New Refrigerator

[dsdr]

Looks like I'm getting a True GDM-26 for my kegerator project that will go in my garage from a friend of a friend who refurbished it. I'm looking for some options. The GDM is basically a commercial 26 cu ft refrigerator and came with five wire shelves which are adjustable. New compressor, cleaned up, checked out and ready to go. I need to have this done before trick or treat time as the parents get beer and the kids get candy...yeah...a fun neighborhood:cross:

The unit has a glass front so I'm doing taps off of the left side which is better since it protects the taps against accidental rubs going by the car from my kids. I plan on six taps though only using two initially and four for expansion once I start homebrewing. A secondary regulator will be setup for carbing and sodas hopefully (I'm dying to make some sodas). I have heard that this unit will hold about 8 5-gal (four low/four high). It is currently white with black frame and the lighted sign front plastic is missing so I need to get a custom one made (ideas for something funny but keep in mind that I have a pastor living across the street in full view of it ). All I can think of is the normal type of "It's 5 o'clock" which is generic.

My idea is a beach motif...avocado bottom and cream top. Dark stained wood strip on side to hold taps tapered on edge to blend down to the metal. The other side will get the same wood just to match. Steel under tapside for reinforcement. Palm tree decals. Chalk board paint above taps. CO2 kept on inside.

1. Now, I plan on using appliance paint but these are vinyl coating/paint so I am not sure what to actually use? I really really hate the dirty white sides. Anyone know?
2. I was going to throw a temp controller on but the guy who sold it to me said don't bother it will be fine. Besides being a very good unit he says the heat thrown off in my garage (1.5 car size) will heat the garage up considerably. It does have a 1/3 HP motor on it that he had me put my hand out to feel the air. I am in Maryland so we do have some cold snaps but my garage is insulated and under the house though not heated. No planned usage for fermentation.
3. I'd like to hear any ideas for cool stuff to do with it. I haven't bought my equipment yet so I'm open to suggestions. I will be doing MFL connectors I expect as I eventually will switch to ball locks I assume.
4. The top half since it will be free will have the shelves where I will have a rack for sodas/water (holds ~56) and another for miscellaneous beer that won't be on tap.

I'm a noob trying to get started so forgive ignorance on my part. All ideas are welcomed along with critiquing my current plans.

Thanks!

 

[dsdr]

Life got in the way but made progress to the kegerator in my garage. I went off the beaten trail by buying this but it is working out well for overflow from my normal fridge. The thing is H-U-G-E!!!! It actually looks much better in person but my cell camera along with the lighting made crappy pics. I was trying to go for a bit of a rustic look as opposed to the plane white sides. When I eventually decide on the graphic and do some minor touch-ups it will be fine. It was never designed to be a work of art just to look better than it was Chilled mugs are stored in the chest freezer not shown. Canned beer selection was for those that have no beer taste haha!

I thought it looked "plain jane" so I added some maple(?) wood veneer and stained it to make it prettier. I added some stained scats as trim (I lack woodworking skills!) along with some other stuff. The chalkboard pops off with magnets and I built with leftover wood and chalkboard paint. I wanted a spot to put some liquor so I added a speed rail and may add a second lower. The wood veneer was glued on. Where the taps and the opposite side where the bottle opener I added bolts to further secure it. Everything sealed up on the inside as I'm scared to death of moisture inside the walls.

I plan on storing 4-6 cornies in there along with a few cases of this and that. Only one tap flowing now with a 1/2 keg but will eventually have up to four going though more could be added (beer/beer/soda/mixed drink).

What I have left off the top of my head...create the design for the sign for the top light. Fix the interior light. Move to a 20# CO2 and move it external. Move a drain hose to inside to give cleaner look (might not though). Adjust shelves and better mount regulators once I move to all corny height. Add a controller to confirm temp is correct all the time.

The kegerator has worked very well and maintained a steady temperature. It is large enough for me to store cases of soda and canned beer along with enough clearance for the kegs. I'm also storing a few growlers in there so they are pre-chilled.

 

[raouliii]

Your build looks great.

I've used a GDM-12 for my cornies for a couple years now and love it.

One comment. These commercial units have constant cut-in thermostats that depend on constant evaporator fan airflow for the defrost cycle. Replacing the thermostat with one not compatible may cause problems. The evaporator achieves very cold temperatures during the cool cycle and then defrosts during the non-cooling cycle. Converting to an external controller will cycle the evaporator fan, which could create an ice buildup problem depending on the internal humidity. I have kept its thermostat stock and it runs and cools great.

I use a GDM-10 for a fermentation chamber where tight wort temperature control is critical. I found it necessary to integrate the controller (STC1000ish) into the wiring of the unit in order to alleviate frost buildup when cold crashing/lagering.

 

[dsdr]

Thanks for the comments. I was going to add the STC1000 before winter. The numbered temperature control isn't as precise as I like it and the STC1000 will give me a bit of control. Guaranteed I'll check with the guy that sold it to me first before I try it on my own I did read it was fairly easy to do with that unit though but also read about being careful with what you mess with.

Your GDM-12 sounds like the perfect size for the fermenter. If there was a choice between the two when I started I definitely would have gone with the 12 but I'm getting lots of use out of the 26 as far as storage so I can't complain.