ago. Holds two 3 gallon kegs. The tower is 3 inch pvc, attached to the top with a toilet bowl flange. I used a paintball tank for co2, and mounted it on the back side with a fire extinguisher holder.

View attachment 855047
Looks great! The only issue now is finding that cooler. I was able to find one. But currently there are no coolers that will work for it. I was lucky to find one.
 
Been doing a little brainstorming this morning on how to rig up a collar on an old igloo cooler. Stumbled on this option. This is a handicap shower bench. To my surprise it fits perfectly on the lip of this particular cooler leaving room for 2 3 gallon kegs inside.

Thinking I can cut 2 holes in a piece of 1 inch foam board to fit to fit over the 2 kegs and if it's a tight fit will probably be at least as energy efficient as the lid which will be removed. Planning to mount a 2 tap tower on the bench. It could probably accommodate 2- 5 gallon kegs with the adjustable legs on the bench.
 

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Been doing a little brainstorming this morning on how to rig up a collar on an old igloo cooler. Stumbled on this option. This is a handicap shower bench. To my surprise it fits perfectly on the lip of this particular cooler leaving room for 2 3 gallon kegs inside.

Thinking I can cut 2 holes in a piece of 1 inch foam board to fit to fit over the 2 kegs and if it's a tight fit will probably be at least as energy efficient as the lid which will be removed. Planning to mount a 2 tap tower on the bench. It could probably accommodate 2- 5 gallon kegs with the adjustable legs on the bench.
Anxious to see how this goes! Keep us updated with your progress.
 
It may be a while. Probably won't get into the build out until after the new year. Going to cover the shower bench with either cedar fence pickets or vinyl flooring. Need to get my wife another shower bench as well.
 
Round 2 and I like this one a lot better. I have been using these busboy tubs around the house for years. They are 7 inches deep and fit the cooler pretty well. Plenty of room for 2 3gallon kegs. Thinking I can mount the tower on a piece of wood on the end of the cooler over the drain plug and wheels. Better I think.

Added benefit is lower overall height. My single tap cooler doesn't fit in my Honda Pilot without unscrewing the tap handle.
 

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