New keezer vs. new fridge

[malkore]

Guys,

I will do some searching but I wanted to get a quick check from people too:

I currently have a 7.4cu keezer that will hold 3 kegs plus a 5lb cylinder. no collar.

SWMBO is getting me an upgrade for my birthday so I can run all 5 kegs, and both a 5lb and 10lb cylinder (so I can dispense different co2 volumes). I already own the kegs, cylinders, regulators and gas distributors.

The problem: I figured I'd go find a 10-ish cubic foot chest freezer to give me the room, and probably collar it this winter so I can run real draft taps.

Apparently chest freezers go from 8cu to 14cu, and that's just way too huge.


Is it possible to fit 5 cornies in a top-mount refridgerator? if so, how many cubic feet should I look for?

Or do you think I can get by with 8.8cu and putting the cylinders on the compressor hump once I build a collar tall enough?

I need feedback because she and her mother are going shopping for one tomorrow at the used appliance stores.

Thanks guys!

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

I'm a little surprised you can only get 3 kegs in your current freezer. But maybe that's because of your tank. I have the same size and easily fit 4 kegs, but my tank sits outside the freezer.

 

[Schnitzengiggle]

Just get the 14cu chest freezer, all the space you'd need.

FWIW I just bought one off craigslist, I paid more than I wanted to, but it was listed as an 8.8cu and it was actually a 14cu.

I plan to use it as a fermentation chamber, but you could fit at least 6 cornies in there (maybe more) with a 5lb tank on the hump, and maybe even a 10lb on the floor.

 

[Got Trub?]

I'm a little surprised you can only get 3 kegs in your current freezer. But maybe that's because of your tank. I have the same size and easily fit 4 kegs, but my tank sits outside the freezer.

Mine too, I have a keg sitting on the compressor hump. I did have to make the collar a little taller to accommodate it. Malkore will the 8cf freezer fit 5 kegs if your CO2 tank(s) is outside?

GT

 

[ShortSnoutBrewing]

No kegs on the hump. Maybe I have a bigger freezer than I thought. Only thing sitting on the hump is a bucket of damprid. Hm....I'll have to check that out...

But if you can swing it malkore, go with the 14cu/ft. You'll fill it pretty quick. With Kegs or other items.

 

[malkore]

My current keezer has no collar, so the cylinder sits on the bottom. I don't quite have the space for 4 if the CO2 was on the hump or external though. its sooo close though.

maybe they'll find an oddball sized offbrand freezer that's 12 cu or something.

 

[mattd2]

Another thing you might consider is doing away with having 2 tanks in there and just get a secondary reg for the lower PSI kegs.

 

[jay4e]

if you want 5 kegs, a 5lb and a 10lb tank i would go with the 14cf. you can find 9 cf that should certainly fit 5 kegs and a tank (collar might be necessary depending). But it is up to you to weigh the costs vs size. you could also use the 10lbs tank with a secondary and keep the 5lb on reserve, if you run out at a bad time.