Looks Like a Keezer

[brewit2it]

Okay, after spending day upon day reading here, searching CL, checking out every min-fridge and freezer on Amazon, Sams Club, Home Depot, Lowes, etc as well as checking out all the pre-made Kegerators I think I have finally come to the decision that what I want is a Keezer.

But to tell you the truth my head is still spinning a bit from all the reading all those websites and looking at the 100 plus page threads of "Show us your Kegerator" and "sizing your chest freezer...".

I'm hoping someone can simplify it for me a bit and get me going in the right direction on the project.

What I am thinking is a new or newish Frigidaire 7.2 CF or GE 7.0 freezer as the unit. In fact I have an offer from a seller for a very lightly used Frigidaire ffc0723dw for 150.00 delivered. I would like to have room for 2 Ball lock Corny's, a 5 lb C02 tank and a glass carboy for lagering. I think I will want a collar to run the 2 taps through because I like that look and it seems like the simplist solution plus then the freezer remains totally unmolested so can be used as a freezer if I no longer need it as a Keezer.

I plan to buy a 2 keg kit with lines, gauge, kegs, connects, and taps from one of the venders here.

My main questions are:

1. What else will I need and where should I buy stuff?
2. How do I build the collar? I dont really have much wood working tools or experience. I'm Thinking 2 x 6's which I will likely have pre-cut for me at HD but I don't know if I can get them to cut the 45 degree angles so it might be a hack job with the boards end to end. I will probably paint the collar.
3. Whats involved in moving the hinges when you use a collar? Has anyone done it for a frigidaire before?
4. Do you think this is a good deal delivered for this freezer? It's pretty much the exact size I was thinking but on teh otherhand I can get a new GE 7 cf for 178 including shipping but will have to pay tax plus I'm not a Sams Club member so would have to sign up (40.00 and some hassel of getting photo, paperworka nd I already have Costco Membership so dont really need the Sams Club)
5. Anyone in the SGV area of SoCal that built a Keezer? I'd love to see it or would welcome any help you could offer.

Thanks folks.

 

[jonp9576]

I think the 150 is a decent deal if you don't have a truck or way to move it. There are some on sale at SAMs club and all for under 200. but if your not a member then its probably not worth it.

Instead of hacking 45 degree angles, just make two of the sides about two inches too long and the other two a little short. Just put them together that way. I can't explain it but i hope you get that.

 

[BendBrewer]

1) Temp controller
2) I went with 2x6s end to end. Held them together with 2 L brackets on the inside of each corner. Painted it looks fine.
3)I just used a screwdriver. Took the bottom of the hing off of the body of the freezer and reattached them to the collar with a small shim to make it even with the back of the freezer.
4)Yeah, seems like a good deal.
5)It's actually a very easy project.

 

[brewit2it]

Thanks for the replies. Okay so end to end it is. Ill just need to measure the unit for the board size when I get it home. Is there any trick to that? Like I guess you are trying to get the collar to sit so that the seal on the lid matches up with the top of the collar. Anyone happen to have measurements of theirs for a 7.2 Frigidaire?

Thanks, Kevin

 

[Flomaster]

where to begin.

you going to need a temperature controller. the ebay ones are by far the cheapest
you can check it out here.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/index6.html

to build the collar: home depot does not miter cut your boards. also they don't even cut to exact lengths. I've had and heard several stories about people trying to get an exact cut done only to find out the guy messed up and the board is to short.

so best bet if you want a 45° cut is to get a miter box and use a hand saw.


moving the hinges is as easy as just unscrewing them from the freezer and screwing them back into the collar.

I paid $50 for my Freezer used so your millage may vary. if you can get a new one with warranty for a few dollars more I might go that route. as long as you don't drill into it you can put it back to stock.



-=Jason=-

 

[BendBrewer]

Thanks for the replies. Okay so end to end it is. Ill just need to measure the unit for the board size when I get it home. Is there any trick to that? Like I guess you are trying to get the collar to sit so that the seal on the lid matches up with the top of the collar. Anyone happen to have measurements of theirs for a 7.2 Frigidaire?

Thanks, Kevin

You're over thinking it. There is a lip on the top of the body that goes around the entire freezer. Your boards are going to sit just inside of this lip. Measure from the inside of the side lip to the inside of the other to get you front and back measurements. Measure from the inside of the front lip to the inside of the back lip and subtract the width of 2 boards to get your sides.

Lay them in place and attach with brackets. Glue in place.

 

[BendBrewer]

Then lay the top on so it is square and attach the hinges to the collar.

Fill with beer.

 

[brewit2it]

Update on my project. So far I have purchased a Ranco digital temp controller. It is the non-prewired version so hopefully I wont have much trouble wiring it up. What I'm planning on doing is using an 18 foot grounded extension cord I have and cutting it in half and wiring one end for the freezer and one for the wall outlet. Hopefully the diagram is easy to follow. Any tips? Am I thinking correct with cutting the cord that will then give me the 2 cords I need?

I also bought this kit but with the upgrade to 2 perlick 525ss:
http://stores.kegconnection.com/Detail.bok?no=330

I decided against the frigidaire because as someone else pointed out, the savings wasn't enough to justify not just getting a new unit. I haven't bought one yet so will watch CL for a couple more days but will likely just end up getting the new GE unit form Sams Club unless I find a smoking deal.

Anyway, there's no turning back now after spending some significant cash with a lot more to spend before I am drawing my first draft. Whoever said you don't go into homebrewing to save money on beer was so right. I'll have to make all grain batches for at least 10 years to break even LOL. But that's how hobbies are, and like they say you can't take it with you.

Any tips or comment appreciated.